What if I told you there’s one thing that most people have in their kitchen pantry that could help you with your selfies, your family photos or pics of your kiddos? Well, there is! And it’s….
ALUMINUM FOIL.
I’ve spent lots of money on the best reflectors a girl can buy. But when you’re backstage at NY Fashion Week, and you’ve left one of those dazzling reflectors at home and there’s no time to get a new one, it’s tin foil to the rescue!
Well, that’s how it started at least.
Then I realized that tin foil actually worked better than some of those fancy reflectors! So I started making my own. And so did a lot of other backstage photographers. In fact, for many of us, it’s now the go-to . When you’re travelling, tin foil is easy to get, easy to use and when you’re done with it, you just toss it out. No need to make extra room for it in your luggage.
But for you lovelies at home looking to up your selfie game, try a bit of aluminum foil. Grab a piece just large enough to cover a small baking pan, and while you’re facing the light, try holding the foil at about breast level, with the side farthest away from you, angled up at your chin. You may be able to feel the light hit your face. You should definitely be able to see the light hit your face! Don’t believe me? Check out the two photos below.
The one on the left has an aluminum foil reflector added.
[QUICK TRICK: If it’s windy out or it’s too flimsy for you to hold the foil, wrap it around a book or magazine so that it’s a bit more sturdy]
You can easily see that on the left, there is a bit more light on my face than the one on the right. Look at the cheeks, under the eyes, and the shadow on my neck. But the biggest wow of all is the amount of light in my eyes. Totally unedited [for education purposes only…hahaha], you can see how much extra pop or twinkle I have in my eyes when I am holding a reflector.
[QUICK TRICK: Don’t forget, if you’re shooting with an iPhone, you can still take the picture by pressing the “+” button where you normally control the volume. It’s so much easier than trying to reach the round button at the bottom!]
BOUDOIR – THE ULTIMATE IN INTIMATE GIFT GIVING.
Making it the perfect groom’s gift. Join us for the after party at Middleton Place and learn more about our services, products and meet Shannon Michelle in person! ENTER TO WIN 2 FREE TICKETS. Make sure you’re on our mailing list [HERE] and we’ll raffle them off by Jan 21st. Good luck!!
Featured Venus:
- Middleton Place
- Coleman Hall & Chapel
- Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina
- The Stables at Boals Farm
- Governor Thomas Bennett House
- I`ON Meeting House
Presented in Parnership with:
Engaged or Getting Married in 2017?!
Join us at this year’s Revolution Wedding Tours in charming, Charleston, SC. As the only boudoir photographer invited, we are very honored and grateful to celebrate the finale` of Charleston Wedding Week [produced by Charleston Wedding Magazine] by participating in this one of a kind event. These tours are so fun for brides to be as they can experience each venu’s potential for their day, including a variety of custom desing concepts. You can find us at the stunning Middleton Place, where we’ll offer samples from our unique product line. Meet Shannon Michelle in person and browse sample albums, prints, gift ideas and more. Start to design your own boudoir experience and give your groom the ultimate in intimate gift giving.
For tickets or more info, click HERE.
Featured Venus:
- Middleton Place
- Coleman Hall & Chapel
- Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina
- The Stables at Boals Farm
- Governor Thomas Bennett House
- I`ON Meeting House
Presented in Parnership with:
The gorgeous Nessa, licensed esthetician for Dr. Thomas Funcik, chats micro needling and why it might just be the thing you’re looking for before your next beauty or boudoir shoot. To schedule your own complimentary consultation for micro needling [a $75 value], call (843) 884-3277 and mention SHANNON MICHELLE at booking.
WHAT IS MICRO NEEDLING?
IS IT PAINFUL?
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
WHY IS MICRO-NEEDLING RECOMMENDED BEFORE A PHOTO SHOOT?
WILL I PEEL?
HOW DO I TREAT PEELING?
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
Contact the offices of Dr. Thomas Funcik at (843) 884-3277 or visit Great Face Charleston.com
Well, Thanksgiving is just days away but sadly “turkey neck” can follow you year round! Here’s a quick and easy trick to get rid of that…
Push your chin forward! Not up. Not down. Forward.
Your chin should stay parallel to the floor. Think of a turtle popping out of its shell; it will feel awkward but have I led you astray before?! Try it. Stretch as much as you can. There will be plenty of opportunities to try this out over the holiday weekend with all the family pictures.
Here’s a quick snap shot of a before and after of me using this trick.
Intrigued by the idea of a boudoir or portrait shoot? Don’t wait any longer!
Take advantage of our annual *Black Friday Sale and book a shoot for just $400. We only offer sales once a year so this is your chance!!! Simply click [HERE], pay for your shoot and we’ll email you shortly after to schedule a time that works for you. Shoots are scheduled Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturday mornings and include:
- Includes Complimentary Consultation
- Hair Styling
- Full Makeup
- Lashes
- Up to Three Outfits Photographed at the Location of Your Choice within the Charleston, SC area. [Ask us about our complimentary concierge booking service]
- Private, In-Person Ordering Appointment.
Prints and products sold separately.
For a BEHIND THE SCENES look at a shoot as well as product menu, click [HERE]
*All sales are final. Service is available first come, first serve.
ON SET WITH REV. KRISTEN BARNER
1] What was it about Shannon’s work that made you want to hire her?
