Black Ink Photography | Montreal Boudoir Photography

I wanted to share an article with you from the Atlantic Journal. (Got to love the internet!)

It is all about self-image. A direct quote:

Only 3 percent of American women consider themselves beautiful, according to a 2004 Harvard University study, “The Real Truth About Beauty: A Global Report.” More recent surveys, commissioned by Dove, and focusing on girls 8 to 17, found youngsters are also hard on themselves. A 2007 Dove/Seventeen Magazine survey found about 4 in 10 girls and young women said when they look in the mirror, they only see their flaws.

US statistics, but I’m sure they are not far off from the Canadian numbers.

A woman is interviewed in the article whose self-image has changed because of boudoir photography. The Atlantic boudoir photographer who took her images said that she want “to help ladies find their own kind of beautiful however they can feel beautiful.” And that is really what boudoir photography is all about.

We tend to be overly critical when we look in a mirror, try on clothes, eat…

As women, and men too I’m sure, we’re blasted from a very young age of the rich, famous, thin & sometimes plastic. Images in magazines are touched, sometimes so much that people don’t look real anymore. Then there is Michael Jackson and his ill-fated quest for physical perfection.

What do you think when you look in the mirror?

I only have two wall mirrors in my apartment. Usually, I just look at them in glancing, to fix my makeup, floss my teeth (note to self: floss more often!), the usual stuff. Sometimes I look at I go, uggggg….it is a hat day. I rarely look at the mirror and go, looking good you hot thing! I do try to not criticize myself when I look in the mirror. But it can be hard. I don’t look like Julia Roberts (actress relatively close to my age). I met a woman once who didn’t even own a mirror. I think that is a bit extreme.

I am consciously trying to change my relationship with mirrors. Think “positive reinforcement”, instead of negative. Look for the good.

And to bring this back to boudoir photography:

One client I had told me that her images helped her see herself through her fiance’s eyes. We need to wipe away our preconceptions and embrace who we are. Look for the best. Let the camera be your positive mirror.

I was very excited to take A’s photos last week at her gorgeous home in the West Island. When she contacted me, she told me that she has a great body (after four kids!) and wanted to remember it in photos. What a great attitude! And what a great role model for her own kids. I hope I can share one of her images with you soon!

And my last post was image-less, so I can’t leave this one with a photo. This is a photo of V, who is a local musician and artist. It was an artsy photo session and we had so much fun. The general theme was around her beautiful bath. I hope this makes you smile.

Warning: This post may make you spend money. I went out and bought some Vitamin E.

Looking Best on Your Wedding Day. Looking Best Anyday.

I recently became a fan of Sylva K on Facebook and I’m so happy I did. The first post I read from her was all about looking good on your wedding day, something that you need to start thinking about months before the actual day. But the same applies if you are just a guest, or having a portrait/boudoir photo session. And really, who doesn’t want to look their best?

Check out her blog for great hints on looking good on your wedding (and other) day. And think about fanning her on Facebook so you can get access to her wonderful hints, tips and reviews.

(And of course I recommend “fanning” Black Ink Photography on Facebook as well. )

Makeup designers must be looking to the diaper set for inspiration these days. If you have a kid, you know that if any pen gets on their skin, it is there forever! The latest in makeup these days are pink felt markers for the lips (and different colours, I hope, for other parts). (And I’m probably showing how hopelessly out of date I am because there is probably something new and *better* already available).

I picked up some cover girl outlast last week (in #410). It feels weird using a felt marker on my lips. But I do love the taste. I have not yet figured out how long it lasts on my lips (but will do). However, I did quickly figure out that I can’t apply this my old fashioned way: not using a mirror and hoping for the best. Because if I miss…think toddler art. In pink.

No matter how natural someone is in real life, makeup is definitely something to consider for photo sessions. It helps to define, enhance and accentuate your key features. And for boudoir photography, it just adds that extra glam!

What’s your latest makeup purchase? Or desire?

And sometime it can be fun to go a little more extreme. What toddler wouldn’t love to place feathers on his or her face?

Burlesque and boudoir are very different. Burlesque is all about the show and performance, while boudoir is more intimate. More personal. However, both celebrate women and their bodies, and a boudoir session can always include a touch of the burlesque.

Last year, I had the opportunity to shoot Montreal’s top burlesque performer, Scarlett James. It was a treat. With every move that she made, you could tell she was a performer and very aware of her audience (the camera in this case).

When I was little, I saw the musical Gypsy and fell in love with Gypsy Rose Lee. My sister and I would act out/dance out/sing out the songs from the show, even though we didn’t really know what we were singing about. Later, I became “acquainted” with Mae West, anther strong woman who celebrated her body. I loved the humour these two women projected and the acceptance of who they were. I also loved the tease: the hints, subtlety and mystery. (Although Mae West could be very in your face at times! )

If you would like to experience a little bit of burlesque, go see the Grand Burlesque show at Club Soda on Saturday (March 6th). You’ll be in for a treat!

Here are a couple of images from my shoot with Scarlett. These were taken in studio.

Make his heart flutter…
Book a Boudoir Glamour Photoshoot
Photos guaranteed in time for Valentine’s Day if your session is held between now and February 7th.
75$ for the session (regularly session fee is 250$)
One 8X10 gift print on professional lustre photography paper
Three electronic images…perfect for sending via email and loading on smart phones…

Book now…give him the gift of love.

I got to take {T}’s photo in December as a special surprise holiday present for her fiance. I wasn’t there when he opened the presents, but he made *my* day by sending me updates via email. Thanks {P}! Check it out…

Images set to music, which means if you have music running on your computer, you might want to turn it off. Or it you don’t like music, you might want to mute.

{T} also actively promotes the bone marrow registry throughout Montreal and the rest of the world. The chance of finding the right match can be very high, and the number of people registered is still far too low. You can help. Register today. To register, you provide a sample either through a swab or a blood test (depends on where you live). If you are a match, and the timing isn’t right for you, you can refuse. But if you accept, and give a donation that may save a life, the pain is minimal. The rumors about the pain levels are just rumors.

For more information and to find a registry, visit (link will take you off this site):
Heal Emru

International Burlesque Star Scarlett James captured in a very natural, but stunning, moment touching up her makeup.

For the photographers, this was taken in “natural light”…just the light around the makeup table.

Black Ink Photography Montreal Boudoir Mini-Session

The perfect stocking stuffer…a sexy picture of you!

What’s in it for you?

An hour of pampering at one of Montreal’s top boutique hotels.
A mini-makeup session with a makeup artist.
A photo session.
Treat yourself.

What’s in it for him?
A professionally enhanced 8X10 photo. Of you. Treat him.

What do you wear?
Most boudoir sessions are in sexy lingerie. However, if that isn’t your thing, no problem. Wear what makes you feel sexy. A little black dress. Blue velvet. Jeans & a t-shirt. Or one of his shirts, and some cute panties!
Only one outfit can be used for the session, but you can bring a few options if you need help deciding.

There are only 10 spots available during the day, so call today to book your session and to get the best time for you! Call me Sarah. Or email me at sarah@blackinkphotography.ca with the best time to reach you.

How about stuffing his stocking with a sexy picture of you…

{More information very shortly on a special boudoir session just in time for the holidays.}

I’m going to choose a photo of the month…I’ve already created the section in the header. Let’s just add it as another post so I can practice my post breaks.

Boudoir Photo of the Month October