Miss E | Hot Mama

Dear E, It was fate... a tiny little vendor fair. Like ten people attended... but you did! You had your beautiful daughter with you.  I'm not so great at those kinds of events. One time a young woman in South Georgia went running (literally running) away when she saw what I offer, and I think that traumatized me a bit.  So I quietly showed you my samples and I crossed my fingers. You mentioned your long-distance relationship, and that you'd been toying with the idea of a boudoir shoot for him.

For him... ha.  That's how it all starts. Then it turns into this experience of being pampered, taking care of yourself.  You're a single mom, who works and goes to school.  So basically, you have about .2 seconds to yourself on any given day.

You were so amazing at showing your sensual side.  You have any almost feline quality to your confidence. It just pours from your photos.  I loved creating the too-hot-for-the-blog shower shots.  Whew!

I know you said your guy was thrilled (duh!), but what I'm most excited about is your own folio box. A box of gorgeous photos to remind yourself that you're worth it.

I cannot wait to photograph you again. It was such an honor for you to spend your hard-earned money with me.  I think you'll treasure these photos for a lifetime... oh and he will too.

Makeup by Edgar Campos Hair by Andrew Madvin Photography by Leslie Cersovski

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When all you need is a sheet... or 3

Sometimes I like to do personal shoots that challenge me.  This time, I wanted to see if I could come up with enough fabulous photos to fill my top collection without shooting one bit of lingerie.  Guess what... it worked!  I called up a friend and past client to ask if she was game.  Mind you, I can be a bit bossy with my friends.  She agreed and a date was set with a sitter to watch our kiddos and the fabulous makeup artist, Edgar.  It was a trial for him, too.  More on that later. I also wanted to incorporate what I've been learning from Denise Birdsong's workshop, Stripped Down.  That meant getting photos with emotions and a message.  Pretty photos are easy (especially when your subject is so cute), but capturing something that gives the viewer a reaction is a challenge.

We did three sets with different themes. Here are just a few of my favorites

Thank you B, for being such a good sport and really committing to the posing, the expressions and wearing little more than a sheet.

Photography: Leslie Cersovski Makeup: Edgar

Stripped Down Workshop 2014

Okay this is waaaaay overdue. I thought I wrote about it, but I went back to reference it and couldn't find a post.  Tonight Adeana had a photo shoot.  I wanted her to push the limits, to bring a sexier edge to her already fabulous photos.  To evoke emotion in her client.  Why?  Because one year ago I attended a workshop by the fabulous Denise Birdsong of Modern Love Photography. What a game-changer.  I've always valued the way a photo makes a client feel more than the technical aspects.  Chopped limb, who cares? As long as it makes the client look and feel amazing.  When I heard about this workshop I was so excited... and nervous. I'm kind of a shy girl and I knew this would push me.

She started us out with making us all get out of our comfy seats, onto the floor and breathing heavily.  Embarrassing, right? But we all did it... and giggled a bit.  But she was right.  Once you start to breathe, you start to relax and you start to trust.

Throughout the day she gave us the skills to communicate with our clients.  To coach them and to be fearless in what we ask of our clients.  It is up to us to help YOU feel sexy and glamorous and confident.  I was ready to take it on full-force.  Adeana and I photographed each other using her techniques and LOVED the results.  But then I got preggo and lost my mojo.  Any idea how hard it is to appear seductive when you have a basketball-sized bump under your shirt?  If you don't use it, you lose it.  And I lost it without even knowing it.

Flash-forward a year, I'm on hiatus due to aforementioned child and sudden move out of state.  I'll be starting up a new studio in Albuquerque.  The market is already saturated with fantastically talented photographers and I started to panic.  But then I realized, whoa, I've got something to set myself apart.  To bring raw emotion to a portrait rather than just another sexy photo.  With Denise's lessons running through my brain, I have no doubt I'll find success with the clients who want just what I provide.

Thank you, Denise, you sexy thang, you.

P.S. She has got to be the sexiest woman that has walked the planet and it has very little to do with her gorgeous appearance.  We could all learn a little something from her.