Watch behind the scenes boudoir video with Zumba instructor, Shannon Keane. Her story is an inspiring one about [at one point] being overweight and unhappy with what’s in the mirror. If you liked Shannon’s story, please leave her an encouraging message in the comments section below!
It’s finally spring time! And while most people are spring cleaning their homes, we’re spring cleaning our product line!! Out with the old, in with the new. It’s with great pleasure and excitement that I get to announce our newest product… the “Peek-a-boo Book!”
I’m obsessed for 3 reasons:
1] This book is made by the same company as our one of a kind, Bedroom Book. It is handled with ultimate care and created with amazing quality. It’s made in Italy and shipped within 2 weeks [super fast for this level of detail]!!
2] It’s two products in one! This album comes stored in a custom “frame box” with a clear, magnetic, plexiglass covering [not shown because the reflective surface is a bitch to photograph and I wanted to share this immediately. Check back later for an updated photos with covering]. That means that you can hang it or stand it up on a photo shelf and in the box, it looks like a framed portrait. Which means that…
3] You get ultimate privacy with the Peek-a-boo Book. We’ve listened and heard you when you say you want to keep your boudoir photos private. Place this as a framed photo and no one is the wiser that there are secretly 20 pages of you in your most intimate unmentionables inside. Chose a beauty portrait for the cover, tuck the ribbon in the front page and your boudoir album becomes something out of a James Bond movie. Well, maybe it doesn’t blow up but how cool that you can walk over, pull the magnetic cover off and take your album out of the wall!!
I almost forget to mention the best part; the box, the spine, and the ribbon are all 100% custom designed!! You can get almost any color you want and our design team is excited to help you select the perfect color combination for your cover photo and/or home decor.
We are so thrilled with this book and can’t wait to show it to you in person! Contact us at any time to schedule an appointment to come see this album in action!!
Beauty Portrait Photo Shoot with Salon 1803, Shana Glamour and House of Cach. Watch behind the scenes video below to see how this all came together.
Makeup: Shana Christoforo
Hair: Kai Anthony of Salon 1803
Jewelry | Accessories: House of Cach
Photo: Shannon Michelle
Model: Alyssa of Maggie Agency
For bridal jewelry, check out HOC Bridal.com
Are hair extensions right for you? The answer is always YES! Hair extensions are a great way to add volume and/or length to your natural look.
Are you getting married or have a formal event to attend?
Are you doing a boudoir or portrait photo shoot?
Are you planning a girl’s night out?
Then the answer is YES, you’ll want to consider buying extensions. But which ones?! We had the same question [we’re photogs, not stylist], so we asked three of our top beauty professionals and here what they say….
[Want to see what 86″ of hair looks like?!]
Then the answer is yes, you’ll want to consider buying extensions. But which ones?! We had the same question [we’re photogs, not stylist], so we asked three of our top beauty professionals and here what they say….
HUMAN HAIR, CLIP IN EXTENSION RECOMMENDATIONS:
High-End Extensions
Bellami Hair – Click [HERE] to Shop
Halo Couture – Click [HERE] to Shop
My Fantasy Hair – Click [HERE] to Shop
Middle of the Road Extensions
Sallies Brand (100% Remy Hair) – Click [HERE] to Shop
Tousle and Toss
Amazon Human Hair for a shoot only – Click [HERE] to Shop
You’ll only get about 5 washes out of it but its perfect for a one-day event!
Of course, they all suggest that when shopping for extensions that you consult a sales rep or professional about what color to get that will blend best with your hair (or take it to your stylist to color match) as sometimes it’s harder to tell online. And if you’re having someone else attach the extensions [like for a photo shoot or wedding] bring them to the shoot brushed out and dry for styling.
Professional suggestions made by Kai Anthony [owner of Salon 1803 and Redken Educator], Danielle Keefe [Owner of Danielle Keefe Artistry] and Shana Christoforo [Owner of Shana Glamour].
Watch Behind the Scenes
Above Photo Credits:
Hair: Kai Anthony
Makeup: Shana ChristoforoPhoto: Shannon Michelle
Model: Madyie May
Agency: Maggie Inc.
“Is this your coffee or mine?”
That’s a question that is often heard in our home. My husband and I love our coffee dates. But we often end up ordering them to go, bringing them home, setting the cups down and quickly get them mixed up. And while he likes to tease me that I take baby bird sips and it takes hours for me to finish a cup of coffee (and sometimes it does), he gulps his down and finishes his cup with gusto. In fact, we usually know who’s coffee’s who’s…his is the empty one.
There’s no right or wrong way to drink a coffee (although if you ask my husband, he might say his way is best). The truth is we enjoy coffee for two very different reasons. His is an end to a means. He needs a caffeine fix and would enjoy a quick cup of coffee. I, on the other hand, sip my coffee. It’s an experience and I enjoy making it last. It’s not just the caffeine push. It’s what it feels like to wrap your hands around a piping hot mug, to sip through the froth and appreciate the smell of toasted almond. For me, it’s relaxing. It can bring people together. Think about how much gossip you can accomplish over sipping a cup of coffee!
