“…but where does the CD go?”

While recently chatting it up with another artist friend who had bought the new 27″ iMac, she mentioned she felt a little silly as she asked that very question of Apple’s support team when she got home and realized that she couldn’t find the CD drive. She couldn’t find it because Apple no longer includes a CD drive on their iMac computers.

It’s just one more reason why we encourage our clients to have their photographs printed! Even if you managed to buy a CD of photos, where would you put it? I understand that most people still have a CD drive but that will no longer be the case in just a few short years. Because digital media changes so quickly, it is more important than ever to print your photographs. If you don’t, you’ll be required to constantly update the media and the more pictures you save, the larger that project becomes.

After all, can you still play your iPod on a CD player? Or a CD in a tape recorder? Or a tape on a record player? Who cares, you’re probably streaming live anyway. Get it?

Just like with music, you need to update your digital photos to the most current format [film scan, CD, thumb drive, hard drive, cloud etc.] in order to keep them “archived.” And I use the term “archived” loosely because every time you open those files, they diminish little by little. [For example, making a tape recording while playing a song on vinyl is not going to have the same sound quality as playing that vinyl on a record player. It loses quality.]  And just like a CD can get a scratch or a tape can become tangled, your digital files can become corrupt over time or when moving them to new format. That means they are damaged and lost forever. And I know you think you might be able to stay on top of it. I mean, a disc to a thumb drive seems manageable (as long as the files are still in tact). But when your parents were listening to Chubby Checker do the Twist, the internet hadn’t even been invented yet! Imagine their shock if you said “One day, you’ll be able to watch this on YouTube.” Thankfully music moguls have conglomerates who continue to archive their work so that we can all watch Chubby twist his little hips online. We have companies like Disney who spend millions of dollars and countless hours restoring their films so we can watch Cinderella on blu-ray. And in all fairness, because we see those oldies but goodies updated regularly, we really don’t give much thought to our own creative work that needs preserving. I think it’s fair to say that you probably don’t have access to those teams for your Easter Sunday egg hunts or your Sweet 16 or how you looked just a few months before meeting your little girl for the very first time [click here for maternity].

I understand you want to keep the digital files for peace of mind and they are nice to have as a backup, but having your photographs professionally printed is the only real way of backing them up. Not to mention that your favorite photographs are meant to be seen! They are meant to bring a smile to your face when you are sitting at the breakfast table and look up at a big print of your little one covered in the frosting of his very first cake. They are meant to remind you of the love you have for your husband and the life you’ve built together as you flip through your wedding album. And they are meant inspire you to be confident and appreciate the person you are as you get dressed every morning, passing by your bedroom boudoir wall portrait. Your photographs are artwork that is meant to be seen!

You don’t really believe those digital files are the equivalent to a film negative, do you? If you did, you definitely don’t want to know what a photographer would have to charge you for them!

So, print your pictures. I suggest printing all your photographs small to have as keepsakes and choosing your absolute favorites to decorate your walls with. Your photographer can help you narrow down your decision and give advise on what will work best in your home. But, you have to start by making the commitment to print your photographs regularly.

Didn’t you just hate running errands when you were a kid?! I remember when I was little, one of those errands usually included dropping off a roll of film or two at the drive thru photo lab. It was part of our regular routine. And when I was in my mid twenties, my mom gifted me the most amazing photo album. It was a full collection of photos of me from birth to age 16. It included things like my mom’s hospital bracelet, dedication certificate and lots of photos! Photos of family vacations when I was a baby, holidays, music recitals, trips, birthdays etc. It was amazing. All those important memories, in one location and passed down to me so that I could revisit them whenever I like and share them with my own family one day.

I’m guilty of it as well. As a professional photographer, I have access to the best labs and even I have photographs sitting on my phone or desktop that need to be printed. We get busy. We wait until we have a bulk order and then forget all together. I get it! But I’m making that commitment with you today to print my pictures! Will you? If it makes it easier, just order 10 a week. Can I let you in a little secret? When people took pictures on film, they had no more than 36 photos per roll! You don’t need to print thousands at a time. You just need to print regularly. Your children and your children’s children will thank you for it. I can’t imagine growing up in a world where years, even decades at a time, of memories and moments are just missing because they were never printed, can you? Comment below if you will pledge to print your pictures!! 

