Tag Archive: Boudoir

NEW Online Boudoir Workshop starts February 4th

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YOU’RE INVITED TO ENJOY:

ALL NEW Behind the Scenes videos and access to Christa’s shoots
ALL NEW Video demonstrations
ALL NEW Post production tutorials
NEW Projects, contests, and assignments
Updated and expanded content
LIVE Q&A calls every week
Private forum for members only
Ongoing six weeks of one-on-one interaction with Christa
Free resources, downloads, Christa’s sample album, and price lists
Tons of bonuses, giveaways, vendor discounts, client forms, contracts and releases
and more!…

Click Play To Learn More

 

“Worth every penny. This is the workshop for those who want
to stand out in the photography community.”

Allie Lindsey, Temecula, CA

UPDATE: Class is in session and registration is closed.

Get on the list to receive early notification of the next one!

 


Yay, it’s here! I am thrilled to announce the Brand NEW & totally sexy Online Boudoir Workshop! The last course sold out quickly, was such a hit and is back by popular demand! This is a six week course for photographers who want to learn all of the exciting aspects of the booming boudoir market, from home!

Join us in your pj’s and enjoy NEW video demonstrations, behind the scenes shoots, post-production tutorials, personal interaction, a private forum, free downloads, sweet giveaways and much more!  Gain support, motivation, inspiration, confidence and A’s to all your Q’s about how to build a successful boudoir business!

HOW IT WORKS

This is a 6 week course, beginning Monday February 4th. Each week, on Monday, we release that week’s content: behind-the-scenes videos, tutorials, notes and projects! The content is available to you 24/7 during the entire course of the workshop, so you can’t miss a thing! You can view all or pieces of it at your leisure – how cool is that?! PLUS, each Thursday or Friday (alternating), we’ll have LIVE CALLS for Q&A’s and discussion. The calls are all recorded and available to download and listen to at your convenience. I will participate in the private member’s area during the entire course, interacting with you personally. We will be learning and playing together; all the information is available to you 24/7, and I’m right by your side as your personal coach! Boudoir Photography is about empowering women – helping them feel amazing and celebrating who they are. So get in on the fun now! Its such a fun and fulfilling career, and I want you to be a success.

THE SCHEDULE OF TOPICS INCLUDES:

WEEK 1 BRANDING + STYLE

  • Branding and standing out: How to create a distinctive brand that brings you into your business. Creating a consistent look that separates you from the crowd.
  • Business Models and Studios: Choosing what works for you so you design a business you love.
  • Websites and Portfolios: How to best showcase what you do and have a presence that book clients.
  • Building Clientele: Defining and finding your ideal client. Eliminating time, energy and money wasted on clients who aren’t right for you.
  • Styling: How to style a model and set to create editorial style photographs. Creating an amazing high-end look on a budget both in studio and on location.

WEEK 2 POSING

  • Working with Women: How to work with nonmodels and nervous clients to bring out their best.
  • Posing: How to flatter curvy girls and every body type with simple posing principles.
  • The 5 poses you need to know and master: taking them to the next level and building a set of 35 smoking hot different shots
  • Flow Posing: How I flow from pose to pose, keeping it fresh and inspired.
  • Creating emotion and sensuality: Learn how to coach actions, give easy direction and create beautiful moments.

WEEK 3 LIGHTING + EQUIPMENT

  • Natural light: finding the best and most flattering light and how I work with reflectors
  • Strobes: working with portable studio strobes, modifiers and simple lighting set-ups
  • Flattering women with light: how to create or de-emphasize curves to flatter every body type
  • Lenses: How I use my favorite lenses, and side by side comparisons of portrait lenses at every budget level

WEEK 4 SHOOTING

  • Storyboards: Using storyboards to build a must-have shot list of 35 shots that sell.
  • The Money Shots™: Learn how I coach and capture each of my best-selling shots that every client wants and are must-haves for your portfolio.
  • Fine Art Nudes: Working with nude models, see how I blend Fine Art Nudes and Fashion with Portraiture to create my high-end boudoir look.
  • Shooting to sell: How to create variety and tell a story easily on every shoot

WEEK 5 POST-PRODUCTION

  • Editing: How to select your best shots and cut your workflow in half.
  • Workflow: See my images straight out of camera through final pics to client and blog post.
  • Lightroom: a 45 minute video tutorial on what I do for every shoot.
  • Photoshop: a 45 minute video tutorial on retouching
  • Outsourcing: What and when to send it out.

WEEK 6 MARKETING + SALES

  • Pricing: Nailing your price list so you’re busy, happy and well-paid.
  • Sales: How to increase sales effortlessly at every stage of your process.
  • Proven scripts for several difficult sales situations, such as “Why are you so expensive?” and “Let me think about it.”
  • Getting Clients: How to attract your Ideal Client and create powerful word of mouth marketing.
  • Marketing: Using partnership marketing and social media to book clients.
  • Boudoir Parties: All you need to throw a successful (or your first!) boudoir party.

