Tag Archive: workshop

Happy New Year!

Happy 2012 everyone! Hope you all had a blast ringing in the new year last night in whatever way you chose to celebrate. It was my first new year’s eve in NYC, and it was the most memorable one ever. I accompanied a photographer friend to the absolute BEST, most fun, out of control, off the hook, luxury uptown hotel wedding, and indulged in dance, lobster, wedding cake, cocktails, interesting characters, and new friends til it was well into morning and light outside.

And now, onto 2012!

Wishing you lots of amazing moments in the new year!

Christa


Hotel Tryst + Podcast Interview

This band-groupie bad-girl Marilyn Monroe inspired shoot was so much fun. And even more so because it was with my good friend Claire, who loves dive bars, rockstars and black & white photographs. So here ya go love 🙂

MY INTERVIEW ON SHOOT TO KILL PODCAST
Good news: I’ve got even more great tips in store for you! Recently, the brilliant husband/wife team Phil & Mindy Thornton interviewed me for their hugely popular podcast Shoot to Kill. We covered a lot of FAQ’s and some even deeper questions and issues:

How I got started in photography and in business.
My Top 5 Tips for getting started and the equipment I’d recommend.
3 easy steps to getting that first client.
Special advice for male photographers wanting to get into boudoir.
How I avoid cheesy stereotypes of boudoir and create fine art images. 
The 4 places I draw inspiration from.
Easy tips and tricks for making clients feel comfortable.
What’s my sales process from A to Z.
Best tips for boosting sales. 

So check out my podcast episode and enjoy – it’s very entertaining – and fair warning: it contains EXPLICIT language and nudity – yeah I know it’s audio only, but use your imagination 🙂

Cheers to that and hotel trysts!

Christa

Super Star + Soccer Mom

One of the coolest gifts I got this year? My awesome super-star Studio Manager, Ursula. She takes the best care of your needs and mine. She’s always there with a smile and a “yes M’am!” Gotta love her, and I do. When I found out she had signed up for a discount site’s boudoir session before I had hired her, I admit it – I freaked the heck out. Whaaaat on earth would you do that for? Lol! Well you all know we were going to fix that 🙂 Isn’t she gorgeous, sexy and too adorable? And can you believe she’s a Soccer Mom too?

…and then she gives you a look like this.

Yup, that’s her own pole she brought with her.

…and that’s a whole ‘nother blog post.

Just a quick reminder that the ONLINE BOUDOIR WORKSHOP is nearly sold out! We’re kicking it off soon, so REGISTER NOW to catapult your business into high gear for 2012!

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

Get all the JUICY INFO, read the REVIEWS, watch the SEXY TRAILER and SIGN-UP NOW!

Christmas in NYC!

Hope everyone is enjoying a very merry holiday and getting ready for a beautiful Christmas! Since moving to NY earlier this year, I’m so excited for my first NYC holiday! I have been getting my Christmas geek on early and doing all the awesome cheesy stuff that makes this season my favorite time of year! Whether bundled up outside to enjoy ice-skating, Rockefeller Center, the department store windows down 5th ave, and brisk walks in the park, or snuggled up with a cozy blanket, decadent hot chocolate, and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, we’re in full nerd mode here and loving every minute of it. I bought my first Christmas tree and decorated it with little lights and 4 lovely ornaments (hey, I’m a minimalist – it works 🙂 Gifts have been lovingly been wrapped and given. Here are just a few sights I’ve been enjoying around the city to share with you…

Somehow, Bergdorff Goodman makes EXCESS look elegant…

Kinda creepy if you ask me, but what’s with the bird theme…?

Rockefeller Center and Gucci…

Oooooh something pretty in the window at Tiffany & Co…

My mom arrives in town today to continue the festivities, and I know she has the Rockettes planned for our near future 🙂

And just a quick Christmas heads-up, in case you’re thinking of last minute gift ideas for a loved one or to gift yourself…

We are running out of seats for the ONLINE BOUDOIR WORKSHOP, which starts soon on Jan 2nd! I am so happy with all the wonderful people we’ve got signed-up from all over the world! We are well-represented: Newbies and pro’s, women and men, Canon and Nikon 🙂

And here is some of the AWESOME FREE STUFF we’re giving away to select attendees during the workshop!

