Casual Elegance Photography® Blog

It’s almost Valentines Day

casualelegancephotography — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:02:37 +0000

It’s almost Valentines Day and I am getting calls every day asking if I can fit in a shoot and have the prints ready before the big day. Right now there are about 19 days until Valentines Day. There’s still time, but it’s getting close. From the time of the shoot until you have images in hand ranges from 10 – 15 days depending on the number of edits, how long it takes to select the images for editing, and how long the lab takes to print the images. But even if we can’t have images in hand, we can provide you with a CD Slide Show of either the edited images or all the proofs. Many clients have said that they really liked having given the proof CD to their husband, boyfriend, etc. instead of prints because it allowed them to pick the images for editing. It’s amazing the difference in selections between a man and a woman. One client gave her husband the CD at a romantic dinner. Her husband couldn’t wait to see the images so the whole evening had the anticipation of what that CD contained. He was really “wowed” when he finally viewed it!!! He was really pleased that he was part of the process too!

So if you are thinking of doing Boudoir images for Valentines Day, please book right away. We will do our best to get you scheduled quickly. Visit Casual Elegance Photography to see samples, read client reviews, and review the packages we already have built.

A Celebration of the Human Body

casualelegancephotography — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:53:20 +0000

That’s how I look at artistic nudes. They’re a way to show the human body’s beauty, form, and sensuality. From the time we are born until the time we die, we live in this “shell” and survive through it’s awesome design. I don’t look at nudity as something to be ashamed of or something to “hide” because we’re not supposed to look at it. We are humans, we have bodies, and we are all an amazing creation.

I have had clients fall in love with their images and order 16×20 prints, 11×14 prints, and an occasional 24×36 poster print of their artistic nudes, but I just had a client order a 24×36 canvas wrap print of one of their artistic nudes. That, to me, is awesome. We got a ton of great images from her shoot, but she decided that this particular shot was pure art and needed to be done on canvas.

Come celebrate yourself at Casual Elegance Photography! Let us help you see your beauty, the amazing person you are, and the art you can create.

A Photographer who photographs Nudes

casualelegancephotography — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:49:54 +0000

When asked what type of photography I do, I typically say “Boudoir and Artistic Nudes”. It sometimes makes people ask what it’s like to photograph nudes. Without hesitation I normally reply that it’s difficult work. They normally say “yeah, right.” But in my opinion it’s easy to create a perfect look with clothing on the person. You can hide “flaws” and shape the person by the clothing you choose to use. When you shed your clothes you cannot hide the true body and its “flaws” (and we all have them I think) like you can with clothing. So as the photographer you have assess the person you are shooting with and use lighting, shadows, camera/shot angles, body position, and background with every shot to create an image the person will look at and say “wow, I can’t believe that’s me!” You have to see the person as the overall goal of the shot and you have to compose it all to get the best shot for them – hiding flaws, shadowing and lighting to cover and enhance, and the best angle to shoot so that the shot will flatter them. I’ve found that at times I have been so caught up in getting the shot perfect that I have run down the battery in my camera half way through the shoot and wondered why I can’t take any more shots.

Photographing the nude is not simple. it’s work! Sure, if you want snapshots of a naked person it’s easy to point and shoot. But if you want to create beautiful art you need to remember that the client has trusted you to get great images of them in a situation that many have never been in before. You have to think of their comfort, respect them and their wishes, and do all the technical things to get the image that they want. Add to that the fact that most clients are very nervous and you have a lot of multi-tasking to do. Yes, it’s work, but I love it – especially when the results are far beyond the client’s expectations! I love the challenge. The challenge of lighting the shot correctly, getting the pose to look the way the client has envisioned that it will, making the client feel comfortable, and staying on the shoot schedule. It’s a rewarding type of labor.

Visit our website where you can read our client testimonials to see what our clients have thought of their experience at Casual Elegance Photography!

I Love Light!!!

casualelegancephotography — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:19:21 +0000

Yes, I’m Mark and I’m a Lightaholic! I’m truly amazed at the variations and varieties of light that we see every day and that I try to create in the studio.

I actually see everyday things differently than I used to. The light that creates shadows on a bright sunny day, the light that’s diffused on an overcast day, and the different light colors throughout the day. They all fascinate me. I love the way the light plays with shadows as it drifts through the trees and the way it can be utilized to create a mood. I love the way light on a cloudy day softens everything adding a completely different mood. I’m equally amazed by the warmth of the light in the early morning and late afternoon. The way that it adds a brilliance to the shots and a glow to the heart.

In the studio I try to see light as it will fall on my subject, then balance that light to create the image we want to get. I’m sparing with my light in most cases – typically using no more that 4 lights for much of my work. But when I’m doing a boudoir shoot, I use several more to create the look. I also gel the lights with the colors to get the effect that’s needed. I just read that when doing a Playboy centerfold shoot, 40 or more lights are used to get every little detail perfect. I would love to have those kind of resources to light some shoots. But with the lights I have, I’ve learned that balance is everything. Meter each light and then the entire scene. Shoot a test card so there’s a reference to the exact light that’s there. Then shoot – look – shoot and keep aware as you go. One other thing I have learned is that digital really doesn’t have the dynamic range of film. And using HDR processing doesn’t always work for glamour shoots. So I’ve found that metering your lights and really paying attention to what the overall scene looks like can have a dramatic impact on the time in post processing and using all the dynamic range that’s there.

I Love Light! I really do!

