Pittsburgh Boudoir Photography that empowers YOU to love yourself!

June 20, 2016

Questions for the Photographer: What Does Success Look Like to Me?

I want people to feel like they know me by the time they book a session, so this boudoir photography Youngstown blog post I’m talking about me. Today, what success looks like to 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)

~ Want Help Preparing for Your Shoot? Check out these planning tips!

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I was asked recently what success looks like for me. Lots of people define success based on the amount of money they make, how much free time they have, what’s in their bank account, when they can retire, etc. For me, I define success as feeling passion every day. I’ve had a high paying job….a job that sucked my soul dry and was ever relentless in making me give them more and more of myself. I could care less about money, and I always say I don’t do this job for the money.

I want to feel passion every day!

Feeling passion for what I do gives me satisfaction at the end of each and every day. Some days are better than others – I’m certainly not saying that I don’t feel stress and pain some days, but I want to feel like I’m making a difference in others lives. Being a boudoir photography, I don’t feel like my job is sucking my soul dry – I feel like I’m doing something that’s making other people feel good about themselves. And, bringing out those feelings and self love in women is something that I’m so passionate about.

I love this job and I love being so passionate about something that makes my life feel worth it. I truly hope that passion comes thru to my clients before, during and after their photo shoot with me!

boudoir photos pittsburgh, chick clique
pittsburgh boudoir photography

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June 16, 2016

Live Shoot in Facebook Group

She didn’t believe it, couldn’t see it. It was my job to make her see it but – more importantly – believe it! Time for this Pittsburgh Boudoir Photography blog post to showcase some of the photos from the live shoot I conducted a few weeks ago!

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 process

~Pittsburgh Boudoir Photo Shoot Pricing Details

~ Let me help you plan your shoot! Check out these boudoir tips!

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I’ve talked before in my blog about my private Facebook group! I started it in December and have loved every minute of it! I share a variety of items – lingerie selections, behind the scenes stuff, photos, motivational quotes, funny memes, and I even do live videos!

A few months back I did a live Q&A and clients were asking questions about posing and lingerie. I asked if it would be helpful if I went live during a shoot and the resounding response was YES! So, I put everything into motion but first asked the group if there was anyone that wanted to be my muse for the live shoot. I was looking for someone who was a size 8-14 so that I could showcase how important lingerie selections and posing are to boudoir photos.

I got a great response and chose a woman who needed to take some time for herself, who is constantly running around doing things for everyone else, and is a size 14. She came for a lingerie consult. One of her children was with her. As soon as she stepped thru the door, I knew what my job was. I needed her to believe how beautiful she was. I think she’s forgotten because she’s always in mom mode, PTO mode, the everybody else mode. I wanted to give her a day she’d never forget, a feeling she’d never forget. I wanted her to see herself as everyone else sees her – beautiful, amazing, wonderful, and so many great things. After our meeting, it was time for me to shop. I did the styling and only asked her to bring a bra and panty set – all she really had to do was show up and get glamorous. No stressing about outfits, no wondering what to wear, how she was going to look – just show up as you are and let me take it from there.

She wanted to conceal her stomach, which was perfect for what I wanted to show to my group. The stomach is an often requested area to keep covered up, and I wanted to show that we can still be sexy while doing so.

It was a GREAT time, and I think most of the women in the group felt like they were a part of the shoot because they got to be there with us.

Want to join the fun? My group is open to all women >> come join >>

If you wanted to see some of the shoot, here is one of the videos I saved and loaded to YouTube. My assistant is working on a more official video showcasing the photo shoot!

Here are some photos from just the leopard print bodysuit that also functions as shape wear. It was amazing for the shoot!

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June 14, 2016

Lauren & Youssef – A Renaissance Pittsburgh Wedding

Pics By Chicks Photography, celebrated Lauren & Youssef’s wedding at the Renaissance Hotel 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

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First and foremost, working with Youssef and Lauren has been a joy from beginning to end. And, I say “end” but I certainly hope it’s not the last time these two are in front of my camera.

Admittedly, when we first met, they wanted photos for their wedding but what they really wanted was to have a great time and enjoy their wedding. Most photos were to take place before the ceremony so they could enjoy part of cocktail hour. And, a beautiful venue such as the Renaissance in Pittsburgh was the perfect backdrop for their photos. Lauren told me that if it was hot outside, all photos would take place inside! And, guess what – it was super hot for a May wedding. We did manage to get outside for a few moments later in the evening for a couple quick photos on the Roberto Clemente Bridge!

I’ve photographed a lot of weddings, and I have to say that I’ve never seen two people so happy, so joyful, so amazing and so in love with each other! Photographing these two and seeing the way they interact with each other was a real blessing. And, that happiness they felt to get married only translated to everyone having a great time at their wedding – so many laughs during toasts, so many feet moving on the dance floor, and hugs and smiles every which way you looked.

