Very cool Announcement… I was thrilled to be asked to be one of the 6 Instructors at the first Pictage U!  The Conference/Workshop will be on Boudoir & Lighting in San Diego on May 25th and 26th.  I am so humbled to be teaching alongside some of the best photographers in the industry and very cool people: Carlos Baez, the Bui Brothers, Kitty Maer, and Anne Ruthmann.  Registration is open! so Register Now as seating is limited and there is a special pricing offer until April 26th!

Check back on the blog for 3 more installments of sexy boudoir pictures coming up from my last Boudoir Workshop.  Hope to meet you at the next Workshop in Paris or at Pictage U!  Drop me a note and say hello for more information 🙂

xoxo,

Christa

The sweet chaos of a family photo session… That’s what I was going for during my recent Workshop demo – I wanted all the Workshop attendee’s to see how I negotiate challenges, work with kids and parents, and manage to capture my signature pictures.  So we got out of the studio and on our feet to a nearby home for some family photo fun…

…focusing on the necessity of play, creating action, capturing emotion, the beauty in details, the awesomeness of props, and much more…   and sweet chaos ensued, as we ran around a tiny yard looking for great light, trying not to step in dog poo, and still capture great images.

…such as, the personality and sass of each child…

…kids being kids, and Rocking Out!..

…the beauty of everyday details…

…of course yummy happy close-ups!

…and how much fun, value and variety that simple props can add to a shoot…

Seriously, my Workshops are this fun 🙂

I’m thrilled to announce The Boudoir Workshop!… “A Sexy Affair” on April 3rd + 4th… The ultimate workshop for boudoir photographers and those that are just entering this booming market!  Last weekend’s Workshop was a phenomenal success, and the attendee’s raved about the Boudoir section and demanded more!… so I am happy to oblige and will cover everything you need to know to run a successful Boudoir business… including topics from branding to sales and everything in between!  The workshop will be held at my Studio + Gallery and is limited to a small group so you get plenty of one-on-one instruction and hands on learning.  The best part is that you will be on your feet shooting alongside me during model sessions, will get personal coaching while you shoot, and will be granted use of the images for your blog and portfolio.

The Boudoir Workshop!
“A Sexy Affair”
with Christa Meola

Everything you need to succeed in the Boudoir business.
Create sensual photographs with impact.
Give every woman the gift of feeling gorgeous.

Saturday April 3rd 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday April 4th 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Optional Welcome Reception
Friday April 2nd 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Held at…

Christa Meola Pictures Studio + Gallery
860 Via de la Paz, Pacific Palisades CA 90272

Topics include:

Inside the Boudoir Market…
Learn the in’s and out’s of the booming boudoir market and how to attract new and existing clients.

Creating a Boutique Brand that is In Demand…
Developing your unique style and standing out from the crowd.  Selling emotion not images, selecting a smoking hot product line, getting booked solid, and communicating with clients.

Selling the Experience that Every Woman Wants…
The most fun is in the planning!  Tips + Tricks during each stage of the process to give every girl the gift of an unforgettably amazing experience!…

Pricing…
Nailing your price list so you’re busy, happy and well-paid 🙂  Best business practices including, contracts, release forms, and other good habits.

Lighting, Equipment, Sets + Styling…
What’s necessary and what’s not.  How to work with the challenge and beauty of natural light, a simple portable studio set-up, and working with hand-held video lights.  How to style a set and a model to create hot magazine-style photos.

Live Boudoir Shoots + Side-by-Side Personal Coaching…
Live Boudoir shoots will be on location at a luxury hotel and in the studio.  Christa will do demo’s for each, working with a half dozen models.  You will each get plenty of time with the models and rights to your images.  Christa will be by your side, available for personal coaching, while you shoot.  Learn on your feet how to relax a nervous client, bring out the best in each girl, create sensual moments, push yourself creatively, and raise the bar for your photography.

Top 10 Money Boudoir Shots…
The all-time Bestsellers, and how to get them!

Sexy Post Production…
A Workflow that’s easy and effective to create smoking images!  My Top Tips for Lightroom and Photoshop… How to take off 20 lbs in 20 seconds, essential retouching, working with actions, and more.

Plus!…
Lucrative Boudoir Parties, individual portfolio review, Q&A sessions, discounts from all of my sponsors, and a sweet gift bag of my favorite sexy things 🙂

Workshop Fee: $1,499
To register, call 310.383.6494 or email christa (at) christameola.com.

Space is limited, and I’ve already signed up some very excited photographers, so register soon, and I can’t wait to meet you!

xoxo,

Christa

Hope everyone is enjoying a magical holiday season so far! A quick Workshop Update for you: I’m thrilled with the amazing people that we’ve got signed up for the workshop… men and women, young and not-so-young, from several states and as far away as Germany!

There are only two spots left! and here are the questions that y’all are asking…

Deb asked:
I am a photography hobbyist who is considering the transition to pro.  I have shot several friends/family and they have been extremely pleased.  But, do I need more experience under my belt before I take your workshop?
I can relate to where you are right now – I was there too 🙂  And I have to say, I wish I had taken some workshops when I was just starting out.  You can save so much time, money, and angst by learning from others’ experience, mistakes, and expertise.  This is the perfect time for you to take as many workshops as you can afford – you’ll be soooo glad you did 🙂  Half of my workshop attendees are looking to make major changes in their business and the other half are just starting out, and all of you want to take your photography to the next level!  I will give you everything I know and do the best I can to help you with that 🙂

Trisha asked:
I don’t know how to use Photoshop… do I need to learn that before taking your workshop?
Not at all.  I will teach you the simplest easiest way to use Photoshop.  Because as a photographer, you don’t need to know all that PS is capable of, just the most important tools.  I’ll show you the Top Ten Tricks I use all the time, and how easy it is!  You’ll be a photoshoppin’ freak in no time!

Nadine asked:
I’m not a professional and I’m just a beginner, so I’m a little intimidated… I still shoot on Automatic! Is that okay?
Yes, about half of the attendee’s will be shooting on automatic, and that’s perfect for where you’re at right now.  I will give the automatic shooters a quick easy lesson on how to begin the transition to manual.  But for the most part, let’s focus on what’s going on in front of the camera, not fooling with your settings.  (A small secret: I shot on automatic for waaaay too long, and I wish I had tried manual sooner!  So I’m going to shortcut that learning curve for you. )

Tina asked:
What should I bring?
Your gear: camera, lenses, batteries, etc.
A laptop if you’ve got it.
A sense of humor and playfulness!

Bob asked:
Are there still spots available?
Just two spots left!

Hope this information was helpful, and I’m really looking forward to meeting you all and geeking out together!  If your question isn’t on this list, call me up!  I’m happy to discuss whatever’s on your mind 🙂

For details and more information on The Workshop, click HERE.

Talk soon!  xoxo,

Christa