Quality work takes time

I believe that if I want something quick I probably need to lower my expectations on quality.
When you buy your wedding dress you order it months in advance because you know that most dresses are made to order and if you want a perfect looking gown that will hug you all over it will take time for the dress maker to create it for you.

I know it's often a very last minute decision on booking a boudoir shoot as a wedding gift or anniversary gift but remember; if you'd like to present it in a beautiful album you will need to calculate with a little more time. After all, you are buying something very special, something you can't just buy off eBay or get in a shopping mall.
You also want to give yourself time to prepare yourself, get the right outfits and feel you're 100% ready when the shoot day comes. :)

Below is the full rundown of the process from start to finish (in general):

• You email several photography studios
• You clarify all your questions with selected photographer
• You lock in a date with your photographer (giving yourself enough time to prepare, find lingerie, etc)
• Your photography session
• Your online/in-person viewing session - approx. 3-7 days after the session
• Post production of selected photographs - approx. 7 days
• Final high res and low res files delivered to you
• Album design and order - same time as final image delivery
• Album delivered to you approx. 2-3 weeks after album order sent to supplier

As you can see there's a tonne that goes into getting you that gorgeous album. It's generally about 2-6 months for most girls and while it sounds like a lot I can assure you it's certainly a good time frame to plan with.

And don't worry, I'm here to help all along the way, there's a lot of communication before the day of your session because my first and foremost priority if for you to feel like a superstar. ;)

Stay Beautiful,

Agi

 

Why does size NOT matter // AT ALL!

Before I start this blog post I'd like to point out that I am the same as all you ladies who are reading this; a girl who's keeping a close eye on the scale so I totally understand the head space of a girl who's worried about their dress size!

Now, what made me write this little not: Last year I've lost a fair bit of weight due to a rough start and was overly happy to see my dress size shrinking with the kilos that were coming off me. After pulling myself back together and feeling great again I wanted to make sure the kilos stay off so I've been keeping my training routine (sort of), been watching my calorie intake however I make sure that while my diet is controlled I'm not starving myself or ordering salad when all my friends are eating pizza at the Italian! Life is good and we shall enjoy it, right?

The best part of my weight loss was seeing the dress size on the labels.. :) While this may be most of our main measure of what slim or chubby is; it is also the most ridicilous out of all! I'm not saying that I was crying when I bought my first size 8 dress last year (or that skirt that is extra small!) but I should have been a bit suspicious because my size was - for years - size 10 or 12.

Let me get this straight: I'm 178cm (5'11") tall and 65kg. That is anything but skinny or extra small. If I would all of a sudden need to buy extra small clothes that would sure make me cry! There would be a problem.

The bubble burst a couple of weeks ago when I've got some pants from the UK and while all of them were size 10 (UK) only 1 of them fit me. Go figure. I ordered a dress online in size UK 10 (which I have always assumed the same as AU 10) and I had to send it back because it was too small.

When I've received 2 items ordered from the same website and cut the labels out it all came clear to me: while brand 1 is showing that UK 10 is EU 36 the other says it's EU 38... Oh, and when I ordered a medium size dress from the US and it had to be taken in almost 2 sizes? That was my best skinny moment! Again: go figure. And how could I forget shopping in Asian countries where everything is designed for the shorter, smaller ladies?

Different brands seem to have different sizing measures and we should all be aware of this - instead of worrining about the number on the label!

My conclusion from this is that SIZE DOES NOT MATTER! Clearly; no one can tell you what size you are exactly!

Ladies, enjoy who you are, embrace it, show off what you are proud of and forget those stupid labels in the back of your dresses! At the end of the day; what makes the dress fabulous is not the dress but who's wearing it! Hold your pretty head up high and smile at the World because you are gorgeous just the way you are!

Stay Beautiful!

AgiM

Boyfriend of the year // Boudoir Shoot with Miss S

I know a gazillion of girls who look at boudoir photos and their heart says: "I want to do a shoot like this!"And I also know that a lot of them never believe that they could actually look as beautiful as those other girls in the photographs. It makes me sad because I've seen many-many ladies who braved up and just did it anyway, only to then take their own breath away with the photos they saw of themselves.

The reasons of booking your shoot are endless but sometimes you may not even know that someone else who thinks you are the most beautiful girl in the World; already reserved your spot to shine your most beautiful ;)

Just before Christmas last year, I've received an email from a guy who wanted to purchase a shoot for his girlfriend as a Christmas gift. I was thrilled and excited (maybe more than him) and declared him "Boyfriend Of The Year" straight away. (C'mon! He totally is! What a gift!) Of course, as nice as it is for us girls to be pampered and transformed into a goddess, let's be honest here: the result of a boudoir shoot is just as enjoyable for our significant other too!