Favorite moment from their wedding: The two moments that stand out most in my mind come from the dance floor (imagine that!). The first was Lauren’s grandparents shared a dance together while Lauren & Youssef looked on. It was incredibly sweet to watch them move around the dance floor with a sweet kiss at the end! The other moment was when Youssef’s family got on the dance floor! To see those smiles and that enjoyment … it makes the agony of being on my feet for 8 hours so worth it!

Thank you, Lauren & Youssef for letting The Chicks share your day with you! Here is just a small collection of their photos!

The ceremony on the steps was such a wonderful sight to see!

Please swoon of the awesomeness that is this couple, then swoon over the back of Lauren’s dress!! She looked absolutely amazing!

Love seeing them laugh like this!

A few details from their day!

Finally, I leave you with a little reception fun!

Thanks Lauren & Youssef! We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

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

Pittsburgh wedding photographers, Pics By Chicks Photography is a awesome husband and wife team who thoroughly enjoy the experience of sharing your special day with you! More information on our wedding photography package and pricing, please click here.

Pittsburgh Wedding Photography | Beaver County Wedding Photographer | Gibsonia Wedding Photographer |Wexford Wedding Photographer

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June 13, 2016

Questions for the Photographer: How Long Have I Been Shooting Boudoir?

In this new Pittsburgh Boudoir Photography blog series, I’m getting personal! Today’s question is all around how long I’ve been shooting boudoir!

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:

~Pittsburgh Boudoir Photo Shoot Package (Including Pricing)

~ Want Help Preparing for Your Shoot? Check out these planning tips!

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

***

I think this a very important question to ask any photographer that you work with no matter what types of photos you’re doing. How long have I been shooting boudoir?

I have been shooting boudoir, as of May 2013. My first client was a friend of mine who came in at the end of May 2013 just to see if I could actually do boudoir, which is what helped me build my studio. After that, I had a couple of shoots with my hair and make up artists so that they could understand what the experience is like for my clients. This way they could talk to clients during hair and make up about what happens during the shoot, how I shoot and photograph, and help make the experience better for my clients.

Then I had my first paying client a couple of months later. It was another friend of mine but it was the first time I was charging someone, so to me this was the beginning of my boudoir career. A couple of months after that I had my first person find me through a Google search which was a huge thing for me. I finally felt like everything I had done to that point finally paid off. From there, my client base grew, my mentor began sending people to me, people were telling their friends and I was finally realizing my boudoir photography dream!

As I look back, I say it’s been three years but really in the past two and a half years, it’s exploded. Right now I’m booking three to four months out and clients are coming from everywhere to get with me. I’m so excited to meet more clients and explore where my boudoir career will go.

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June 9, 2016

From A Mother

It’s time to hear from a mother who came in for a Boudoir Photography Pittsburgh photo shoot. She highlights how she felt about the process and what it mean to her! It’s a unique perspective!

Want to know more about my boudoir offerings, learn about planning your boudoir session or begin he booking process? The links below have more details:

~View Photos from Other Boudoir Sessions

~Want to book? Complete a short questionnaire to start the process

~Pittsburgh Boudoir Photo Shoot Details (Including Pricing)

~ Need help planning your shoot? Check out these session tips!

***

I recently received some feedback from one of my clients who is a stay at home mother, who treated herself to the boudoir experience just to do something for herself. She sent me an awesome email that I’m sharing with you below (Note: names removed):

“I honestly did feel like I had a mini vacation that day. Free from school pick up and drop off, free from fixing lunches and breaking up fights. I seriously have never had my make-up done before and I found that fascinating. I loved looking at all the make up. It was like painting.

But here is what I was thinking on the car ride home: I found your set up to be so professional. The equipment, lights, props, and music in the background. The small touches added a special feel – like the snacks you put out and the gift bag you give at the end with your logo on it. Thank you too (and [my husband] thanks you), for the thongs.

All the little touches here and there that really make it a unique experience for women. You have a really professional looking studio. The entrance way makes a cozy changing area and your hardwood floors, chandeliers and big windows really look awesome in pictures. And look at how far you’ve come.

That is another thing I kept thinking – you’ve come a long way! All that hard work – working two jobs. Working your corporate job (that you hated) for so long. Meeting Tony and getting back into photography and taking classes, and one thing led to another. I think that is awesome. And it’s an inspiration to someone like me to get back to my creativity once the girls are older and more independent and in school.

So thank you again for that seriously once-in-a-lifetime experience. I hope to be able to do something for you someday as well!”

Thank you to my amazing client for this wonderful feedback! Enjoy some photos: