Our first makeup class “Natural Glow,” was a huge hit. I’m around our makeup artists every week during shoots, and even I learned so many new tricks! Having direct access to the artists and a clear step-by-step process to follow was so helpful.
Stand out at this year’s holiday party…
If you missed the first class, don’t worry, next week on Dec. 10th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. we’ll host a Holiday Glam Makeup Class. Participants will learn how to create a stand out look for this holiday season. If you’re anything like me, each time I try a red lip, I wind up with half of it smeared on my chin. This class will help you perfect the bold application as well as a gorgeous winged liner, all topped off with a little sparkle to really dazzle.
One-on-one teaching to help you master the techniques.
The best thing about this intimate class is having direct access to the experts. Our instructors will not only demonstrate the techniques live in front of the audience, but will happily answer all your questions too.
Spots are limited, get your ticket today.
Secure your spot today by emailing [email protected]. General Admission includes the lesson, complimentary champagne and wine, snacks, and a goodie bag for $35. VIP tickets are $85, and come with bonus full size MAC red lipstick custom selected for your coloring and the Veluxe PearlFusion Shadow Palette (a $60 value).
For amateurs and product lovers alike.
Feel clueless about what to do to change up your every day makeup routine or love playing with new techniques. This class is perfect for both types! It’s a laid back evening of girly fun and learning. You may even make a new friend or two!
Last week we posted a series of fine art nude photos from Real Woman of Revealed, Sherhara’s early morning shoot along Lake Michigan. This week, we’re featuring her again along with her second set of images from the morning.
Finding Confidence Within
Sherhara is a great example of a Real Woman of Revealed because her confidence comes from much more than her outward beauty. She is a motivational speaker, host, and philanthropist–helping individuals and brands recognize and communicate their message. Her success in this work comes from her own ability to be truthful with herself. When asked about this work, she said, “be honest with yourself, about who you are… your flaws, vices, weaknesses, challenges, imperfections, and mess ups. It’s easy to be honest about your strengths and positive attributes, but you’ll liberate yourself by having the courage to be your full self–flaws and all.”
We did a post-shoot interview with Sherhara to find out what it was like to strip down for the camera, and much more.
1. Describe the day of shoot in your own words:
The shoot was peaceful! Yet I knew something awesome was happening. I felt valued from the beginning to the end. Time went by quickly, but it’s probably because I felt I was being catered to. Without the photos I felt beautiful.
2. What do you attribute to your confidence in not only modeling for these images but also sharing them?
Everyone has titties!! I’m not showing anything that someone hasn’t gotten up in the morning and seen for themselves! Whether those boobs are someone else’s or their own. I’m not bashful about my body because everyone has one, just a different one. And the only way people can get over the taboo of being naked is to be naked. Who makes it a big deal? It’s not, if you don’t.
3. What inspired you to do this shoot?
My husband inspire me to do the shoot! He already wanted me to do some type of sexy photo shoot and it was perfect timing when I met the lovely ladies of Revealed!
4. How did you feel during and after?
I felt confident before the shoot and I felt accomplished afterwards. I was proud that I did something few have the courage to do. It’s great to know I knocked something off of my bucket list (even though it wasn’t on the list to begin with! Lol)
5. Any significance in your tattoos?
My tattoos are a symbol of a moment in time. I can reflect on each one and it takes me back to where I was in life. A photo album on my body instead of on my coffee table.
6. Can you talk about your dance/movement background?
I haven’t practiced dance in forever! It’s been enough time for me to say, “I’m a former dancer.” But movement comes naturally for me and the photo shoot is where I could use it again.
7. What advice do you have for our audience?
I ask that everyone challenge themselves to step outside of their comfort zone. Do something as least weekly that you wouldn’t normally have done! Surprise yourself with your own courage!
8.What lesson have you learned in your adult life that you value most?
Be honest with yourself about who you are i.e. your flaws, vices, weaknesses, challenges, imperfections, and mess ups. It’s easy to be honest about your strengths and positive attributes, but you’ll liberate yourself by having the courage to be your full self, flaws and all!
9. What advice to you have for other clients struggling with image confidence?
So many people have left this earth without truly loving and embracing themselves. Don’t be that person that dies without ever loving yourself. You have a body that’s a vessel for your life! To celebrate that vessel is to celebrate life!
When I opened the door to the studio at 4:45 am, I was greeted by a beautiful, smiling face, sitting before me. Having also just arrived, Sherhara was makeup free, but despite the early morning hours, already radiant. “Hi!” She said, with cheerful energy.