(I think we just figured out why he chugs his. Less coffee = less wifey chit chat! LOL).
Anyway, slowing down altogether feels good in a world that is overwhelmed with stimulation. It’s satisfying to slow down. There’s something about the process of enjoying a cup of coffee (or tea) that makes you think cozy thoughts, of enjoying a good book, of having a little “me time,” or quality time with friends etc.
So what’s this got to do with beauty?
Just like coffee, for some “beauty” is just a means to an end.
You brush your hair so there are no knots. You moisturize so you keep your skin from drying out. You might apply a lipstick but more times than not, it’s just a chapstick or lip gloss. But for others, spending time on their own beauty can be relaxing. Just like sipping that cup of coffee, it actually allows you to slow down and spend a little time on yourself. It can be so fulfilling and even bring people together. After all, when was the last time you saw a group of girls curling their hair in separate corners of the room? It’s a safe place for girl talk and allows you to have a little “me time.”
But here’s the thing….
Would you ever shame someone for taking longer than you to drink their coffee? Or for sipping on a latte instead of plain coffee? Or for having a professional make that latte for them? Of course not! So why would you shame someone who wants to look their best? Or have a professional do their hair and makeup? Or want a keepsake [portrait] of that experience?
More often than I care to admit, I hear things like “women who do that [boudoir] must have low self-esteem and need to do this to make themselves feel better…” or “they should be happy just the way they are not trying to be something they are not” or something similar.
Well, let me tell you something!
The women I photograph are some of the most beautiful, strong, intelligent, sophisticated, educated and amazing women I’ve ever met!! They don’t do this because want to feel beautiful; they do this because they do feel beautiful. They are not trying to be something they aren’t; they are honoring exactly who they are.
I encourage you to encourage the women in their life to celebrate who they are. To embrace every part of what makes them who they are, including the side that enjoys the makeover experience. And in return, we’ll let you drink your coffee quickly 🙂
Do you know someone who would enjoy a little “me time” and a makeover? Pass this along and encourage them to schedule a shoot!
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Thanks to the Vintage Cafe in the Mt. Pleasant area of Charleston, SC for the amazing latte!
[pictured above]
Love working with a great team to come up with some fun and creative hair concepts. Kai Anthony, owner of Salon 1803 in Marshfield, MA is an amazingly talented stylist. He’s also a Redken educator, my personal stylist and a good friend. This is shoot #2 for Kai’s Mastered class with UK hair icon and celebrity stylist Sam McKnight. Our beautiful model is Jesslyn of Maggie Inc. Makeup by the amazing Shana Christoforo.
[Scroll below the pictures for links to all creatives involved as well as a behind the scenes video.]
Can you imagine?! Over 10,000 women were in attendance! This year at the annual Massachusetts Conference for Women, we had the opportunity to take part in an amazing 2 days that support local business women.
Keynote speakers included Nasty Gal’s own Sophia Amoruso, Project Runway’s Tim Gunn, Shonda Rhimes [executive producer of ABC’s hit shows “Grey’s Anatomy and “Scandal”] and many more.
Exhibitors included local brands like Alex and Ani, The Boston Globe, XO Monica Lee and of course, Yours Truly. Make up artist Shana Christoforo was by our side as our partner in crime and offered makeup tutorials throughout the day. [I even learned how to contour my own face shape…finally], we raffled off a complimentary private makeup and posing class for a group of 10 friends and we gave away 100 pairs of eyelashes, completely free thanks so Amy June Lashes!
The day was absolutely amazing. We met some wonderful women, added hundreds to our VIP list and even ran into some past clients as well as other vendors! In fact, photographer Jen Arya posted on social media that she was there that morning so of course we invited her in for one of our makeovers [pics below]!
Next year’s convention is scheduled for December 8, 2016. It takes place at the Boston Convention & Exhibit Center on the waterfront [Summer Street] in South Boston and if you’re not into early rising and morning traffic, crash the night before at the Westin Boston Waterfront. That’s what we did, and it made things so much more enjoyable. Just make sure to get on the convention’s mailing list and get your tickets as soon as they are available this summer; they go lightening fast!
A special thank you to Jaclyn Lombardo [Newport wedding photographer] who came up all the way from Rhode Island to help us out last minute. We couldn’t do anything without the support of an amazing team and friends.
Please enjoy a few cell phone pics below from the event!
Didn’t make it to this year’s convention? Just mention that you read this blog and book before Feb 14, 2016 for a complimentary mobile look book featuring 10 retouched digital files with any booking. Schedule your appointment HERE.
Over 10,000 women in attendance at the MA Convention for Women.
Shannon + Shana at the MA Convention for Women.
Shana, Jen, Jaclyn + Shannon
Shana giving makeup tutorials.
The Before and After Board.
Thank you to all who came out to shop local and support small business artists!
Enjoy a few photos from our shop small Saturday open studio, featuring fashion illustrator Holly Nichols, makeup artist Danielle Keefe and yours truly!!