BONUSES

The Pricing Workshop, Live Call
A Storyboard PDF of 35 Shots that SELL
Christa’s sample price lists
Christa’s sample album PDF
Live After Party Call
Recording of a real sales session with Christa and her client
Several sponsor giveaways, gifts and contests.

GIVEAWAYS!

Two Blowit Fans
2 Copies of Totally Rad’s Pro Retouch 2.0
One annual subscription to AlbumExposure
Five $125 StickyAlbum giftcards
Three $100 LensProToGo giftcards
Two $50 LensProToGo giftcards
Three $100 Colorati giftcards
Six 50% off Leather Craftsmen studio album giftcards

All of the above, plus more, for only $757

“THE best workshop I have ever taken – hands down.
Worth every cent (plus some)!
Kim Mallory, Chilliwack BC

UPDATE: Class is in session and registration is closed.

Get on the list to receive early notification of the next one!

Got Questions? Not sure if this is right for you?
Visit our FAQ’S page or email me at Christa @ ChristaMeola.com

 

PRAISE FOR CHRISTA AND HER WORKSHOPS

I more than doubled my income! Attending Christa’s workshop changed my life.
Robin Hultgren, Walnut Creek, CA

You can’t put a price tag on what Christa teaches.
Hannah Skye, Orange County, CA

Don’t hesitate, sign up. You won’t regret it! I got way more then I paid for!“
Heather Gill, Scottsdale, AZ

“Best workshop I’ve ever taken!!!!!! Anyone who asks me I tell them it’s SO worth it! Sign up!”
Shani Barel, Sherman Oaks, CA

“I had my highest portrait sale ever of $4,700 thanks to Christa!”
Lisa Roah, Orange County, CA

Best money I’ve ever spent on my business. Period. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
Erin Nelson, San Francisco, CA

“The whole workshop was a knockout!”
Francesco Belvedere, Venice, CA

Christa should charge more for her workshops. Her level of teaching is way higher than others who charge more.”
Jennifer Robertson, Geneva, IL

Christa’s workshop changed my life – what she taught really blew my mind!”
Tammy Coombs, Tracy, CA

If you have the opportunity to take Christa’s workshop, do it!
Rafeal Vaszquez, Mira Loma, CA

My first shoot was a total success thanks to Christa!!!
Sally LeDrew, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

I have been on fire since Christa’s workshop! It kicked my creativity and inspiration into overdrive!”
Jill Amanda, Santa Barbara, CA

Christa’s workshop was AMAZING!!! I recommend it to anyone starting out or looking for a fresh approach!”
Heidi Walter, Manhattan Beach, CA

Best time and money I’ve spent! My editing time has been cut in half!”
Kristen Penza, South Pasadena, CA

“Christa’s workshop is a MUST DO!
Jacqueline O’Neill, San Gabriel, CA

Christa and her workshops are awesome!
Marc Javier, San Francisco, CA

“Christa is so passionate about her craft and pushes you beyond what you think you’re capable of.
Lori Eng, Vancouver, BC

THE best money I have ever spent on my business! Do it.”
Erin Brannan, Highlands Ranch, CO

“Well worth it – It’s what I needed to move my business to the next level.
Milisa Smith, Riverside, CA

I grew leaps and bounds with my business. Highly recommend.”
Lesley Stefanski, Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands

“It was worth every dime! And was SO much fun!”
Lori Eng, Vancouver, Canada

I highly recommend this workshop! So unlike other workshops I’ve taken.”
Christine Haws, Santa Monica, CA

Best money and time I’ve spent in my 3 year photography career! Her workshop is career changing!
Anna Anacolba

“If you want to go to the next level, this is the workshop. It challenges you to think BIG
Jill Martin, Santa Barbara, CA

“Christa’s workshop is worth way more than it costs.”
Maggie Keegan Gross, Valencia, CA

“If you want to learn about boudoir photography, Christa’s workshop is a must!
Karen Wolfe, Lake Tapps,WA

“Christa’s workshop is not-to-be-missed! It’s for those who want to be the BEST!
Melissa Hart Dobbs, Manvel, TX

“It’s the first workshop I walked away from saying how wonderful it was and how it was worth every single penny.
Stephanie Piscitelli, Bridgewater, MA

“EPIC!!!! I have a new outlook.
Melissa Lin Huddlston-Smith, Moreno Valley, CA

Worth every penny. This is the workshop for those who want to stand out in the photography community.”
Allie Lindsey, Temecula, CA

“Christa’s workshop just blew me away!… an amazing experience!”
Rita Spevak, Chicago, IL

“OMG!!!! I LOVE this workshop. It’s the best thing that happened to me and my business.
Bethany Grove, Holts Summit, MO

The BEST workshop I’ve taken by far. I’ve taken several workshops (kind of a workshop junkie), and Christa’s is full of rich content. HIGHLY recommend.”
Margie Mobley, Scottsdale, AZ

CONTENT RICH!!! Incredible!! I’ve never been given this much useful information in one workshop before. Whatever level of photographer you are, you will benefit from this workshop. Guaranteed.
Hannah Skye, Huntington Beach, CA

