7 Tips for your Boudoir Photo Session

So here it is ladies! This is my blog post with tips and suggestions for your boudoir session with Dearjohnnie photography. Woman to woman, I understand that it is not easy to get half nude with someone who's practically a stranger - so, the most important thing I can do is do my best to make you feel comfortable!

First off, let's talk about why I am even getting into the business of boudoir photography. (Feel free to skip my rambling and get straight to the list of tips if you want.) Yes, I do believe that sexy professional magazine quality photos of yourself would make an amazing and creative gift for your boyfriend, fiancee or husband, but to be honest that's not why I am interested in this field.

Too many of us woman are not comfortable enough in our own skin. Some of you might be skeptical on whether you want to do this or not because you may not feel you have the right "physique" for it. But if no one else has told you, let me be the first: BABY YOU LOOK FABULOUS! Boudoir photography is meant to be classy, sensual and empowering for women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and shades! Even, if not for someone else - having a boudoir shoot is an experience on it's own and a gift to yourself!

Check out this photo I took of my gorgeous mother - almost 50 years old and she looks sexaaay...

So, back to business. I will be your cheerleader and coach from start to finish, playing music during your shoot, and I even will be providing champagne and cupcakes for a relaxed atmosphere :) Here are just some tips on things you can do to make the shoot run smoothly. If you have any further concerns, feel free to contact me direct to chat or to discuss the creative/artistic direction of your shoot!

1. Be comfortable.  This is definitely #1! If you are not relaxed and comfortable during your shoot, it will absolutely show in your final photos. Don't think for a second that it's awkward for me as your photographer - this is what I do for a living, and I enjoy it! However, this also means:

• You will need to wear outfits, lingerie that you are comfortable in. (I will touch on this more later)
• Arrive early - rushing to your shoot will only stress you out, which won't allow you to relax during your shoot
• Bring a friend if it makes you more comfortable. (a friend, not a posse - thanks!)
• Eat smart, and drink enough water leading up to your shoot - when you feel good on the inside, you look great on the outside! Nothing beats a natural glow :)

2.  Professional hair & makeup is a plus! Now, I know the economic option is to do our own hair and makeup - but shoots like this are usually a once in a lifetime, so let's do it right :) Although your photos will be professionally retouched, just like a high quality magazine photo would - having your makeup done professionally will photograph flawless and natural. You can always go to your local beauty shop or mall and have your makeup done with Sephora or MAC, or you can book one of the freelance MAC makeup artists I recommend and know personally: 

• Angel Merino (Check his work on instagram: mac_daddyy)  for booking: merinoartistry@yahoo.com
• Kiah Kinard (www.kiahkinard.wix.com/tokyolakaiartistry) for booking: kiahkinard@gmail.com

3. Wear loose clothing to the shoot.  The last thing you want are sports bra lines or EWBL (that's 'elastic waist band line', for you acronym novices).  Again... getting there early gives you time for these lines to fade. Button-down shirts work perfectly, especially if you've just had your hair gorgeously done up :)

4. Wear a gel deodorant.  Not the chalky white stuff, 'cause that ain't sexay.

5. Find pictures and poses you like, first.  Have an idea of what to do when you go in there. Even I, as the photographer, refer to other photographer's work for inspiration and ideas. I'll give you lots of direction, but it's also good to know what you do and don't like beforehand. It will save us both time!

6. Wear something that compliments not only your shape, but you're personality! Now we get to it! We all have different shapes, tall, slender, thick, plus size, petite, etc. And there are so many different types of lingerie - very sexy and edgy, or more traditional and conservative. No matter... there's something perfect for every shape and personality! (Note: you do not have to wear lingerie to your shoot, a sexy dress or "boyfriend's shirt" works too!)

Here are some photos, all different styles artistically and various types of women, from my favorite boudoir photographer, based in London: www.rebelandromance.com

Here are some links to some style guides online to help you choose the perfect style for you! 

• Mark and Spencer style guide:  http://www.marksandspencer.com/Lingerie-Fit-Style-Guide-Lingerie-Underwear-Womens/b/57537031
• Pinterest Lingerie Style Guide:  http://www.pinterest.com/misskylaaa/lingerie-style-guide/ 

Shop lingerie! Check out these sites to get an idea of what you're looking for - however, if you do choose to shop online, be sure to get your sizes correct, and order with enough time to receive for the shoot.

