Mrs. A - Everett Boudoir Photographer - Moxie Photography for Women

Well HI.

It's been a few months, with some crazy, somewhat scary things, so I'm kicking off my re-emergence into life as a Boudoir Photographer by sharing a session for an AMAZING woman that makes me smile.

Mommy to two, Mrs. A called me out of the blue one morning, and I instantly felt a connection chatting with her about why she was interested in booking a boudoir session. I was thrilled that she was doing a session "for her husband", because those words made the end result SO much more fun! But more on that later ;)

Like almost every woman in the studio, Mrs. A was nervous - heck, I needed a couple drinks when I had my photos done! But she, in the caring and talented hands of Hair & Makeup Artist Amber of Bella by Amber, soon got into the swing of things, and was a natural posing, sexy mama (umm, hi, she has two kids, and still looks this good). Just look at these stunning images that she was gracious enough to let me share!

Yeah. I know. But she's too sweet to hate, no matter how rockin' that mom bod is! ;) I love how she described her experience:

" I am so happy with my photos!!! I could not have asked for anything better! I was so nervous going in and definetly not a model but she made me feel so comfortable and very professional! I feel like because of her coaching and good eye my pictures came out so beautiful. I am a mom of two little ones and was so nice to feel sexy again and not just a mom. My husband's face was priceless when he opened his surprise birthday gift. He said it was the best present he has ever gotten. The pictures and experience was worth every penny! I highly recommend Felicia! I am sending any family or friends to her! Thanks again for the amazing experience and photos I can have the rest of my life that I feel proud of."

That "amazing experience" and "photos...that {you} feel proud of" - THAT is what a boudoir session is all about. Sure, the husband/boyfriend/etc will love the images (really, he would prefer them to say, another tie or custom etched flask) - but YOU will come away more confident, powerful, and gorgeous for having done such a brave thing. I mean, it's not every day you get in your skivvies (or less) for a total stranger, prance around a studio for an hour or two, and have a total BLAST.

Please, don't let nervousness stand in your way - all those insecurities holding you back will only make your emergence more triumphant and powerful once you see your images and not those "flaws".

Now is the perfect time to book for Valentines, Anniversary's, or Birthdays. And it's never too soon to start planning for next Christmas. Email me or visit my website to get started on your journey to breaking that inner sexy back out.

The Lovely Bride to Be - A Seattle Boudoir Session

There is no greater gift than love. 

Marriage is a celebration of two individuals' love for each other - and what better way to not only show your spouse how much you love him and cherish your life together than by giving him an intimate, vulnerable, and sexy gift the morning of your wedding! This was my second bridal boudoir session, and I LOVED every minute!

For one, the bride was accompanied by two of her amazing friends (and bridesmaids). They brought music and champagne, and just made the whole experience the perfect kickoff to the bachelorette weekend they were having! Some of my favorite shots were of this lovely bride "getting down" to her favorite jams ;)

And of course it's not a bridal boudoir session without the wedding day lingerie!

And let's not forget the bed sheet portion of the session! I love how tasteful and intimate these shots are <3

I'll leave you with one of my favorites from the session, along with some words from this lovely lady about her experience: 

"Felicia was wonderful to work with! It was my first time taking boudoir photos so I was definitely nervous but she made me feel comfortable right away. When I got the photos back, I was so impressed! They were the perfect mixture of artistic, fun, cute and sexy. My husband LOVED them. It was the perfect wedding present."

All images are © Moxie Boudoir Photography 2014. Feel free to share, but do not download, print or alter these images. Thanks for looking!

Kirst - A Seattle Boudoir Photography Session

One of my favorite things about being a photographer is that I have the opportunity to collaborate with some amazing artists and carry out both our visions.

Meet Kirst, a model from New Hampshire. She recently traveled to the Seattle area, and I was fortunate enough to meet up with her for this fun, outdoor boudoir styled shoot. I love every image from this shoot, it was SO hard to narrow it down! But alas, I do not have infinite time to edit, so I had to pick the best of the best, which I'm sharing with all you wonderful people now!

This was an amazing experience for me. First of all, we were on a gorgeous property, thanks to another local photographer friend. Second, Kirst was the first "plus size" model I have ever shot, and I loved being able to add that to my portfolio- because, um, hi, she's a bombshell, so screw anyone that talks down about her rocking body! (Seriously though...don't mess with my clients or artist friends - I'll lash out emotionally.) Thirdly, though I could honestly go on, this was my FIRST time shooting outdoors for Boudoir, and I love the effect that was captured between nature and a sexy, confident woman. LOVE YA, KIRST! <3

You Are Beautiful - Thoughts on Colbie Caillat "Try" Music Video

If you haven't seen Colbie Caillat's new music video for her brand new song "Try", watch it here first:

Also, read a full article on her thoughts and process for this video here: http://goo.gl/Krfe1b

Now, as someone who photographs women for a living, and provides professional hair and makeup for these women, it might seem "strange" that I could love this video so much and still press the importance of these professional beauty services. But here's the thing - I think a lot of people have missed the point.

It's not about makeup being evil, that taking the time to do your hair & dress up is wrong, or that the beauty industry is oppressing women. We can say all these things, blame the media if you want, but the problem starts within each and every one of us.

♫ "Do you like you?" ♫

If we cannot love ourselves as we are, without the makeup, fancy clothes and primped hair, then how can we ask others to even like us, let alone love us? Who are we without the layers of makeup, curled hair, and expensive wardrobe? What makes you, YOU?

Our family, friends, significant others don't fall in love with our hairstyle, outfits, or layers of cosmetics. They fall in love with our smile, laugh, the passion they see in our eyes, in the way that we treat them and others. That is where our beauty lies.

So while yes, the media pressures women to look and act a certain way, it is on US if we conform to their ridiculous standards. Like Colbie Caillat, we need to look within ourselves and find a way to love ourselves AS WE ARE, without worry of what others think.

Are there going to be bad days? Of course! We're only human after all. But we are not alone in our insecurities. And absolutely you can still do your hair and makeup, buy that pretty dress and those killer heels. Heck, we'll always have days where it's FUN to dress up (we've played dress up since we were little!). But we need to make sure that what clothes we wear or how much makeup we wear doesn't define us.

Be YOU. But have fun, too. When I photograph women, I'm not looking for the perfect makeup, or the perfect hair - that's why YOU dictate how you look for your session. I just want to create an inviting atmosphere where you get to relax, feel beautiful, and have FUN, so we can capture the true you!