THE best workshop I have ever taken – hands down. Worth every cent (plus some)! Really, Christa should be charging double. This workshop is Honest. Real. Packed with tons of valuable information!”
Kim Mallory, Chilliwack BC

“Awesome. Invaluable. Incredible. LOVED everything about it. Christa’s workshop is priceless.
Michelle Kidd, Itasca, IL

Money and time well invested! This was an awesome experience. I am SO glad I made the decision to do it!
Michael T. Sedwick, South Elgin, IL

Just DO IT! Highly Recommended! Amateur or Pro, you’re bound to find out more about your own prowess as a photographer and businessperson!
Scott W. Robinson

Worth every penny, definitely recommend, what a treasure trove of information!
John P. Dunnigan

This was the best money and time that I have ever spent on pursuing a passion. Regardless of previous experience and genre, if you are interested in shooting portraits, this is the most comprehensive workshop A to Z that you will find.
Herb Irvin

This is a great chance to get very personal with a pro.
Ole Vangsgaard 

I am in love with my work again. Christa’s workshop is an intoxicating mix of awesome experience and practical advice that beautifully fleshes out all the areas that have held us back. Now we can fly!
Christopher Medak.

Highly recommend. Christa’s energy & care for her students comes through. Really brilliant tips. I’ve taken a bunch of courses that explore various methods but her’s fit very well with the way I want to work.
John Cornicello 

UPDATE: Class is in session and registration is closed.

Get on the list to receive early notification of the next one!


***Update: Contest to win a free seat is closed. Winners announced below.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Valentine’s Day Boudoir Shoots!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND
NYC 

Your Boudoir Shoot is more than a photography session — it’s transformation and a full-tilt celebration of confidence, silliness, and everything that makes you feel gorgeous  — complete with professional makeup & hair styling, skillful art direction, music, laughter, revelry and sexiness at every turn…

Most of my clients are not models. They’re soccer moms, CEOs, curvy gals, cancer survivors…women who’ve “always wanted to” but thought they “never could.”
Even if you think you’re not photogenic, need to lose a few pounds, are nervous, and you live in a pair of sweatpants — we will uncover your inner vixen and you’ll absolutely love your photographs!

Valentine’s Boudoir Shoots!
NYC 

Saturday, February 2nd, 8am – 3pm
Only 7 spots available! 

Pre-session one-on-one consultation
One hour photography session with Christa
Professional Make-up and Hair Styling
Three wardrobe changes
Full artistic enhancements and retouching
Photo Album for his mobile device
CD of 15 of your favorite pictures!

Time slots are filled on a first come, first served basis. 

We’ll do your shoot on Saturday Feb 2nd, peek at your shiny new photographs during happy hour on Wednesday or Thursday, and you’ll unwrap your immortalized sexiness very soon after that… in plenty of time for Valentine’s Day!

Want a custom gift he’ll never expect?
You got it.

Want a jolt of irrepressible confidence and a lightning bolt of sensual prowess that will blow your hubby away or make your ex drool?
Done.

Want a series of photos you’ll happily show off — on your website, book jacket, facebook, or in that forthcoming Vogue profile?
Let’s do it.

Each shoot is a celebratory custom-designed experience, with memories that will last you a lifetime.
And the photos will last even longer.

Because honestly, many years from now, don’t you want your granddaughter to see what a hot mama you were back in the day?

(I figured.)

Reserve your spot now. Only 7 spots available.
Time slots filled on a first come, first served basis.

Or contact me to find out more…

I’m looking forward to your shoot!

xoxo, Christa

ps. I believe that if you’ve “always wanted to try this” — you should. And now is the time. Reserve your spot now…

BOUDIE CALL – PlayBack

Wow, what a phenomenal Boudie Call last week! I had so much fun,
and we’ve received tons of positive feedback – thank you!

In case you missed all the action, you can listen to the recording here.

“How to Earn More & Be Happier
as a Boudoir Photographer in 2013!”

+The biggest mistakes to avoid when getting started, that even experienced pro’s make
+How to be in love with what you do as a pro boudoir photographer
+How to triple your sales at each stage of the process
+The one powerful exercise I do every year to take my biz to the next level!

The call went overtime, and since there were so many boudie business Q’s,
I answered them here in the comments below…

Thank you for making the call a wonderful start to the new year!

xoxo, Christa

Soccer Moms are Sexy! No. 2

Hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving. The new book is complete (wooot!), and I’m back after a blissful few weeks holiday.

To put into practice all of the tips and techniques I covered in the first eight chapters of my new book, I thought it would be fun to pull everything together in a single shoot for the last chapter, a step-by-step illustrated guide on how I went from the first conversation with my subject to the final edited photos.

Karen is a 40 year old soccer mom with two kids and is a middle school teacher. She is a typical nonmodel subject who had no experience on a professional photo shoot, was not adept at posing, and was unsure how to move in front of the camera.

