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.

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. )

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?

I’m so excited! I’m going to be heading down to Boston in September to take photos at Bride Thriller.

Brides. Hundreds of Brides. Dancing to Thriller. In the streets of Boston!

Can you think of anything more fun?
Yes. Doing this in Montreal! Perhaps in 2011…

Bride Thriller is a fund raising event. All brides participating are asked to bring a donation of a canned or boxed item, which will be given to the Greater Boston Food Bank. If you are interested in being one of the brides (only requirement is a white/off white dress), sign up on the website!

More on this as we get closer to the day.

And to make this complete, a picture from a trash the dress session. Not everyone will go this far (chocolate & tomato juice rendered the dress unusable ever again), but “trash the dress” sessions are a fun way to get more wear out of your dress. I’d love to take photos of bride in her dress jumping into a swimming pool! Or at Oka beach.

Trash the Dress, Montreal Style

If you would like more information about the organization and the services they offer, please check out their website.

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.

And if you would like to see Sebastien on the other side of the camera, check out his site .

I absolutely love designing cards, and here are two images I used in my kids’ cards this year.

I have been busy working on some commercial photography work. Some of which I cannot post, but I hope to post some of the images. I’d love to share with you.

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.

Gio contacted me because he needed some shots for his modeling portfolio. We worked “on location” (our location being downtown). I prefer working on location.

The next two are so fun! Imagine a shoot with a teenager, or someone in their early twenties, in this kind of environment. In the US, they shoot fun pictures to celebrate high school graduation. I’d love to shoot photos like this to highlight the style and glamour of Montreal’s youth! Can also work with younger kids…kids with attitude!

This photo is more of corporate environment head shot, but with a grungy feel (I can do the clean shoots, but this is the look we wanted).

Tristan is another model I worked with, but in studio. As I mentioned, I prefer environmental on-location shots, but do have a studio available if needed. These are natural light shots…so not using flash, instead, working with the ambient light.

Next post, I’ll have women and girls.