We’re so in love with the pictures from Cindy’s Chicago Maternity Session. Here’s a few sneak peeks. More to come next week!
Author: Maggie Rife Ponce
How to hide those unwanted blemishes
Bad breakout before your photo shoot? Don’t worry, our makeup artists know just how to cover it up!
Jaycie Kurfess guests blogs today, sharing her insight on the best way to hide pimples, dark circles beneath the eyes, and even scars!
“Concealing your unwanted blemishes and dark circles can be a slippery slope if your don’t know what you’re doing. I mean, lets face it, it can be difficult even if you do know what you’re doing!
Before you just start loading on any old concealer, really evaluate the problem. Are you concealing dark under eye circles? If so, are they red from lack of sleep are they more of a blueish hue? Are you working with with a blemish that is more pink or are you dealing with an older blemish that may have left a scar, which can appear more brownish grey?
First things first, the area your are covering needs to be moisturized. If you are loading on concealer to dry skin, it will just to stand out more. It is going appear caking and cracked looking. (Sometimes we can’t do anything about it, but just try to always moisturize and exfoliate about once a week.)
Second, figure out what color is casting from the area that needs coverage. If it is a pinkish red, then you want to use a concealer that has a yellow/green-tone. If it is a blueish/purple then you want to use a golden or salmon concealer. If you have sunspot or scaring, you want to try to warm them up with a reddish orange concealer. Your average pink concealer with only bring out the grey.
Remember, you want to cancel out the unwanted color by using its complementary color. Adding more of the same color with not hide anything!”
Thanks Jaycie! And ladies, don’t worry, even if you’re blemish isn’t completed concealed, we’ll take care of the rest with the magic of photoshop.
Chicago Circus Shoot with Duo Rose
We’ve never done a shoot like this! Circus photography with Duo Rose
We’re so excited to share this next series of images from a recent editorial style photo shoot with Circus performers from MSA & Circus Arts. Our first post features the married couple, Sylvia and Sam, known in the industry as the Duo Rose. Their routine is so compelling because it’s not only technically breathtaking, with splits, twists, and one armed drops, but also incredibly romantic, ending on a soft note with a gentle kiss.
Sam and Syliva are internationally recognized performers, traveling the World to share their aerial act, even visiting Havana, Cuba, where they were awarded the bronze medal during the 9th International Circus Festival.
Laurie and I are incredibly inspired by movement, so to work with Syliva and Sam, was an absolute treat. The fact that they also happen to love one another, made it even more swoon-worthy. Laurie and I were a thrilled peanut gallery while taking these pictures.
Check back soon for more from our visit to MSA & Circus Arts!
We couldn’t have done this shoot with out our amazing team, including Makeup Artists, Emily Wolf, Jewelry designer Zurina Ketola, assistant Kelly Feldmiller.
Top Five Hair and Makeup Must Dos
Makeup Artist Jaycie Kurfess of Makeup by Jaycie shares her top five hair and makeup must dos.
Today we’re featuring a guest post from one of our very own makeup artists at Revealed Studios, Jaycie Kurfess. We’ve been working with Jaycie for the last four years. Her personality is as lovely as her makeup skills. We’re so lucky to have her in our Revealed family!
Jaycie’s come up with a few simple tips that will enhance every woman’s beauty routine. Thanks Jaycie! We can’t wait for your next guest post.
Top 5 (easy) hair and makeup must do’s
1. Curl your lashes. Eye lashes can change our eye shapes drastically. We really should take advantage of them more. By simply curling up our eye lashes, we are elongating them, which opens up our eyes immediately. I know lash curlers can be intimidating, just start at the base and work your way up. Practice makes perfect!
2. MOISTURIZE! I can’t tell you how many women (and men) sit in my chair and tell me they don’t moisturize. Our skin is our largest organ, so it needs to be hydrated. Not only does hydrated skin postpone the inevitable wrinkles, but it also allows our makeup to blend into our skin better. (Cetaphil is a great everyday moisturizer.)
So you have oily skin? Use a blocking product like Dermadoctor’s Tease zone on your oily prone areas first, then work some oil free moisturizer over the entire face.
3. Color Match. No one likes to have that line of makeup right under their chin. Make sure to test your foundation against your neck. Using a darker foundation will not make you look tanner; it will just cause you to have a harder time blending everything. Your peers will notice. Instead, on days you’re feeling a little pale, just lightly brush on some bronzer; forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. This will give your skin a warmer look in all the right areas.
4. Brush your hair before you shower. Sounds tedious, so you ask, “why not just comb through my hair with conditioner?” Well, your hair is actually stronger when it is dry, so detangling it before it gets wet will help you in the long run. Sometimes when we comb through our hair in the shower, it actually gets damaged because it’s weaker and breaks off more easily.
5. Treat yourself. Yep, that’s right! We don’t always make enough time to do the little things that make us feel better. We are too worried about making sure those around us are taken care of first. Block out 30 minutes to go get a manicure, read a book, get a spray tan, get your eye brows waxed, or whatever it is that makes you feel good. Sometimes, just feeling good helps you look your best.