She was excited to do a shoot because she thought it would be a blast to let her inner sex goddess out, put on some sexy lingerie (which she did not even own at the time), get pampered, and escape reality for a while. She had never done anything like this before and said she was definitely nervous as the shoot date approached.

Karen mentioned that although she’s playful and silly most of the time, she wanted to show that she can be sexy and provocative, too. She said she felt like she has never really “oozed sexiness” overtly, and that she’d really love to capture the serious sexpot woman she knows is in there in addition to the playful girl.

Damn! I think she nailed it, no?

I included this outtake shot in my selects because not only does she look gorgeous, but it triggers memories of a fun shoot (this was the moment after I had just teased her for gripping the couch for dear life) and shows Karen’s sense of humor about herself. Her playfulness is a key part of her personality.

Karen wanted to use these pillows as props in a shot, and the makeup artist had the cheeky suggestion of placing the “V” between her legs. Saying “yes” to suggestions from people on set fosters the collaborative effort and invariably brings about something unexpected and awesome.

Writing The Art of Boudoir was an incredible journey – thank you for taking the ride with me!

Let’s end with a quote from Karen…

“I think strength in all forms is sexy. It helps us endure and carry on. A strong, confident woman is beautiful.”

Well said. What a perfect ending for the book- may it bring beauty and confidence your way.

Have a beautiful week!

xoxo Christa

ps. For those who have asked – YES! you can have the book delivered by Christmas! Make sure to choose the appropriate shipping method, and order now here.

Chic Brunette, No. 2

Picking up where we left off with Racy Blonde & Chic Brunette, No. 1

Mrs. C ditched the blonde wig and we rocked out the rest of her session together as brunettes. If you take a peek at the previous post mentioned above, you’ll see the same sets – the patterned couch, the bed, the balcony – but all with a different look, in terms of styling, pose, mood, and post. No matter what location I’m shooting in, I hustle my butt off to create variety and tell an interesting story.


That last shot is one of my favs- such a fun and sexy session!

Do you have any Q’s or tips on how to create variety? Share them in the comments! I enjoy hearing from you.

Thank you as always for stopping by and contributing!

Lots of love,

Christa

ps. want to see the inspiration for two of the above shots? Follow me on pinterest, check out my boards, and see if you can spot the shots.

The 5 Boudoir Poses You Need to Know and Master

I’m loving the beautiful fall weather we’re having in NYC, and I have an extra skip in my step because my new book is nearly complete! Yaaaaay! Which means we’ll all have to celebrate (details on that will be forthcoming), and you’ll see more of me on the blog.

This week, I want to give you a fun glimpse into the posing chapter from The Art of Boudoir, which includes the 8 Biggest Posing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, Principles of Sensual Posing, My Posing System: Putting It All Together, and more. One section is called:

The 5 Boudoir Poses You Need to Know and Master

Why Five?
When it came time to write about specific poses, I knew I had very limited space. I thought about it for months. (Obsessed about it really.) I kept asking myself: what instruction would give you guys the biggest bang for your buck? I scoured my archives for the critical poses that I couldn’t do a shoot without. After going through every single past boudoir session numerous times, it became quite clear which poses I was using to create stunning, yet varied, results again and again.

I realized that these five poses bring me the greatest amount of success because they fulfill the following criteria:

  • Most flattering to the widest variety of women
  • Offer the most variety out of a single pose
  • Easiest for non-models to perform
  • Easiest for the photographer to manipulate
So without further ado, here’s one of the five for you…
No. 4 The Serpent

24-70mm, ISO 200, f/2.8, 125 sec

Oh this is such a sexy and slinky pose! It’s a great one to start a session with because even nervous women feel more relaxed and safe in this position. The Serpent will take a bit of coaching and continued reminders for her to hold this extreme posture, so keep encouraging her to push that hip up and arch her back even more than she thinks she can, to create what I call the “triangle of awesomeness” between her hip, upper thigh, and lower abdomen. Ask for the arm facing the camera to be moved out so that we see the side of her breast. This creates gorgeous symmetrical curves and a lot of pleasing triangle shapes.

24-70mm, ISO 320, f/2.5, 125 sec

 Note: to really see that “triangle of awesomeness” characteristic of The Serpent, you must be on a surface that has a bit of firmness, whether it’s a bed, couch or the floor. If it’s too soft, her body will sink into it.

There are so many incredible angles for this pose. Shooting from where her feet are produces a saucy point of view, and depending on the position of her legs, the pics can vary from mildly hot to super erotic. You can have her peek over her shoulder at you, and then walk around to the opposite side and capture some gorgeous close-ups, which is what I did to snag the first pic in this post.

Just by changing up your position and/or slight adjustments to the model (such as differing hand gestures, eye-lines and actions), you can create so much variety and every shade of modesty. Add to that a variety of focal lengths from which you photograph her, and we increase variety from the same pose even more! And that’s a whole ‘nother how to section in this book: ways to easily create variety on a shoot, which dramatically increases sales.

Thank you as always for tuning in!

It’s such a pleasure to share how to make women look and feel sexy with you!

Please post a comment to ask any questions about posing, the book, or The Serpent, and I’ll answer them the best I can.

