The Best Thing About Being a Woman's Portrait Photographer

What I love most about being a portrait photographer for women is that the pictures I take have the power to help women realize how beautiful they are. I don't think women need to be transformed or have makeovers to be beautiful. I think the beauty is already there naturally - yes, even in those women that don't look beautiful at first glance. During my photo shoots with women, we use makeup and hairspray and fluffy ballgowns because most women enjoy playing dress up. This experience of getting all dolled-up magically seems to boost our confidence and we can't help but strut across the room. The same women who arrived hunched over like a little mouse with her pink tail between her legs, leaves with a little bounce in her step or sway in her hips. The confidence is beautiful. The photo shoot creates a safe-space where women are invited to explore how they feel about themselves. It's a full hour or two during which she is the center of attention and all the women around her are in awe of her beauty. She hears us repeatedly saying over and over... "You're so beautiful." "Oh my gosh, you look so pretty." "Wow, that pose is gorgeous." At first she shrugs it off but by the end of the photo shoot our words start to sink in and she starts to believe in her own beauty. Even if it's not obvious to her yet, she's now aware that it must exist because someone can see it. The best bit is that when we are telling her that she is beautiful, we mean it because our sole purpose and mission during that hour of OUR lives is to appreciate HER beauty. It's a way to honor other women and I love it. 

Crystal's Maui Bikini Portraits at Waipuilani Park

While on vacation in Maui, Crystal decided to do a photo shoot at sunset so she could take home some island beauty. We took all of her pictures at Waipuilani Beach Park in Kihei - starting beneath the Kiawe trees (so many prickly little thorns to watch out for), moving on to some really cool palms and finishing (of course) in the sand as the most GIANT SUN I've EVER seen was slipping beneath the horizon. Crystal is from Vancouver, BC so I'm sure it was a nice change for her to be able to lie on the beach in a bikini and feel warm! Crystal does some acting and it was fun to hear about the different movies she's been in. When I hear someone has been in a movie, I'm always so tempted to become a total stalker and find them in the background haha. Crystal was really patient with me as I experimented with this bright Hawaiian light that I'm still getting used to. My main focus these days is figuring out how to shoot specifically for black and white images, as opposed to just turning some images B&W as an after thought when I'm back at my computer. Basically, I'm learning to shoot black and white images ON PURPOSE! haha It's a different ball game. I love it. :)

Thank you Crystal for such a fun photo shoot. You were super sweet and I hope you're staying cozy toasty warm back home!

Build Your Portfolio with Model Mayhem & Make Friends in the Industry

When I first started building my portfolio (for both weddings & portraits) I found all of my models through Model Mayhem (this website connects creative geniuses like models, photographers & makeup artists). Some of my best friendships in the industry started through Model Mayhem. Here's a little shout out to my girl Rachel Tuttle. I first photographed her back in January during a bridal photo shoot that Cheryl & I planned (check out that shoot here). Rachel's probably the most outgoing girl I've ever met — she's full of sarcasm, genuine care for people & overflowing with bubbly energy. Cheryl & I have photographed Rachel all throughout this the past year. We'd call Rachel whenever we had a fun idea we wanted to try out and needed a pretty face to stare back at us through the camera. She's a gem, always up for letting us practice techniques and test creative ideas. Now that I'm in Hawaii, I will miss having her around the studio regularly. But for all of you Seattle based photographers out there, Rachel is wonderful and I recommend her big time. Check out Rachel's profile on Model Mayhem.

And for all you photographers & artists out there wanting to build your portfolio and build your business, my absolute top advice is networking.....and shoot like crazy. Make friends with other photographers — you will support each other and create greatness together — when you make photographer friends you stop being lonely and feeling so alone, frustrated, scared and lost. Find models who you can shoot regularly — you both benefit from a stress-free environment that lets you experiment and play. Snag yourself a top-notch makeup artists — you simply can't live without them. My biggest recommendation in the whole world is my darling Hanna Mazur (oh geez I'm going to miss this incredible woman! She's the full package of makeup expertise, kindness, inspiration & perfect customer service! I have literally 0 complaints. In my eyes, she's perfect.) 

Please go make friends in the industry — it's the best thing I've ever done for my photography & creative happiness. Having creative friends has changed my life drastically. I LOVE my team — they are my rock. It's my #1 piece of advice. Doooo it. ;)