Seattle, WA — Every time I hear someone talk about “six degrees of separation,” I shake my head and laugh, wondering at how people manage to get six WHOLE degrees between themselves and another person.  See, in the queer community, we don’t get to have that.  We’re such a small community anyway, that most of our friends have slept with the hottie we’re currently crushing on.  Or if they haven’t slept together, they’ve worked at a non-profit together, or answered each other’s Craigslist ad, or their good friend knows them, or…………

Point is, we’re all fishing in the same tiny pool, and sometimes it seems like it doesn’t matter WHERE you go or what city you move to, because we all still know one another.  Depending on your perspective, this is either somewhat amusing or extremely annoying.

Ms. Loaf and I are no exception to the, “Every Lesbian Knows Every Other Lesbian In The World,” phenomenon.  When she contacted me several months ago, I recognized her online pseudonym because she used to write a blog about the wedding that she and her partner were planning.  (Yes, friends, your humble photographer here used to be a little obsessed with reading wedding blogs.  Don’t ask.)  I tried googling until I could google no more, but I couldn’t find the blog.  I replied back and asked if she happened to be the same “Ms. Loaf,” who authored a lesbian wedding blog.  She was, and from there we figured out that we shared a mutual friend that she had known since high school (and who is good friends with my best friend.)  She had randomly come across my website when looking for a boudoir photographer, and we both looked at this serendipity as a sign that we were supposed to work together on this project.

Last weekend, Loaf hopped on a plane from Utah after spending 15 hours with one of her clients in labor (Loaf is a doula-in-training).  It was so cool to finally meet her!  Aside from the miles on the plane from Utah, Loaf had a long journey getting here.  When she was writing her wedding blog, she was butch-identified, but as her relationship ended she started finding her inner femme.  She wanted to do this photo session as a gift to herself, to challenge herself to really look at herself and embrace her sexiness.  She wrote a wonderful post about it on her blog, which actually made me get choked up.  I LOVE being a part of someone’s path on the road of self-acceptance.  That’s why I do this work.  It’s not just about taking pictures and running a side business: it’s about helping people feel awesome about who they are.

One of the cool things about Loaf’s session was that she really wanted to have her hair and make-up done before the session.  Typically I tell clients that if they don’t normally wear make-up, that there’s no reason they should for their session.  However, Loaf really wanted to have the ultimate femme pampering experience and I think it turned out so well!  I don’t feel like anyone NEEDS to have their make-up done for a session, but after seeing the results of Loaf’s beauty treatment, I have to admit…it looks pretty awesome!  If you’re considering booking a session and want some hair and make-up recommendations, please let me know and I’ll hook you up. 

Enjoy the slideshow of Loaf’s pictures.  And then ask: what are YOU waiting for? Don’t you deserve to be a sexy vixen for a day, too?  When you book a boudoir session with me, you will see a positive change to the way you relate to your body, and you will own your beauty like you never have before.  Get in touch ASAP about booking a boudoir session in order to lock-in your 2010 holiday boudoir discount!

Seattle, WA – Last spring, Jocelyn contacted me about a surprise photo session for her sweetie.  See, Jocelyn has given photos of herself to him for a variety of occasions (holiday, birthday, Valentine’s day, etc.), and has usually employed her sister or friends to help with the process.  They’ve always had fun and creative ideas, but the photos themselves frequently turned out to be disappointing.  (Which is difficult to imagine, I know!  Look at the awesome raw material they were working with, right?!)  I was more than happy to help, and I was especially excited because Jocelyn has such a striking and unique look.  I felt like I was working with a modern day Bettie Page!  And just to drive that home, we included some pin-ups with the rest of the images from her session.  If you’re interested in doing some pin-up images with the rest of your session, let me know!  They’re a lot of fun, and really showcase your cute outfits. 

Jocelyn chose to bring her friend with her to the photo session and also to her proofing and ordering session.  For those of you who are considering taking the boudoir plunge, I DEFINITELY encourage this!  People who are close to you (a friend, a sister) can really make you feel comfortable and get you laughing.  One other distinct advantage is that sometimes they catch details that you and I miss.  They might notice a hair out of place, or a garter that is twisted.  They can also come over and brush your hair or make adjustments without me losing my angle on the image we were trying to capture.  An extra set of eyes and hands is extremely useful!  If you want to bring someone with you, just let me know so that I can make sure they have a cozy place to hang out while you’re looking hot!

Enjoy Jocelyn’s images, and be sure to leave a comment letting her know that she’s smokin’!

Seattle, WA: In March, I had the pleasure of photographing Nancy D., who was referred to me by some very dear friends of mine.  Nancy has been celebrating this year as a really special one, because she hit the big five-oh.  That’s right.  The hotness you see before you is 50.  Can you say “Wowza?”  When I look at these photos, I can’t help but think, “50?!  No freakin’ WAY!”  Ladies: let me tell you, there is no “too old” for a boudoir session.  Talk about Hottie McHotterson!

