Pittsburgh Boudoir Photography that empowers YOU to love yourself!

September 2, 2015

Beautiful Baby Belly

Maternity Boudoir Photography Pittsburgh is offered by Pics By Chicks Photography, Pittsburgh’s premier boudoir photographer. I provide an uplifting and powerful experience for women throughout western PA and easter OH that helps them see their true beauty! Pricing and package information can be found HERE. Please contact me to schedule your boudoir experience today – it’s something you won’t regret!

OK, so this is going to be a long post. Get ready.

I have a real hard time putting into words how much this beautiful woman has touched my life! From the moment we met until today (when we still exchange emails), she’s become a friend and I love that about this job. You can see a trend in my blog posts that clients often become friends – how awesome is that?!?! Upon entering the studio, in the first minute I knew I was going to connect with her. She was fun, funny, happy … and I was able to immediately get her to relax. It was perfect from beginning to end! Lots of funny moments mixed in too because you know that there is some craziness that happens with your body when you are pregnant. I don’t know that from personal experience (i.e. I’m no mother) but I’ve seen a lot doing maternity boudoir photography pittsburgh.

As soon as hair and makeup was over, we had a chat. I love to do that before we jump right into the photos – take a minute, relax, enjoy champagne (well, not in her case but I’m sure the water tasted fantastic), and just talk.

THIS WOMAN IS AMAZING!!! Enjoy some of her photos and read below to hear some of her amazing feedback to me. And, guess what?!? I’ll be doing her birth photography shortly! 🙂 Love how connected I get with my clients.

This tight lace top worked so great for a maternity boudoir! It hugs the body beautifully! 🙂 091

Pittsburgh Maternity Boudior Photographer 104

After I sent her a few preview photos (about 30 minutes after she left the studio), I received this beautiful email back:

Ican’t even begin to explain how thankful I am that I found you and even more grateful that you were more awesome than I could’ve ever even imagined! I was so anxious but from the moment I walked in, all nerves disappeared. I never thought I would be so comfortable immediately with someone. You made me feel like a Victoria’s Secret bikini model when that is the complete opposite of my current state, haha! I am eternally grateful for the time we had together today! My belly hurts from laughing so much! (I’m a huge sap!)

The previews are AWESOME. Man girl, you work fast! I am dying to see the rest now!! I already texted my best friend who was considering it and told her it is a MUST WITH YOU!

Thank you again .. For everything. Have an awesome night and tell your hubby I’m sorry for holding you hostage all afternoon!

Oh, and then the sweater. These may be some of my favorite photos EVER! 🙂 121

A new level of excitement was reached when she got on the Victorian sofa!

And finally, once she gave the photos, I received this – I’ll admit it. I cried.

I have some big news for you. So, I couldn’t hold in my secret any longer so I showed [fiancé’s name removed] one picture last night and one picture led to 10 which then led to signing into the website and he looked at every picture! I gave [the album] to him this morning. He was blown away by your work! He was beyond impressed and extremely happy! He was speechless last night and again this morning looking at them in actual print. He wants me to thank you for doing such beautiful work and bringing me out of my shell and release all inhibitions in front of the camera. He still can’t believe it’s me in the pictures! Both of us want to thank you for your amazing work! You are amazing as an artist and a person!

Finally, I leave you with this. A private moment between mom and baby. I cried after I took this photo.

Package and pricing details for maternity boudoir photography Pittsburgh can be found by clicking here. This section of our website has all details on the cost of our boudoir package. My passion is working with amazing women throughout western PA and eastern OH – this is an experience you’ll never forget! 🙂

For more photography goodness, please follow us on social media:

Facebook, @Pics By Chicks Photography

Instagram, @picsbychicksphotography

Pinterest, @Pics By Chicks

Please note: All boudoir images shared on my website are done so with permission from my clients.

Hair & Makeup by Shannon at Shade Makeup Artistry.

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September 1, 2015

Celebrating an Arrival

Maternity boudoir photos Pittsburgh provided by Pics By Chicks Photography, Pittsburgh’s premier boudoir photographer. Maternity boudoir allows women the chance to celebrate their upcoming arrival with amazing and radiant photos. Their natural beauty shines thru in amazing images that they will cherish for life. More information – including pricing – on our boudoir photo services can be found by clicking here.

Well, well, well. Welcome to a fabulous blog post with some maternity boudoir photos! What a joy for me to photograph this beautiful woman as she celebrates a new arrival in her (and her finance’s) life. There is so much good stuff from her maternity boudoir photo shoot that I’m breaking her session up into 2-3 different blog posts – it’s THAT good! And, isn’t she spectacular for letting me share photos?!?!

