Tag Archive: pictage

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Bringing out the Best in your Boudoir Client, Part 2 Planning = Success!

I am currently featured on The Photo Life, Pictage’s Pro Photography blog, with my latest article for boudoir photographers.

Here’s an exerpt:

Last edition was of Bringing out the Best in Your Boudoir Client was Part 1: Overcoming Fears and Doubts, and we talked about letting your client know what to expect and making sure she feels you understand her fears and doubts even better then she does.

Now on to the juicy stuff!

Bringing out the best in a non-model, ie. an everyday woman (who is most likely nervous to do a boudoir shoot) entails setting up your shoot for success during the planning stage. Let’s take a peek at how to plan a successful shoot so it runs smooth like buttah.

Make it a Collaboration From The Beginning
Invite your client’s full participation in this experience, which makes it much more meaningful than just a photo shoot and gets her fully invested in the event and the final result. During the initial contact with my client, I like to set us up for success. I make sure to do all of what’s described here for each client – it takes minimal effort truly, and really goes a long way in bringing out the best in each woman as well as juicing up my sales.

Keep reading for ALL MY JUICY TIPS on this topic!

Thanks for stopping by!

Christa


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PartnerCon 2011 – you coming?!

I am so excited to have been invited back to speak once again at PartnerCon!  This year’s conference hosted by Pictage is in San Diego and includes 3 days of speaker sessions, hands-on shooting workshops, leading exhibitor demonstrations, networking and so much fun!  I will be teaching alongside some of the best photographers in the industry and very cool people: Joe Buissink, Justine Ungaro, the Youngrens, Jared Bauman, and dozens more. Seriously, this event is a PHENOMENAL value, not to be missed and guaranteed to inspire, elevate and empower you!

Pictage PartnerCon 2011
November 7-9, 2011
The Hard Rock Hotel, San Diego, CA
Register Now! 

Here are the details for my talk – it may not seem sexy, but OH HELL YEAH it is! I’ve never revealed this info before and don’t plan to again, so DON’T MISS IT!

Anatomy of a Successful Portrait Business
Tuesday, Nov. 8th 1:30pm

Let’s kick it into high gear as I dissect my portrait business, put it under a microscope, and expose the critical choices I made when building my brand that earned me a six-figure income in less than two years after just getting started and has continued to grow each year. I will uncover my unique strategies that led to being booked solid, continually increasing sales, and creating higher profit margins. And more importantly, my definition of SUCCESSFUL goes waaaay beyond high revenue so we’ll also delve into the strategies that produce creative fulfillment, happy clients, and running a business with ease. So from top to bottom, we’ll take an intimate peek inside my business and identify the mind-set, the systems, the tools, and the business practices that keep me happy, in-demand, well-paid, and loving what I do. Let’s break it all down together and set you up for SUCCESS! 

Panel Discussion: Creating a Client-focused Business
Monday, Nov. 7th 3:15pm
Gary ChristensenKevin WeinsteinPhil ThorntonRachel LaCour NiesenJeff Youngren, Christa Meola
I am thrilled to be on this panel of very cool and varied pro’s who exemplify the client-focused mind-set. Here’s the description from the course guide:
“Photographers often hear that creating a great brand is all about selling yourself and being yourself. Sure, that’s part of branding, but this panel will challenge you to think beyond conventional wisdom! Explore what a truly client-focused business looks like and how these photographers’ business practices are different than what you’d expect. Come ready to ask questions, be challenged, and think outside the box!”

NEW! Boudoir Photography Sessions
Nov 7th-9th, Only 3 spots available!

Since I’ll be in the company of hundreds of gorgeous female photographers at this conference, let’s have some fun and do some sexy shooting for you! Obviously, this isn’t a part of PartnerCon registration, but I believe it’s an absolute MUST-DO for every woman! Give me a shout for all the juicy details 917.737.1009 or christa at christameola.com.

So REGISTER NOW for PartnerCon as seating is limited and will definitely sell out. And wait – there’s even more!…

An AWESOME DISCOUNT just for my loyal blog followers!
Make sure to use the code: ChristaMeola when you REGISTER NOW, and receive $50 OFF!
Hurry, the discount code expires soon! on 10/07/11.


This one is from PartnerCon 2010 in New Orleans. I know my hair is a mess, but the discussion was PHENOMENAL :)

See you in San Diego!

Christa

ps. Here’s the FULL SCHEDULE, and make sure to sign up for my talk! Can’t wait to meet you :)

pps. The pic at the top is of super cool photographers and my dear friends Lauren Hillary, Justine Ungaro, myself, and taken by our awesome soul sistah Sara France. Ok, it wasn’t taken at PartnerCon but at the LA SupperClub, but these are the types of awesome friendships that are made at ParnterCon and it totally captures the party atmosphere and camaraderie of the event! Come join us!


