Life

Maternity Photos in Loveland

April 18, 2022 by Christina

As a kid, I loved it when my mom pointed at a photo of her and said "that's you inside me." I imagined myself curled up inside there. It made me feel so close to her and loved.

I've watched women change over the course of their pregnancy, and it is absolutely something that must be documented!! If only so that when that baby is 10, 18, 22 years old you'll remember what it was like to carry them in your belly.

Here are 3 BIG Reasons for a Maternity Art Photoshoot:

1 - Your body is doing something astonishing. Your heart is literally beating for another. Growing a human might feel like a long and tiring job right now, but it'll go by before you know it.

2 - Everything is about to change. Your family, your body, your life. Whether you're adding your first human baby to fur babies, or whether this is your 5th child, the dynamic will change. Change is great! And the best way to usher in change is to commemorate what you have now.

3 - You DESERVE to have portraits where we show the queen, goddess, baddass that you truly are. Even if you feel swollen and sweaty, I'll bring out the powerful woman you are underneath it all. So you can see it everyday, and your little baby will always know who their mom is, and how much you love them.

The best time for your portrait session is towards the end of your second trimester. You’ll look clearly pregnant, without feeling overly big. And you'll still have plenty of energy and mobility for us to dress you up and pose for the session.

So, congratulations on your pregnancy! Let's start designing your Maternity Photo Art now - just click here: Contact Page

The Perfect Gift for Your Wedding Day – Bridal Boudoir

March 17, 2022 by Christina

If you're looking for a unique and memorable wedding gift for your partner, bridal boudoir is the perfect option. Boudoir photography is all about capturing the essence of femininity, and what could be more special than giving your husband or spouse-to-be a collection of beautiful images that celebrates your beauty and sensuality?

Boudoir photography sessions are typically done in our Loveland, Colorado studio, so you don't have to worry about cleaning up for finding a hotel room. We'll work together on your outfits, props and poses to create a look that's uniquely you. Because it's all so custom and so YOU, bridal boudoir makes for a fantastic keepsake that will last forever.

So if you're looking for something truly special for your wedding day, consider gifting your partner a bridal boudoir album. It's sure to be a gift they'll never forget! When they open it in another room, they'll brim with anticipation of seeing you come down the aisle. As if they weren't already excited, now you blew their brain!

Bridal Boudoir Photography Northern Colorado

Bridal Boudoir Options

Often your wedding photographer can create some boudoir photos while you’re getting ready. This can happen between when you’ve got your hair and makeup done, but before you put your dress on. It only works if you have a gorgeous place to get ready. The real bummer is that you won’t have those photos to actually give your fiancé until some time after your wedding.

A separate photo session, about 8 weeks before your wedding is more relaxed and ensures that you’ll have an album in your hands to gift on the actual big day. Since you’re boudoir session is done, it’s crossed off the list as your wedding day gets closer. One less thing to worry about!

If you’re in or around Loveland, we can meet for a consultation and plan your boudoir session. We’ll discuss what kind of lingerie is most flattering for your body type, and how you’d like my professional makeup artist to style your hair and makeup. We can include your veil and other wedding accessories, like his tie, to make your boudoir album a perfect wedding day gift.

During our consultation we’ll also go over how you’d like to see yourself, and how your partner loves to see you. From sweet romance to racy, we can create it all in the Downtown Loveland studio!

When to Schedule Your Bridal Boudoir Session

I recommend you reach out to me as soon as possible, but at least 12 weeks before your wedding day in order to have your album in-hand on time. We’ll meet for our consultation right away, and then photograph you about 8 weeks before your wedding. After your photo session, you’ll choose your favorite photos to include in the album. I’ll edit them for beautiful skin, perfect hair and sparkling eyes - without changing the shape of your body at all. Once you approve the edits, the album takes about 14 days to arrive. When you come to pick it up, you’ll look through it and then we’ll gift wrap it so you’re all set! Then add your own card and give it to bridesmaid or sibling to hand your fiancé the morning of your wedding!

A bridal boudoir album is a unique and memorable gift for your fiancé on their wedding day. It is sure to be a cherished possession for years to come. If you're looking for something special to give your partner on your big day, consider a bridal boudoir album!

