Things I've Learned as a Boudoir Photographer

I read this earlier today and just HAD to share this with all of you. If you have met me, you will know that I respect the person in front of the shutter so much!  I understand your fear and I get your inhibitions because, I myself, hate having my picture taken.

It is a true passion for me to be a boudoir photographer. I love meeting my clients when they are so nervous and then seeing the changes in them as they relax and have fun. It's liberating in a way that can't be described!  My clients usually end the session so anxious because they want to see their pics right away. Most feel so beautiful that they are radiating!!!! I love facilitating that transition. 

Then I deliver their pics....and many times get a teary phone call or emotion-filled email about how my client feels amazing!  This is so rewarding for me!

Every now and then, I have the pleasure of doing pictures for a repeat client. I can tell you that those are always way more fun!  My client is pumped (not scared), and usually prepared to be much more risqué. Now, more risqué does not make the session better for me, but a lady who is willing to be risqué is confident!!!!!  Many times these ladies will says something along the lines of "I feel so much better about myself now" or "Before my last PINK KISS session, I used to feel like...." 

Hearing those statements is what drives me. It's what makes me want every single women to know about PINK KISS. 

Have a peek at this link. I love this Australian  Boudoir Photographer's retell of her experiences. 

http://www.copingwithjane.com/things-ive-learnt-about-women-as-a-boudoir-photographer/

Thank you to all of you, who trust, believe and support. You mean the world to me!

~ Maryann

After a Hurricane

"After a hurricane comes a rainbow"
"What doesn't kill you makes your stronger"

We all face dark times in our lives.
The times when you can't see the sun, or the rainbows, or the hope of tomorrow being better.
People say that challenge is what defines a person.
I say that the dark times in our life are opportunities; opportunities to change our direction and focus.
Challenges are a chance to make big changes and a sign that re-calibration is needed.
Our actions and outcomes of our challenges is what defines us. 

With that said,  it is crazy for me to reflect on how many people that are close to me are trudging through their own blackouts.  Wandering through the dark, looking for a light to point them in the direction that they should travel.  Trudging through waist deep crap, exhausted and wondering "why?".  I'm not sure if this is just a time of metaphoric realigning or just the age that I am at that so many of us are facing struggles.

Because of the stress of life, most of us lose touch with ourselves.  We put children, work, and financial responsibility ahead of our own basic needs.  Although these things are of utmost importance, outward focus is only productive to a point.  A maple tree cannot continue to grow,  provide food to us, and beautify our environment if it is cut off at the roots.  We are the same.

When it is the hardest to focus on yourself,  it is also the most important time.  It is important to be able to look in the mirror and say "F'n right!  I rock!!!!!", to knowledge your talents and gifts and realize your importance to the people in your life.  Self-love is food for your roots and will provide growth, success and beauty to yourself and those around you.  Love yourself, do things that make you happy, embrace and nurture your spirit and outer self!  The strength will come from inside to help you see which way the sun is shining and keep your branches out strong even during the most strenuous storm.

At the end of the storm, as the raindrops are drying up, and the birds begin to chirp again, your strength will be there for all to see.  Your roots will be unyielding, you will grown taller and stronger and it will be evident that a little rain can't knock you down.

Our very first PINK KISS pinup https://www.facebook.com/PinkKissPinUp  faced her own time of darkness.  She spent about 8 months of uncertainty, moments of pure elation, and ultimately in loss.  She lived the times of only blackout, and then she focused on herself.  She embraced herself.  She allowed her self to be happy and crazy and accept her emotions. She is a mentor and a survivor.....and very special to me.  Here is her story:

http://exhaleliterarymagazine.stillstandingmag.com/2013/06/living-in-new-skin-by-angel-klodt/


I hope that she can be inspirational to all of you who are facing times of opportunity and that her story can be food for your roots.

Fifty Shades of Red

Really has anyone's life been the same since Christain Grey came waltzing into our lives 2 years ago?  The literary world was made submissive to Mr. Grey and his fifty shades. Cookie baking mom's were all of a sudden obsessing over handcuffs. The word Ben Wa became used as frequently as car pool.  The paint department at the hardware store will never look the same again!  He brought excitement into bedrooms and opened people's minds and curiosity towards a forbidden and risque topic. 

