Questions for the Photographer: What Made Me Want to Shoot Boudoir?

In this new Pittsburgh Boudoir Photography blog series, I’m getting personal! I really want my clients to know as much as they want about me so within this new series I will be answering some frequently asked questions about boudoir and myself.

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:

~View More from Other Boudoir Photo Shoots

~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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To kick off this new series, I’ll begin with what basically started it all in the first place.

What made me want to shoot boudoir?

A little history, I have always loved photography, I took a liberal arts class for photography in college to satisfy a requirement but I had always loved taking pictures and never thought that I could make a career out of it. Then I met my husband. When we got our wedding photos back, we hated them and thought they were terrible. Tony, who has a photography degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, said we could do a better job so I started a business just thinking I would take pictures and it would be something fun to do. I never thought that it would become a full time career, which it is now…thankfully.

I found my mentor, Heather Lahtinen, in December of 2012 and had been mentoring with her for quite a while when she decided to offer a boudoir workshop. I originally took the workshop in order to learn how to pose women better as I really didn’t have an interest in boudoir at that point. After the worksop, I decided that I would try it out on my own and had a friend of mine come over for what I would say was my first studio shoot and it was the BEST THING EVER. It was something I wasn’t expecting at all. I really loved how transformative it was for her, not only with her look but with the confidence she gained after the shoot.

Being able to use photography to encourage my friend was something that was really important to me. After that shoot I realized that this was something that I need to be doing – it was my CALLING in life. I was pretty straight forward with everyone after that first shoot that this was it, this is what I wanted to be doing. Every step I’ve taken since then has been towards the goal of being a boudoir photographer.

I really put the studio in place and it took me about three months to do so. After I got everything set up, I had my first shoot and it was spectacular. As I watch myself over the years, it’s amazing to me how much progression I’ve had, it’s amazing to see how many women are coming in and out of the studios as well as the changes that are happening not only in their lives but in their marriages. Being able to help these women with their confidence and how they feel about their bodies is something that is really important to me. I want women to feel good about themselves, about who they are, and show them what they have to offer the world!  I say these sessions are so great for women to improve their confidence, their passion for themselves, but really it’s something for me too. Being able to work with them is the highlight of my life.

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Zach Loves Danielle, Happily Ever After Wedding

Pics By Chicks Photography, celebrated Zach & Danielle’s wedding at the Magnolia Room in Crieghton, 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 start to finish this wedding was gorgeous, and I was so happy that they had us be a part of their wedding. This wedding for Tony  was one that he was very excited about, because he has know Danielle since she was a young girl so it was an amazing moment for him to be able to see her now become a bride. It was pretty evident how much these two young people were in love!  One of the things that Zach and Danielle told us when we met up was that they loved Disney, not the typical Disney princesses but the parks and how special they always felt when at Disney. They said that there would be hidden Mickeys throughout the wedding and challenged me to try and find them, and capture them in some of the pictures. This made my job so much fun!  It was a scavenger hunt … a friendly competition and well, I love games!

On the big day, it rained for most of the day but as a photographer I love the rain, because it pushes me to be more creative and to find ways to capture photos even with the rainy weather. Rain always adds to the wedding story! We were able to get some photos outside right after the ceremony when there was a break between the showers. The wedding itself had so many wow moments. One of the moments that everybody was in awe over was that Danielle and Zach had projected a view of the Disney Boardwalk so it looked like they were actually there. IT WAS AMAZING!! 🙂

Favorite Moment of the Day:  Well, there’s two.  First would be when the Disney boardwalk appeared on the wall of the sanctuary.  You really felt like you were at Disney.  It stopped me in my tracks.  Second, watching Danielle dance with her father.  It was a truly touching moment and he was singing to her the entire dance.  Melt my heart!

Here is just a small sample of their photos!

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Did you catch a hidden Mickey of my own?

The next photo is always one of my favorites on wedding day!

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The Disney Boardwalk!  2016-05-31_00162016-05-31_0017

I always like to take some time for photos inside the church and since it was raining, it was the perfect opportunity to grab a few more photos before the rain let up.

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I love when a couple laughs like this! <32016-05-31_0007

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I don’t know about you but I love seeing how happy Danielle’s father was during their dance!  It truly touched my heart! 2016-05-31_0012

Finally, some details from their day!2016-05-31_0014Thanks Danielle & Zach!  Wishing you a happily ever after filled with lots of love and laughs…and trips to Disney! 🙂

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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Time for you

I encourage you, I implore you … TAKE SOME TIME FOR YOURSELF this year!

This woman did, and hasn’t regretted it for a moment!

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So colorful

I’m a fan of color!  While most clients bring items of simple nature (black, white), I’m highlighting in today’s Pittsburgh boudoir photography post an outfit that is super colorful and so awesome!

Interested in learning about my boudoir photo shoot package and pricing?  Check it out >> Photo Shoot Details

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I love color and I love color in lingerie items!  Most clients bring black and white outfits or more muted tones but when I see an outfit with color, my creativity begins to go into overdrive!  I loved this bra, panty and garter set, which I believe is from Victoria’s Secret!  I can’t show you her face but I can show you some killer detail photos from her session showcasing this amazing outfit.

Don’t be afraid of color in your outfit selections.  The color can show off your personality, and if your significant other loves you in a certain color you can get an outfit in that color – they notice those kind of things!

The one thing I tell clients who are going to incorporate colors – avoid fluorescent colors.  They are sometimes too bright and distract the eye from your gorgeousness!

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I’ve Had Enough

Boudoir Photos Pittsburgh is for every woman, regardless of size!  It’s time to show more women with curves!

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)

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

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

~View More from Other Boudoir Photo Shoots

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I realize I’m limited in the photos that I can share because 90% of my clients want to remain private.  I get that and I completely respect that.  I mention this frequently in my blog and I think it’s important that people know that I respect their privacy – these are your photos, not mine.

But, something has been bothering me for a while, and I’ve had enough of trying to hide it.

I want to see more women with curves!!!  I feel like some photographers only show those really skinny women and it does a disservice to our craft and all the women with different body types.

As a boudoir photographer, I HAVE to know how to work with all body types … why?  Because EVERY WOMAN can do a boudoir photo shoot.  I don’t care what your size is, what your skin is like, what perceived imperfections you have — you can be just like the women in my photos.

It’s time for us to show women of every size.

I just adore the woman pictured here.  This was her second boudoir photo shoot with me, and it’s touching to have someone come back to me! Here’s a little of what she had to say:

“Prior to my 1st boudoir session with Maura, I didn’t love anything about my body. After she turned her camera around to show me what she was seeing, I felt self-worth for the 1st time in my life. After that moment and after seeing the preview photos, I realized that I love my eyes, my chest, and my strong arms and legs. I’m now more comfortable in my own skin than ever before!”

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