“Good morning.” I replied back. “It’s so nice to finally meet you!”
I’d been hearing about Sherhara for months after she showed up to support a friend during her boudoir session. I was out of town at the time at the time, but Laurie and Kelly raved all about her great energy. Still, I was a little nervous coming in to this shoot. I was meeting her for the first time while also venturing into new territory with an outdoor fine art nude photo shoot. Boudoir is already a vulnerable feat for many, and this was taking it two steps further-baring it all out in the open.
My concerns dissipated within minutes. Sherhara was the perfect person to collaborate on this experience. We wanted the shoot to be a celebration of the female form through tasteful, artful imagery. As a professional who specializes in coaching confidence, Sherhara really connected with the message.
While taking her picture, I felt a strong feminine energy radiate from her as she shifted gracefully through different movements. At one point, while the sun crested the horizon, Sherhara stretched her arms out toward the water in a maternal-like posture that touched me deeply, as my own son-to-be grew in my womb.
In our next series of images from the shoot, Sherhara answers questions about the experience, what inspired her to bare all, and more about her personal journey to loving herself.
We’re thrilled to feature the lovely Alicia Roman, meteorologist for NBC Chicago today on our blog. Besides being gorgeous and talented, Alicia is kind, funny, and a giver. She doesn’t take life too seriously and manages to stay grounded in an industry where that can be tough to maintain.
What inspired you to pursue meteorology?
I’ve always been fascinated with weather. When I was little (4 years old) – my dad was working construction and depended on the weather to “cooperate” or his job would be canceled. I would wake up early in the morning with him at 5 am to watch the weather channel (which was in its infancy then).
Also, he loved watching thunderstorms on our front porch. We would watch together – he would explain things to me and then we would run inside, turn on the weather channel and watch the radar for our area. After that, I had a meteorologist come to my school when I was in fourth grade and I was sold by then!
You were on the host committee for Tickled Pink, can you tell us a little about the organization and why you choose to support the cause?
My mother is a two-time cancer survivor – breast and colon cancer. She is amazing, such a strong woman. I am so motivated by her strength and perseverance during that time. Its very important to me to help and be an advocate for these organizations such as Tickled Pink.
What’s a day off like for you?
Hah! Well now a days – my days off are consumed with wedding planning ( getting married at the end of the year). But really, other than that, I like to wake up, watch the news, do a little work on the internet (emails and such), go to the gym, then come home to make a wonderful dinner followed by either binge watching netflix or tv with my fiancé! That is a perfect day off for me!
What makes you feel confident?
Knowing myself and what I stand for and believe in. Over the years it has been very hard to find that confidence. For me, I think it came later in life. Once I was confident in myself – my confidence at work came next, then with friends and etc.
What makes you feel beautiful?
Knowing that I am loved and I am happy with myself and what I am doing in this life, makes me feel beautiful. I have a wonderful family, network of friends and an AMAZING fiancé, all of whom would do anything to help me & I to help them.
Who are some women who have inspired you throughout your life and why?
My mother of course for her courage and strength.
Work related: Ever since the Weather Channel first aired – I LOVED Vivian Brown, and still do. She is still working at the station today. She has such elegance and grace when she gives her forecast, I’ve always tried to model myself after her.
In an industry where there’s so much focus on appearance, how do you stay grounded?
For me, I grew up in a humble household. I was taught to be grateful for everything you have, even if that includes beauty.
I’ve never been really comfortable being in the spotlight, so I have no problems staying grounded in that way, however, I work in a business that allows me to teach people about weather and protect them in times when the weather can be dangerous.
Do you have any words of advice for younger women struggling with their confidence?
In this day in age with, social media, magazines, photoshop etc… it is extremely hard for us to focus on what really matters, which is looking inward and realizing that we are so much more than what we see in the mirror. Be yourself and be happy – that is the real beauty in life!
Real Client, Valerie Groth talks about her boudoir photo shoot
It may go without saying, but Laurie and I (Maggie) are people people. We LOVE the moment our clients walk through the door and we finally get to put a face to all the emails! We’re replenished by these encounters because our shoots are opportunities to get to know the lovely ladies we photograph, who are often talented, intelligent professionals that leave us inspired!
Valerie Groth is one such example. A life and career coach, she has a background working with inner city students as a counselor before becoming her own boss in recent years. She now empowers clients to overcome fear and transform their life through self-confidence building experiences. She’s a great coach because she practices what she preaches–like doing a boudoir shoot! Valerie told us during her session that she was nervous about the idea, but never one to back down from a challenge, she booked anyway.