When Nancy asked me to photograph her to celebrate her 50th birthday, I was SO thrilled!  I love helping people celebrate their special occasions through great imagery.  Maybe it’s because I used to photograph weddings, but I really enjoy the process of capturing a momentous occasions in a person’s life.  Nancy is extremely active, always hiking, climbing and doing (what I consider to be) outrageous activities.  (Like, you know, jogging and whatnot.)  Not really my bag, but I have to admit: she looks freaking fantastic!

One thing I love about Nancy is that she is so proud of her athletic figure.  You can tell just by looking at her that she’s strong…maybe strong enough to pick you up and toss you across the room, if you’re not careful!  Female bodies are so rarely valued for being strong in our culture, and are often maligned by accusations of being unfeminine in some way.  I think Nancy’s session makes it abundantly clear that there is NOTHING unfeminine or unattractive about being a strong, athletic woman.  A woman at 50 who can rock a Harley Davidson leather jacket as easily as fun, turquoise lingerie is sexy in MY book, any day!  It’s all about attitude, and Nancy knows how to rock what she’s got.

Who else out there is up to the challenge?  Are you ready to show me what you’ve got in your own session? 

Date: January 8th and 9th
Time: Doors at 7, Show at 8
Location: Theatre Off Jackson
Cost: $15 presale at Brownpapertickets.com $20 at the door

Let your favorite Northwest Queers take you on a wild romp through the calendar year! From the snowy months of winter to the steamy months of summer we’ll be playing it up and taking it off with a spectacular cabaret style show and sexy 2010 calendar by Fat Bottom Boudoir!

Performers
Cattitude
Beefcake Burlesque
Mercury Troy
Polly Wood
Mickey Doe Eyes
Vivian Rose
Lili Delight
Tamara the Trapeze Lady
Indy
Luscious Ladypop
Diva le Deviant
Cherry Tart
Honey
Pidgeon Von Tramp
And more…

Calendars!
Fat Bottom Boudoir and Pidgeon Coop Productions teamed up this fall to bring you a sexy, hot, funny, cute and clever 2010 calendar which will make its debut at the show on January 8th and 9th.  Come prepared with some cash to take one of these collector’s edition calendars home with you, so that you can enjoy the best of Pacific Northwest Queer Burlesque all year round.

Raffle Items!
Fat Bottom Boudoir is donating some awesome big-ticket raffle items to the show, which you don’t want to miss!  Purchasing raffle tickets will give you the opportunity to win a large art print professionally matted, framed and signed by Molly Bennett (owner of Fat Bottom Boudoir).  The image is 12×18, and the final size of the finished, framed artwork is 16×20. You may also win a free boudoir/pin-up session with Fat Bottom Boudoir (to be redeemed in 2010), valued at $399.  You have to be at the show to win, so get your tickets now!

Here’s a little preview of the calendar images…

Hope to see you at the show!

Staten Island, NY–I am celebrating Tofurkey Day in NYC this year with my sweeties.  My friend Marisa made the gorgeous centerpieces and place cards above.  I couldn’t help it; they needed to be photographed!

This year, I am thankful for so many things.  I am thankful for the loves in my life.  I am thankful for having two fat cats who are very sweet (most of the time.)  I am thankful for friends and family who support me.  I am thankful for having the nerve to start this new business, focused around something that I believe in.  I am thankful.  I am thankful.

What are you thankful for?

Happy November!

Click here to download

Finished box presentation:

Close-up of the folio leather:

I can’t wait to show you a finished package!  (Clearly, since I’m showing you unfinished ones!)

I get a lot of questions about what the digital “darkroom” process looks like.  The consumer-grade cameras out on the market today have made it really easy for the average person to get some pretty awesome photos with just a click.  Professional equipment gives photographers even more options, especially when combined with the (nearly) unlimited choices for how to “finish” the images.  Unfortunately, there’s a lot of excessive (and often poorly-executed) photoshopping done in the name of “beauty,” these days, so I wanted to show off what my version of post-processing looks like.  I don’t remove all of your pores, I don’t paint out your stomach, plump lips or do any digital cosmetic surgery.  I like to show you how gorgeous you are, just AS you are…but I also want to make sure the images look great, from a photographic perspective!  Since I know that people are sometimes confused about why professional photographers often won’t give clients our “straight out of the camera” images, I also wanted to put together a visual tutorial on what digital imaging post-process looks like (at least, for me!)  So, here’s a brief run-down of what I do with my images, using my favorite photo from Hazel’s session. 