Online Dating Pictures

March 10, 2022 by Christina

As if dating isn’t hard enough, in the world of online dating, you’re first seen in pictures. How do we make internet dating fun then? By presenting yourself in the best possible way, while being honest and authentic. The great thing about being yourself online is that you're more likely to attract someone who you actually like in person! Meeting people is fun, but you don’t want to waste your time with people who aren’t fun for you!

As a portrait photographer, I have over a decade of experience photographing people for their eHarmony, Match.com and OkCupid profiles. You want photographs that will create the best interactions with other members.

Most online dating profiles let you set a main, profile photo and then have a gallery of more pictures. In all your photos, you want to have good lighting that isn’t too harsh. Bathroom selfies are popular because the light in bathrooms tends to be soft and bright, but is that really the message you want to send? Window light is also generally great for portraits. Standing in front of, or next to a window can work really well. Don’t have the window behind you, or it will be bright and your face will be dark.

If you’re taking photos outside, the sun is great. Get into position, and then close your eyes. Open your eyes and take the photo quickly, so you don’t look squinty. Also, I would steer clear of sunglasses in your dating profile photos, because someone hiding their eyes looks subconsciously suspicious.

And if you're into filters and face-tuning... take it easy. Natural and clean looking photos beat trendy filters every day. Nothing makes your photos look dated (sorry for the pun) like yesterday's filter. You can use a little bit of skin softening if you have it, but keep it natural. Don't face-tune yourself into looking like plastic. People are supposed to have texture in their skin.

So, now... first, you need a scroll-stopping profile photo. You're best bet is a headshot rather than a group photo or a full-body shot where you’re tiny in the photo. The profile photo is often first seen small, like a thumbnail. If you're trying to show too much, it doesn't look like anything when viewed small and quick. You on the top of a mountain isn’t going to look like much when someone is scrolling through tiny profile pictures. (Save that one for your gallery) We need to show off your beautiful eyes, and quick! Friendly smiles work great too. Just like how you’d smile at someone you spot in a room, you can smile at them in your profile picture too. A closely cropped headshot is the best way to show off a quick sparkle and catch someone's curiosity about you.

Next, you get to create a gallery of photos where you can really show off your personality. Don’t limit yourself to those photos of you in formal wear, and add photos that show your interests and spirit. The great thing about a gallery is that you can show a good variety. Here’s a picture of you dressed up, and here you are on a normal Saturday. Photos of you dancing or playing with your pet— or doing whatever you like to do— are fun, engaging and show people a genuine glimpse of who you are. If you’re outdoorsy, you should have some great photos of you in your hiking boots on a trail. If you’re into wine, then pictures of you at a wine bar are great. That picture on top of the mountain is great here.

You can tell online people so much about yourself using photography! When I photograph people for their online dating, we do a variety of locations and outfits to show how multi-faceted you are. Don’t be afraid of being “weird” because we’re all weird! Whatever you think is weird, is probably beautiful and interesting. If you’re funny, we can make someone laugh with your picture. If you’re witty, be witty in a photo. If you’re a giant softy, we'll show off your big heart. Nothing is more attractive than confidence and authenticity. So the real key to online dating pictures is to just be yourself.

If you're interested in booking a portrait session with me for your online dating profile, fill out this form and we'll get the ball rolling!

Your Embarrassing Boudoir Questions Answered

February 16, 2022 by Christina

A Boudoir portrait experience is a little like a rollercoaster—scary, but the kind of scary you are excited for. The rollercoaster exciting because it's out of your day-to-day comfort zone, and you trust that it's safe. With boudoir photography, the number one factor to look for is that you feel safe. Well, first make sure you like the photographer's portfolio... then make sure you feel safe with them and in the environment where you'll be photographed.

That being said, you might have some questions that you're embarrassed to ask until we know each other a little better. So, let me see if I can put your mind at ease...

What if I get my period?

You're in control every step of the way during your boudoir session. We're a studio of people who menstruate, so we get it. A spot of red isn't going to send anyone into a tizzy. If you're wearing a tampon, easy peasy. If you're wearing a pad, we can just make sure it's hidden with panties, fabric, etc. If we have to take 52 bathroom breaks, no problem. Blemishes and bloat? We have photoshop. We also have advil and feminine hygiene products in the studio. Ultimately, if you're not feeling like you can enjoy your portrait session because, we'll reschedule it.

How much eh, grooming, do I need to do?

Totally up to you! Do whatever you would do if you were going to the pool. Try on your lingerie before your shoot and see what you see.