Enjoy using The Serpent this week, and let me know how it goes! (Even if you’re not a photographer, but a woman who wants to look damn sexy 😉

Lots of love,

Christa

ps. and if you are a photographer or a woman who wants to look damn sexy, pre-order my book now! It’s only about 26 bucks during the pre-order stage on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Peachpit Press.

 

Racy Blonde & Chic Brunette

On a recent client shoot, this gorgeous 40 yr old mom and I had a blast in New Orleans! This woman loves wigs and enjoys rocking the blonde as much as the brunette.

The pic above celebrates the naked and energetic vibe of New Orleans, with the Jazz image in the background and the subject’s blurred movement – standard mood for the French Quarter 🙂

For this first set, we were inspired by the 70’s and Michelle Pfieffer’s blonde/gold look in Scarface.


And then, she went brunette!

Classic, chic, and sexy brunette.

Adorned with Chanel, Christian Louboutin, and Agent Provocateur…

I highly recommend wigs as an easy, sexy and fun way to create variety in a session – and in your daily life!

Why decide if blondes or brunettes have more fun?…

Choose both!

Love,

Christa

Making it Work: A “Noir” Lighting Setup

It’s been nose to the grindstone time as the deadline for my new book is less than a week away, and I’ve been writing and shooting up a storm. That, in addition to my normal boudoir client work, travel with my man, and a whirlwind week in Mexico for a business retreat (more on that soon), and the summer went by in a flash.

Today, I wanted to share a super fun lighting set up from the chapter on creating beautiful light. The new book shows eight different simple and sexy lighting set-ups I use to flatter women using only one light.

The photo above was shot for the new book this past Saturday, and is a perfect example to show how every shoot has its “make it work” moments when things don’t necessarily go as planned.

(Project Runway fans will recognize the mantra “Make it work.” Don’t you just love Tim Gunn? I repeat his mantra all the time. He lives on my block in NYC, so now I feel pressured to dress up even when walking the dog. But I digress.)

To create the look above, we needed a narrow beam of light. The reflector attachment that goes with this monolight would have helped do the trick , but was not packed in the box. Yikes. We had only this one strobe and two softboxes. Yikes again.

There are a lot of ways to skin a cat, and here’s just one that we chose:

Lighting Equipment used:
Elinchrome BXRi 500watt Strobe with 27”x27” Rotalux Softbox
Elinchrome Skyport Speed Transmitter
Impact Multi Boom Lightstand
Two Flats used as Flags
Grey Seamless Backdrop

Shot with:
5D Mark III
50mm 1.2 with Tiffen 77mm Neutral Density .9 Filter and 72-77mm Step-up Ring

Settings:
100 ISO, f/2.8, 100 sec

We decided to use this small softbox with the diffusers removed, exposing the bare bulb and silver lining inside, as well as two large flats to act as flags to block the light from spilling onto the subject and background where we didn’t want it to. We kept the model bright and the background dark without blowing everything out by exposing for her fair skin. I am kneeling down, so I can best lengthen her legs while shooting full body. I used an ND filter to take my exposure down 3 stops without changing my aperture setting. You can create lighting modifiers out of almost anything in a pinch, and those crazy boards we used as flags are large wallpaper flats we lucked out finding in the studio we rented… a total gift.

Here’s the shot SOOC.
Notice any adjustments done in post? (…speaking of Tim Gunn 🙂

Thank you to Robert and Kathy from JohnsonSarkissian, my dear friends, for being an enormous help while shooting behind the scenes pics and footage. I couldn’t have finished the day without you, and your enthusiasm, positivity and creativity helped make it a success and so much fun! I am so enormously grateful to you both.

And a huge thank you to each of you as always for stopping by!

Post any questions about this set up or the equipment used in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to answer them.

We’ll have more updates, tips, giveaways and news coming soon!

Lots of love,

Christa

 

 

 

Your Face, My Book

Are you a huge fan of the underdog and stories of dramatic transformation?

Me too!

This post is for you, or a woman you love. I’m searching for real women as I shoot a series of personal transformations for my new book!

I want YOU to be my next transformation story. 

Do you want to create a dramatic shift in your life?
Want to create a positive change and build momentum?
How about a jolt of confidence and a bolt of sensual prowess?
Or maybe you’ve been through a traumatic experience recently, or you’re just not feeling so beautiful.

You’ve got a story. And I want to hear it.

And I’d LOVE to photograph you!

Your Photo Shoot Details:

This opportunity is open to women of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds with no modeling experience, who’s story and photos may be featured in my soon-to-be-released book, The Art of Boudoir Photography.

You’ll receive a free Boudoir Photography Shoot with me, all the pre-shoot planning, professional hair and make-up styling, and all your favorite photos.

To be considered for this unique opportunity, just tell us a little bit about you (we promise to keep your info confidential).

Also, you must sign a full Model Release form, be available in NYC on a date between Sept 1st – 10th, and pay for any travel to or accommodations in NYC.

