Beauty is in her DNA

Talk to your daughter about beauty and boudoir

I firmly believe you should talk to your daughter about beauty and what is "sexy." I photograph a lot of moms and grandmothers. I know.... they all look so hot, right? It's a miracle what the proper pampering can do for a woman's mojo. Anyway, I digress.

I also sell A LOT of wall art for these ladies, but it isn't usually what they're inclined to buy right off the bat.

Here's my typical conversation in the boudoir photo sales session:

Miss Hotty-Pototty-Mommy: Oh, I love my photos. These albums are just so gorgeous.

Miss Mostly-A-Mess-From-Shooting-All-Day: Yay! Let's take a look at the options I have...

[blah blah blah, long process of deciding on the perfect cover because there are soooooo many pretty covers]

Miss MAMFSAD: Okay, which photo is your favorite for hanging on the wall? Wall art is offered in these super elegant frames.  Do you want something knock-his-socks off sexy to start the day or a bit more subdued and implicit of sexy?

Miss HPM: Oh [blush] I don't know if I could put one on the wall! My kids would see!

The first time I told a mom to show her boudoir portraits proudly:

The first time I really remember this conversation was with one of my friends who finally became a client. She has a daughter who was gradeschool age. This daughter is so precocious and has the most beautiful freckles. She'll probably grow up to look just like her mommy, who is growing up to look just like Heidi Klum.

She had actually purchased the wall art, but texted me in a panic afterward. She hadn't thought about what her daughter would see.

But I think she still hadn't. Her daughter was nosediving into tweendom and before she knew it, this nail-polished, knee-scraped, life of the party would hit puberty. Someone would tell her she's not pretty enough, smart enough, tall enough, tough enough or say something else was lacking. We spend a lot of time reinforcing to girls that they're super smart and talented all these other things that we fear girls don't get told enough. We should always keep those compliments coming... no doubt about it.

Show a girl she's enough

We've become afraid to tell a girl she's pretty enough. As if being pretty negates all the other wonderful things about her. But she'll wonder at some point in her life... and the answer is always, "You are."

I believe that when a young girl sees her mom as a beautiful work of art, she sees her own reflection. I believe that you can tell your daughter, "Look how pretty mom is, and how confident she is, and how nice this photo makes her feel. You'll grow up to look just like me, and I bet you'll be even prettier."

Point out her magical smile, her captivating eyes, her life-of-their-own curls. Those things make her pretty, certainly much more than pretty enough.

Now give her hug, tell her she's smart, talented, driven and pretty... anything in this whole world can be hers.

Maybe seeing that beautiful portrait of mom will remind her that beauty isn't an age, a size, a shape or a color, that her beauty is right there in her DNA.

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Miss A | Boudoir

lavish boudoir

lavish boudoir

lavish boudoir

lavish boudoir

lavish boudoir

People have been asking how long I've been a boudoir photographer... and I surprise even myself when I say 6 years.  Holy cow. That's a long time.  I knew basically no one, but I needed a portfolio. So I dug around on some modeling websites and found A.  We had a collaboration with Randi Buchanan (makeup artist) and decided to go for it. She was the first model for whom I started coaching emotion. Not only was she aaaaadorable, but she was so sweet and totally trusted me. That might have been when I knew this genre was for me.  Thank you, A, for trusting me and being my guinea pig. I still love these photos, even though it's 6 years, and 3 studios late. 

Why you need a luxurious folio box in your life...

Boudoir Folio Boxes

"Hi! I would love to have a boudoir photoshoot done and I think I want an album to give to my husband."

That's how 99% of my inquiries for my studio start.  But what she doesn't know is that she really wants a folio for herself and a gift album for him. Don't worry, we have you both covered. You're going to fall in love when you see our products in person, but for now...

So what's a folio box? Updated for 2017!

What's inside a folio box?

It will make you swoon. Each of your expertly retouched and printed boudoir photographs is mounted in a beautiful custom cut mat. Each is presented as its own art piece.

Those mats are carefully enclosed in this nubuck-wrapped handmade folio box.

So what do I do with it?

Anything you want.  The matted photos can be framed for the wall, displayed bedside on an easel, tucked discreetly in the box so it's like opening a present every day, or you can even gift a print to someone else (particularly great when you have a beautiful g-rated portrait for your mom or daughter).

I still want an album...

Absolutely. This is about you and we want to accommodate without overwhelming you. We offer the most elegant matted albums in a sexy faux snake skin cover. Each 7x10 is displayed like the work of art that it is. (photos coming soon)

But I really want to give him a little black book type album!

Ahhh... for him. We haven't forgotten about the lucky guy.  We offer gift albums a la carte that are made from the best materials, but are perfectly portable or night-stand-hidable. This way you can get that booty shot for him and the supermodel  beauty shot for you.

Call our Albuquerque boudoir and glamour studio at 866-930-7060 or see more info & a calendar here.

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Why does mom always come last?