If you want us to create and print your pictures, just email info@shannon-michelle.com for bookings.

[Drive thru photo courtesy of Kodak]

So, one my favorite clients ever has a lingerie set named after her at Agent Provocateur!!!

How cool is that?! No, really…it’s named after her.

“I’m a lingerie junkie” she says. [LOL] And after shopping there for years, the Newbury St. store manager submitted her name to be used, as each collection has it’s own unique name.

Click HERE to get the Saadia bra & brief.

* Guest Blogger: Lingerie Specialist Kristine Isberg of L`ecole Nuit Lingerie. Save 15% with coupon code ShannonMichelle.

So you finally decided to do a boudoir session, congratulations! Now, you are probably asking yourself, what do I wear? From my experience, most women doing a boudoir session have no idea where to begin to choose those important two or three outfits that will flatter their shapes as well as represent their own unique personality. Also, it is important to remember that the lingerie you purchase for your boudoir session should be pieces that you will want to wear again. It may sound obvious, but many women think only to buy lingerie that looks good in a picture, but would never want to wear again either because it doesn’t fit properly or it just isn’t comfortable. Your boudoir lingerie should be 3 things: comfortable, sexy and wearable. Think about it, what are you going to wear when you give the boudoir album to your partner? Double the pleasure by wearing one of your lingerie outfits when you give the gift.

When I work with boudoir clients, I first ask them some questions, not about sizing, but about themselves. As with any outfit, your lingerie choices should reflect the real you, not a pre-conceived idea of what is sexy. Here are two important questions to ask yourself when planning your wardrobe:

• What is your personality type? Are you playful and flirty, daring and not afraid to take chances or more reserved and conservative?
• What style boudoir do you want? Dark and sensual, soft and romantic or minimalistic and modern?

Secondly, I discuss lingerie options. Usually the personality matches up with the stylistic tone of the boudoir photos. For example:

• An outgoing, flirty personality matches well with a soft and romantic setting
• A reserved woman tends to go for lots of silhouettes and simple backdrops
• The daring woman wants the dark and seductive boudoir set that portrays her inner vixen

it is very important to do this reflective exercise and wear lingerie that doesn’t feel like a costume so that you can be more confident and comfortable in front of the camera! So here are some general guidelines:

1. Coquettes – You want lingerie that is classically romantic, pretty and soft. A chemise or babydoll is a modern take on the traditional negligée and is perfect for romancing and sleeping in! Try the Love Me Babydoll by Shell Belle Couture or the Great Gatsby Chemise by Shell Belle Couture

2. Fashionistas – You want lingerie that is uncomplicated, stylish and easy to wear. A matching bra and panty set with fashionable thigh highs is just the thing for a sophisticated, sexy look! Try Meet Me at Midnight by Samantha Chang or the Amandine by Christine Quartier la Tente.

3. Femme Fatales – You want lingerie that is edgy, seductive and naughty. A garter belt with matching bra and panty set definitely sets the tone for a daringly, seductive look! Try Leonor by Christine Quartier la Tente or Messina by Bordelle. [We love these!]

I am always available to assist you individually, should you want personal advice. Just send me a note on our online chat or email me directly at: lingerie@lecolenuit.com

Fashion Inspired Portraits make an amazing alternative to traditional headshots. I’m always honored when other professional photographer’s chose to work with me. Here are just a few of the creative and corporate clients I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Click on the website to view their work!

PHOTOGRAPHER HEADSHOTS:

Kelley Cronin – Kelly Cronin.com

Jaclyn Lombardo – Jaclyn L Photography.com

Tricia McCormack – Tricia McCormack.com

Anna Sawin – Pencils and Lens.com

ARTISTS AND CORPORATE HEADSHOTS:

Holly Nichols – H Nichols Illustration.com

Katherine Kowalik – Tullis Funds.com

The Oceanos Inc. Team – Oceanosinc.com

Are you in need of an updated headshots? Message us for booking!
info@shannon-michelle.com or 617.307.1155

Can’t imagine the strength it took to live this life. Thank you for sharing your story Caitlyn Jenner. You look absolutely amazing!
[Can I just say….I’m in love with the fact that Caitlyn’s Vanity Fair cover, shot by Annie Leibovitz is a boudoir shot!!!]

Watch behind the scenes video below and then click over to the Vanity Fair website for more.