ae photography » boudoir

leslie | sneak peek | illinois boudoir photographer

ae photography — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:15:39 +0000

I had a great time shooting Leslie’s boudoir session about 2 weeks ago. Once again, I want to thank Rachel Streit for her amazing styling!

I want to give a shout out to pishposhes on Etsy for the use of the awesome headpiece. I absolutely LOVE it–along with everything else in that shop! I’m happy to say I will be creating a stash of some of these great items to have on hand for our sessions! So you will be free to use them as you wish if you book us! Check out her shop!

More to come from Leslie’s session along with a bunch from our Boudoir Event!

Keep those submissions coming for the “Cute Kiddos Contest”! We’ve really enjoyed seeing your adorable children : ) I will posting some of our kids soon, as promised! Now it’s off to take my little miss to dance class, and then we are headed out for a consult. Let the crazy busy season begin!

another peek

ae photography — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:39:38 +0000

Just another quick boudoir peek for you : )

I wanted to do a full boudoir post today, but I just didn’t get the time. We have a senior session tomorrow and another boudoir session Sunday, both of which will be in our home–so it’s time to convert it from living space to studio space once again. These are the moments when I think having a real studio again might be worth it ; )

natural beauty

ae photography — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:00:37 +0000

There are so many routes to go when shooting boudoir. I feel like I hit a lot of them during the sessions, but the main style I wanted to go for was natural, raw beauty; shooting images that truly showed both the outer, as well as, inner beauty of the girls. In my opinion, that is what it’s all about. I feel this frame really captures the style I was going for. It is real and expressive, with the subject looking very relaxed and comfortable–and she and I had never met before this event! Not to mention, we are both shy girls ; )

There are plenty more photos of Dana, as well as, a dozen other ladies. All photos sets will be accompanied by a brief “interview” with that specific girl–just to give all of you who are considering a session but aren’t quite sure if you are comfortable with it or understand what it’s all about yet a bit more info. I, of course, can answer any and all questions you might have, but I’m sure hearing answers to questions you might have from girls who have already been in front of the camera and experienced “my type of boudoir shoots” first hand, might make you feel a little more comfortable about having a session done with me. I am planning on focusing more on boudoir shoots and, like I said before, will continue doing the “boudoir event” once a year. We will be launching a dedicated website in the near future : ) Please get in contact if you’re interested in having a session done or hosting a “mini boudoir event” for you and your friends (great for bachelorette parties ; ) ; ) ).

Many more shots to come…

Goodnight, everyone.

we’re back!

ae photography — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 02:23:39 +0000

I bet you thought I just decided to ditch the blog. The thought has crossed my mind. I can’t even tell you how how busy we are. It’s almost laughable. We pretty much have to be doing a least 5 things at once at any given point in time or we will miss some deadline and someone will get upset. Thinking of taking a vacation this summer with the kiddos is the only thing that keeps me driven and focused.

The left side of my face is currently swollen up in two different ways. My jaw looks like I have a golf ball in it, and my check up to my eyebrow looks like a bee stung me and I had an allergic reaction. All from 2 root canals–well, mainly one that ended up having a problem. A problem, they say, that will go away in a year. Did you hear that? A YEAR! So… let’s solve the initial problem by creating an even bigger, more painful one. Seriously, if someone has a spare pair of dentures, I would pay you for them. Free session, maybe?!

Okay, okay… enough complaining. I’m sorry, I’ve been doing a lot of that lately. I’ve realized severe, agonizing tooth, mouth and jaw pain for about a year can really change your personality and your overall outlook on life. It’s a terrible thing, and I’m always trying to remember than I’m not really this pissed off at the world… it’s just the pain talking.

Now, on to some info about ae photography.

