Pittsburgh Boudoir Photography that empowers YOU to love yourself!

July 18, 2016

The Photographer’s Photographer

I’m the photographer’s photographer – I’ll explain what all that means in this pittsburgh boudoir blog post!

Want to know more about my boudoir services, get some tips for planning your boudoir session or start the booking process? Follow the links below for all the details:

~WANT TO BOOK? Complete a short questionnaire to start the booking process

~Pittsburgh Boudoir Photo Shoot Pricing & Package Info

~ Planning Your Session? Check out these boudoir shoot planning tips!

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This year has been amazing for me so far! I’ve hit two of my booking goals already and am really trying to hit my stretch goal for the year! 100 women in 2016…can I do it?!? I’m going to try real hard to do it!

The one thing I’ve noticed this year is that I have more photographers stepping in front of my camera for a boudoir shoot. These aren’t really photographers who are into becoming boudoir photographers but they want boudoir photos and would love to have the experience I give to my clients. Mission accepted. But, I will admit that photographing another boudoir photographer is a bit intimidating for me. These are women that know how to work a camera, know angles, know how to edit images, etc. After the initial nerves, I can take one photo and relax into the session – much the same way my clients feel about being photographed.

I love that other photographers use me – it’s the greatest complement I could get in my business. I photographed the beautiful woman pictured below…and got this amazing feedback that I thought was important to share with you all:

“MAURA! OH. MY. GOD.

I’m sitting here in tears. I can’t believe that’s ME in those photos!! Like, FOR REAL?! I had a blast with you. You have a talent woman! And not just with your photos. You have the ability to make a woman feel like a supermodel, and not just when she’s in front of your camera. I’ve definitely been WAY less harsh on myself when I look in the mirror, and I can’t thank you enough. Just…wow. :’) I love you! haha. I can’t wait to see my husband’s reaction and hear what he has to say!!“

Thank you to my wonderful client and amazing photographer for this feedback and for the HONOR of being your boudoir photographer! I now call myself The Photographer’s Photographer! I LOVE THIS JOB!

Want to stay in touch with Pics By Chicks?!? Follow us on social media:

Facebook, @Pics By Chicks Photography

Instagram, @picsbychicksphotography

Pinterest, @Pics By Chicks

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July 14, 2016

Lauren & Joe’s Wedding

Pics By Chicks Photography, celebrated Lauren & Joe’s Chapel Valley Estates wedding in Ellwood, PA. For more information on our wedding photography services, please follow the links below.

~Wedding Details (including Pricing)

~View photos from other weddings

~Wedding planning tips

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From the moment I met Lauren and Joe, I knew we’d have a great time at their wedding. At our original meeting, we talked about Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Deadpool and tons of other geekery things! 🙂 They enjoy Ren Festivals and I as intrigued! Most importantly, we laughed … a lot. Since they live in Michigan, it was difficult to plan an engagement session but they practiced the tips I gave them so they were prepared on wedding day.

It was a gorgeous day at Chapel Vally Estates in Ellwood, albeit terribly hot. I may have complained about the heat (Tony and I got married in December because heat is a problem for me) but Lauren & Joe never complained! With frequent water breaks, they were ready to go!

Favorite Moment of the Day: I have two….because Maura can never pick just one! First, their entrance song at the reception was the Star Wars theme! YES!!! My kind of entrance – I just stood there laughing and smiling! Second, while I was taking a quick break on the steps (hydrating so I wouldn’t pass out from heat exhaustion..haha), Joe came and sat next to me for a minute. He was thanking me for my hard work and perseverance through the really hot day. Then, Lauren walked by us, smiled, then started chatting with a friend. Joe looked at me and said, “I just love that woman right there! She’s simply amazing!” Melt my heart, Joe! And, you know, I can see it in his face in the photos – Joe LOVES Lauren, and I’m so happy that I could capture that in their wedding photos.

Thanks, Lauren & Joe for letting us be a part of your day! Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness! Here are just a few wedding photos.

Let’s start off with a few details from their day.

Loved the way Lauren’s parents were looking at her.

Final preparations!

The new Mr. and Mrs.!

And, I leave you with some reception fun!

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July 11, 2016

These Words Tell You All You Need to Know

Sexy photos Pittsburgh is more than just beautiful images for me. It’s my life calling, and while reading a book recently, I found the perfect words that tell you everything you need to know about me.

Want to know more about my boudoir services, get some tips for planning your boudoir session or start the booking process? Follow the links below for all the details:

~BOOK NOW! Complete a short questionnaire to start the booking process

~Pittsburgh Boudoir Photo Shoot Package (Including Pricing)

~ Need Help? Check out these boudoir shoot planning tips!

~See More from Other Boudoir Shoots

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I read a lot of books. Personal development, business development – you know, the old “self help” books. These books have changed my life! Filling my mind with positivity and enrichment has been critical to my business success.

Not a lot of things stop me in my tracks. Then I read the below from The Noticer Returns by Andy Andrews:

“Great or small, your legacy will be judged one day by the quality and amount of value you were able to contribute to the lives of other people. Therefore, you should work hardest on yourself in order that you become more valuable. Not for yourself, of course, or as an exercise in ego, but that one day you might find yourself valuable enough to possess the power to lead others to an understanding of the true value of their own lives.”