This made things very exciting at our PINK KISS parties.  We were asked questions about many of the props and accessories that were used on Anastasia in the Fifty Shades trilogy.  How to use various items, what the perceived benefits were, and what items did we carry that would fill these roles.  The learning began on our end and our product line grew as we began to expand into the world of doms and subs.  As  representatives of the industry, it is very important that our knowledge is accurate and unbiased.  I'm sure that sometimes it is hard for someone to come forward with question, and therefore having information for them is of huge importance.

As my personal knowledge grew, so did my realization that acts of sensory deprivation don't need to happen in a cold heartless way.  While BDSM implies pain and punishment, there is a very sensual and seductive side to this world.  I always like to mention to my clients that the props and accessories are tools, and much like any other tool, there are more than just one application for which they are useful.  Restraints can be used as a fun "Hey, lay there and relax!" addition to a couples' massage.  A flogger can be used to tickle and tantalize.  Rope can be used to excite the skin as intricate weaving is done over torsos.  Much of the risque is implied, which doesn't the fun away, but instead makes it an exciting new adventure to try without risks and fear.

With this said, I would like to introduce you to our newest collection, Fifty Shades of Grey, the Official Collection.  This collection of products is meant for a fun stay-in date night, for couple's interested in dipping their toes into S&M.  Have a peek!  You may end up wanting to paint your bedroom red! ;)
http://www.pinkkissshop.ca/search?q=Fifty+Shades+of+Grey

 

Valentine's Day Contest!!!

We are excited to announce our first 

Valentine’s Day FREE Boudoir Photo Shoot Giveaway! 

The winner will receive a free photo shoot, hair & makeup, plus an album with 10 images! The contest is open to anyone who would like to enter (19 years of age and older), whether you have a special someone as your Valentine this year or if it is just for yourself!

To enter the contest: 
Please email your story of why you would love a free session along with a photo of yourself to
 pinkkiss@live.ca with the subject line 

“2013 VALENTINE’S DAY BOUDOIR CONTEST”.

If you are a finalist then your story, first name (or initial), and images that you submit will be posted on our blog. Feel free to nominate a deserving friend just please have their permission first and send us their contact info so that we can confirm.

Contest is open to all those19 years of age or older.

Photo shoot to take place at our studio and 

must be booked within 1 month of contest closing. 

We will be accepting entries until February 12th and the winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day!

PINK KISS Pin-Up May 2012

It started with a simple nomination, and our charity PINK KISS Pin-Ups was born! The idea behind PKPU is that confidence and self-esteem comes from within each and every person. But it is often masked by insecurities falsely instilled in us by society, the media and even those close to us. We are often taught that loving yourself and thinking that you are beautiful is a sign of vanity or egocentrism. To me, that could not be farther from the truth. Self-esteem and confidence gives us strength; strength to fight a battle, deal with life's stresses, and sometimes just get up in the morning and face another day.

So, our first nomination for a special lady came in. This is what was written:

"I would like to nominate Krista Taylor for reaching out to me during a very dark time (Christmas 2010) & doing something so completely selfless to surprise me just when I needed it most... She is STUNNING inside & out!!!". A month of voting came to pass and Krista was crowned our first PINK KISS Pin-Up!

Krista made the trek up to Barrie from downtown Toronto to visit us in our studio just this past Friday. She arrived excited but a little bit nervous. Off came her street clothes and on went her boudoir clothes and the off the shutter went. We spent over an hour together laughing and sharing life events. Our session finished up and Krista was on her way.

The next few days were filled with messages going back and forth. Mine to her filled with pics from our session. Hers to me with messages like this:

"I knew I was going to have fun but I didn't know I would find a new friend in someone I was friends with so long ago. AND I definitely didn't expect her to turn me back into the strongest version of myself with a camera and a set of pearls!! Thank you both for making today happen for me!!! xoxo"

Krista has been kind enough to share some of the pics from her session with all of us, and one last message

"Not in a million years would I have signed up to do this and now I want every woman I know to have the experience!! I am SHOCKED that I LOVED the whole experience!! I was willing to promote you because I had so much fun feeling like a model during the shoot ... it never even occurred to me that I would love any pics of me just as am right now! You Rock Sista and I'll tell everyone I know!!"

Do you have goosebumps?

