Ms. A, an upcoming 2014 bride, wanted to surprise for her husband-to-be with sexy, yet tasteful, pictures as a gift for the wedding.
During hair and makeup, we brainstormed ideas with her, coming up with locations and accessories for each outfit. We even planned to use our in-house lockers for a slightly kitschy tip of the hat to her fiance’s love of Nebraska football.
Laurie and I were thrilled with the session. Ms. A rocked the shoot, showing her sultry, sassy, and sweet side. We’re sure Mr. A will love his very special wedding present come next year!
After the shoot, Ms.A, who has been keeping up on our twitter and facebook tips on “How to look great on camera” wrote this to us, ” loved your tip on Revealed about breathing with your mouth open! Looking back at my pictures, it really does make a difference! You guys are just great at making people look good!”
Quite often, Laurie and I have clients say to us, “I’m so awkward on camera!” To them we answer, “that’s totally normal!” We are real women, our clients are real women, not professional models. Laurie and I have totally been there. In fact, we pose for each other often enough to remember what it feels like to be on that side of the camera. We want to connect and relate to our clients, and know the right tips to help bring about a natural unfolding. Like pie crust, it takes a certain touch to create a sense of complete confidence and comfort on camera. Eventually there is a change that happens, when tension is released and a spirit shines through.
We have 10 tips that help our clients look their best on camera, and we want to share them with you. These tips don’t just apply during a professional photo shoot, they’re get guidelines for selfies or party pics during a night out with your girlfriends. Each day we’ll release a new tip on our twitter and facebook page. Follow us to have special, daily access to these tips, before we release the full list, right here on our blog, in two weeks.
(Self portrait of me “trying to illustrate this…”
So back to Tip #1: Breathe through your mouth
So we all have vicemouth syndrome. Our lips are press together so firmly, there’s no way a single sliver of air can escape. It happens when were nervous, stressed, or focused. We want to hold in our stress, swallow it down, so it doesn’t overcome us. Just as every yoga instructor would tell you, breathing helps release that tension.
At the start of each session, this is one of the first tips we share. breathe through your mouth. The whole time. Not only will it naturally help you relax, but it looks great on camera by curing vicemouth syndrome. Suddenly your mouth is free to smile, tease, pucker. Try it out! Let us know if it works for you. Here are a few examples from our shoots showing, beautiful, relaxed lips.
With poise and confidence beyond her years, Evanston, Illinois senior Shanell glowed during her senior portraits in Chicago.
For Shanell’s 18th birthday gift and senior year present, she experienced the full pampered treatment, including hair and makeup by the talented Tanya Renelt. With moving curls and glowing skin, Laurie and I captured pictures of her beneath the urban el tracks. It took her no time to warm up on camera–soon she was breaking out her salsa moves and laughing along with us. After the tracks, we moved to nature, where the late afternoon sun cast golden light onto a field of wild flowers. It was a gorgeous setting for the lovely Shanell! We’re so honored we were able to capture this special time in Shanell’s life.
Senior year of high school is a pinnacle moment in life. If you’d like to have beautiful senior portraits of your daughter to celebrate this coming of age moment, call us at (773) 273-9063 or e-mail to info@revealed-studios.com
Earlier this week we featured boudoir photos of Jaycee Gossett from her modeling portfolio session. During that same shoot, we set up the studio lights and let Jaycee’s million dollar smile shine!
For Jaycee, her past modeling, dance, and teaching experience help her feel confident on camera. But even she asked for a little Beyonce to help loosen her up.
If you’re feeling nervous, music helps to relax and even bring you out of your shell. We love when clients tell us their favorite artist — our musical inspirations can instantly change our energy. And even if you need a little extra boost, just make like Beyonce and adopt an alter ego. We all have a little Sasha Fierce in us.
Blue’s guitarist, Kate Moss, brought rock star quality to this musician portrait session. Check out videos and more pics of her jamming here! Thanks for being such an inspiring subject Kate!
If you’re interested in a creative portrait for your business or online profile, contact us at info@revealed-studios.com or call at 773-273-9063.
At Revealed Studios Laurie and I (Maggie) love celebrating the bride-to-be by creating stunning boudoir photos. During a few of our recent shoots, our clients have brought along their bff’s for company. Of course, with so many great friends together, it turned into a gigglefest. When the bride was finished with makeup, the friend’s were so impressed with the final outcome that two decided to have their own done for the night!
Between all the laughter and ohhs and ahhs, Laurie and I looked at each other with the same idea in mind (as often happens to us), “What a perfect activity for a bachelorette party!”
With all your girls together, start with hair and makeup by one of our very talented artists. Then, we’ll snap pictures of everyone looking fierce, as well as the super fun memories of your time together. And yes, there will be champagne! It’s a celebration, right? The best part about the experience is you’ll all be ready for the night out afterwards!
Of course, for the bride-to-be, this is a perfect time for the boudoir shoot you’ve been thinking about, especially since you’ll have your girlfriend’s there to support you!
In Chicago for a weekend bachelorette party? Contact us to inquire about a party.
Below are images from real bride-to-be, Ms. A, who will be getting married in April of 2014. Check back soon to see the pics from her boudoir session!
We all come in different shapes and sizes. I (Maggie) have what is called an apple figure, fuller on bottom, smaller on top. For some women, the most flattering poses are those that minimize shapely areas (see Laurie’s previous post of curvy women). I spend my time in front of the mirror working my body into different yoga postures to enhance my curves. From years of practice, I’ve found the right poses (and tricks), sure to make thinner girls feel confident and look their best.
1. “Lean in.” Sheryl Sandberg’s words aren’t just good advice for the future female executive of the World, they are also good advice for smaller busted women. Lean that chest forward, making it appear larger.