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THESE SENTENCES. THESE WORDS! This is me. This is what I’m all about. These words stopped me dead in my tracks, I read it over 10 times, highlighted it, and took a photo. This is why I accept the sleepless nights, the bags under my eyes, the absence of a personal life, the constant work that never seems to end. Money is not my motivation in doing this job – it never will be. THIS. IS. EVERYTHING. If you ever wanted to know anything about me, read the words above. It’s all you’d ever need to know before having a shoot with me.

Want to stay in touch with Pics By Chicks?!? Follow us on social media:

Facebook, @Pics By Chicks Photography

Instagram, @picsbychicksphotography

Pinterest, @Pics By Chicks

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July 9, 2016

Doyle Party of 2 – Kevin & Lauren’s Wedding

Pics By Chicks Photography, celebrated Lauren & Kevin’s J Verno Studios wedding in Pittsburgh, PA. For more information on our wedding photography services, please follow the links below.

~Wedding Details (including Pricing)

~View photos from other weddings

~Wedding planning tips

***

I’ve known Lauren since she was a young girl. I’ve known Kevin for years as a part of being in Lauren’s life. Watching these two become husband and wife was an emotional experience for me. You see, Lauren’s been by my side thru some really rough patches in my life. Yes, she’s younger than me but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t give me a swift kick in the butt when I need it. I love her for so many reasons – she’s an amazing woman and it was an honor for me to be their photographer!

Watching their relationship blossom into marriage is something I have a hard time putting into words. As I saw Lauren walk down the aisle to Kevin, I teared up behind the camera. Kevin is Lauren’s prince – the one she’s been waiting to marry. And, as I watched her realize this dream it was emotional for us all.

Favorite Moment of the day: Gosh, this is such a hard one for me to answer. Lots of my friends were on the dance floor all night and it was so great to see all of them having a blast! But, the best part of the day for me was seeing the constant smiles on Lauren & Kevin’s faces … all day, all night. They couldn’t stop smiling.

Here are just a few photos from their wedding. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness, Lauren & Kevin – can’t wait to see all that life holds for you both!

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First kiss!

But, let’s go back to the beginning. First, just a few small details!

Lauren has an amazing group of ladies by her side!

The cutest flower girls I’ve ever seen!

Oh, my heavens, my gorgeous bride!

Handsome groom!

After the ceremony, we ventured right outside J Verno Studios to this wall that I love so much.

A shoutout to these 3 amazing ladies. Thank you to Cheryl, Lauren and Nancy for ALWAYS being by my side when I need it! These are 3 of the most amazing and supportive women you’ll ever meet in your life and I’m so honored to call them friends. Love you ladies more than you’ll ever know!

Lauren felt a few raindrops so we moved to right behind the studios for some quick photos.

I love seeing Lauren laugh like this!

Rain, heat – whatever it was – we went inside to continue with a few more photos. Love the way Kevin is looking at Lauren in this photo! A man in love!

A few more details

First dance!

Love how happy they all were while dancing together.

Towards the end of the night, I grabbed them for just a few more photos.

And, finally, some reception fun.

What a blast! Thanks Lauren & Kevin for allowing us to be a part of your big day!

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July 7, 2016

What to do when feeling down

I love my clients, and doing boudoir photography Pittsburgh is the most amazing thing in my life. I want my clients to feel good about themselves and look at themselves in a positive way. In this blog post, I talk about what to do when you are feeling down about yourself.

Want to know more about my boudoir services, get some tips for planning your boudoir session or start the booking process? Follow the links below for all the details:

~ Need Help Getting Ready for Your Shoot? Check out these planning tips!

~View Posts from Other Boudoir Photo Shoots

~Start the booking process! Complete a short questionnaire to start

~Pittsburgh Boudoir Photo Shoot Package (Including Pricing)

****

I truly want women to love themselves and feel good about who they are. We are often our worst critics – nitpicking at every single thing we perceive as flaws. In this blog post, I want to give you 6 tips – things to do when you are feeling down about yourself.

Please take this advice to heart! It’s something I’ve done for myself and always feel better when I do it.

6 Tips for when you are feeling down about yourself

You have to surround yourself with positive people. All the negativity needs to get out of your life immediately, being around these types of people will only bring you down further. The decisions may be hard because you might be extremely close with some of these individuals, but you need to be around people that encourage you and can keep you moving in the right direction. Rid yourself today of all of those that bring you down while you are down until you can bring yourself back up.
Listen to peppy music and dance as if no one is watching. Listening to great music and moving around changes your outlook on things. I have been really enjoying the new Justin Timberlake song – I dance to it all the time and I feel so good afterwards.
Posture dictates your feelings and how you are viewed by others. Best thing you can do for yourself is to use the victory stance. Place your hands on your hips, shoulders back, feet hip width apart (like Clark Kent) and stand there for about two minutes. Another way to do this is to put your arms up in a high v like you are running through the finish line at the end of a race. This will make a huge impact on your attitude. Seriously. Posture is important.
Create an album in your phone and include only images that make you happy whether they are photos of you, your family, kids, a vacation, add some inspirational quotes. Look at every time you start to feel down.
Focus on the things that you love about yourself, not the things that you want to change or what you don’t like. Really look at and focus on what you love about yourself. For me, I love my eyes – so I focus on my eyes!
Last but not least, get your fan out, blow it in your face and hair and strike some budoir poses with your favorite music playing. 🙂

Love who you are at this moment. Life is better when you love!

Live your life and be happy!