RAW files (straight out of the camera)

Images that come straight out of the camera have had zero retouching or editing.  They have not been color-corrected, exposure-balanced, or had any blemishes removed.  They are often low-contrast, and sometimes have a bit of a foggy, cloudy look to them.  The photographer’s eye can see the potential for a final image, but the untrained eye might think the image looks fine as-is.  That is, until they see the difference!  I personally choose not to show my RAW files to anyone.  Since they have had no retouching done to them, they don’t present you in the best light possible.  I will never release any images that a client finds embarrassing, even to the client!  If you would happen to lose the disc, I want every single image on there to be one that both of us are happy to show others.

Proofs (basic editing applied)

Now that’s starting to look a little better!  Basic editing is what I apply to images before they are released to you in your photo gallery, and are also what you can expect to see at your viewing session.  Basic edits help bring out some of the color and contrast of the image, remove the fogginess, highlight details, and give an overall better idea of what kind of image data is available to use in the finished images.

Final Images (advanced/artistic edits, and retouching)

Now THAT’S a frame-worthy photo!  Advanced, artistic edits and basic retouching are applied to your final selection of 35 images.  These edits may include making an image black and white, adding fancy color effects, removing stray hairs or blemishes, and perfecting the overall contrast, tone and image quality.  I am not an excessive retoucher, by any means!  My overall goal is to show you that you are gorgeous just exactly as you are.  That said, I typically edit anything that is a “temporary” condition (under-eye darkness, or an unfortunately-placed pimple that showed up the day of our photo session!), and leave more permanent issues (ie: freckles, scars, tattoos) alone, unless requested otherwise.  I’m never going to use the “liquify” tool (truth be told, I don’t even know HOW), because your photos should look like YOU, in all of your gorgeous glory.

And that’s it!  That’s what I do to pretty much all of my images.  I like to call it “ethical editing.”  I’m happy to answer any questions, if you have ‘em. 

Seattle, WA—It was great to get to see Xiola for our session last weekend!  She brought chocolate-covered salted caramels from Fran’s (my favorite!) for us to enjoy during the session.  I realized while photographing her that both she and Hazel Lee are Leos.  Now, I’m the first to admit that I have a total love/hate relationship with Leos.  I’m always drawn to them, and (much like with a cat), if I’m not careful, I may walk away with deep claw marks!  That aside, they sure are great to photograph!  Being the subject of the camera lens strokes the Leonine ego in very photogenic ways.  Even if you Leos are sometimes a challenge for me personally, I sure do love to have you in my studio!

Xiola’s session is a great example of how different someone can look just based on a little outfit change.  We had some other outfits, but these two stood out when I was editing.  I love the can-can girl feel of the black and red images, but I also love how the blue, vintage gown brought out a completely different side of Xi.  This is why I ask clients to bring a selection of outfits to your session; we can work with costuming to figure out what will evoke the mood we’re after. 

I told Xiola partway through the session that I can always tell which outfit I liked the most while I’m editing the session, because it’s what I end up picking for the majority of images to edit.  In her case, it was the awesome pinstriped garter and striped bra set.  Holy gods, I think every woman needs one of those garters!  I’ve also found that garters are the must-have accessory for boudoir sessions.  I’m seriously considering just having a stash of them myself for clients to paw through during their sessions.  Any suggestions on where I should be looking online for sexy garters?  Lane Bryant has some pretty standard ones on occasion, but I’d love to get more variety.  Anything with a vintage, pin-uppy feel, or something kind of offbeat, would be ideal.

Seattle, WA—Hazel Lee was a dream to photograph.  Aside from being a blast to hang out with, she’s unabashed in front of the camera, and willing to rock it out with darker moods and lower lights.  Generally, I try to keep my sessions upbeat and light, so it’s really nice to get a change of pace.  As a southern girl (and a writer), Hazel Lee was down with going for some dark-and-gritty.  I tried to bring a little of her inner Dorothy Allison out in the session. 

I’ve known Hazel Lee for a few months, by way of our mutual friends in NYC.  It’s kind of hilarious to me that we live about an hour and a half apart, and yet we met in NYC last April during the Fatgirl Flea Market.  Sometimes you have to travel across the country to realize that there’s some awesome folks in your own backyard.

I love how Hazel Lee uses her hands and arms in front of a camera.  It’s so hard for people (myself included!) to figure out what to do with their hands in photographs, especially when standing.  Now, anyone who has known me for awhile knows that I have a tendency to really focus on hands in my photography (I blame it on never getting hands to look like anything but tree stumps in my figure drawing classes in art school), so it was delightful to get to work with someone who is very intentional and expressive with her hands.  (Plus, who doesn’t love a girl who matches her lipstick to her nail polish with such perfection?)

Hazel, you’re awesome to photograph and great to hang out with.  Let’s have a Buffy marathon sometime soon, k?