Small Weddings Trending, Life On Set, And How I Skillfully Lied To My Children

I really should be editing.  And I will.  In juuuuuust a minute.  But it’s been too long since my last little note and I needed (keyword: *needed*) to bring you up to speed on how ridiculously cool, wonderful and busy life has been since -er- whenever I last wrote.

Where to begin…

Anthony.  Let’s start with him.  So, Edith (Edie) Henry, stylist extraordinaire, Kelsey James, hair and make up goddess, and I teamed up to shoot 15 year old Anthony’s model portfolio.  What’s a model portfolio?  It’s a collection of varied looks/outfits/styles that shows off a model, creating a body of work that helps them book an agent and modeling gigs.  Anthony was a solid rockstar.  Hands down, THE EASIEST GUY I’VE EVER PHOTOGRAPHED.  See these hands?  They’re down.  For the count.

I’m still working on his edits, so these are just two of about 15 amazing looks Edie styled and we shot all day.

Elopements are booking up like crazy and I’m seeing a strong trend towards smaller, more relaxed weddings with guest lists ranging between 25-75.  I’m a huge fan of small weddings -Brian and I had roughly 30 close friends and family at our low-key celebration in Alaska and we wouldn’t change a thing.  So why are so many brides opting for smaller weddings?

1) Less Stress

2) Smaller Budgets

3) Less Stress

4) A whole lot less stress

That’s basically it.  You take your dream wedding, pare it down to the core -what you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want- and build up from there.  So many brides start planning based on assumptions and general expectation of what a wedding should be without thinking through WHY.  Why go big?  Why is it necessary to have 300 guests?  Why is my budget going to be this stretched?

Now, big weddings are wonderful!  I’ve shot countless large celebrations that had happy brides, grooms and family!  Size matters only if size matters to you.  If you’ve always dreamed of having a huge wedding, lots of people dancing to YMCA, and cutting a massive cake, girl, you need to go for it.  But: If what really matters to you is having a few key people that are invested in your life surrounding you, go for a small wedding and save a few bucks while you’re at it.

Okay.  Elopements booming, small weddings, yada yada yada… Oh!  So, back to the craziness here.

Besides being a full-time photographer, I’m also an actress and what’s been a slow summer has turned into ridiculously busy-ness.  I’ve shot three commercials in the past week -one as the spokesperson for Pillsbury’s new Heat-N-Go mini pancakes and, man, that was a fun one to shoot!

I’ll share the link when they have them edited and up. I was actually paid to throw pancakes at people.  Well, toss them.  In the package.  No one was harmed during the filming of this set of commercials.  Plus, I’ll be shooting my first music video in a few weeks playing (ahem) a *new* type of role for me: an undead/zombie woman who comes back to murder her husband and a team of paranormal experts.  Yeah, so not my usual gig, but I’m excited for this deviation from the norm.  I’ve gotten to submit multiple taped auditions for a new hospital TV show shooting in Albuquerque and have a voice over audition I’ll be taping this week for the DC Comic franchise that’s I’m very jazzed about.

One of the spots we shot this past week offered the first opportunity for me to act with both of my little rascals.  It was a family affair as Brian was on set with us.  I loved that he got to see “what I do” and witness how great the kids did.  Honestly, I was *so* nervous that the kids would be uncooperative.  It’s hard enough for them to take direction from me, let alone a stranger.  In prepping them for being on set, I told Wilder, “You know how Mama makes the moneys?  Well, on Tuesday, YOU and Waverley get to make the moneys with me!”

“Then, I can buy more games?!?!”

“Yes!  If you listen and obey [the best way I could explain taking direction], you can make the moneys and get a new Star Wars game!”

So that started a countdown, “Mama!  Four more sleeps ’til I make the moneys!!”

On the morning of the shoot, Wilder runs downstairs, “MAMA!  NO MORE SLEEPS TIL I MAKE THE MONEYS!  I CAN BUY MY GAAAAMES!!!”

