Toronto Intimate lifestyle portraits | Pratik-Out of his comfort zone

This past summer, I attend a boudoir conference/workshop called “Camp Do More.” It was held in a small town outside of Toronto, Canada. Attending the conference was an amazing experience, allowing me to hone my craft while connecting with other like minded people in a welcoming environment and in a beautiful secluded location perfect for boudoir photography (is it time to go back yet?).

While there, in addition to learning, I also photographed several fellow photographers, including my friend Pratik.

While Pratik has extensive experience behind the camera, it was his first time in front of the camera for an intimate lifestyle portrait session.

He rocked it, and I’m so excited to share photos from his session!

I asked Pratik to share some of his thoughts about his experience in front of the camera………

"I was able to teach at Camp Do More for two years in row. It's what got me formally introduced into the boudoir community. One thing I never understood was the intent of it all. I'll be honest and tell you that right now. However, I wanted to learn and understand. I wanted to know more. An outsider never truly understands but it's our responsibility to be open minded to find out.

“What I soon learned is that boudoir itself allows people to celebrate themselves and accept who they are. It isn't for anyone else as much as it is for themselves. You can love yourself and you truly realize how powerful of an experience it is being in front of the camera. Like many guys out there, I have a lot of insecurities and I often look at myself in a way that isn't positive. It's because we see ourselves through our own eyes and not the eyes of others. What would it be like if we got to see what we looked like through the vision of someone else?”

“Working with Ore I understood fully. I truly saw myself in a light which I hadn't before. I was so nervous being photographed, but she was able to make it like a trip to the grocery store! Super easy and painless, without the lines! I felt like I was talking to a friend and she captured me in a way that made me feel comfortable.”

“We often see women as subjects but I wanted to do this because it's important for men to be photographed more often. We don't see guys like myself as often in front of the camera but it's an amazing experience to be documented like this for ourselves. Guys often feel like they can't be represented in the genre and it's also important that we appreciate ourselves and get a chance to see how others see us. It can change the outlook of who we are and give a chance to embrace ourselves amid any insecurities we may have. "

Dallas Intimate Lifestyle Portraits | Madison

What was your motivation for scheduling a boudoir session?

I was at a place in my life when I was questioning my self-worth when I saw the opportunity to do a boudoir session. Having worked with Ore previously, I found some comfort in being able to step out of my comfort zone with someone I trust as I did something solely for me.

What made you choose Intimate Lens Studio?

Ore's artistry is beautiful! She does such an incredible job of capturing the energy and emotion in a person or even between people. Her images aren't an over-sexualized presentation of a body, but rather a glimpse into the very heart of a person. I was excited for the opportunity to be a part of that and to see myself through her lens.

What were you nervous about going into your session?

I've grown up in an era in which the beauty standards presented by media are, if anything, unattainable. This skewed representation of physical ideals and my own disordered patterns of thinking have created a sense of body dysmorphia that I've learned to live with since childhood. I knew going into this experience with these foundations of what beauty is in my mind and of what I thought I "should look like" would make it difficult to relax and embrace the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone. I was prepared to struggle with seeing such personal images myself - body on display with all of my flaws open for criticism - without the ability to change any of it at that moment.

What was your favorite part of the experience?

Ore's passion for her art! The infectiousness of her positivity and joy in what she was creating gave me a unique mix of both calm and excitement. I felt comfortable following her cues, trusting in her to show a side of me that so few see. Our time together was spent with this feeling of excitement to see where her creativity would take me to get out of my comfort zone and, more importantly, out my own head so I could truly embrace the experience.

How do you feel now that you’ve completed the session?

It may seem dramatic to say, but I feel empowered. Being able to see myself represented in Ore's photography as a person with depth and complexity rather than as something to be objectified has instigated a shift in my thinking. I've started to see myself as more than a body to be judged by the standards of other people. There is far more value in the things my body is capable of doing rather than in the aesthetic it presents to anyone else.

Would you recommend Intimate Lens Studio to others?

Yes! Ore's infectious energy and bigger-than-life personality makes working with her more than just having your photo taken. It's an experience you'll always look back on with a huge grin and warmth in your heart.

Would you do a boudoir session again?

Absolutely! This experience has been eye-opening. Being able to see myself represented as what feels like art has made me feel beautiful in a way I didn't think possible.

In 250 words or less, based on your experience, what would you tell someone who was thinking about booking a boudoir session with Intimate Lens Studio?

