It’s no secret that when it comes to photographers I play favorites.
I love being photographed. If there is a camera in the room I’m a sultry, sparkly smile ninja.
Today, I’m adding a name to my list of favorites. And in case you haven’t met her yet… let me introduce you to
Petra of Bella Boudoir.
Here’s the short version:
In August we met for a cup-o-joe, a few days later I was mostly naked in her studio.
…and lest you think I just wanted to get naked in front of someone’s camera… au contraire mon cheri!
This was a *Big* *Deal*. A first in fact.
You see, Sweet Louise the camera whore, gets her photo taken all the time.
…but LESS glittery me…
as in grad school me?
Mountain of laundry having me?
Mom me?
Weekend D&D playing me? … me in my *decidedly un-sparkly* skivvies for a boudoir shoot…me?
Never. ...ever.
The Eager, the Icky and the Obviously Talented.
When Petra and I met I was grateful for all the experience I’ve had shooting with talented photographers all over Kansas City.
Those experience makes it a whole lot easier to tell the difference between the Eager, the Icky and the Obviously Talented.
Seems like once a month a fervent note gets passed around Facebook by women I know:
Someone has been contacted by an unknown photographer to do a “pin up” shoot…
- does anyone know who they are?
- Can anyone vouch for this person?
- Are they creepy or fabulous?
- Self interested?
- Learning their craft?
- Revamping their portfolio?
- Talented?
- Fun to work with?
- Make you feel like a million dollars?
- Should I drop everything and shoot with them as soon as possible?
The old adage is true…
“A happy customer tells a friend (or two). An unhappy customer tells everyone.”
So here’s my little switcharoo…
Petra is AWESOME!
Petra’s a mom. ~ We chatted about our kiddos.
She was born in Germany but is a Kansas gal through and through. ~ We talked about travel.
Quick witted. Straight shooter. Passionate. Real. Generous.
And oh yeah…she’ll show you your ass as you’ve never seen it before. (but I didn’t know that yet)
Lemme tell you,
- one mocha,
- a long “how is it we’ve never met before” conversation where we almost *I swear to you we almost forgot to look at the portfolio because we hit it off so well*
- and finally! a perusal of her professionally presented portfolio and
- shazam the shoot was scheduled.
*Squeeflail*
I… I just… ah… want… to…explain…but…
the pictures…..they are ….I….I can’t…the words…they… just…I…
…screw it…
Just look at this: (click it to make it all gorgeously bigified)
Bella Boudoir http://kansascityboudoirphotography.com/ (MUA & Hair by me)
I know!!! Right?!!!???
Look at this one: GAH! That’s ME! As in ME… not glittery Sweet Louise but
“Hi. It’s Me.”
Bella Boudoir http://kansascityboudoirphotography.com/ (MUA & Hair by me)
Here endeth your preview of my photos. ‘Cause these photos are for my man.
So make sure to go check out Petra’s gallery to *drool* over more of her work.
And… Another Dose of Awesome:
She’s just been published in Retro Lovely Magazine! Here’s a teaser:
Want your very own copy?
Order Retro Lovely Issue #7 here.
Bella Boudoir http://kansascityboudoirphotography.com/ Retro Lovely Teaser
I couldn’t be more tickled about all this.
Petra made us two beautiful products
- first a beautifully edited DVD for my man to take back to Afghanistan with him and
- a gem I just got in my hot little hands last week: an incredible 5 inch by 5 inch professional quality photo book that will have to wait for his next R&R. (Can’t have this top secret data falling into enemy hands…sheesh!)
(The back of the book)
(and that gorgeous cherry shot & btw…the photo that my hand is covering is AH-MAZING – trust me.)
A Gift
All this was an engagement (squee) gift for my honey – and an incredible gift it is.
Not just for him, but for *ME* too. I really feel like Petra captured *me*. My personality.
When I look through these photos I see myself.
She has a gift.
Treat yourself. Book a shoot with this woman. She’ll show you your ass as you’ve never seen it before.
Bella Boudoir
These aren’t yo mamma’s glamour shots.
(you can find her on Facebook too)
Sweet Louise 