No pro make-up. No fancy wardrobe. No hair stylist. No photoshop. Just PURE. UNABASHED. AWESOMENESS. This is where my heart is. My true love is shooting subjects as naked as possible, even if they have their clothes on. I want to uncover the bare essence of who you are and everything you are that makes you, you. As a fine art nude and boudoir photographer I shoot a lot of women and love the expressions of the female body. But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: “I’m not interested in boobs and butt without some heart.”
Marie Forleo gave me a wonderful opportunity to shoot my favorite type of subject for her Rich Happy & Hot Adventure Mastermind group. If you didn’t catch the background story of this crazy marathon 22-woman shoot (of which I had 8 to 10 min’s shooting time with each girl), check it out in my first installment. It was a smashing success and total blast, and I am grateful to Marie and her amazing Mastermind women, who have personality in spades.
This is an incredible group of powerful women, who are sincere, giving, and love life…
smokin’ hot too…
strong, on the inside and out…
contemplative…
exuberant!…
silly…
genuinely happy…
honest, focused, forthright…
and elegant in spirit.
Location: The Huntley Hotel’s Presidential Suite, Santa Monica CA
Hair & Make-up: the girls’ own handiwork
Photo Assistants: Robin Hultgren, Hannah Skye, David Glenn
Ciao for now! and thank you for stopping by and saying hello :)
x. Christa
ps. Coming up on the blog: more plus-sized real-women awesomeness! dispatches from the streets of Firenze! and a bad ass yoga shoot :)
I have to say, it all gets better and better … my absolute favourite is #4. That b&w and grain is just so awesome! The 3 last portraits have so much warmth and life in them. Absolutely wonderful. Can’t wait to see more!
Christa, I’m literally going to cry. I’m blown away by the results and I was there while you were shooting!! This is bare bones beauty…I thought I was inspired before, but this takes it to a whole new level. Exquisite work, my friend. xo
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!
Hot! I wanna do a session like this! Next time you need an assistant can I get in on that action?
@Hannah Skye
Hannah! my dear friend, clutch assistant, and slumber party guest…
Thank you! for the wonderful compliments, and there is NO WAY IN HELL we could have pulled this all off without your sweet disposition, organization skills, and willingness to go above and beyond for me.
You are AWESOME, and I so appreciate you. Will see you in NYC ;)
x. Christa
@Jacquee
Jacquee,
…Yes! now that you are a Workshop grad, I’ll put you on the list for assistants… ;)
x. Christa
As always these are great shoots. Yes the natural un-hollywood look always looks great if you can capture it, and you did. This is my kind of shooting, natural and all fun.
I think the fact that you had 8-10 minutes to pep, inspire, direct, or otherwise fire-up, these 22 distinctly unique women to bring out their individual personalities speaks tons. You brought out so many emotional – even suggestive – states in just the small percentage of photos above. Is there a formula for it? I don’t think so; science takes too long.
Pure artistry.
Rich, Happy & SHot like a pro.
Absolutely wonderful. The way it should be.
Wow, these images practically take my breath away! My absolute favs are 1 and 4, but they are all absolutely stunning! So impressed with your work, Christa!
Hi Christa-
I absolutely LOVE the last few shots of your “All Heart the 22 women shoot No. 2″. A few of my girl friends are warming up to the idea of a boudoir shoot but feel more comfortable starting with just so called head shots…but when i showed them the last few shots on your blog? they said Let’s do it!!! they are beautiful women and i truly want them to see that for themselves!
Does your book have tips on how to capture that “naturalness”? it seems your aperature & lighting was just spot on!!!! They are amazing photos!!
Do you ever get to Chicago?
Faithful fan!!
Tammy
MINDBLOWING!!! These women look so amazing, I think I am going to join rich, happy and hot, cause these are definately not your average ladies!!!
I hope I win! I need the “exposure”.
@Durr,
Hahaaa, that really did crack me up :)
good luck! and hope to see you there!
x. Christa