Booking a session with Intimate Lens Studio is an experience I can't quite put into words. I walked in questioning my sanity and wondering if I was really able to allow myself to be so vulnerable. Within minutes of being with Ore, I felt this uplifting sense of excitement for what we would be doing together that day. That's a big part of the experience I had with Ore - we did this together, we created this art as a team. This wasn't me feeling isolated on the other side of a lens while I tried to cover up the things I didn't like about myself. The time I spent with Intimate Lens Studio was me learning to embrace my body and the energy I carry with the help of someone who saw more potential in me than I knew I had.

Toronto Intimate Lifestyle Portraits | lexie - Camp Do More

Last month I attended a Boudoir Workshop in Haliburton, Ontario (about 2.5 hours outside of Toronto) called “Camp Do More” hosted by Brianna and Ewan Phelan from Do More Photographers. It involved over 150 boudoir photographers hanging out for a week, with the opportunity to learn from leading photographers in the boudoir industry, connect with other boudoir photographers from all over the world, and create some amazing intimate lifestyle portraits.

While there, I photographed Lexie. Our creative boudoir session was scheduled for the last full day of camp, and prior to camp we spent weeks brainstorming different creative ideas to make this a one of a kind epic creative session.

However, what we didn’t anticipate was the level of pure exhaustion we would feel after spending a week exploring, connecting, and creating. We decided to do a complete 180, focusing on a stripped down, raw and intimate indoor session in a small cabin located on the camp property.

And it turned out to be just what we both needed. No expectations, no pressure, just allowing the boudoir session to flow naturally, which resulted in quiet, intimate, beautiful moments.

A couple of weeks after our session, I asked Lexi what she felt after having a boudoir session with me. Here is what she had to say:

To give you a little back story, I’ve been on a three year journey to really learn to love the body I’m in. Because of my size, I’m expected to love my body. Well.... I don’t. I love it more now than I did years ago but it’s a true journey.

So when the opportunity came up to be photographed by such a talented human, I HAD to take it! People often mistake my comfort of doing boudoir shoots with being comfortable with myself but in reality it’s a true testimony of my trust my photographer.

The comfort I felt from the moment I met Ore was amazing! I knew in that moment there was nothing to be nervous about!

As we skipped on over to the cabin to start “getting naked in a cabin” we were full of laughs like we had been friends for years. I felt completely comfortable and confident in myself because I was given confidence in my session!

These images are powerful and give power! And that is what Ore does! She shows you the power you have and allows you to finally see the strong and beautiful human you are!

I hope you enjoy!

Toronto Couples intimate lifestyle portraits (Part I) | Instant Connection - rob and mark-che

Sometimes you get to photograph something that inspires you, invigorates you, and makes you realize you are on the right path. This creative couples boudoir session with Rob and Mark-ché was one of those moments for me.

Rob is normally behind the camera as a commercial photographer, but stepped in front of the camera to model with Mark-ché , a Toronto based model, LGBTQ+ community activist, and, on that day, a student with a final the next day who agreed to pause his studying to help us create magic!

Rob and Mark-ché met for the very first time the morning of the session, but their chemistry was instantaneous.  They were playful, relaxed, open to experimenting, and ready to help tell a story of connection and intimacy.  Having the opportunity to photograph them together on the rooftop of the airbnb I was staying at made it even that much better. 

One of the people I was staying with had this gorgeous pink tulle skirt, and we quickly determined that both Rob and Mark-ché were able to fit into the skirt.  That additional pop of color weaved throughout the images, and the colorful mural incorporated towards the end of this part of the session made my creative heart so so happy.

I hope you enjoy the images from this collaborative effort.  While these photos are more editorial/portrait based, in Part 2 of this series, I'll share the more boudoir inspired photos from this session.

Camp Do More - Rob | Oklahoma City Boudoir Photographer

Last month I attended a Boudoir Workshop in Haliburton, Ontario (about 2.5 hours outside of Toronto) called “Camp Do More” hosted by Brianne and Ewan Phelan from Do More Photographers. It was this boudoir photographer’s dream. Over 150 boudoir photographers came together for a week of learning, photographing and bonding. It was a chance to learn from leading photographers in the boudoir industry, meet online friends I’ve been connecting with for months (and in some cases years), and experiment to my hearts content.

The Camp takes place in a “sleep away camp”, far away from any distractions, so it was 100% all about boudoir. I was able to experiment with outdoor boudoir (including some amazing lake shots), and there was always someone willing to get naked at a moments notice!