I’d call that motivation.

Though I was still nervous, all they really had to do was fall apart and cry, and they ended up being rockstars.  The scene was a mother (me) driving to HEB’s pharmacy for a refill and the kids are crying their eyes out in the back seat, then they get a lollypop and the tears stop.  Easy peasy. The car they used had huge car seats (my kids have small boosters) and to prevent a “No, I don’t want to sit in that” fit I told a “story” (we don’t lie in our family, we just make stuff up…) that this Subaru was actually a SPACESHIP CAR and these were SPACESHIP SEATS.

They were in awe.

Waverley actually cried on cue -it helped that it was 9-10pm.  All in all, a very full, crazy, satisfying and exciting experience.

I had an amazing opportunity to do a portrait/boudoir session pre-op for a courageous woman who went in this past week for a mastectomy.  I’m shooting one of my favorite senior’s this evening for her senior portraits.  I’ll be headed to Houston tomorrow to shoot a cool, off-beat engagement session in the city.  And I’m talking with Papa Murphy’s International about shooting one of their newly designed buildings opening soon in Austin.

Of course, the editing never stops.  I just wrapped a gorgeous boudoir session that involved a body-painted jersey as one of the looks (totally rad, totally rad) and am currently working on Kimberly+Jason’s two day wedding celebration at The Vineyard at Florence.

Bzzzzz, bzzzzzzzz -now this little bee’s got to get back to editing, before this evening’s shoot (and cleaning the house, cause, you know, it’s a wreck) but I am so glad I got to visit with you first!

TTFN, Ta-ta-for-now!

How a photographer prepares for her own boudoir session

So…

If you were a cake maker and you decided to hire another cake maker to create something fabulous for your own special occasion, you’d probably be pretty picky, right? Picky about who you asked, picky about the design, picky about absolutely every little thing because -hey- it’s what you eat, live and breathe.

I’m having my very own first editorial-style/boudoir photo session next month and, despite the number of sessions I’ve shot for other women and the advice I’ve given, I’m going a little nuts in preparation.  Since this is where I let my hair down (and write in my pajamas) I figured I can share with you what I’m personally doing to get ready for this milepost event, and, hopefully, you’ll find some helpful hints as you plan your own session!

My first self-portrait boudoir session, creating examples for my clients. If I’m not brave enough to share my boudoir photos, I certainly can’t expect my clients to share theirs (which only a very few do allow me to. I completely respect their privacy but am grateful for examples to show future clients.)

Pst -I shot this photo using a tripod and remote on my camera.  You can see the remote clutched in my hand as I was trying to hide it.  I am so thankful I won’t have to worry about multi-tasking in my upcoming session.  Phew!

–> The Workout.

I know, I know.  I have said (and still believe) that you can have a fabulous boudoir session TODAY without any physical preparation because it’s all about letting your inner beauty *SHINE*…. (which is the truth, goshdarnit)… but most women are slightly neurotic about their body image.  I am, and I don’t hesitate admitting it.  For me, my ideal isn’t where I am right now, so I want to step it up in the workout department so I’m pleased with the results next month.  I know it’s attainable -it’s getting back to a fitness level I’ve been at, so it’s not drastic, but it certainly requires dedication to exercise.

Daily cardio (I like running in the morning with Shelby and one or both of the kids in the jogging stroller) followed by a simple muscle toning routine of pull ups, sit ups, push ups and squats.  If I can get it all done in 45 min, that’s a sustainable routine for me, and one I’d recommend to any woman.

–>  The Nutrition Plan

Holy moly, I’ve tried more crazy eating lifestyle changes than I can count (well, actually, it’s been about 4-5 in the past 3 years.)  Brian’s a nutrition and exercise fanatic so he’s always trying out new things that I piggyback on.  Currently it’s one that makes the most sense (so far…we’ll see.)  Basically it’s calorie counting, eating “clean” and making sure that there is a small deficit every day from the amount of calories my body needs to simply maintain my current weight.  This leads to slow, regular and healthy weight loss.  I don’t have lots to lose, but I have a target and should be able to reach my goal in the next 5 weeks, just in time for my session.