She has generously shared a boudoir shoot testimonial, where you’ll read how it was not something just to give her boyfriend, but with her 30th birthday on the horizon, a great way to celebrate where she is at in life. This is exactly what we like to hear at Revealed. We want our clients to walk a little taller after their shoot and embrace just how beautiful they are today. We hope you enjoy ready about Valerie’s experience. Feel free to share your own thoughts in the comment section! We invite your to share how you’ve tackled self-doubt or challenged yourself to something out of your comfort zone!
In a few days, we’ll be following up this post with another feature from Valerie. Where she’ll share the story behind the picture below. In between posts, make sure to check out her website at www.InspirationWithVal.com and follow her on Twitter at @ValerieGroth.
Valerie’s Testimonial:
“I’ve been hearing about boudoir photography shoots for a couple years now, and to be honest my first reaction was that it was something I would NEVER do. However, after a friend had a great experience, I decided to give it a shot. I decided to go with Revealed Studios since I loved the photos they had displayed on their website, and also because in the video on their website Maggie and Laurie seemed very sweet and down to earth. I set up an appointment with Maggie via email and the scheduling process was quick and easy.
When I got to the Revealed studio, I was immediately impressed with the gorgeous space. It’s set up and decorated in a way that feels comfortable and romantic – which is exactly the type of ambience you need to get photographed in your lingerie!
While Maggie got everything set up for the shoot, Tonya did my hair and makeup and she did an amazing job! I am normally really picky about how my makeup looks and as a result I generally don’t like how professional makeup artists do my makeup. However, Tonya made me look beautiful and natural, and I just adored the way she styled my hair!
I brought numerous ‘outfits’ with me and Maggie did a great job helping me decide what to go with and which outfits would look best. While I brought some of my own jewelry, they also have a great selection of gorgeous jewelry that you can borrow to wear during the shoot, as well.
When it came time to get started, I was so nervous at first – but my discomfort didn’t last long! I normally feel really awkward during solo photo shoots but Maggie and Tonya were awesome and helping me pose in a way that looked great but that also felt natural. Trust me – if I can do it, anyone can!!
Before long I was actually enjoying myself. It sounds silly, but being all dressed up with your hair and makeup done and being photographed makes you feel like you get to be a celebrity or a model for the day – and who wouldn’t want to feel like that?
When I went back for my second appointment to pick out which photos to use, Maggie was incredibly helpful and made the process very easy and simple. And when I received the final product, I was so impressed! The photos looked gorgeous and the book is high-quality.
But I haven’t even touched on the main reason I loved my boudoir shoot, a reason which I think may surprise you. Stay tuned for Part 2 to learn what my boudoir shoot and this photo have in common….
Taking inspiration from this Audrey Hepburn quote…
We love Audrey Hepburn. Turns out her quotes are just as powerful as her images and movies. Along with her quotes, here are two Revealed images that we’d like to think evoke the spirit of Audrey.
“There is more to sex appeal than just measurements. I don’t need a bedroom to prove my womanliness. I can convey just as much sex appeal, picking apples off a tree or standing in the rain.” – Audrey Hepburn
“I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and… I believe in miracles.” – Audrey Hepburn
Forget the Garters. Ms. J goes for cowboy boots in her boudoir photos
“I love the images of myself in the white shirt because they show my true colors; I am very tom boyish with a bit of a girly side. I felt the most beautiful and comfortable and I think it that really reflects in these boudoir photos. I don’t believe a women has to “reveal all” to be sexy.” Ms. J
It’s our mission to make you feel beautiful through our photography
On a sunny day before the recent hot wave, Maggie and I sat at an outdoor cafe and dreamed about Revealed Studios’ future. While sipping iced tea, we brainstormed how to continue to grow our business and what we want Revealed Studios to represent.
We also finally wrote down our mission statement.
We bandied around words like transformation, self-acceptance and celebration, but we kept returning to this simple sentence:
Make every woman we photograph feel beautiful.
The whole beauty and fashion world sells to a similar mantra. If you buy these shoes, inject that botox, yes, indeed, you will be beautiful.
Going deeper – why this is our mission
But how many of us ever feel beautiful, especially the kind of feeling that makes you walk taller, smile wider and confidently meet the gaze of those around you?
Every woman, at every age is beautiful, yet too often our inner confidence is battered down, especially during and after life’s changes.
We at Revealed Studios want to help you reconnect with the beautiful you. Yes, she still exists; you two have just lost touch lately.
It’s time to give her a call and say you want her back.
Finding Confidence Within
6. Can you talk about your dance/movement background?