Deadline to apply is Friday Aug 31st midnight est. You will be contacted directly via email if selected by Sept 3rd.

Lots of love and gratitude,

xo, Christa

ps. If you know a woman who could use a wonderful opportunity such as this, please forward her this link!

 

An Ordinary Couple, An Inspiring Story

My recent boudoir shoot in New York with Julie started as a perfect example of my typical shoot and client.

Julie is a mother of three, has been with her husband for 25 years, and was traveling to NYC to do a shoot with me to celebrate turning 41. Her husband, Jim, had wanted her to get boudoir photos done for several years, but she resisted. She’s a self-described plain Jane, and had all the same hesitations and doubts that all women do who eventually approach me for a shoot.

The day of the shoot, the make-up artist and I came to the couple’s hotel, the husband begs to stay and watch, I refuse, he takes off, and the usual silliness, sexiness and girly fun ensues.

We were having a blast, and I was just posing Julie on the bed, adjusting her arm and saying “Move your arm more to the right so I can see more boob,” when all of a sudden from behind me a male’s voice says “That’s what I like to hear!” I turn to see Jim peeking out from behind a wall, crashing our party. 

Here’s the look on Julie’s face when that happened:

 

Jim’s jaw was on the floor, startled and thrilled to see his wife half-naked and loving it. We all cracked up for a bit, and I began to notice Julie getting even saucier with her husband present. He promised to watch quietly from the sidelines, so I agreed to keep shooting with him there and see how it went.

Well it went beyond great – it was the most gratifying shoot to date. To see Julie strut around half-naked in front of her husband with bold confidence… to see Jim smile from ear to ear and watch his wife so lovingly with such adoration and barely able to keep his hands off of her… that’s the most rewarding part of my job.

To couples everywhere:
Julie and Jim wrote letters to me describing their experience because they wanted to inspire all couples out there thinking about doing a boudoir shoot to do it! 

Here’s Julie’s letter to all women:

First, let me say, that I am a 41 year old, mother of three and librarian, living in a suburb of Boston – typical in every way.  My husband had been talking about having Boudoir photos taken of me for several years, and I was a bit resistant.  This summer, I suggested we spend a few nights in New York City, and he suggested that I book a photo shoot with Christa.  I thought about it and decided that if after 19 years of marriage, he wanted to look at pictures of me in sexy lingerie, rather than other women, that was a good thing and what the hell, it might be fun.

I spoke with Christa on the phone.  She asked me tons of questions about myself, what I love about my body, what I want the pictures to say about me, what activities my husband and I enjoy together, etc.  We talked about different set up possibilities and what to expect.  She also spoke of the importance of doing the photo shoot for myself as much as for my husband. After our first phone conversation, I felt totally comfortable and was actually getting excited about the shoot.

 Two weeks before our trip to New York, my husband and I went on a date to a lingerie boutique, where I tried on different sets and we picked out a few.  A fashion show ensued once we got home and it was at that point that I realized what a great idea this was.  

On the day of the shoot, my husband had the foresight to leave behind a bottle of white wine to calm the last little bit of nerves. The make-up stylist and Christa arrived, and we toasted the day’s adventure to come.

Once Christa started shooting the time flew by.  She was a great coach, telling me exactly what to do, how to sit, where to look, what to do with my hands.  I changed outfits, hairstyles and makeup several times.  We even snuck out into the hallway and stairwell for a few shots with the make up artist standing guard, ready to throw a robe over me.  

It was an absolute blast.  Honestly, more fun than than I had ever imagined.  I felt beautiful and sexy and confident in a way that I haven’t since before our kids were born and It was nothing less than magical.

The pictures were everything we had hoped for and more.  Christa did an amazing job capturing everything that was physically and emotionally on display that day.  I love my new photos and will treasure them and the memories of that day for a long time to come.

A letter from Jim:

Dear Christa,

The whole experience from beginning to end was so memorable for both of us.

A couple of weeks prior to the shoot, we went shopping for her various outfits she wanted to wear. Julie had so much fun trying everything on and I had a great time watching her in all of the dresses and sexy outfits!  There might be a couple of stores we can longer go back to but it was worth it. 

Julie spent some time before the shoot looking at a lot of images of other sexy moms on your blog as well as your coaching articles, which really helped.  Soon, she was looking forward to the shoot even more than I was! 

When I joined you at the end of the shoot, it was so thrilling to witness my wife transformed from the girl I know and love into a sexy vixen.  Seeing her confidence in herself build was so wonderful to see. 

Just as you tout, Christa, sexiness is not about being a perfect ten, it’s about assuredness and attitude. You made her feel so relaxed, comfortable, sexy and beautiful. 

We went out that evening while she was still all made up with one of her new sexy dresses.  It was such a wonderful night and the shoot was just about all we talked about. 

In fact, we’ve been talking about it for days and wondering when we can do it again!

This is the kind of experience that, unfortunately, not many couples get to have.  We are so lucky. Not only was it fun but it was intimate and it made a very strong marriage even better. 