I saw her website. I kept returning to her website. I was in need of new headshots, but not boudoir photos. Shannon’s Beauty Portraits were stunning. There was something ethereal, fabulous, real, spiritual and gorgeous about each photo. “That,” I thought, “that is what I want people to see.” These were real women looking absolutely real and beautiful…. something compelling from within.
2] What was your biggest fear or concern going into the shoot?
I’m a dork. A huge dork. I’ve done photoshoots in the past and have been pleasantly surprised now and then. But I really have NO idea what to do, how to stand, where to look. So any success in the past has been sheer luck and will power on the part of the photographer. I was fearful that I’d drive Shannon crazy because I wouldn’t know what to do. I was also fearful that I wouldn’t be able to articulate to Shannon what kind of look I was hoping for, ultimately, at the end of the day: professional, welcoming, joyful, thoughtful, smart, etc. Shannon and I talked about all of that and she understood immediately. Her intuition is pretty stunning. As far as direction, she assured me I’d be “directed from nose to toes.” And by golly, I was! The process was really fun and fascinating!
3] What was your favorite part of the experience of working with Shannon and her team?
Michelle and her team made me feel so comfortable. There was nothing awkward about it. I worry a little about not wanting to disappoint or being too difficult. By the end of the shoot, I felt like I was simply hanging out with some girlfriends and I got to witness this highly talented professional woman do her craft. Oh, and I got to be the subject matter! I love watching people do what they love and do it well.
4] What did you gain from the experience that you weren’t expecting.
Besides gorgeous photos that gave me pause to catch my breath and say, “Wow! Who knew??” ? I think I learned a few tips on how to take a good photo. 🙂 And, more importantly, I gained a new friend.
5] Why did you need a photographer?
I am an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and I have a ministry/business in Charleston, SC. We are the destination wedding capital of the country. Because we are a destination location, much of my business is driven via website and internet. An image of me on my website is the very first impression most people receive; before we ever have a conversation. It is the first step in introducing myself to a newly engaged couple. After fumbling around with several different websites, a new and improved version will be launched this year. I wanted new headshots for that. As a woman in ministry, my experience is one of needing to shatter the stained glass ceiling over and over again… esp. in the South. 🙂 More than once a bride’s uncle or a groom’s father will challenge me, “So you’re a woman.” “Yes,” I tell them. “Yes, I am. Thank you for noticing. Now please take a seat.” It’s important to me that I not only am identified as a woman, but that I am identified as someone who is called into ministry and that I happen to be highly educated, highly skilled, and that I love what I do. My hope for the photos is that I can be recognized not only as a woman, but as someone qualified who cares very much about you, your wedding, and your marriage. You can find me at Wedding Belle Rev, LLC at www.CharlestonWeddingBelleRev.com.
Watch behind-the-scenes video with Rev. Kristen Barner.
Hair and makeup by Gianna Gregory of Ulta Beauty Mt. Pleasant.
Behind the scenes photo by Charlie Nicole.
TIRED OF YOUR TOOTHY GRIN?
The truth is, not everyone has the budget for a perfect smile. Or maybe you don’t have time for Invisalign before your next photo shoot. Many of my clients tell me they don’t like the way their teeth look on camera when they smile big. This leaves them smiling with their mouths closed or not at all. And while you know I love a serious look, it would be nice for you to have a few photos where you’re actually smiling!
QUICKEST FIX: Smile with your teeth closed.
You ofter hear smile with your lips together or mouth closed but I bet you rarely hear smile with your teeth closed. It feels silly while you’re doing it, but it works. It won’t replace your busted grill but it will improve the look of it on camera.
WHY?
When you have gaps, crooked or crowded teeth of any sort, your teeth have grown together in a way that “works” for your mouth. When you smile big, your teeth generally separate and you can see between the teeth, showing off all that glorious imperfection.
WHAT MAKES IT WORSE?
The light that hits your face is not lighting the inside of your mouth. That makes darker areas appear in your mouth and once again, contrasts against the crooked white parts of your teeth. Ever looked at a photo of yourself and it looked like you were missing teeth? It’s just that enough light didn’t hit that part of your mouth.
THE ANSWER
Smiling with your teeth closed gets even light to all your teeth, blocks “dark spots” from inside your mouth and because your teeth have grown together in that way [as imperfect as it is], they look together when closed. Let’s make one thing clear….this will feel ridiculously “cheesy” and like you’re grinning like a fool. But if doing what was comfortable was working for you, you wouldn’t be reading this blog right now, right? Give it a try. You don’t have anything to lose.
THINK ABOUT KEEPING YOUR TEETH TOGETHER…AND THEN SMILE 🙂
“I used Shannon for some boudoir pics before the wedding for my fiance. I was so nervous going in. I am a plus size woman and wasn’t sure if I would look sexy. Shannon made me look and feel AMAZING! Honestly never felt sexier. My fiance LOVED the pics. Said he was marrying a model. Everyone deserves to feel this awesome about themselves. Thank so much Shannon!!!” – Ashley
A new location in charming Charleston means new and charming products!!! We are thrilled to be adding this adorable perfume drive, complete with your favorite retouched, high-resolution digital files. Perfume drives are included in all curated collections, completing the perfect gift for your loved ones. Click [HERE] for pricing and info.