I had the opportunity to photograph some amazing models and other boudoir photographers while there, including Rob Woodcox. After discovering Rob Woodcox, I fell in love with his photography work. While not specifically boudoir, it’s creative, colorful, original, and just breath taking. But I didn’t know any of that when I asked him to step in front of my camera. He seemed to have a fun personality, and I reached out to him and asked him to step in front of my camera, which he willing agreed to do.

Then when I realized who he was, I was even more excited to collaborate with such a creative mind. And his intimate portrait session at Camp did not disappoint. He has the sweetest soul of anyone I’ve ever known, and it was such a an amazing creative outlet to explore, try new things, and just bounce ideas of each other, creating some of my favorite images to date.

I have several sessions from Camp Do More that I’ll be sharing with you over the next several months, and Rob’s session is first up. Enjoy!

Las Vegas Intimate lifestyle Portraits | From Behind to In Front of the Camera

I recently spent a week in Las Vegas. I took several photography workshops from boudoir photographers in the industry who I admire, and the workshops did not disappoint. There are always new photography methods to learn, and I had a blast learning from industry leaders and experiencing new techniques and methods for photographing intimate lifestyle portraits.

It was also an amazing opportunity to connect with other boudoir photographers who are extremely excited and passionate about what they do. One such creative was Anna Johnson, an amazing boudoir photographer based out of San Diego. I had the opportunity to photographer her in her hotel suite, in an amazing tub strategically placed in the bedroom of the her suite, near the glass doors of the balcony, with a view of Las Vegas spread out below.

Anna had this to say about her boudoir session with me:

“One amazing thing about teaching in [Las] Vegas is my ability to get in front of the camera of other amazing Photographers…[e]ach time I have my photos taken by someone I take away something from the shoot. This time was no different. Ore is literally a HAPPY Butterfly, her smile is contagious and I couldn't have felt more comfortable in front of her camera (and I was NAKED).”

“It's not easy to start a shoot off not knowing someone and being completely naked but honesly I would not have wanted to do this shoot with anyone other than Ore. I never even once had that "OMG, I'M NAKED AND I NEED TO COVER UP" feeling. You know, the feeling that makes you keep your legs closed, hunch down and cover every part you can with any free arm or hand. It was refreshing to be able to just be free.“

“If you have been questioning or wondering if you could do this... THE answer is YES and you can trust that your photographer ORE knows exactly what she is doing.”

Oklahoma City Dance Inspired Creative Portraits | Tylor and vinny

My mind is always a whirlwind of ideas. They float in and out of my head, sometimes faster than I can write them down. Thankfully, some ideas remain, and some special ones tug at your heart until you have no choice other than bringing to life your vision and letting the magic unfold. This ballet inspired couples boudoir session was one projected I knew I needed to bring to life.

Watching ballet dancers perform is a magical experience for me. Seeing the way dancers move across the stage, admiring the control they have over their bodies, appreciating the beauty they create with the angles and lines of their body - all of that takes years of practice, dedication, strength and perseverance; but seeing it all come together and their skill in making it seem so effortless has me convinced that just a little magic may be tossed in for good measure.

Recently I had the opportunity to work with two local ballet dancers, seeing them come together for this creative project and create their own kind of magic. I was so excited to plan this project and thrilled to capture the entire session from start to finish.

I’m excited to share with you the results of my vision to create a series of intimate portraits of two dancers showing grace, agility, and movement, with intimacy and connection woven throughout each portrait.

Dancers:

Tylor Bradshaw - Oklahoma City Ballet

Vinicius Vasconcelos - Oklahoma City Ballet

Oklahoma City Angel Wings Intimate lifestyle portraits | emily

I’m still in love with the amazingness of these blush angel wings from Leah Maria couture. I wanted to do more of a fun and playful creative shoot, so I partnered with Oklahoma City based model Emily Victoria and rented Whitemoose Studios, a natural light studio in Oklahoma City, to do another angel inspired boudoir session.

My first session with these wings involved a Halloween angel inspired male boudoir session with downtown Oklahoma City as the background. You can check out that session here.

I think the results from my session with Emily Victoria speak for themselves. A mixture of sensual and playful, with a little bit of sass and plenty of bold confidence thrown in.

Looking to schedule your own boudoir session with these blush wings? You can contact me here, I’d love to talk with you about scheduling your own boudoir session!

Model: Emily Victoria

Makeup artist: Elegantly Finished Faces