The Boudoir Event was wonderful. I had so much fun and only had severe tooth pain during one session (sorry Kaitlyn). Every girl was so easy to work with, and it was such a joy to work with so many old clients again. The thing that I enjoyed the most was seeing a room full of old clients, spanning from the past two years or so… all getting to know each other. It was strange and exciting! Each girl had a different style from the last, and they were all so unique! It was like a dream event. I have decided to do one every year. The next one will be either in December or January and will stilled be geared toward a Valentine’s Day gift for you guy. I created 4 albums for 4 different girls–all for their guys…. and they all were so neat. Everything has been such a rush, that I had no time to photograph the albums for you to see :/ If any girls who received an album would like to send some of their own photos in to share with us, that would be excellent! Thanks again to all the girls who came. I hope you had a good time getting pretty, playing dress up and acting like models for the day!

I also really REALLY want to thank my two greatest friends, Rachel Streit and Jessica Sena. Rachel is an amazing stylist who did such a great job on every girl. I was so impressed. Because of her amazing job during such a hectic event, she will continue to be the stylist I use for any type of event or mini session. If you are getting a mini session done and would like a stylist present for hair, makeup and help with clothing–contact me, and we will make sure Rachel is there. Jessica played hostess and helped all the girls with clothes, kept things in order and answered questions. She was a lifesaver. I didn’t realize how much I would need a “hostess”…. goodness, if she was there, I don’t know what I would have done! It was a very, very busy day! A huge photo post come! Of course we have to wait until after Valentine’s Day! ; )

I spoke about the Etsy designers that provided clothes for the girls to use if they chose to, but I never got a chance to post a list of the great shops so you guys could take a look. I really appreciate each and every one of these designers and the fact that they were willing to trust me with their work. After receiving the pieces, I was able to see first hand all the hard work and amazing talent that came from each of them. You won’t be disappointed if you purchase anything from the shops listed below! You have my word!

DISTRACTED BLACK RABBIT

PISH POSHES

L.A. NATIVE

MS. WOOD’S KIMONO BOUTIQUE

A few photo blog posts are scheduled for this week, and then we will be getting back into the 2010 weekly blog post schedule I laid out awhile back. I’ve just been way too busy to even think about doing all those posts! I look forward to getting back into it, though

2 date for BOUDOIR + giveaway info

ae photography — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:23:28 +0000

Due to the large number of girls that wanted to sign up for our “ladies sessions”, we have decided to add a second date–which is actually a day before the first date : ) If you were not contacted with a final time slot for your session on the 31st, that means we were already booked up. Sooo… now you have a second chance! The sessions are still planned to take place in our home studio, however with the large number of ladies and the wonderful amounts of clothing + accessories we are going to have + the hair/makeup station + the “dressing room”…. we might have to move the location. We have currently been looking around Rochelle, Rockford, DeKalb… and the other surrounding cities and towns for a neat open studio space to rent out for the two days. We also looked into some mansions : ) If anyone knows of any places, please let me know asap. I would really like to get a final location sent out to everyone who is attending! We already have two spots booked for the 30th sessions, so let me know asap if you want a spot. I’m still planning on a doing a post with all of the designers and a few featured items that you can win just by joining me… but we have been overly busy lately, and the blog posts have been set aside. Here is a version of the flyer we had out an the Bridal Expo:

As you might notice, the new sessions are not free. There is a $99 sitting fee (which is still a huge discount off the original $499 fee!) Since there is a fee for the new event, we decided to include something in the package–so you will get (1) 8×10 or (2) 5×7s of your choice–and the 5×7 prints do not have to be the same : ) Look at it this way, with all of the giveaways, we know every girl is going to win a least one item!! Contact us if you want to book an hour. P.S. There is a possibility we might be adding more timeslots before 4pm if we get a crazy amount of girls interest again : )

Here is a small list of the different giveaway items from the awesome designers who will be priding clothes + accessories for you to play dress up in:

headpieces
hair accessories
undies
a sexy “kimono” style robe
nightgown slips
funky, fun dresses
jewelry
lingerie
other neat clothes

I will get a photo post up soon to give you a visual of all the lovelies. I have already received 4 packages of items for the events, and it just makes me more and more excited every time I see something new!!