While it gives YOU an enormous amount of confidence, it will also make your partner fall in love with you all over again... :)

Thank you Miss S to let me share these beautiful shots of you with the World, I still think that your partner rocks for getting you such an amazing present! :)

Hair by Ze Flamant Rose Makeup by Leyla Kassim

Stay Beautiful,

AgiM

Boudoir Shoot // Miss D

Since I've started shooting boudoir I've learnt that what I produce is much more than just pretty pictures of women.  They may all have very different reasons to book a boudoir session, but what boudoir really is about; to gain that extra bit of confidence you may be lacking. It's not only about feeling like a million $ but more so to lift that pretty head up a little higher and worry less about what people think, because what really matters in life is how YOU feel about yourself not what you think others do.

Miss D was one of my favourite clients so far because of the amazing transition from her shy, tomboy-self to the confident gorgeousness that the below images reflect. I loved to see the smile on her face after i showed her the first few shots, and seeing her feeling more and more confident front of my camera!

From the moment we greet our client we do everything to make her feel comfortable and beautiful. I believe with Miss D we definitely achieved all and more than that.

Thank you gorgeous for letting me show off a selection of your images here.

Stay Beautiful x 

Boudoir Shoot with Miss C

You know those photographers who call themselves "International XYZ Photographer", right?They earned this title by photographing on locations outside of their country of residence, they travel a lot, they have to carry around a LOT of equipment usually, live in hotel rooms and by flight schedules. (All this which I love too by the way) But if you live in a country which is pretty much far far away land from most other countries; you may end up becoming (sort of) and international photographer just by the look of the nationality of your clients.

Living in Sydney means that I come across all sorts of nationalities and blessed to be able to shoot beauties from all around the World without having to pack my passport. I absolutely love this aspect of my life as a photographer because I see the biggest variety of looks and shapes. It definitely makes a boudoir photographer's work much more exciting!

A few weeks ago a young German lady got in touch with me to book her shoot. As per usual I recommended her to book it a few weeks in advance - giving herself enough time to prepare. She wanted to book a date in as soon as possible because she felt her absolute best and fittest. Well, you don't mess with the German! If they want something you better give it to them! :)

She was right and a dream to work with and she looked drop dead gorgeous! Thank you Miss C for letting me share your beautiful images!

Stay Beautiful!

xxx

 

Thank You!

It's been 7 months since I seriously started making things happen started planning a boudoir portfolio shoot, set up a blog and built a website. It's been 7 months of hard work as I'm one of those girls (and I know many other photographers are the same) that I'm building my plans while I still have to perform in my full-time job as well. My website launched a week ago and I wanted to dedicate a blog post to this step because it could have not happened without all the support around me (there's a LOT of you) and I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all who:

• forgave me for being locked away with my laptop
• listened when all I could talk about is my plans and dreams
• proof-read the copy of the site and gave suggestions what to change
• looked at the site in its different stages and gave me feedback on it
• understood why I'm not going out
• helped me with all the IT part and design I have no clue about...

THANK YOU!

And the best part of it all? On the very same week, my submission to the Boudoir International referral site has been accepted and I am now the VERY FIRST AUSTRALIA BASED boudoir photography studio who is

I kinda wanna throw a big party for you all but I think that has to wait a little while - I'd like to assure you though; you will not be forgotten off the guest list ;)

And for those who missed the launch of the site:

Enjoy and Stay Beautiful! 

Why boudoir photography?

I'm sure that many people who I ever talked to about my dream of becoming a boudoir photographer raised their eye brows and thought: "Why boudoir photography? And what is it anyway?" Well, I've never been married, had babies or been pregnant so the options of becoming a wedding-, family- or baby photographer were very slim. I've never been the popular girl in high school either but always dreamt of beautiful things, always wanted to look like the girls in the magazines which I guess helped me grow passion for boudoir.

For those who don't know me or haven't know me long enough; here's a little snippet of what I thought will make me look cool at age 15:

The picture says it all - I think we can all agree on that without going into too much detail on why my "style" is all kinds of wrong and how ridiculous I look on this photo. And while my parents constantly "lied to me" saying how beautiful I was, deep down I always knew I will never be as popular as my friends who all had better taste in fashion than me, all were prettier than me and had boys running after them. Well, at least I got to hang out with the beautiful ones which is still better than being part of the nerd's gang. :) Hated those glasses. I remember going to my very first date and after my friend did my makeup we agreed it's best if I wasn't wearing glasses. I hardly saw a thing but the guy never showed up so it didn't matter at the end. (Bastard!)

