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! 

Dress to impress

As you can see from my previous post I'm in no way a fashion expert and I'm not afraid to say it. It does not mean that I'm completely off with the current trends but I'm not a fashionista either. And this is the exact reason why I decided to call for help of a personal stylist - because after all I'm creating a brand and the market I'm targeting is  the sophisticated, fashion savvy, professional women - I must look like one too! Sounds fancy and superficial? Read along and you'll see it isn't really. :)

A few days ago I had a personal styling session with Jennifer from Fashion Partè. She came for no other reason but to brutally pull my wardrobe apart, examine each and every piece in it, throw out whatever she finds unsuitable for my body shape and revamp it altogether. There's no need to say that it was a little nerve wrecking because let's be honest: a wardrobe is a rather intimate part of a woman's life.

You think this until you meet Jennifer... - and here comes the fun part:

• I never knew how many pairs of shoes I own.. Jennifer found the one I actually forgot about and matched it with a lot of sets. *Note to self: I shouldn't keep shoes in places where I never look for them. 
• I was surprised how many of my accessories she picked up which I bought because I loved the look of them but ended up never really know what to match them with.
• She created so many different outfit sets from my OWN wardrobe that I won't have to worry about what to wear for the different occasions for a long time! She took pictures so I can look at them anytime I need a reminder or inspiration.

This is a brilliant service that was for long only available to the upper class, celebrities, models... It shocked me to see how affordable it is! Not to mention those pieces of clothing I got rid of after the session, they cost me more than the consultation - I wish I knew about this option before and spent the money they cost me on Jennifer's services instead and avoid buying things that don't actually suit my body type.

In summary; it's crazy not to do it!!! I would recommend this to all women who wants to make the most out of their wardrobe or need direction on what's best to wear to reflect their profession or unsure about what style suit them best.

If you'd like to know more about this service you can visit Jennifer's website here. 

Stay beautiful! And remember:

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