Stay tuned for more pics from our June PINK KISS Pin-Up session.  And don't forget this to share this opportunity with any woman that you feel would love the opportunity to feel great about herself!

Keep that Bucket Full!

I was shooting at one of our PINK KISS parties and had called the next girl to tell her that it was her turn in front of the cam. Now, to be honest, I am really used to ladies being about as nervous as if they were about to have a root canal, but this particular lady was not nervous. She was PUMPED!!! The first thing she said to me was that she was really excited about her makeup. As a self-described tomboy, she had gone out and had her make-up expertly done and was accessorised with frilly panties and a beautiful smile. She told me about how she was really looking forward to this experience, with the pictures only being a by-product. She went on to tell me about her struggle with post-partum and her disappointment when she looked in the mirror. She spoke about not wanting to have her picture taken with her beautiful little girls, about frustration at being at her personal heaviest ever and her worry about others judging her. Her eyes welled with tears....and we nipped that in the bud before we went and wrecked that professional make-up job!

Away we went posing, snapping pics and laughing the time away. Forgotten for a few minutes was the judgements and worries. Instead the room was filled with sexiness and relaxation of being able to release the beautiful woman who is locked away in most of us.

We finished our session with lots of hugs and excitement.

The next day I received an email from her:

"I just wanted to shoot you a wee line to tell you thank you...i left [the party] feeling better about myself than I have in a very long time...I think when we chatted, I told you about my bout of postpartum after [her baby] was born...when you feel gross and fat and just so not yourself, it's a huge downer...thank you for making me feel beautiful and sexy again XO you have no idea how grateful I am XO"
So, do you have goose bumps? It's incredible how so many of us feel the same about ourselves, but feel alone and un supported. I worked really hard on getting her pictures to her as soon as I could..... This is an excerpt from an email I received today:

"enjoy your day, my beautiful friend...and thank you again for making me realize that I AM beautiful XO"

And that, as they say, is what it's all about! Having the opportunity to have a bit of a crush on yourself! Don't look at yourself for all of the things that you want to change. Look in the mirror and really SEE all of the things that make you beautiful and say "DAMN!!!! I ROCK!!!!"

Happy Canada Day everyone! Have fun and be safe.

Those who can do. Those who can't judge.

Tap, tap, tap....Is this thing on?
I'm up on my soapbox today because I've got a bit of a burr under my skin.
The burr is the sad fact of how judgemental people are.  My personal focus is always to accept a person's opinions and actions, regardless of how much they may differ from my own.  It takes many different types of people to make the world go round.  Think of how boring it would be if we were all the same!
Although, I do wish more people shared that single opinion.
I have always attracted a lot of judgement.  I'm not sure why, but many people feel very comfortable with evaluating and critiquing me.  Many times these opinions are voiced directly at me, which always makes me shake my head and say "huh?!" Sometimes the worst part is that these conversations leave me in the lurch deciding whether I should apologise or say thank you (please note my sense of humour and class in my standard decision).
Since the beginning of PINK KISS, I have faced much criticism.  I have had friends stop talking to me and delete me as a friend on facebook.  I face sneers and constant judgement, usually from neighbours and others who I used to be close to.  To be honest, it really doesn't bother me.  I feel that anyone who is my true friend and understood about the real purpose of wanting to provide this service to other people would accept both PINK KISS and me.  Even my own mother and father embrace this venture, understanding how much it fills my "bucket" and the boosts the self-esteem and confidence of my clients.

I do, however, draw the line at the criticism of my clients from those around them.  Our society, and women in particular, face judgement everywhere: in viewing media, in the workplace, in social situations and from ourselves.  To make matters worse, if we do begin to feel positive about ourselves and work on our "confidence-fitness", critique comes much easier for people. 
I don't accept this.  Don't judge these people. 
Each and everyone has been tentative about booking the appointment, freaked out over how to prepare for the session, and  have been nervous as hell before stepping in front of my camera.  They have waited full of anxiety to see their images and once they have, they searched for every possible flaw to find reason to not love the images.
But THEY have done it!!!!!  THEY have had the strength and courage to do it!!!!  THEY have reason to be proud and want to share the results with everyone!!!!
If someone you know feels good enough to want to share their PINK KISS pics with all of us don't judge them.
Instead, give these people some props, a pat on the back or maybe even a compliment.