• Victoria's Secret (of course): http://www.victoriassecret.com/sleepwear/lingerie
• Yandy (a more affordable option): http://www.yandy.com/Shopping/products/category_11.asp
• Spurst (another economic route): http://spurst.com/lingerie

7. HAVE FUN! Above everything, just have fun and enjoy the experience. Feel good, look good, let's do it! 

DEARJOHNNIE: Model/MUA call

I'd really like to recreate this look, or something inspired by it...

DEARJOHNNIE photography & design is looking for a model and makeup artist to colloborate with on a creative in-studio FASHION photoshoot project.

Everyone will receive all final high resolution images to be used for their portfolios.


REQUIREMENTS:

Female models only for this project

Everyone must provide their own supplies/tools/wardrobe

TO APPLY:

Follow the link to fill out the application.

http://form.jotform.us/form/31905391180148

CSUF GRAD: Typographic invitation/announcements

Here are some graduation invitations I designed for my coworker's daughter & CSUF grad Brittaney. We ended up doing 4x6 UV coated 13pt cards, and they came out fabulous! Brittaney loved them :)

Photo Retouching

When I retouch photos, the goal is just that: to "retouch". There's a huge difference between photo retouching and photo manipulation. As a photographer, my aim is to capture moments and memories. If I photoshop a photo to the extent where the subject no longer looks like their natural self, that's not capturing a moment, that's faking one.

Most of my retouching includes color/light enhancements, brightening of the eyes, and some smoothing of the skin. If a picture looks good, it's not because of photoshop - it's because the subjects just LOOK GOOD!

FUNKADELIC: 70's Birthday Celebration

Sometime at the beginning of this year, I had the opportunity to photograph a 70's themed birthday party. Kudos to the host because everything was so well planned, and literally every single person was dressed like they had just traveled from the 70's. I don't even think I've seen such a good costume turnout at any halloween party before.

The Penland family: mother & daughter, father & son.

She even had a runway fashion show...

And it's not a 70's party without a Soul Train line!

In Memory Of Tracy Turpen: An Inspiration to all.

So, I'll probably be posting these in no particular order - and even though it happened awhile ago, I really want to pay my condolences to a photographer named Tracy Turpen.

When I first really started getting into photography (years ago), Tracy was on the first destination photographers I became a fan of. Her photos were absolutely amazing. She was so creative and had this unique style that could not be duplicated, you could put a photo of hers in a collage with 50 others and I could almost immediately identify hers. Tracy captured incredible moments that words truly can NOT express.

At that time, I was trying to get advice from successful photographers so I sent some emails out. Tracy was literally the only photographer to actually "communicate" with me more than just copy and pasting the "FAQ" from her website. She gave me some really genuine and good advice, as well as words of encouragement that have stuck with me 'til this day.

We only exchanged a few emails, and even though she was located clear across the country, I already knew she was a beautiful person she was inside and out.

A few months ago, I emailed her again since I hadn't in awhile. Instead of receiving a reply from Tracy, sadly, I received an email from her mother instead stating that Tracy had taken her own life. She was engaged at the time, and a few weeks later her fiancee took his life as well.

Tracy's mom was right; if you google "Tracy Turpen", you'll see that she was not only an inspiration to me, but to so many other people from all over the world as well.

You really never know what's going in someone's personal life and everyone really is going through their own battles. I'm so glad I had the blessing of interacting with you Tracy, even if only briefly.

Rest in paradise, beautiful. ♥

Tracy's website is still up, and viewable here: www.tracyturpen.com

I'm back!

It has literally been over a year since my last blog post, but I'm back again! I'm going to do my best to update this blog as often as I can. I should have plenty to post given the fact that so much has happened in the last 12 months, in fact I'm actually in "catch-up" mode.

So, let me start off with a quick update. Johnnie Williams Photography & Design has grown tremendously since my last post. I've been expanding to different fields of photography and even different clientele markets. I've been so blessed and doors and opportunities have been opened to me - I'm doing my best to take advantage of it all.

On the same note, it's also been a difficult year. My good friend and photojournalist Michael Quiboloy always says that any positive growth is also extremely difficult, which is absolutely correct. But I'm grateful for all the challenges, they even help me grow as an individual, business set aside.

I'm going to close this post out with one of my favorite photos from last year.

Last fall, I photographed my first official Quinceneara event. Here are all the girls helping Kennedy get into her poofy princess dress - take a look at the girl on the right. Her smile is why I love this picture so much!