On another note, we will be announcing the winners of our zillion giveaways during the Bridal Expo giveaway we held last Sunday! There will be a special blog post + each couple will be notified directly! I can’t wait!

Here is a list of the services/items that were given away:

free engagement session with ae photography ($499 value)
free album with any coverage plan from ae photography ($750 value)
10% off your entire wedding coverage with ae photography
10% off your entire wedding floral order from the cypress house
5 different stunning headpieces from feathers + frills

Here are the 5 different headpieces + info about each one:

“glamour shots” {ae style}

ae photography — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:28:59 +0000

I planned and organized an invitation only Boudoir Event for January 10, 2010. We are planning on launching a new boudoir/fashion portrait website at some point in 2010, and I was trying to come up with the best way to get a bunch of new material for the site in a short amount of time. We had a handful of bookings for the event, but I had to cancel it due to the Chicago hotel idea not working out as planned. I just noticed about 10 minutes ago that we are booked for a promotional event all day that day. It would have been my loss (no clients are involved) if I had missed it! Thank goodness things happened the way the did!

I decided I would just postpone it and focus on other things… but, as I sit here, I’m feeling a little disappointed. I was really looking forward to the event–something new + different… a style of photography I really love shooting. I love “fashion/model” photography. While editing my butt off today, I have been thinking of a way to open the event back up again. I will have to change the date, of course. The new one will not be invite-only and will not be labeled as “boudoir”–I know that can scare people!

Our “boudoir” does not have to be ask risque as people assume all boudoir is. It’s about getting all fancied up (or down–whatever works for you). It’s about getting some beautiful shots of yourself to give your guy as a surprise gift. The Boudoir Event was meant for a Valentine’s gift for 2010 for the special man in your life. Think pajama bottoms + a tank top…. boxers + a t-shirt…. cozy, cute and beautiful. I’m thinking a range between Sear catalog sleepwear and Maxim magazine. You choose where you want to be. Haha. Eric is not involved what-so-ever… just me!

I had so many things lined up that all came together so wonderfully, I would hate to just flush the opportunity away! I will be so much fun for anyone who does join me for the new “event”! I have changed the packages a bit, so here is what you would be getting:

*professional hair + makeup

*snacks + beverages while you prep and hang out

*NEW!* amazing, amazing, amazing selection of handmade boudoir items, lingerie, cozy sleepwear, and some fun + funky clothing. Over a dozen designers have signed up to send in their items for you to use so far! If you would like links to view some of the wonderful pieces that you will be able to play dress up with, just send me an email! :)

*lovely handmade accessories–also from independent designers (hairpieces, headpieces, etc.)

*30 minutes of shoot time with yours truly

*pre-session online consult with ashley to discuss the style/s you like most + share some favorite found images you like the look of!

*private online gallery to view an order prints!

Here is the NEW part: There will be no sitting fee! Horray! The last event had a $499 fee.

I’m guessing those of you who signed up are pretty excited now! This is what is changing:

***All of your edited images will be available in your Online Gallery. From there, you can order an album for your guy, your favorite prints, a giant poster for your living room (hahaha)–there will a bunch of options for you. You can also order the Photo Disc with release rights or rights to individual images of your choice! So basically, you book your time slot, show up and get pampered + lovely, have a fun session with me + get an online gallery all for free. If, in the end, you decide you don’t want to order any of the photos–that’s fine with me. I just want this event to HAPPEN!! Email me if you would like to attend. I know many ladies wanted to attend the other event, but money was too tight at the moment (trust me, I know the feeling) — so I’m thinking this is a great opportunity for everyone! You will still have time to create an awesome Valentine’s Day gift for your guy! The location is not set quite yet, but it will be in the area (it may very well be in my home studio!) Help us create the most stunning new website ever! We want you!!

Sunday, January 31st 2010.

12pm-7pm (it may go longer, if needed)

Schedule your 60 minutes (half hour for prep, half hour of shooting)

I am assuming this is going to fill fast since it is free and all –but I’m putting an end date to the sign-up.

December 31st, 2009. Can’t wait to work with you guys!!