Visit Casual Elegance Photography ® to see samples of my work, read testimonials, and reserve your photo session today!

Last Minute Ideas

casualelegancephotography — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:49:18 +0000

Okay, so you just got a great idea for a present for that special person in your life. It’s now 15 days until Christmas. Oh No! Time has a way of flying by and now it’s getting down to the wire.

Normal turn around time from a Boudoir Photo Shoot until you have products in hand is about 15 days because there is time for selection, time for editing, time for approvals, and time for the lab to print them. BUT… if we can’t get everything done but at least get selections and edits done, there is a way to have something in hand as a teaser for the big day. In the past when this has happened I have built a slideshow CD as the “substitute” present. This gives that special someone a present to open and it acts like a prelude to the final present that will be coming.

I know it’s not the perfect situation, but it works very well when time has run out. The feedback that I have received is that it actually worked out better because it was like two presents.

So if you’re still thinking of the perfect gift for that special someone, call today to make an appointment for your boudoir photo shoot!

Casual Elegance Photography®

The Photo Shoot – a process

casualelegancephotography — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 16:24:50 +0000

Many clients ask how a photo shoot works. They typically want to know what they should bring, how they should prepare, what happens in the shoot, and how the whole process works. To help cut down on a large flow of emails I’ve developed a Boudoir FAQs page on my website and several different email templates to help answer these questions. You can view the FAQs on my website, but I also send notes with more information such as how to prepare, hints and tips, and directions to the studio. The notes serve two purposes. First, they have information that the client needs, and second, they serve as a reminder for the session. Together, all of these emails and links build a process that can repeated over and over with the same results. It not only keeps me sane, but it ensures that I’ve not missed anything that’s important to the client.

The process works so well that have built templates for Head Shots, Family Portraits, Fine Art, and even Body Painting. I’ve now got templates for each step of the overall process. From the first exchange to the final “Thank you for your business”, I have a template to be sure that I don’t forget anything. The bulk of the template can be added to the email, but I still put in my own touch to the notes. And beyond templates, from my preparation for the shoot to the whole editing flow is documented on a process control sheet and on the wall in my editing suite. All those years of working for a fortune 50 company has taught me that if there’s a way to keep on track, it should be used – and a process is exactly what is needed. The process flow control sheet has check boxes for every step in the overall process. It goes on top of the client information packet that I build for every client.

Please visit Casual Elegance Photography and book a shoot today!

Family Photo Special

casualelegancephotography — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:51:14 +0000

Now thru December 10th get a Family Photo Session for just $99. The special includes a 45 minute session, 1 8×10 edited print, 2 5×7 edited prints, and the edited image on a CD with a release for use. The prints and CD image must be from the same photo. You can purchase an additional 25 4×6 prints for just $39.95.

Contact Casual Elegance Photography for your appointment today!

Time to get your Boudoir Photo Session Planned – Just over a month to go!

casualelegancephotography — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:33:54 +0000

Need a Unique Gift for your special someone this Holiday Season? How about an intimate, elegant and tasteful gift of YOU? One that keeps on giving all year long! At Casual Elegance Photography ® we specialize in boudoir and artistic nude photoshoots and can create an 11X17 wall calendar with 13 of your favorite images for you to give as that very special gift. Our calendars can start on any month you choose – which makes it a great holiday, birthday or anniversary gift.

Last holiday season our calendars were very popular and the feedback about them was great. I hope to see some of my past clients come back for a new year of photos. Calendars are a great way to keep you on the mind of someone all year long. They can be used to visually create the mood for the month, to call attention to a special date, or just say I Love You.

Visit Casual Elegance Photography ® to book your shoot today. This Holiday Season, make it a very special on with a Boudoir Calendar!

Little Black Book

casualelegancephotography — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:28:00 +0000

You’ve heard of them, so now is the time to create one – for the one you love! We have the perfect gift idea, a 5×5 “Black Book” with boudoir images of you in it! Why not do something totally out of character and end up with a fantastic gift as well as a whole new good feeling about yourself. Our book sessions include Makeup Artist Paint & Go services, a 2 hour session, and 20 edited images in a 5×5, 8×8, or 10×10 photo book. Past clients have said that it was the best present that they have ever given and that it was received with great joy. And you can get a beautiful gift box with a 10×10 book to dress up the entire package. So plan ahead and make this holiday season very special!

Visit Casual Elegance Photography ® today and make your appointment! You’ll be glad you did!

Boudoir Photography into your 60s?

casualelegancephotography — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:33:14 +0000

Great shoot yesterday with a client who just turned 62.

Boudoir photography is not just for the young and for those with “perfect” bodies. We all bring something special to a shoot. I love to work with the natural beauty each of us has and it’s a great feeling when you capture images that make us all go “wow”!!!! The older I get the more I appreciate the relaxed nature of my clients who entrust me to get the images they can love over time. I really like to sit and talk a few minutes before the shoot and talk about “the world.” As the shoot progresses we normally get a chance to laugh and talk about all sorts of things. I Love My Job!!!

At Casual Elegance Photography ® it’s all about capturing the beauty in all of us. As I mentioned, we talk and joke and laugh. Some clients have described the experience as having fun with friends and getting the benefit of great shots at the same time. And it doesn’t matter if you are in your 20s or in your 60s, when you come to Casual Elegance Photography ® you will see how beautiful you are and have some fun at the same time.

Visit Casual Elegance Photography ®