A copy of my book “EXPOSED: Redefining Boudoir” signed by me 🙂

A set of The Money Shots™ THE Shots that Sell!

A private one-one-one Coaching Call with me.

Your choice of RadLab, TRA1, TRA2 or Lightroom Presets from Totally Rad Actions.

$100 Gift Card from LensProToGo!

10×10 15-Spread Sequoia Album from Pictage.

20×30 NEW Acrylic Wall Art from Pictage.

20×20 NEW Bamboo Wall Art from Pictage.

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and hope to have your beautiful presence in my world very soon!

Lots of love and Christmas cheer,

Christa

ps. Here’s where you can sign-up to reserve a seat to the Online Boudoir Workshop and to get more info 🙂

 

Black + White

I love experimenting with light, shadow and lines. Nothing like deep black and white hot shapes…
This first one is my favorite – Damn girl! Just damn.


Playing with levels of exposure is fun because it radically changes the mood of a shot.

Experimenting keeps you playful and creative. Plus, it’s how you grow and develop a style. It’s got me falling in love with black and white all over again!

Lots more gorgeous photography experiments on the blog soon…

Happy almost Christmas!

xo Christa

 

Sweet!

***UPDATE: The Workshop is SOLD OUT.***

Enter your email here for free photography tips and to get dibs on seats for the next Online Workshop.

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

Get all the JUICY INFO, read the REVIEWS, watch the SEXY TRAILER and SIGN-UP NOW!

Tuscan Showgirl!

I love silly. Silly is good. In fact, sexy and silly is my favorite killer combo. Ran across this shot from summertime in Italy and wanted to give you a little silliness on a winter Friday. This spontaneous little moment is courtesy of my hilarious good friend, Mrs. J, who I adore.

There will be lots of fun, hilarious moments and so much more as a part of the Online Boudoir Workshop! Participants will join me behind the scenes during video demo’s and watch me shoot models, clients, a curvy gal, and nudes…. how much fun is that! So sign up and grab a ringside seat to the action!

May you all have a little bit of sexy silly fun in your near future!

Christa

IMPORTANT NOTE: You have less than 24 hours to sign-up for the special rate! Price goes up at midnight tonight EST – so Register Now!

 

The Subtle Art of Courtesans, plus WPPI MasterClass!

So thrilled to have been invited to speak & teach at WPPI 2o12! My  MasterClass this year is a topic that I believe is essential and often overlooked in the boudoir industry. Sometimes we get so focused on building a business, that we forget the ART! What makes a photograph so sensual that you want to swim in it? Juicy topic right?! It’s a subtle difference and so well worth exploring! Seating is limited. You can register online for my class when registering for WPPI. If you’re already registered for the conference, you must sign-up for my class by calling 1.877.779.3127.  So please join me as we dive deep into:

The Subtle Line in Boudoir Photographs
WPPI MasterClass, Vegas – Feb 22nd 2:3opm
I will share the secrets to creating gorgeous images that are smoking hot, stand out and sell big! Learn the subtleties of what makes a photograph HOT or NOT as I compare my favorite shots with those that just missed the mark from my portfolio and others’. I will also reveal the Top 10 Mistakes Boudoir Photographers make and my complete bag of tricks on how to avoid them.

Inspired by art, subtlety and swanky lounges,

Christa

ps. The response to the new Online Boudoir Workshop is overwhelming! Seats have been selling like hotcakes. We are three quarters full, and you have only a couple days left to book your seat and save $100! Sale ends Fri, 12/16 at midnight, so Register Now.

Creating Emotion in your Photographs

Capturing emotion in my photographs has become my trademark, and I love sharing simple tips on how you can do this too! Creating emotion in your photographs is all about capturing authenticity, movement, sensuality and mood, not a pose that’s static where the subject is disconnected from the moment. Here are a few techniques to get you started…

COACH ACTIONS
For real women who have never professionally modeled before, it’s easier for her to be real and look natural when you offer her an action to perform instead of asking for a “pose.” An action such as “toss your hair, shake your booty, kick up your leg,” etc. looks more emotive then when someone’s just standing there wondering what to do. Make sure to coach her to push the action to the extreme. Coach her to “Kick that leg higher! and shake that booty faster!!”