Being over 40 or not a supermodel is not a reason to deprive yourself of having this amazing experience.  We’re so grateful you were able to capture her beauty and provide us both with a day we’ll never forget.

All the best,

Jim

Having the man present is now something I will consider for future shoots. There are fun ways to incorporate the husband… I asked Julie to flirt with Jim off-camera while I shot, and those pics are some of my favorites. We even had Jim holding the fan at one point, to which he said “I’m glad this fan is between me and my wife because I would attack her right now.” 

A big thank you to Julie and Jim, for a memorable experience, making every moment of my time with you so fantastic and fun, your heartfelt letters, and your generosity in allowing me to post a couple of images here.

I hope their story inspires you!

xoxo Christa 

 

The Money Shots™ Giveaway Pinterest Contest

Summer is heating up and my birthday is coming in August, so I’m doing another hot giveaway!

Many of you know that I celebrate my birthday with a personal boudoir shoot, and I’ve begun to plan this year’s festivities by posting pics to My Bday Boudoir Shoot board using Pinterest.

I believe deeply that every woman and photographer can get so much value from doing her own shoot, so join me in the fun and start planning YOUR boudoir photo shoot! If you’re male, plan one that you’d love to do with your next client. 

As part of the fun, we’ll give away two copies of The Money Shots™ posing guide for BEST BOARD (most inspired collection) and MOST FOLLOWERS for the board with the most followers.

The Money Shots™ are THE shots that sell. Part Pose Book and Part Coaching Guide, this is a set of inspiring poses and ideas with my instruction so you can easily capture these Top Ten Best-Selling Boudoir photographs with enormous success every single time!

You ready to plan your Ultimate Boudoir Shoot and win The Money Shots™? 

Using Pinterest, create the Ultimate Boudoir Photoshoot pinboard using content from christameola.com and around the web. Choose your favorite poses, outfits (or lack thereof…), props you love, fantastic settings, and any element you’d love to include in your shoot. 

CONTEST DETAILS

Contest ends this Monday, Aug. 6th at Midnight EST.

ENTER NOW:

  1. Follow Christa on Pinterest
    New to Pinterest? Request an invite here using this invite link.
  2. Create an “Ultimate Boudoir Photoshoot” pinboard
    Select “+Add” and then “Create a Board” at the top-right hand corner of the Pinterest page.
    Make sure to name your board “Ultimate Boudoir Photo Shoot.”
  3. Start pinning!
    Search christameola.com and the web for pics that inspire you and pin it.
  4. Share the board with friends to increase your chances of winning The Money Shots™

Christa and Team Meola will review all the boards and announce the winners on Tuesday, Aug. 7th.

Good luck and happy pinning!

***UPDATE: There was such wonderful participation and phenomenal boudoir shoot boards, that we chose 4 winners!

Michelle Young, We love the idea of Sexy Beach Glam.
Jaime Baxter Martin, A board full of soft, beautiful and sultry inspiration.
Pamela Mullins, Just plain HOTNESS! Love the bold implied nudes.
Amie Adams, rocked the follower count

xoxo Christa

ps. I also use my Pinterest page to post Lighting I love, Rocking Boudoir Poses, How To Tips, Art that inspires me and so much more! Join me, and I’ll see ya on there!

 

How to Look Great Naked, No. 2

This week, I’ve got my sleeves rolled up and am diving even deeper into writing the new book

I am loving the challenge of pulling forth and putting down all I’ve discovered and learned about how to create stunning photographs of women. The book I’m writing goes beyond photography , to also include how to help women look and feel great by cultivating their sex appeal and coaching a bit of sensuality in their movements in addition to using your photography skills to capture it all.

As we discussed last week in How to Look Great Naked, cultivating sex appeal and looking great naked is not about crash dieting or Photoshop, but rather is about a woman’s attitude, confidence, playful personality, and feeling good in her own skin.

Honestly, that’s 98% of looking and feeling great naked.

So today’s post contains the other 2% to put you over the top with practical and immediately actionable tips to make you look great naked and boost your confidence for when you want to feel simply amazing in your birthday suit. 

How to Look Great Naked, No. 2!

1. Smile and Make Eye Contact
These are two of the most immediate, simple and powerful things you can do (at any given time really). There is nothing quite like the irresistible sex appeal of a confident woman smiling and making eye contact. Nothing else needed. But feel free to read on… 

2. Strap on Your High Heels
Want to add a bit more muscle definition to your legs and instantly feel sexier? Strap on a smoking hot pair of high heels! Obviously, heels make you appear taller (and therefore slimmer, if that’s your goal), but shoes with a slender heel that’s at least 2” high also make the calves appear muscular and much more defined. Nude shoes that match your skin tone are a fantastic choice to make your legs look even longer. However, avoid shoes with ankle straps, a square toe, and chunky shoes which all make legs look wider. Note: of course, this effect only applies when you’re standing. But if you ask me, high heels are the perfect accessory for looking great naked, in any position. 