Boudoir Inspiration Board – Sports Fan [Photos]
Boudoir Inspiration Board…The Sports Fan
Continuing our series of boudoir inspiration boards, today we’re featuring the “Sports Fan” look. We love when clients bring sports team memorabilia. Rock a jersey with a pair of sneakers, a hat, and aviators. With a little fan on you, you’ll be the perfect picture of fun and flirty for your boudoir session.
Boudoir Inspiration Board – Nerd Chic
We’ve been publishing a series of boudoir inspiration boards this week. Often times clients aren’t sure what to wear beyond the more traditional lingerie pieces.
We encourage you to think outside the box! How about today’s inspiration board – Nerd Chic. One of our favorite actresses, Zoe Deschanel embodies this look perfectly!! She’s rocks the down-to-earth, slightly geeky get up, while still embracing her feminine side.
How to achieve Nerd Chic: plastic frames, all stars, a fun tank, boy shorts, and knee high socks.
Boudoir Inspiration Board – Classic Sexy
Keep it Classic – Boudoir Inspiration Board
In our last blog post we talked about one of the most commonly asked questions during phone consultations with our clients, “what do I wear?” We’re answering that question in a series of posts featuring our favorite looks in boudoir inspiration boards, as well as a few fun, unique options!
Here’s another of our favorites! The classic sexy look. The go-to pieces to create this effect: black thigh-highs, a smoky eye, close-toed pumps, jewelry that sparkles, and of course, the transformative power item–a corset!
Inspiration board – Bridal Boudoir
In desperate need of inspiration? We’ve got you! Bridal boudoir styling tips below!
One of the most common questions we receive during a boudoir phone consultation at Revealed Studios is “What do I wear?”
The answer, “skies the limit!”
Boudoir is an opportunity to express your many sides. Let your imagination run wild. During a session, there’s time for three to four outfits. You can do a variety of looks, from the girl next store, to va va voom bombshell. We love seeing clients take inspiration from their hobbies. Do you like to cook? Are you an athlete? Love a good book? Or maybe you’re a dancer just waiting to show your moves. Show off what makes you, you!
How about wearing an apron, pumps, and not much else? Try out the sporty look with knee-high socks, a jersey, and boy shorts. Bring your favorite book, some plastic frame glasses, and a simple nightie. If you’re a dancer at heart, don’t forget your pumps for your twists and turns!
Still struggling to come up with ideas? We’ve created a series of boards for inspiration! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be releasing a series of posts with fashion boards to get the creative juices flowing. To start here’s our bridal boudoir styling inspiration board.
Wanna see what other clients have worn for their sessions? Check out our bridal boudoir gallery.
Celebrating this Mom-to-be with Beautiful Maternity Session
A Nice Break from the Challenges of Pregnancy
When your back hurts and you feel like your carrying a bowling ball, doing a maternity session is great reprieve from the less glamorous aspects of pregnancy. The maternity photo shoot below was a special joy for me to shoot because the client is my dear cousin Liz. I loved the chance to celebrate this lovely lady and show her just how beautiful she is as a mom-to-be.
We had such a ball with her maternity session, talking about potential names for her baby girl and how excited we are that she and my sister will be able to raise their two girls, mere months apart, together, continuing the closeness between us all. Liz is going to be an incredible mother, I know, because she’s been such a great role model to me over the years. From our early moments when she showed me how to hold a curling iron to get the best curl as a little girl (she always had the BEST hair) to career and relationship advice. I cherish the monthly dinner dates with Liz, and can’t wait for the new addition joining us a the table. I can’t wait to meet you baby Burke!
Love, Cousin Maggie
Bridal Inspired shoot with The Hue Studio + Co.
Chicago Bridal Photography with The Hue Studio Company
This month we had the pleasure of working with event planning company, The Hue Studio for a Spring bridal shoot. With gorgeous dresses from Veronica Shaffer, jewelry from Zurina Ketola, makeup by Tanya Renelt, pastries from Sugar Hill Bakery, and a lovely painting from Agustina Diez Sierra, the result was a wonderful collaborative effect. With green and pink inspiration, Jeff created gorgeous tablescapes with intricate details, sparkle, and of course, lots of color!!
Join us Sunday, April 6th for our Grand Studio Opening!
Revealed Studio’s Grand Studio Opening!
This Sunday from 11- 4 pm our studio doors will be open to visitors! Sip mimosas and nibble on small bites and see where their shoots are held. This is a chance to meet photographers/owners, Laurie Peacock and Maggie Rife Ponce, as well as their team of makeup artists.
Sneak Peek from our recent bridal inspired shoot
Bridal inspired shoot with the Hue Studio and Co.
We have sooo many more pictures to share, but we wanted to give a sneak peek into our recent bridal inspired shoot at our studio. We collaborative with an amazing team, Jeff Hughes of The Hue Studio and Co., Tanya Renelt Artistry, Flowers Flowers, Veronica Shaffer (bridal gowns), and our fabulous model, Olivia Kalmanson. Check back soon for many more from the shoot!