–>  The Styling

I’ve asked Edith Henry, Austin’s top fashion and wardrobe stylist, to help master the visions I have for my session.  If I know one thing, it’s to trust the professionals -and professionals who do excellent work and know their stuff.  A little advice here: whether you’re selecting a make up artist, photographer, florist, landscape crew, caterer, tattoo artist, etc, make sure they have examples of the work you are expecting to receive for yourself.  If you go on craigslist, pick the cheapest photographer you can find, send them inspiration photos of something that probably cost $25,000 to shoot (all said and done) you simply cannot expect them to deliver.  Edith Henry, on the other hand, DELIVERS.  She’s published in Italian Vogue, and artsy fashion magazines across the country, along with being the fashion editor of Austin Lifestyle Magazine.  She styles “real” people as well as models and is not only fabulous at her craft, but is a sheer joy to be around (another HUGE factor to consider when selecting your vendors.)

We’re thinking 2 looks.  One that’s gypsy/bohemian featuring some of Austin’s fabulous artists and designers, such as Ferrell Designs -I can’t wait to wear her amazing necklaces. This will be shot outdoors, mostly. The second will be something between natural and dramatic with a bit of theatrical flare, I think, and will be shot indoors for a more intimate feel.

–> The Location

I am beyond excited to shoot at The Vineyard at Florence.  This is a wonderful location for a boudoir session as there are several villas you can rent, each luxuriously decorated, and the vineyards are right outside your door.  Plus, their wine is amazing, and what’s a boudoir session without a little adult beverage?  Since I’m wanting both outdoor and indoor locations, The Vineyard at Florence is the perfect spot.

–> The Hair & Make Up

I’m thinking *extensions.*  I’m thinking one or two layers of fake eyelashes.  I’m thinking fabulous!  This is an area that many gals cringe at and say, “Do I really have to hire someone do my hair and make up?  Can’t I just do it myself?”  To which I reply, “No, you can’t do it, and yes, you need to hire someone good.”  Hair and make up have a massive impact on the quality of your look.  It’s an investment and it’s totally worth it.

I’ve asked Kelsey James to be my Hair and Make Up Mistress of Fabulousness.  She works regularly with Edith Henry and they make an amazing team.  Kelsey is also the queen of one liners, zingers and hilarious random sayings.  She’s another person you just want to have around all the time.   I know many fabulous hair and make up artists that I would have asked, but I wanted the to keep the Edith/Kelsey team together and I know they do a phenomenal job, with or without their superhero capes.

–>  The Photographer

I know, it’s a little odd having a photographer feature another photographer on their site, but HECK, he’s got the biggest job in this project and I’m super excited.  This is the guy I asked because I love his work and -again- his personality.  When you see someone’s work and say, “I want to have pictures of me that look like that!” and you keep thinking that as you view more of their work, then you’ve found a winner.

Remember my cake maker analogy above?  Well, since I trust Tim’s eye based on his body of work, and I know I can relax and just “blossom” during my session (as I tell my clients,) I am confident that I won’t turn into a neurotic, bossy mess, therefore allowing Tim to be the artist I trust and me be excited about the outcome.  Yay!!  (Hopping up and down with delight!)

So that’s how this (crazy) little photographer thinks as she prepares for her very own glamorous portrait session.  I promise to share some of Tim’s photos with you when they’re done.

Have a question or need suggestions as you’re planning your session?  Comment or send me an email at kelly{at}kellycameron.net.  I would love to help as you prepare!  Boudoir is something every woman should experience at least once in her life.  But, I warn you, the feeling of pampering and beauty is rather addictive.  After your first session, you’ll be planning your second as you drive home 🙂

Check out some other boudoir sessions to get a little inspiration!