2. Shape with a capital “S.” Create the illusion of more curves, by pushing the shoulders in the opposite direction. Pop those hips to the left, while directing your shoulders to the right.
3. Work your assets! If you’re like me, and your fuller on the bottom, than work that shape. Or maybe it’s not about your private bits, but rather your lovely pout, doe eyes, or some other feature. Whatever the body part, show it off!
4. Confidence is the most attractive quality of all! There’s an old saying. Fake it till you make it! Every time I switch roles and find myself behind the camera, I feel butterflies in my belly. It’s a little scary to find your body the center of attention. That’s why Laurie and I will help coach you along the entire time. We’ll even do the poses right along with you!!
Stuck on what to buy mom for Mother’s Day? Pamper her with a Revealed Studios portrait session. Want to make her really happy? Join her in the experience. She’ll treasure both the portraits and the memory of the special day you shared together.
Children and babies are invited to participate. If you’re a mom, feel free to spoil yourself with a session. You’re worth it.
“Being photographed with my daughter and my two daughters-in-law was such a fun experience. We all looked our best (thanks to the hair and make-up artists on hand) and Laurie expertly guided us into the perfect pose–not an easy thing to do with four people! ” -Ann Ponce, featured below.
As a special surprise for her husband-to-be, Ms. J signed up for a boudoir session last month. The morning was full of shared words about her lovely husband to be, and the details on their Chicago nuptials this summer. We loved working with Ms. J! It felt like we were photographing an old friend! After her album arrived in the mail, we received this review of her boudoir experience.
Ms. J shares her thoughts on the experience
“My experience with Revealed Studios is one I will never forget! I decided to take boudoir photos as a wedding gift for my future husband. I knew he would love it and be very surprised! I searched to find the perfect photographers to make the experience enjoyable and to make sure I got beautiful photos we would both love forever! I definitely found two awesome ladies! Laurie is the photographer for my wedding and I already knew she was an amazing photographer and after working with Maggie, I found out how much they complement one another! They are not afraid to be goofy to help you relax in photos and at the same time very sweet and encouraging throughout the process.
Getting Ready:
They organized a wonderful hair stylist/makeup artist to make me look fabulous and gain the confidence I needed for the photo shoot! Jen was great and I absolutely LOVED my hair and makeup. Maggie and Laurie were cheering me on as I got more and more beauti-fied!
Outfits:
They were so patient with me as I brought a bag full of items including lingerie, heels, a pile of necklaces, etc. They helped me pick out the best outfits as I was a bit confused on which ones to wear. They knew which ones would look awesome and so I got dressed…
The Shoot:
Oh man, was I new at this whole thing. They were so sweet, encouraging and helpful the entire shoot. They helped pose me in the most flattering poses without making me feel silly! I felt so beautiful the entire shoot. Changing into different outfits was so much fun and brought out a new attitude with each one. There were definitely moments to laugh at and they of course laughed along with me which helped me relax. They showed me a couple of photos right off the bat so I could see how wonderful they were going to be!
The Book:
The album I received is stunning! The layout is beautiful and so are the photos! They turned out awesome! A wonderful mix between sultry, romantic, and playful (some of my favorites)!
Thank you Laurie & Maggie for helping me to feel like a strong beautiful woman right before I walk down the aisle to spend the rest of my life with my husband. I knew he would love it as a wedding present but I wasn’t expecting to love the experience so much myself!”
On a recent trip, I (Maggie) was traveling with Jaycee Gossett of Dance the World for a project in the Philippines. On our day off, we high tailed into the aqua marine waters that are not to be missed. Inspired by the breath taking locations, we took the opportunity to turn our little day trip into a photoshoot. Not only is Jaycee a top notch mover and shaker, but she is an amazing model too! We had so much fun snapping away, especially when it came time to incorporate our favorite refresher–the coconut! Chicagoans, here’s something to warm up the cold season! Our lake time is just around the corner!
One of our go-to makeup artists is not only talented making our client’s camera ready, but she also can work it behind the camera! We love Jen’s red hair (not a surprise, she’s Laurie’s doppelganger!) and stunning blue eyes. She’s a retro throwback, channeling vintage chic in this glamour shoot. She even brought pieces from her travels to Paris and her grandmother’s white, leather gloves! These accessories paired with her loose curls and lipstick choices made our hearts go pitter patter.
Thank you Jen for all your amazing work both on and off camera! http://www.jenniferleejohnson.com/
A natural, lowkey maternity photo shoot with Molly
We’ve had the pleasure of capturing the lovely Molly’s gorgeous smile on two occasions now. She first appeared on the Revealed Studios site last summer alongside her equally darling sister, Krista for their sister’s bridal portrait. Shortly after the two sashayed in their wedding gowns, Molly announced to us she was expecting her first child. In just three weeks she’ll welcome the little bundle of joy (the gender is still a surprise!)
We loved celebrating Molly’s motherhood during her maternity photo shoot. She simply glowed!
Part two of our session of our boudoir model shoot with Emily Wolf
Isn’t it amazing how sexy a silk robe can be when it’s dropped off a shoulder or draped around the waist. In the images from Emily’s boudoir model session below, we love how the natural light reflects of the folds of the silk and mirrors the draping of her black hair. It just goes to show, in boudoir photography, the hint of what’s beneath can be just as appealing.
Find more inspiration on our pinterest page and follow us on instagram here.
Laurie and I were thrilled with the session. Ms. A rocked the shoot, showing her sultry, sassy, and sweet side. We’re sure Mr. A will love his very special wedding present come next year!
After the shoot, Ms.A, who has been keeping up on our twitter and facebook tips on “How to look great on camera” wrote this to us, ” loved your tip on Revealed about breathing with your mouth open! Looking back at my pictures, it really does make a difference! You guys are just great at making people look good!”