Choosing a boudoir photographer
When it comes to choosing a boudoir photographer, there is a lot to consider.
For the most women out there, doing a photo shoot with a complete stranger–in your underwear–is not an everyday occurrence. We compare it to skydiving. It’s scary, thrilling, and a huge leap of faith. And just like skydiving, you want to make sure you’re working with professionals who know what they’re doing. Here’s what we recommend looking for when making a decision:
- They’re experienced with a variety of body types
- They inspire confidence, even over the phone.
- They’ve been in your shoes.
- They’re comfortable with a variety of shooting conditions.
- They’re easy to talk with, quick to respond to your inquiry, and have a fast turn-around time.
At Revealed Studios, we are very committed to our mission of making every woman not only look beautiful, but feel beautiful too. As female photographers, we can totally picture how nerve-wracking it can be to walk into a new space knowing you’re about to strip down to your undies. That’s why when we started shooting boudoir, we asked ourselves, “if this was me, how would I want to be treated?”
Our answers:
- We’d want to be well-prepped
- Photographed in a great environment
- Work with warm, kind women.
- Know our images would be kept private unless we say otherwise
- Feel confident the experience would be fun
- Have beautiful results.
Those became the standards to which Revealed is committed.
PREP: For us, building trust with a client starts before you even walk in the door. It begins with an initial phone consultation, where we virtually walk you through a session and answer your questions. Think of us as your doctor, hairdresser, or even therapist! The consultation call is your chance to have every last question on your mind answered. Nothing is off limits. We’ve heard queries of where to buy lingerie, to concerns about cellulite, to the pros and cons of a Brazilian (ouch!) And if another question pops up before your shoot, call us back or check our website where we have loads of helpful information like answers to frequently asked questions, background information on Maggie and Laurie, bios of our makeup artists, and videos from real shoots to give you a behind-the-scenes look into what our sessions entail.
THE STUDIO: We’ve intentionally designed and arranged the studio to be a comfortable and relaxing space that is also photogenic. Light from three directions fills the room where we shoot, keeping things bright and inviting. We have furniture and interior design elements that offer different backgrounds, creating distinct looks for all your outfit changes.
THE PROFESSIONALS: At Revealed, we’re are all about lifting women up, celebrating our femininity, and providing an empowering experience. We believe women are multi-faceted: maternal, professional, sexy, soft, playful, powerful. Through boudoir, you can connect to the different sides of yourself that you might not reveal on a day-to-day basis. This is your time to rock your heels or go barefoot, shake your bootie, or show off your hard-worked-for glutes. The Revealed Team is here to facilitate that connection. Our amazing makeup artists highlight and enhance your features, bringing out an ultra-polished version of yourself. With over 20 years of combined experience, Maggie and Laurie are well-practiced in helping clients quickly feel comfortable and bringing out their best qualities on camera. We work together to direct you into flattering positions and playful postures. It’s fun and liberating. We’ll be there the whole way to cheer you on and capture you shining!
PRIVACY: Your images are safe with us. We provide a contract when you book your session spelling out the confidentiality agreement. The gist: we never post any work without written consent from our clients.
THE PICTURES: We strive to take beautiful, artful images of our clients. We’re inspired by editorial shoots in fashion magazines, moving moments in the movies, epic vocals from our favorite songs, classic paintings from the Renaissance, finely designed pieces of clothing, and so much more. Taking pictures is our passion. We count ourselves beyond lucky to feed our creative spirit while offering an uplifting service to women of all ages. If you have a spouse/partner, we shoot with them in mind, without forgetting that you are the star. Your final images will be sexy, tasteful, playful, gorgeous, and stunning. Collaborating with you and our makeup artists on styling, the final outcome is often breathtaking. We love sharing the pictures during the review session, because often clients can’t believe they’re looking at pictures of themselves. It’s a joy–and the most rewarding part of our job–to see the delight in their eyes and the boost in confidence when our clients see the final images.
THE FINAL PRODUCT: We offer a broad selection of finely crafted products matching the fine quality of your images. At Revealed, we’re creating artwork that will stand the test of time so we’ve selected products to match that standard. No Walgreens prints here. Our vendors use calibrated printers on the finest archival materials. That way, your images will look new for decades to come. Whether it’s a custom-designed album or a selection of loose prints in an image box, you’ll receive a high-end product to remember this once in a lifetime experience.
You may also enjoy reading these other posts:
- Our Approach: how we help empower and affirm every woman through boudoir photography.
- Frequently Asked Questions before doing a boudoir photoshoot.
- And just for fun, Breakup Boudoir Photos.
Miss D. pinup inspired boudoir shoot
What a throw-back. Check out this pinup inspired boudoir shoot.
Real client, Miss D., wanted a pinup inspired boudoir shoot. So with red lip, her gorgeous curves, and those baby blues, she more than nailed the look. We love how she styled her shoot, selecting figure hugging dresses, a sapphire robe, and of course, her hubby-to-be’s plaid shirt. If it wasn’t his favorite already, we know it is now!
Thanks for visiting! For more, take a peek into our world at Revealed by visiting our instagram page.