Behind The Scenes Of A Boudoir Shoot // Miss Gy

Let me guess: if you are reading this blog post you are probably one of those girls who's been toying with the idea of booking your boudoir shoot but just can't for the life of you imagine actually doing it. Or at least not until you lose a few kilos, get back into your pre-baby body or get to the gym for at least 5 times a week for a year... Am I right?

Maybe I'm not - which I'm hoping for -, but maybe you just need to see how it works behind the scenes of those pretty pictures.

Well, I have it all for you :) The girl who you see in these pictures was like you. Doubtful of how she would portray on a boudoir shoot, what to wear, how to pose... Then voila! She pulled it off like a pro!

She was pampered before she had to get front of my camera, she was coached by me how to pose and the whole team made sure she was comfortable and had fun the whole time she was with us.

Miss Gy is the perfect example of breaking down barriers in your head and go for what you might have thought doesn't fit your personality. Getting out of your comfort zone can bring you big surprises - and in this case; some gorgeous photos that will forever remind this girl that she is beautiful, JUST THE WAY SHE IS. :)

Big thank you to Janine Speake Photography for the behind the scenes shots, Gabriella Szabo for the fabulous hair, Stefania Csorba for the stunning makeup and the Brody House for the cool location of this shoot in Budapest, Hungary!

Stay Beautiful xx

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

 

Cheating on Canon... With Nikon.

I'm sure there has been a gazillion posts about the pros and cons of Canon vs. Nikon but when I started advertising my Canon gear on Gumtree and eBay I have got sooooooo many people asking me the question "WHY THE CHANGE?" that I thought it may be worthwhile to write a blog post about it. Here it is - why I made the switch.

*image courtesy: Amber Kelly

First and foremost: I am not as tech savvy as I make myself look sometimes. I'm good at things I'm interested in but there are bits of photography that I only know because I have to. (I train new photographers therefore I had to learn a lot more than I actually need to know as a photographer) If you are reading this for some tech specs I recommend you to stop here because I will touch only as much on that as need be.

Someone once told me that when you chose a brand (and lets say you are trying to choose between Nikon and Canon) you should look around and see what brand your friends prefer/use and know most about. When you need help with your settings, want to borrow a lens, want to swap stories about whatever brand related topics it may be you will need someone who's in the same 'fan club' as you.

That's exactly how I chose Canon about 6 years ago. A super-fun, night club photographer let me take my first shot with his fancy, pro camera and I fell in love. This same guy also helped me a lot when I bought my first camera (which was far from his 5D, yet the basic settings were the same). As I worked myself more into the photography industry I kept meeting more professionals who were Canon users rather than Nikon so it seemed like a good choice.

The first time I got curious in what Nikon has to offer was only just before I was upgrading my camera - but still: Canon won the battle. I was over the moon and back to have such an amazing camera and felt super-confident because it was brand new on the market and I thought this will be my big break through! Well, it's very true that unless you have the vision, the eye for creativity; no matter what fancy camera you hold in your hand, no matter how precise the lens on it; your photos will be just average. I'm saying this because I see many people buy expensive gear to expect that will make them a pro - but at the end of the day if they don't get the framing right, don't keep the main elements in focus, don't achieve the viewer to see what they meant to show; it was a very expensive toy they bought.

Over the years and shooting a LOT taught me one thing: Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony... Whatever brand; it doesn't matter. Your eyes and passion is the most important element of your photography. Keep this in mind!

I was quiet happy with my Canon and wasn't going to buy a new body for a while but I randomly bumped into some people from Nikon Australia who really wanted me to try their equivalent of my 5DMIII, the Nikon D800. Just this itself would not make any photographer switch between brands of course and I'm no different - it's a lot of hassle to sell your existing set up and you probably lose a bit of money too, so why would you do it?!

The day Nikon Australia handed over the D800 and let me test it on my upcoming boudoir shoot, it truly made me feel like a pro. Nikon Australia loaned me a fabulous piece of equipment and I was able to test it on my upcoming shoot. What is that if not freaking amazing?!

Now, here comes a little bit on the technicality.. I was still not 100% convinced on this camera because of some well-know reasons, firstly; turning the exposure dial the opposite way as you'd do on a Canon. Turns out however that Nikon listened to the consumers and lets you change this in the menu now! It was also a little frustrating to find how to switch between user modes (manual, Av, etc), how to change between focus setting options, etc... However I have to admit that I just love that I don't have to fiddle between 2 buttons when I want to manually select the focus point (which I do all the time), and Nikon also makes it much easier to lock/protect the images - One press of a button easy to be exact.

When did I fall in love? When I saw the final image quality... Booom! That was definitely different from my Canon. Yes, I know; the file size is huge and depending on what you intend to use your images for it may be painful to process these images, but for me; it was mind blowing. Super-fast focusing, razor sharp outcome. I was hooked.

I was lucky because I managed to sell all my Canon gear within 2 weeks but it definitely worth the change. Nikon Australia also provided me with a loan camera while my new baby was on its way which is why I also tell everyone; my main reason for the switch is the brilliant customer service of this brand. They truly care about you and your photography! If you are even just a little bit inclined to check out what Nikon has to offer I would definitely see it with my own eyes if I were you.

This post got much longer than intended... However: if I helped at least one person to make a decision on their next purchase; I'm happy. :)

Stay beautiful!

AgiM

Something New - Bridal Boudoir

When I got a call from a client that she'd like to get a bridal boudoir shoot with me I got excited. Then nervous. I had moments when I had a crazy amount of ideas. Then moments when I felt empty. And when the day came and she was there, it was creative fireworks.

Yes; as much as I'm concerned that's the normal cycle of any portrait photographer. (Unless you do the same thing over and over again)

As the shoot was a surprise to her groom I couldn't get her permission to show the images (just yet), but I really wanted some shots as an experiment so I asked the beautiful Nada to come along and be part of the fun.

We ended up with more beauty than I can possibly show you but here's a handful of my favourites. 

The team (Olimpia and Nicola) and I are looking forward to another exciting year and more of these amazing shoots with gorgeous females who let us transform them into something they have never believed they can be.

Stay Beautiful!

AgiM

Hello from beautiful New Zealand - and why this blog has been soooooo quiet lately

I feel I spend half my time with booking flights, hotels and cars in different cities and I always think I will have all the time in the World to update this blog. After every single trip - without fail - I get home and get overwhelmed with how much more behind I've got with work BECAUSE of the travel - which means meetings.I must learn better time management I guess.

While I'm traveling around Australia due to other commitments; this blog has been a bit neglected. I wish there was a Siri update that takes notes of my thoughts so I don't have to wait till I can write them down..

Having lack of time and not being much of a writer either I recorded a little video update on my way home from my last trip (this time New Zealand). BIG THANK YOU to my awesome friend, Steph (who joined me for the weekend in Auckland) to be videographer of this snippet.

Note: It was about 6am in the morning (waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too early for looking fresh (me) or play pro videographer(Steph), we were both rather tired from the weekend and as neither of us is a master of film making: please excuse us if the quality is not top notch. :)

Stay Beautiful! xxx

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