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Friday, April 2, 2010
Merch to Purch / Features / Holiday Gift Ideas 2010 Gift idea: Boudoir photos
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Fri, Apr 2, 2010 at 11:43 AM
A couple of weeks ago, Creative Loafing put out a special issue, "A Walk On the Sexy Side of Charlotte," where writer Cheris Hodges interviewed Charlotteans who make a living by "keeping things hot." Among the folks she talked to, which included a dominatrix, a woman who throws passion parties and a lesbian party promoter, was Jeremy Igo, a photographer who specializes in boudoir photography.
That story got me thinking about another boudoir photographer I know — Ashley Goodwin. (She's also the food photographer for Creative Loafing and an interior designer with Lucy and Company.)
Wait a minute, wait a minute. Boudoir photography? What does that have to do with shopping, you ask?
Well, I'll explain. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to give my boyfriend some sexed-up photos of myself as a gift for his birthday. (And I completely exaggerate when I say "sex-ed up" — unless you like that sort of thing, haha.) I shopped around for a good deal and decided to go with Goodwin. Hence, why this post is on our shopping blog. (So there!)
If baring all isn't something you usually do to strangers, or if you've never modeled, I totally recommend doing a shoot with Goodwin. The response I've gotten from my photos (after I posted a few on Facebook) is incredible. A week after I had given my boyfriend his copies, he sat down with me with photos in hand and said, "Babe. Let's look at your pictures again together." I guess they made an impression on him.
The whole process is actually really fun, especially if you've never modeled before. A few days prior to our session, Goodwin sent me some ideas, including outfits and ideas for poses she wanted us to try. She also asked me if there was anything I had in mind and was totally open to hearing my thoughts.
The day of our session, she brought over a couple of suitcases with outfits, makeup, shoes and accessories. While she turned my bathroom into a makeshift dressing room, I popped open a bottle of (pink!) champagne — alcohol would loosen me up a little, and a boudoir session was definitely not the setting for a couple of beers.
Surrendering completely to Goodwin's artistic direction, I was dolled up with a new glam look and a Marilyn Monroe-ish hairstyle — I jokingly dubbed myself the Korean Marilyn Monroe — and given an outfit to wear (Before the evening was over, I will have worn at least four different looks). "You don't want to look like yourself, right?" she asked. No sir — I wanted to be ultra NOT me. The first look was classic hot pink lingerie with heels. By the time I emerged from my bathroom, my bedroom had been stripped of everything except a stool and the bed — even the comforter was thrown in the living room. "Sorry," she apologized sheepishly. "Sometimes I get a little crazy and take over. Hope that's OK!"
The thing that really inspired me about this photography session was the excitement Goodwin exuded as she snapped away, jumping on top of my bed or on top of the stool to get different angles. She was very clear about her instructions, demonstrating how to pull my arms away from my body and pop my collar bone to make myself look slimmer and more alluring. "Men photographers can take photos of sexy women all day, but being a woman I know how to photograph, work with, style and suggest poses to a woman that will be most flattering," Goodwin said. "Because I understand, it helps my clients feel more comfortable, which, in turn, comes out in their photos."
As she was clicking away, every few moments, Goodwin would exclaim out loud with satisfaction and excitement. "I honestly enjoy boudoir not only because I take pride and making women feel beautiful, but it is really very rewarding," she said. "I can look at someone all day long and see their beauty but to be able to actually show them what myself and others see through the form of the photograph is really fulfilling."
For one who's never modeled a day before in her life, I have to say the experience was new and ego-boosting. I'm sexy? Really? This is so unreal.
So ladies, if you are trying to figure out what to give the significant other for an upcoming birthday, consider getting some boudoir photos taken of yourself. It's fun to do and it's such a personal, classy gift. You're not giving your guy some slutty photos of yourself — you're giving him professionally shot, sexy and creative photos that he'll cherish.
The details:
For $300, you get a 2-3 hour session at location of choice, styling and unlimited wardrobe changes
Hair and make-up an additional $50
The result? An unlimited number of edited photos boasting your fabulousness.
Mention that you saw this on Klepto and get all that for $200!
Visit Ashley Goodwin's Web site at www.ashleystuartgoodwin.com or you can contact her directly at ashleygoodwin1@yahoo.com or call 980-225-2707.
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