When we talked about putting some of the photos on my blog [something I never request of clients, nor pressure them into when THEY bring it up], she was completely comfortable with it as long as they weren’t too risqué. She also mentioned that she doesn’t think many people know about maternity boudoir and so, “if your blog will help spread the word, we are good with it.” She’s awesome. She ended her email to me with, “[her fiancé] said he is proud of me and I should be proud of the pictures your took, which I am! So, SHARE AWAY GIRLFRIEND!” <3 Awesome she is, indeed.

Your pregnancy is something to be celebrated!!! I love that my client wanted to show off her body – she loves being pregnant! And, these images reflect the appreciation she has for her changing body! I know that maternity boudoir may not be for everyone but it’s certainly something I love to photograph! When I talk about my boudoir photography with my family (my brother in law in particular), they sometimes don’t “get it” but when I tell my BIL that I’m shooting a maternity boudoir, he wants to help! Isn’t that a common response from men, “Do you need an assistant for your photo shoot?” haha. But, honestly, a lot of men I’ve spoken to love their wife/fiance/significant other’s pregnancy and think it should be captured in this amazing way! How cool is that? Men are actually saying that it would be great for their partner to have these photos taken! <3

Take the leap ladies, stretch your boundaries and get maternity boudoir photos pittsburgh done – you won’t regret it!

I’ll leave the risqué photos for her fiancé’s enjoyment but please enjoy some classy, elegant and totally fabulous maternity boudoir photos.

Sometimes with maternity boudoir I like to keep it very simple so that we show off the elegance of the mom and the belly. We started this section of her shoot (after some lingerie photos – you’ll see those in another blog post next week) with some sheer fabric that I have. No distractions. Just a beautiful pregnant woman.

Oh boy, do I LOVE the next photo! 🙂

After some photos with the sheer fabric, I pulled out my beautiful stretch lace and awesomeness ensued!

Pics By Chicks Photography offers maternity boudoir photos Pittsburgh. For details on packages and pricing, please click here.

For more photography goodness, please follow us on social media:

Facebook, @Pics By Chicks Photography

Instagram, @picsbychicksphotography

Pinterest, @Pics By Chicks

Hair & makeup by Shannon at Shade Makeup Artistry.

Please note: All boudoir images shared on my website are done so with permission from my clients.

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August 31, 2015

6 Months In – What I’ve Learned

Another personal post here….

If you follow me, you know that in February I finally said adios to corporate America so that I could put my full focus on my photography. I walked away from the comfort of a well paying job for the uncertainty of being a business owner. My photography business was exploding too fast that I couldn’t stay – two full-time jobs was too much to handle for two years (sometimes I wonder how I did it for so long). I decided to take the leap and I haven’t looked back!

[Note – in my original plan, I was to be quitting my job this month but I was 6 months ahead of schedule]

I’ve been a full-time photographer for 6 months now. It’s been so rewarding and fulfilling. Working with my clients has lifted me up to levels I never thought I’d be. My clients have been so fantastic and wonderful and I could gush about them for days!

As many wonderful days that I’ve had, there are some rough days, but those are far from the norm. Here’s what I’ve learned 6 months into my full time photography journey.

1) It’s hard. But the good far outweighs the bad.

I’m sure you can imagine how hard and difficult it is being a business owner. And, being a business of 1 is a lot of work. There are some many little things that go into running a business that they all take time and my focus. But, on those hard days I just remember that I’m living out my passion every single day! Now, that’s pretty awesome.

2) Busy is good. But downtime is important.

I love being busy. Having tons of photo shoots, editing gorgeous photos, writing blog posts…busy busy busy. But, I’ve learned that while being busy and making money is great, taking time for yourself is just as important. I need time to recharge my batteries so that I can be the best photographer I can for my clients. Whether that means taking a weekend trip with Mr. Chick or just taking two days off to lay on the couch! haha. It’s very important to take some time away to refocus and recharge.

3) Focus. Drive. Determination.

Three words that have been defining my progression over the last 6 months. I’m committed to this journey. I’ve been working on a lot of personal development that are helping with these three traits – one being reading 52 books this year. I’m a little behind but with focus, drive and determination I’ll complete my goal!

4) It’s all on me. Forces me into action.

Guess what? I have no steady paycheck. If I want to make money, I have to work. This forces you into action. There are things that I’ve wanted to do to market my business, particularly my boudoir photography, and I’m now forced to do it. If I want more clients, I have to take the steps to do that. My ideas are killer. Time to put the plan in motion.