Recently my puppy (who isn't really a puppy anymore considering he's 11) got pretty much torn apart by a wild dog or coyote. Because he is my baby, I never had any doubt that I would do all that I could to save him, including draining my account and racking up the credit card debt. It was never even considered that I wouldn't spend everything I had (and some that I didn't) if it would save his life. After all, money is just money and there are always ways to earn more.  But I cannot lie, it stressed me out to see those bills and a $10 balance in my checking account. So I started thinking of ways to save money...

1. Cut out my gym membership
2. Stop getting my hair colored for a while
3. Sell my belongings

WTF!!! Guess what never occurred to me, cutting back on any of the extravagant things I do for my boys. After a long and rejuvenating run at the gym, I realized just how little I was loving myself (as a verb). I was willing to feel like a stressed out and unfit lady with stripper roots, but wasn't willing to not buy my kid every expensive snack option he desires.  Not that those are dollar for dollar comparisons, but let's face it... he can live without buying EVERY KIND OF CRACKER there is.

So, instead of doing any of those things, I focused on the positive. Being grateful that my puppy was on the mend and that all it took was money and some incredible doctors.  I also realized that I deserve things that make me feel good. God is generous and the universe is abundant; why would I need to sacrifice myself for a dog? And guess what... 3 weeks later... my debts are paid and I'm on the way to building up my accounts again.

So here's the takeaway, YOU ARE WORTH LOVING and you are worth showing the love. Take a moment to think about the things that make you feel good (and it can't have anything to do with sacrifice for others). Be grateful, then think of other ways to show yourself that you deserve nice things.

PS: This is Gus Gus... he's cute but a total asshole and REALLY lucky I'm his mom.

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Collaboration of Artists - Leslie & Kathleen

I am part of an online community of brilliant entrepreneurs and overwhelmingly talented artists. A few weeks back, Kathleen Hennrick from Oregon and I connected to use our talents together to create beautiful watercolor art from my photos. An elegant and discreet art piece was the product. I believe every woman should have a beautiful portrait on their wall, to remind them every day of their beauty, strength and sensuality.  However, I understand that with families and visitors, it's not always practical to display my photos on the wall. But this.... oh how I'm just swooning.

Whenever I create a new and special product, I want to be sure it suits my clients. You're the one who matters.  So I'm offering it exclusively for an upcoming event with limited space available.

Please call Leslie at 866-930-7060 for information or stay in the loop with our newsletter:

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Great things never came from comfort zones

Get out of your own damn way because...

Great things never came from comfort lavish boudoir

Great things never came from comfort zones!

If you've been in our studio, you know this popular pose is quite uncomfortable, but it's sexy as hell. We all have our comfort zones.  It's where we live from day to day. They're great in a lot of ways.  We feel safe, they keep us happy, but they also leave us a little unfulfilled.

My personal comfort zone issue is approaching strangers (particularly women).  Whether it's making new friends at a party or approaching a beautiful woman whom I would like to photograph, I'm terrified. Like heart-racing-adrenaline-pumping-queasy-stomach terrified.  Yup, I'm a big wimp.

So how about this... let's do something today that scares us! I promise you that I'll approach a stranger **shudder** and you'll commit to doing something that is way outside your comfort zone.  Deal?

If you feel like sharing what it is, comment below.  Maybe you'll inspire someone else.  And maybe, just maybe, something GREAT will happen.

CHALLENGE UPDATE:

I did it!  You'd think I'd at least set myself up for confidence and success, right?  Nope. I actually completely forgot about my challenge because all I wanted to do was buy some freaking tulle from Hobby Lobby without losing a child and/or my sanity.  We all survived (with the help of some Skittles) and headed to Target.

It was meant to be.  I got in line, paid for my cart of 10 things I didn't need plus the 2 things I did, and realized I forgot diapers.  Back into the depths of Target I go with a fussy newborn and hungry toddler.  Back in line again, this woman in front of me was speaking to the checkout clerk with such animation.  She's a beautiful woman, but what caught my attention was her zest for life, for conversation and for being "real."  I had to photograph her.

So I wimped out of speaking to her then and there because I was afraid the Target employee would yell at me for solicitation (really??? this is what my mind will do to get me out of speaking to strangers).  So I hurried as quickly as I could through the line and told myself that if she was in the parking lot, I'd introduce myself.

She was... about 10 cars away and about to hop in her car.  So I started waving my arm (only one because the other was carrying Eli) frantically.  She gives me the nicest smile you could ever give a crazy lady and waves back.  So I hold up a finger, hoping that signals her to wait.  She amazingly gets the hint.  So I introduce myself and tell her that I would love to take her portrait.  She's totally psyched and gives me her name and number.  I haven't tried it yet, so maybe it's a fake.

Then it hits me... I'm wearing a scrubby t-shirt, my hair is in a messy ponytail and my makeup is limited to last night's mascara smudged under my eyes.  My eyes widen in terror.  I quickly point out that this is my emergency-run-to-Target attire and ask her to dismiss it.  She was so sweet about it.  She has 4 kids, so she gets it.

Anyway, I didn't realize until I was in my car that I had held up to my deal just in time.  And guess what, I didn't die and I didn't even throw up.  At the very least, I'm proud of myself and if all goes well, I'll have an amazing portrait session to show for it.