Miss out on today’s event and holiday offers?
You can still get a complimentary mobile look book when you schedule any boudoir or beauty portrait in the month of December.
For more info, contact us HERE.
#ShopSmall
[Danielle’s Organic Lip Scrub]
Love & Lipstick’s own Danielle Keefe can now be found at Shannon Michelle Photography!
Designer Decor . Custom Lip Treatments . Headshots
Holiday Cards and Mugs by Holly!
Holly Nichols Studio [left] | Shannon Michelle Studio [right]
Live Sketching by Holly Nichols
I just got an email from a future client who was just so open and honest and absolutely adorable! She says feels sexy but still a little “Jiggly.” Who can’t relate to this?! The truth is that no matter where we are weight wise, we always see more improvement to be done, right? Well, we’re not going to let those “jiggles” take control anymore! We’re not going to let them stop us from doing a shoot that celebrates us!! Here are a few lingerie pieces that I love that are sexy and still help to cover a lot of those “jiggles.”
Shape wear is the answer ladies!
Shape wear used to be something you might see in your grandmothers closet or straight out of the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers [great movie btw]. But thankfully, lingerie companies are on board and they are creating such beautiful pieces for the fuller figured woman.
Thank God, right?!
I mean when you think back to when those skinny little bitches dressed to the nines in their fancy gowns and riding in beautiful horse drawn buggies just to go to town to pick up a package…it took them at least 30 minutes and 3 dressers to help them get into the corset thing underneath that makes them look so skinny [but we forget about that part]. It’s about time they started making supportive lingerie that women can be proud to wear!
Ok, coming down from my soap box. Here are a few favs…
[Click on the photo, courtesy of the brand, to find ordering info]
Got a better idea of what you might wear for your intimate boudoir shoot?
Time to book an appointment! Call 617.307.1155 or email info@shannon-michelle.com
Maidenform, Spanx, Torrid, DKNY, Va Bien
I recently came across a video about the everlasting conversation around retouching. It was led by another boudoir photographer and one of the comments made was…
“As boudoir photographers, we talk out of both sides of our mouth saying that you need to love the skin your in, at the same time let’s put you in all this hair and make up and lingerie…because you’re not good enough as you are; it’s a fine line. If you’re a boudoir photographer, I bet you struggle with this a lot, especially when you’re talking about why you shoot boudoir. How can you not be hypocritical when you’re doing this.” [Let me go on record and say that this photographer is quite passionate and lovely and I could tell she cared very much for her clients. I actually really enjoyed what she was saying, aside from the quote above. And I loved that the reason she retouches is to help women look past their “flaws” to be able to see their true beauty.]
As someone with almost a decade experience of working with high fashion runway models and someone with equal experience photographing women who are not models, I am more than qualified to speak up on the gap between the fashion industry and how we see ourselves day to day. Regarding that quote above and any other comment that comes close to it, I call “BULLSHIT!”
Keep reading to find out why…
I call bullshit because….
I know exactly where I stand on this issue. I don’t struggle with this at all and hypocritical is the last word I would ever utter out of my perfectly made up red lips when I describe my work. Can you hear the steam coming from my ears right now!!!!
Why is someone who has “all this hair and make up and lingerie” automatically described as “because you’re not good enough as you are?” If that’s why you’re doing it, I can understand why you’d have a problem with it. I say “because you love the skin you’re in and because you’re worth it, let’s put you in all this hair and make up and inspire you to experience a side of yourself you may not have yet seen.” Does having her hair and make up make done and dressing up really make her any less of who she is without it? What about when she comes out of the gym covered in sweat with frizzy hair? Or when she is covered in puke while taking care of her newborn. Do those “outfits” define her? No. They are all temporary experiences that together make up who she is. Not one or the other and certainly not because she’s “not good enough.” Why are we so quick to judge the dressed up version of ourselves but not the dressed down version?
That attitude is what shames women and it’s disgusting.
The fashion industry is so fun; I absolutely love it and I’m proud to be a part of it!! But I think what everyone forgets is that the fashion industry is theatrical in nature. It’s not meant to be something you compare yourself to day in and day out. It’s meant to be fun! And if you want that experience, I can certainly give it to you. But again, it’s just that…an experience. It’s not who you are and it’s not who they [models] are.
Most women can’t relate to working in the high fashion industry. That’s OK, I probably can’t relate to what your job includes. But I think we rush to judge things that we don’t fully understand and I think that’s what happens when people attack the fashion/beauty industry. We are afraid to say things like “I want to look like that. I’m insecure. I’m afraid to be vulnerable.” So instead, we attack. We say “Shame on you for retouching. Shame on you for being 13 and skinny. Shame on you for selling us something we want but don’t want.”
What I’ve found over the years, is that the more that women find their own confidence and find the ability to love, forgive and care for themselves as they would others, the more they want to take care of and celebrate themselves. They want to embrace a variety of experiences and yes, for some, that includes hair and make up, lingerie and retouching. It also means embracing an experience that adds value and confidence to their life.
And shame on you if you think any differently.