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PartnerCon, N’awlins baby!

Awesome Announcement… I am jumping for joy to have been invited to speak, shoot, and teach at PartnerCon 2010 in New Orleans!  This conference hosted by Pictage includes 3 days of speaker sessions, hands-on shooting workshops, leading exhibitor demonstrations, networking, and tons more.  Seriously, this event is a phenomenal value and guaranteed to inspire, elevate and empower you!  I am beyond excited to be teaching alongside some of the best photographers in the industry and very cool people: Joe Buissink, Mike Colon, Carlos Baez, Sara France, and dozens more.  Registration is open! so Register Now as seating is limited to 500 and will sell out.  Plus, it’s in New Orleans baby – I mean c’mon!

Redefining Boudoir: a Fushion of Fashion, Fine Art & Portraiture
Wednesday, Nov. 10th 3:15pm

Let’s get inside the current market explosion in Boudoir Photography and what women are secretly seeking from a boudoir photographer. Learn how to bring a high end look to your pictures by combining a fashion and fine art sensibility with portraiture and creating a signature look that’s in demand and sets you apart. I’ll show you how to win over clients and create raving fans as well as how to work with women and get the best out of each client on a shoot. I’ll also reveal the top ways to increase sales which is all about exceeding expectations, creating emotion in your work and providing a once in a lifetime experience for your clients. Open to all registered participants.

Shooting Workshop: How to Capture the Top 10 Boudoir Money Shots™
Thursday, Nov 11th 8:00am

The title says it all here.  This workshop is hands on (just like I like it) and will be a mixture of demo and one-on-one coaching! I’m passionate about what I do as well as inspiring others and empowering them to do the same. I have a simple approach that translates to photographers at every level, so please join me :) Open to only 15 participants – registration for this shooting workshop has not been opened yet.  Check back on my blog for updates – I will announce when Registration for this event officially opens.

NEW! Mini Boudoir Photography Sessions
Thursday, Nov 11th 11:00am – 5:00pm

When I travel, I find myself being asked by the female photogs in the crowd for mini boudoir sessions!  Well, I definitely rise to demand, so I will make time for a few sexy fashion/fine-art boudoir shoots!  I’m so excited for this – and we don’t have to stay in the hotel – I’d like to take it to the streets!  Give me a buzz 310.909.8957 for more details and to book your shoot.

Thank you truly for all the emails, questions and comments – I love hearing from you!  Hope to see you in New Orleans and please drop me a note at christa (at) christameola.com and say hello if you’d like more information on workshops and/or boudoir shoots ;)

Hope to see you in New Orleans!

Christa


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PictageU Boudoir & Lighting, tips

It wasn’t all play at PictageU I actually did some hard work, teaching 5 separate shooting workshops… lol!  Shooting boudoir with a gaggle of workshop enthusiasts is the most fun part, albeit exhausting.  To recap and keep the momentum going, here are just a few pics that demonstrate some of the tips I covered in my portion of the shooting workshops.

We talked about how when you arrive on location how to first maximize the light in your shooting area (all of these shots are natural light only), move furniture around so it best suits your subject and the story you’re telling, clearing the set (and thus your frame) of any unwanted distractions, and when there’s stuff on the wall you can’t move… Make it work! and incorporate it into the shot…

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I also demo’d how to capture one of my Money Shots™ “Landscape of the Body” making sure to really emphasize curves with “extreeeeeme” posture and kicking those hips up to create a nice little triangle of awesomeness between your girls hips and the sheets :)

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We talked about shooting those sexy details.  I really love her hands here.  Seriously.

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I also discussed a few of the simple essentials I love to bring on location: a black muslin to set up a studio anywhere, a fan to help create a feeling of sensuality and movement, and some fun props.  These shots are taken in the same hotel room just a few feet from the bed, the black muslin (in this case, a hotel table cloth) covering some seriously bad hotel art, and is naturally lit from the balcony just about a foot to the model’s right.

I also talked about creating variety both on set and in post, how to create movement by slowing your shutter speed, and how to direct a model by giving her actions instead of “poses.”  This is another Money Shot™ “The Hair Toss.”

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Gotta love the fan!

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One thing I stress to newer photographers is to be mindful of composition – are you centering everything?  Try experimenting with negative space – it really helps direct the viewer’s eye, tell the story, and has such visual impact.

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Once again, I had a total blast at PictageU.  I loved meeting you all, geeking out, and shooting up some boudoir together :)  Here’s to more workshop fabulousness in the near future!

ps. Make sure to leave more of your Boudoir & Lighting questions in the comments below for an FAQ post in the near future…

Christa :)


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Pictage U: Boudoir and Lighting

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!

 

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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 UDrop me a note and say hello for more information :)

xoxo,

Christa