There were people everywhere! There were lights, cameras, make up & hair teams, not to mention the crowds of fans trying desperately to sneak a peek. I patiently waited next to her as her stylist fussed over every inch of her five foot, ten inch frame. She then sat down, looked right at me and smirked flirtatiously for the camera. It was effortless for her. I couldn’t help but notice… the flawless skin, pouty pink lips, golden locks that bounced across her shoulder. She is after all, a Victorias Secret supermodel. More specifically, I had just photographed Doutzen Kroes.

I’m just going to say the one thing every photographer thinks but is not supposed to say out loud.

IT IS JUST MORE PLEASANT TO PHOTOGRAPH BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.

So what is it that you don’t like about yourself? What is it that keeps you from thinking you are beautiful? Coming up with a list of things we don’t like about ourselves is usually not a problem. In fact, unfortunately, it’s almost on autopilot.

My nose it too big
My nose is too small
My hair is too curly
My hair is too straight
I’m too short
I’m too tall
I’m too skinny
I’m too fat
I don’t like the shape of my eyes
I don’t like my smile
I don’t like my skin

I’ve even had a client say “I don’t like the shape of my nostrils!”  I photograph women of all ages, all shapes, and all sizes. When I  recently put together my speaking program for teen and preteen girls, I racked my brain about what is it that really makes someone beautiful?

No, but really, what makes someone beautiful?

I thought about the celebrities and models I’ve been lucky enough to work with over the years and then I thought about the young women who enter my studio every day. We’ve all heard that confidence makes someone beautiful. My problem with that is that models (just like everyone else) have a list of things they don’t like about themselves. In fact, their list may be longer than yours. After all, rejection (and rejection based on looks alone) is an every day experience for the professional model. They are more aware of their flaws than anyone I know and not all models are confident. So how does that make any sense?

If confidence is what makes someone beautiful, what makes someone confident? And then it hit me…

VULNERABILITY IS BEAUTIFUL.

We all have the ability to be vulnerable. Your world will change when you can take that list you make of reasons you are not beautiful and look yourself in the mirror and say “This is what I don’t like about myself but it’s ok. I welcome you to look at me (or photograph me) just as I am.” Vulnerability is a fragile state. Many of us have worked for years to cover up any part of us that is vulnerable. But the one thing we thought was protecting us, may be the very thing that has kept us from growing in love. If you can be open about what you don’t like, I think you just might be able to accept some of those ‘flaws.’ There’s always room to improve but appreciating yourself as you are is what gives you the room to grow.

Confidence is what people tend to see on the surface of those that are perceived ‘beautiful’. But being vulnerable (in my humble opinion) is what makes someone truly beautiful. Vulnerability leads to acceptance,which leads to self love, which leads to confidence. Start to take a second look at those models in magazines. Are they confident? Or is there also sense of vulnerability about them? We all look for someone relatable. I think vulnerability is one of the most relatable and honest attributes you can have.

So yes, photographing beautiful people is more pleasant. I JUST TEND TO THINK EVERYONE HAS THE ABILITY TO BE BEAUTIFUL, STRONG AND CONFIDENT.

FOR BOOKINGS OR INQUIRIES: info@shannon-michelle.com

This is my hair stylist. Isn’t he totes adorbs?!

[Kai Mitchell is also the owner of Salon 1803 in Marshfield, MA. Check it out when you get a sec.]

On my last visit, I found myself sitting in his chair, just staring at this 10″ pile of hair in front of me! No, his salon is not a mess. It’s actually quite clean and quaint. It was my hair. My wedding hair to be exact. The hair I had spent such a long time growing so that I could have beautiful big curls as I walked down the aisle on May 30, 2014. Well, that had to go now. No one has time to style that kind of mess on a daily basis!! So, off it went to Locks of Love.  It was grown in love and cut in love. Thank you Kai.

It got me thinking though…cutting your hair is really a lot like having boudoir photos taken.

Here are 3 reasons I see the similarity.

1. Sexy just isn’t sexy – I could take Kai a photo of a sexy looking model and say “I want to look like this.” And, because we have worked together and have known each other for years, he would probably just laugh in my face and say ‘Yea, so would I.’

You know that by copying a hair cut, you are not going to look like that girl, right? And most likely, if you copy a pose from a model, you are not going to look like that girl either. When ladies try too hard to look sexy, they usually don’t. Sexy comes from confidence, connection and looking (being) relaxed on film.

2. Shape matters – One reason I absolutely love my Kai is because when I do show him a picture of a model who’s hair cut I want, he says ‘ok’ and then changes it. Hear me out!

He changes it to fit the shape of my face. If he copied the cut exactly as is (which he is more than capable of doing), it wouldn’t look right. It’s his job to look at the photo and then look at the shape of my face and make small enough adjustments where I am beyond thrilled and it’s the right cut for me.

Same is true in the boudoir studio. Every body is shaped differently. It’s my job to take a pose or idea that you like and to mold it to make it work for you.

3. Leave it to the professionals – I don’t second guess Kai. I ask for what I want and then I trust him to do what’s best for me. I surely would never attempt to cut my own hair. So if I didn’t trust him, I would never get my hair cut! The same goes for your boudoir portraits. If you don’t trust me, you’ll never get them done. And I wouldn’t want that for you. You deserve it. You deserve to see how beautiful you can be on film. If you take anything away from this blog, I would want it to be this….

“You don’t pose to look like a model. You look like a model because I pose you.”

I know what’s best for your body type. It’s my job to know it. And I’m really good at it. No more “But I don’t look like those girls.” Good! Maybe you don’t. Please know that

“You don’t have to look like the girl in the magazine to celebrate the girl in the mirror.”

If you are ready to celebrate the girl in the mirror, visit shannon-michelle.com or click HERE for more information about our services.

Hope to see you soon!
Shannon.

Are you super nervous about the idea of a boudoir shoot? No worries, you are not alone!! But chances are, you are so focused on the shoot that you haven’t even thought about what happens after the shoot?

What to do with all those beautiful portraits? Try a beauty box! Perfect for gifts or to keep all your favorites in one location without binding them to an album.

Hair | Make up: Krisann Kiley

FOR INQUIRIES OR BOOKINGS: info@shannon-michelle.com

Niji is moving to NYC in just a couple of weeks to continue school as a singer and artist. We were thrilled to be able to work with her before leaving and love the bold colors she wanted to use for her beauty shoot!

Flowers – Braintree Flower Shop
Makeup – Shana Christoforo
Photo – Shannon Michelle

FOR BOOKINGS OR INQUIRIES: info@shannon-michelle.com

It was such a pleasure working with Rieko! She flew all the way to Boston from Chicago to have a shoot with us before heading back to Japan in just one week!! We appreciate clients who know they want to shoot with us and will move mountains to make it happen.

Roses – Braintree Flower Shop
Hair & Makeup – Shana Christoforo
Photo – Shannon Michelle

FOR BOOKING OR INQUIRES: info@shannon-michelle.com
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