3. Style Up A Great ‘Do
Everyone knows a good hair day makes a woman feel amazing, so don’t underestimate what a good ‘do can do. When prancing around naked, it’s the one thing you can wear styled, so invest time or money in making it great. Most men love hair that looks shiny, soft and touchable. No time for a polished style? Go for the sex appeal of bedhead. Run fingers through your roots with a scrubbing motion, use a spray wax, spritz all over hair, and then twirl random sections around your fingers. Naughtiness. (ps. I’m loving big hair. The bigger the hair, the sassier and slimmer my body appears.)

4. Get Glowing Skin
When you’re sporting nothing but your birthday suit, you want to make sure your skin feels and looks great. Moisturizing is key. I love Neutrogena Sesame Oil. Not only do I love how it makes my body glow and feel soft and silky, but I’m crazy about the seductive scent as well. A tip: put it on in the shower so it’s absorbed nicely and you don’t end up greasy. Use a moisturizing lotion on your face, and add a bit of  gel stain on your cheeks to get a gorgeous flushed look. Longer term, make sure you’re drinking your 8 glasses a day, exfoliating and moisturizing daily.

Beyond moisturizing, try a tinted moisturizer, self-tanner, or body make-up, which can all hide a multitude of sins, make your bod appear slimmer and give you a healthy glow. Restraint here is a good thing – just enough to give you a healthy glow and make you feel more confident.

5. Find Your Best Light
You can’t underestimate the power of light to flatter a figure. Two things to consider when choosing which light makes you look and feel great naked: the light’s quality and the direction of the source. The most flattering quality of light for your nudeness comes from soft glowing sources, such as a candle, the moon, and pink-tinted bulbs. The least flattering (and frankly, horrifying) light is fluorescent. Yikes.

Ways to create flattering quality of light:

  • Install dimmers. So you can adjust the lights to a level that’s most flattering to your skin and that suits your comfort level.
  • Try candlelight or firelight. The warm glow makes skin look amazing and casts beautiful shadows, not to mention the inherent romantic appeal. Light as many candles to make the room as dim or bright as would please you. 
  • Swap out regular light bulbs for pink-tinted bulbs. Pink-tinted light is the most becoming to skin and casts the most flattering shadows.
  • Place colored plastic gels (pink or orange) over a lamp. You can purchase gels at photography and art stores, or you can use a sheer fabric.
  • Get naked by moonlight. This soft light is another flattering choice with romantic appeal.
  • Go au naturale in early morning light. This scenario is a bit brighter for those who are bolder, but still a soft and flattering even light source.

Ways to position light that flatters:

  • Avoid overhead light. In terms of placement, a light source from behind you, to the side of you, or in front of you are vastly more flattering than the distorting hideousness of overhead light of any kind. Avoid that at all costs.
  • Side light – enhances curves and throws teasing shadows onto other areas. Illuminates less of your body, so it’s great if you’re a bit body conscious and want to have parts of your body “disappear” into darkness. Place lamp to the side of you.
  • Back light – is the least illuminating, throwing your bod into silhouette. Place lamp behind you. 

6. Practice Great Posture
Good posture can take you a long way and is another instant fix to looking great naked. Poor posture sends the wrong message. Excellent posture not only makes you look taller and leaner, it makes you feel and appear more confident. So when we talked about faking confidence until you have it (Tip #2 from last week’s post), this is a great way to do it – through great posture.

Ways to achieve great posture that flatters:

  • Great posture is easy to achieve, but difficult to sustain without constant reminders. Unfortunately most of us go through the day with poor unappealing posture. So practice the following tips while standing in front of the mirror and see how incredibly dramatic the difference is!
  • Stand up straight, pull your shoulders back and down, elongate your neck, tilt your head and chin slightly out and down, pull your stomach in and up and let your back settle into a natural but a bit of an extended arch that pushes out (and plays up) both the butt and chest.
  • Sit on a diagonal, with a slight twist at the waist instead of facing someone head-on. This will naturally cinch in your waist.
  • Place your hands where you want attention to go. If you like your hips, décolletage, or face, put your hands there.
  • When standing, turn a bit sideways, shift your weight to the back leg, and put the other leg out in front of the other, knee slightly bent, and toe pointed, lifting your heel.
  • If you don’t love your arms, position them so that they are away from your body. For example, placing a hand on your hip immediately thins out your arm.

7. Pay Attention to Details

  • Give your hands and feet loving attention. A mani/pedi is a must for good grooming.
  • Style up your nether regions – whatever style (or lack thereof) suits you. 
  • Feel free to accessorize a tiny bit which may make you feel a little less naked, such as a gorgeous statement piece of jewelry on your wrist or around your neck. 
  • A slightly chill room or glass of ice water will do wonders to keep you, um, standing at attention.
  • Lastly, choose make-up to suit your style: minimalism keeps your look au naturale, or you can go bold with smokey smoldering eyes or simply just red hot lips. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below… What’s your single best tip for feeling great in your own skin?

Lots of love and nakedness,

Christa

ps. If ya missed it, here are more great tips on How to Look and Feel GREAT Naked!

pps. If you’d like to get your copy of my book The Art of Boudoir, it’s now available for pre-order!