5) My husband rocks.

I need to include Mr. Chick in this list too. He’s been such a support to me as I pursue my passion and not a day goes by that I don’t recognize that I couldn’t do this without him. He has his own job outside photography, even though he has a degree from the Art Institute in photography. While this whole photography thing was his initial idea, he really was instrumental in bringing my passion to light. I’m forever grateful for that or I’d probably still be working my corporate job. Oh, and he carries our health insurance too so that’s pretty major! 🙂

6) I am worthy of this dream.

This is my dream job. My passion in life is fulfilled in my photography. I think sometimes I struggled with self doubt and constantly thinking, “am I good enough?” But, you know what I’ve come to realize – I am worthy of this dream. And, I’m so unbelievably humbled and blessed to do what I love. Most importantly, I define what success is for me, not what sometimes tells me it should be. This is the problem with Corporate America – someone else is dictating what you do and how well you do it. NOW, I get to say what success is to me and I love that. And, if you were wondering whether I’ve defined what success looks like, well, yes I have but you’ll have to wait for another blog post on that! We all fall short but this job is worth the struggle, heartache, setbacks, and fear. I am worth it. This dream is worth it.

I’m ready for the next 6 months, the next year, the next 5 years, heck even the next 10 years! There is no looking back. I’m focused. I’m driven. And I’m determined to make this happen.

I love my job! And, I recognize how lucky I am to be able to say that!

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August 31, 2015

What to Wear Boudoir – Splurge {Pittsburgh Boudoir Photographer}

Here are a list of specific items I love it you want to splurge on your outfits for your boudoir session. Boudoir photography is not expensive & I completely respect budgetary concerns. These items are for those who have some extra money to spend and what some killer pieces. The items included here are all over $100!

Dita Von Teese Collection – her items are very unique. This is an outfit that I have admired for a while and I just love everything about this look. This was found on Bare Necessities. The garter belt was the first ting that caught my eye and when I saw the entire outfit – simply perfection! The entire outfit is priced at $168 (Bra, panties and garter belt sold seprately)

L’Agent by Agent Provocateur – This brand is typically very expensive but the L’Agent line is affordable. I was drawn to the color of this piece and I love all the lines in the slip. This was available at Nordstrom for $140.

I love everything about the Hips and Curves website – their selection is so great! This is another outfit I’ve been dreaming of for a while. I love the bustier and skirt look going on here. This would be a killer outfit for anyone but especially for those curvy girls. The full style of this outfit (bustier, petticoat, panties & stockings) is approximately $145.

Queen of Diamonds – This is a beautiful chemise that was found on Saks Fifth Avenue. I love the soft color of this piece as well as the lace details at the top and bottom. This item is $155.

Guess what? There are designer pieces at Victoria’s Secret! I love their designer collection for all the lovely details and softness in the items! This silk chiffon ruffle babydoll is so beautiful – I love the ruffler on the straps and the softness of the chiffon! This item is priced at $198.

More information on my boudoir services – including pricing – for those in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas can be found here.

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August 24, 2015

Pittsburgh Boudoir Photography – Confidence. Elegance. Passion.

Pittsburgh Boudoir Photography offered by Pics By Chicks Photography, Pittsburgh’s premier boudoir photographer. I provide women with an amazing experience and sum up my boudoir photography with three simple words – confidence, elegance and passion. For information – including pricing – on our boudoir services, please click here. All information on what’s included and cost can be found on this section of the website.

My clients touch my life in amazing ways, and each one is so very special to me. My clients come back to me repeatedly for photo shoots and their emails always start off as, “Maura, I don’t know if you remember me….” Let me assure all my clients that I remember you. Each and every one of you. My clients mean the world to me and I would do anything for them. For my boudoir clients, it’s such an amazing experience to share with them and I feel like a bond has been created. So many clients become my friends and I love that my photography brings us together!

Enjoy a few photos from a bridal boudoir photo shoot that I just loved. Her husband was blown away by her photos and wanted to share some on Facebook but she wouldn’t allow it! I ladore that the recipient of these photos want to show them off – I love hearing how proud they are of the photos. Because I know I’m proud of them as well!

Love the carefree and relaxed feel of this photo!

And I leave you with a few black and white photos from her shoot. The next photo is my favorite from her session!

Pittsburgh Boudoir Photography is my passion, my sweet spot, and I’m ready to share this experience with you! The highlight of my life is working with all the amazing women in the pittsburgh and surrounding areas. For details on my boudoir package and pricing, please click here.