SHOOT THE IN-BETWEEN MOMENTS
Unplanned outtakes are awesome. That’s the good stuff! When your client falls over or cracks up, make sure to capture it! Those are often the most beautiful, honest, emotional, moments. You can even try telling her that you’re doing a light test, so she drops her guard.

IT’S ALL IN THE EYE-LINE!
I like to avoid eyes looking directly at camera. This is my personal taste. I don’t select a lot of images with eyes looking directly into the camera – it takes me out of the voyeuristic feel. I personally feel more emotion from the moment when she’s looking down at her body, at the light source, or has her eyes closed. In fact, coaching “eyes closed and a slight smile” always works!

CAPTURE REAL LAUGHTER
The more you laugh and crack yourself up, the more she laughs. Use her nervous energy to work for you. Tease your subject in a good way. Ask for fake laughter and it usually ends up in real laughter. Nobody can fake laugh without feeling like a total ass, so it always provokes real laughter from both of us. Just make sure you press the shutter while you’re doubling over 🙂

RELAXING EVEN THE STIFFEST CLIENTS
If your client is not present and totally nervous, a great way to have her regroup and reconnect with herself is to ask her to “close your eyes, relax, breathe, run your hands along your body and make yourself feel good.” This action alone provokes TONS of different emotions and lots of great shots. Or conversely, get her moving a TON! Coach a ton of actions to exhaust her. Have her jump up and down on the bed and do hair flips like mad. Give her some props to play with and take the focus off of her so she’ll start having fun. If nothing is working, shoot a lot of body shots and details, and move on to the next tip…

ADD THE FAN!
The fan is a MUST-HAVE on set. This is the most fool-proof way to add emotion when all else fails! Turn a fan on, blow it towards your client and watch the emotion pour out of her — or just look like it is 🙂 Trust me on this and just try it. The fan creates motion and sensuality, even when sometimes it’s not there.

EDIT FOR EMOTION
Lastly and most importantly: choose the shot that makes you FEEL SOMETHING even if it is not the best choice technically. Be ruthless and edit out all the shots that don’t elicit any emotion. You’ll know the ones to keep when you feel it.

Now go out there and create a bit of FUN and a ton of EMOTION!

x. Christa

 

The Nightclub Act, plus Contest Winner!

Had some fun in a nightclub recently in LA… very Old Hollywood, circa 1920. Did a spontaneous quickie shoot with one of my favorite models while the maintenance crew was cleaning up. I couldn’t pass up this swanky backdrop! Since I had no lights with me, these are all shot with available light, using the 50 1.2 and 85 1.2. at 1600 ISO the entire time and varied shutter speeds depending if I wanted motion or not.

This is my favorite. Love the motion in her face and the lines created by the drapery.

Have I mentioned how much I love light & shadow?

We had well over 300 entries for a FREE SEAT to the ONLINE BOUDOIR WORKSHOP contest…

…and Winner #1 is: Mary Woe

Mary, congratulations! & welcome to the party! We’ll email you the info on how to collect your free seat.

The contest is still running, and I will pull another FREE SEAT & WINNER #2 on Friday December 16th, midnight EST. So enter now and as often as you wish.

Good luck!

Christa

ps. We are more than halfway sold out for the new ONLINE BOUDOIR WORKSHOP, and the cost of seats will go up to Regular Price of $595 on Friday December 16th, midnight EST, so Register Now to nab your seat and save $100! And if you win the free seat, we’ll refund your money 🙂

 

Online Boudoir Workshop! Begins January 2nd

Yay, it’s that time again! I am thrilled to announce the all 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 6 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 video demonstrations, behind the scenes shoots, tutorials, personal interaction, a private forum, and much more!  Gain support, motivation, inspiration and answers to all of your questions, as I expose everything inside my boudoir business that makes it a success – as well as the biggest mistakes new boudoir photographers make and how to avoid them!

YOU’RE INVITED TO ENJOY:

Behind the Scenes access to Christa’s shoots
Video demonstrations & Tutorials
Live Q&A calls each week
Portfolio Critiques
Private Forum for members only
Free Resources & Vendor Discounts
Client forms, contracts and releases
and more!…

HOW IT WORKS

This is a 6 week course, beginning Monday January 2nd. Each week, on Monday, I 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 at any time 🙂

One of my favorite benefits of this workshop is the private MEMBERS ONLY forum  – a place of ongoing support, information and motivation. Members will be able to leave comments under each content area, so everyone is sharing their thoughts, ideas, tips and questions all in one place – so we’re all in this party together, all the information is available to you 24/7, and I’m right by your side as your personal coach!