At age 16 or 17 I finally got rid of those terrible glasses and my Mum got me contact lenses! Did the World just became a better place?! It definitely did for me however I still had a long way to go before my style was acceptable. Nonetheless, wearing contacts were a step forward feeling a bit better about my looks and I was still imagining being as pretty one day as those girls in the magazines...

Fast forward the story line; I'm not 17 anymore, a few years older now, but that girl who used to wear glasses, who was never feeling like she's one of the pretty ones is still there deep inside. I don't think it will ever change completely, but by now I've learnt to believe that we are all unique and that looking beautiful isn't just what's visible on the facade.

For a while I've been thinking of getting a boudoir shoot done but it seemed too hard, too expensive and too much of a hassle - especially that the photographers I've dreamt to do it with are in San Diego, California and I'm in Sydney. Then I booked my flights to Las Vegas to attend to WPPI 2013 which is one of the biggest photography conventions in the World. This is where the above mentioned boudoir photographers usually have a stand, speak and overall share the love for boudoir. This year was different because they offered a few boudoir shoots for photographers who'd like to experience how it is to be on the other side of the lens. I think that was the moment when I stopped thinking about the $$, I knew I will do whatever it takes to book this shoot because this time I couldn't find an excuse why not to do it once we'll all be in Vegas at the same time. The excitement of the preparation was just what I needed as at the time I was going through heartbreak (which at least helped me lose a few kilos and get into shape for the big day). :) From the moment of booking my spot it was great process of communication between The Boudoir Divas and the other girls who had a shoot too; we could share ideas, inspire each other and get ready for the day.

I know it will sound over-the-top, but I will say it anyway: words can't describe what an amazing experience it was from the moment of buying my first piece of outfit to getting my glass of champagne in my hand in the hotel suite before getting my hair and makeup done by the fabulous Peggy Rogers, then being photographed by The Boudoir Divas. This was the day I felt like I AM one of the girls in the magazine who I was so envious of at age 16. Being told by Marissa, Kimberlee and Peggy how good I look was so surreal yet I've never felt so beautiful in my life! Thank you ladies! :)

That feeling will stay with me forever just like the photographs to remind me that yes: I am beautiful. And no, I don't need to look the same as my pretty girlfriends or the models in the magazines. I just need to be me. Confident, the girl who I truly am.

This is my story what made me believe that EVERY WOMEN should shine their beautiful! :)

How it all began

Hi! Welcome to my boudoir photography blog! :) I thought it would be best to start with how it all began; how I discovered boudoir photography, why I fell in love with it and what made me start my own adventure to offer an amazing experience to all women out there who wants to feel fabulous.

As far as I remember it all started with Twitter a few years ago when I started following professionals of the photography industry and came across The Boudoir Divas. 2 girls who own a boudoir photography studio in sunny San Diego, California. I checked their website and was blown away by the pictures. And when I saw that they run workshops as well I immediately started dreaming about how I could make my way to San Diego and learn it all. Of course I couldn't afford a trip to the U.S., nor paying for the workshop on top of that so I just kept dreaming and learning from what Kimberlee and Marissa were sharing online.

As a NYE resolution I promised to myself that I'll make my boudoir photography dreams happen - whatever it takes. My friend and I booked our flights to Vegas to attend - what was also another big plan of mine for a while - WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photography International). This event is an annual convention for photographers with tons of workshops and speakers, LOTS of inspiration and kick in the butt to push you further achieving goals in your photography business.

Shortly after booking everything for this trip The Boudoir Divas sent out a newsletter offering every girls dream: JAMES BOND INSPIRED BOUDOIR SHOOT IN VEGAS, IN A PENTHOUSE SUITE!! Ok, maybe it's not every girl's dream, but it hit the spot with me and without thinking I booked my spot to be photographed by Kimberlee and Marissa who I've read, seen, heard so much about and could have never imagined I will actually get the chance to be photographed by them. Ever.

Was I a little star struck to meet them in real life? Maybe a little. Ok. According to my friend, Janine (who's also an amazing photographer by the way!) I was as star struck as a girl can be. Was I feeling like I'm living the dream? Definitely! (The details of this shoot coming soon in another blog post. Bare with me :))

After an amazing week in Las Vegas, seeing and hearing a lot of photography goodness, I arrived back to sunny Sydney and started planning what I've been talking about FOREVER: yes, a boudoir portfolio shoot! 6 gorgeous ladies, 2 amazingly talented professionals, some extremely supportive friends and a whole lot of excitement later; I made more happen already than what I've dreamt of and I'm certainly ready to rock the World and make another countless women believe in their own, unique and shining beauty - just like The Divas did it to me.

Thank you for stopping by!

Stay beautiful x