If you normally would wax, do it a few days before your shoot so any redness fades.

Can We do something Racy?

The short answer is YES! Who ever you are out there, when you walk through my studio door, there are no limits. As long as it's legal and we're not hurting anyone, we can do whatever you like! Handcuffs, stilettos, ropes, school uniform, whatever. No judgement in the studio.

Do I have to be completely naked?

Not at all. Sexy is not necessarily about how much skin you show. Sexy is an attitude. A bare collarbone can be sexy. And a bare shoulder can be smoldering. We generally start with your most covered up look and go from there. You're always in control.

Can you make me look like the women on your website?

Everyone rolls out of bed looking like they just rolled out of bed. Every woman on my website is a real person—a mom, a business owner, a teacher and more. Whether a newlywed or newly divorced, we'll work together to style you to your taste. We'll provide hair and makeup artistry so you feel taken care of from the start. Yes, you'll look as stunning and strong as the women you see here. Your beauty is already inside you, we'll uncover it together.

With my photos be on your website?

That's up to you! There are so many women who I've photographed—teachers, lawyers, moms, etc— who you've never seen on my website or social media. When we review your portraits, I'll ask if there any you feel comfortable with me sharing. Some people will say no. Some people will have one or two they feel good about seeing online. And some people are thrilled to show the world what we've created. It's all good!!

Testimonials

Thank you so much for such a fun and self-esteem boosting session. I had a great time and I love the photos!

Starla

Christina... Just wanted to let you know that I LOVED my pictures!! You did such beautiful job..you also have a awesome personality!!! Thank you again!!

Vonnie

Take the next step with your boudoir portraits!

It's just a phone call. You schedule it by clicking below. You're always in control.

Schedule your call now!

Beyond Boudoir

January 3, 2017 by Christina Leave a Comment

When I talk to you ladies about what I do, frequently boudoir comes up. And when it does, there’s an interesting push-pull you feel. As though it’s mysterious and beautiful (pull) and daring and dangerous (push).

Let’s see if I can feed the pull and starve the push a bit…

First, let me be honest. A couple years ago I had my own boudoir portraits made for the simple reason that I felt like a hypocrite telling you about how it’ll be wonderful when I’d never done it. And yes, I felt the same push-pull you’re feeling. And it was wonderful.

Now, let me tell you something else. You are so much more than a butt and boobs. You’re more than legs in stilettos hooked into a thong. (what a freaking weirdo photo idea… that was clearly a man’s idea. You don’t know what I’m talking about? Google it…) You’re more than a flat or not-flat or stretch-marked belly. You are more than all of those put together… AND, here’s the clincher… while you are more than your body… it’s still your body!

What makes you beautiful and sexy isn’t JUST your body, and your body is part of it. What makes you beautiful and sexy is your confidence, your sparkling eyes, your playfulness, your willingness to be daring. And that’s both the push and the pull of boudoir, isn’t it? Don’t we all want to be daring in our lives!? Bold! And the whole daring part of being daring is that it’s scary! (Otherwise everyone would do it and there wouldn’t be anything daring about it)

If you’re tinkering with the idea of boudoir for yourself, then you can consider yourself done with this article…

If you’re considering it as a gift for someone, then keep reading. This boudoir portrait with the guitar is absolutely the one I’ve gotten the most comments from men on. Men love this one. Men rave about how sexy it is. Great, so what exactly is showing? Not boobs, not butt. A little hip, shoulders, back, legs and arms. The great thing about sexiness is that it’s not necessarily about how much skin you show. It’s about exciting the imagination, and that doesn’t require a whole lot of skin.

Think about what might be sexy that’s totally comfortable… being wrapped in white sheets? A giant mens’ dress shirt? That cocktail dress that hugs in all the right places?

Even if you want to do a boudoir session as a gift for someone, it’s still your session. It’s still about you. You call the shots. You wear as much or as little as you like. I’ve been there. You’re safe with me. And nothing ends up on my website without your ok. And when we’re done, you’ll feel like the smoking hot woman-on-fire that you are. You might be hungry too.

Thank you so much for such a fun and self-esteem boosting session. I had a great time and I love the photos! ~ Starla

Book your session now while you’re feeling bold! If you wait, you’ll talk yourself out of it. Fill out the form and you’ll get some info, and then we can get on the phone!