 

TOPICS COVERED

Shooting On Location & In the Studio
Go behind the scenes of Christa’s shoots. See how Christa styles her sets and works with minimal equipment both on location and in the studio. Watch how she relaxes a nervous client, brings out the best in each woman (from models to moms), creates sensual moments, captures emotion from even the stiffest client, and finds flattering poses for every body type.

Equipment & Lighting
What’s necessary and what’s not – this surprises most new photographers! Learn easy lighting set-ups, how to work with the challenge and beauty of natural light, working with studio strobes, and the ease of video lights. See the results of using different lenses at all budget levels.

Branding and Style
How to create a distinctive brand that brings you into your business. Creating a consistent look that separates you from the crowd.

Creating Raving Fan Clients
How to attract clients and turn each woman into a raving fan who does your marketing for you. This is how I create boudoir addicts who hire me again and again and tell all their friends.

Best-selling Boudoir Money Shots™
Learn how Christa coaches and captures each of her best-selling Money Shots™. These are the shots that every client wants and are absolute must-haves for your portfolio!

Post Production & Workflow
Cut down on your editing time with a workflow that is easy, fast and effective. See Christa take her pics from straight out of camera through Lightroom and Photoshop to final edited images presented to client.

Giving Direction & “Posing”
Learn how to coach actions, give easy direction and create beautiful moments instead of “poses.” See the difference between what’s hot & what’s not – a subtle but huge difference!

Flattering every Figure
Easy ways to flatter women of every shape and body type. Top ways to work with women, from models to moms, breast cancer survivors to body conscious clients.

Fine Art Nudes & Fashion
Working with nude models, see how Christa blends Fine Art Nudes and Fashion with Portraiture to create her high-end Boudoir “look.” Learn the qualities that distinguish each style and how to bring them into your work.

Sets & Styling
How to style a set and a model to create editorial style photographs. Creating an amazing high-end look on a budget both in studio and on location.

Pricing and Increasing Sales
Nailing your price list so you’re busy, happy and well-paid. How to increase sales

Successful Boudoir Parties
Christa’s step-by-step process that gives you all you need to throw a successful (or your first!) boudoir party!

Plus Permits, Releases, Contracts, FAQ’s and more!

If you’re new to this blog, you can read Reviews on Christa’s workshops, see more of Christa’s Boudoir photography and check out her Fine Art Nudes.

Boudoir Photography is about empowering women – helping them feel amazing and celebrating who they are. So get in on the fun now! The boudoir photography market is currently enjoying a huge surge in popularity as more and more women are seeking this service. Boudoir photography is such a fun and fulfilling career, and I want you to be a success!

***UPDATE: The Workshop is SOLD OUT.***

Enter your email here for free photography tips and to get dibs on seats for the next Online Boudoir Workshop.

“Worth every penny, definitely recommend, what a treasure trove of information!”
John P. Dunnigan, Forest Hill, MD, jpdphotoraphy.com

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

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

“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

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

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

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

“I more than doubled my income!”
Robin Hultgren, Walnut Creek, CA, espritphotographieblog.blogspot.com

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

“I am in love with my work again.”
Christopher Medak, Manhattan Beach, CA

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

The Contest to WIN A FREE SEAT is now closed.

Congrats, and I can’t wait to see you online at the workshop!!

x. Christa

LensProToGo announces ViewFinders!

I’m so happy and grateful to LensProToGo for choosing me to be in their brand new ViewFinders program! I’m completely humbled to be included in this inspiring group of photographers!

LensProToGo is one of my favorite companies, and I adore their tight-knit staff of smart, generous, and super friendly pro photographers, whose biggest thrill is in helping you decide what gear will best support your needs and artistic vision.

LensProToGo describes the ViewFinders program as “a partnership in which we will bring inspiring photographers and filmmakers to you. Their knowledge, their skill set, their creativity. These artists have been hand picked and have committed to sharing their knowledge to help expand your creative horizons.” Each month LensProToGo will interview a ViewFinder, share with you their recent projects and tips from the field. They will also host contests and Q&A’s with each ViewFinder with awesome giveaways.

Make sure to check it out! 

 

<< Previous
| Next >>