Invest in People who Invest in You

The most important investment you can make is yourself.  However, for one to be successful you also have to diversify your portfolio.  This is why God blessed us with friends. 

Developing a friendship is a major investment.   The currency you are trading for this investment is your time.  Unlike money time is something you can never get back.  This is why it’s extremely important to be very selective about who you refer to as your friend. 

A great friend will not only cry with you when you’re sad but they will toast you in your accomplishments. If your friend can’t be there with you during all four seasons it may be time to really reevaluate who your friends are. 

I have heard stories over stories about people who were the Kings of the hill. They had money, success, and a name in the scene.   They were always flossing.  Purchasing the most expensive cars, the latest trends in fashion, and constantly throwing epic house parties to just be seen.  However, once these people fell on hard times and the money was gone, the parties stopped, and the drinks stop flowing their “friends” also disappeared. 

I can’t even imagine how devastating a feeling like that is. 

However, the one element all these people have in common when things went south is that they never made genuine connections with these people in the first place.  They did not invest in their personal time to develop these relationships therefore this is why they had no one left in their corner with them. 

Sometimes it just takes a hard and cold season in your life to help you see clearly who your friends are.  However, during that time of reflection you have to be honest with yourself.  Did you really make the effort in getting to know them? Did you listen?  Or did you take them for granted? 

You want to invest in people who invest in you.   In order for that investment to grow you must also invest in them as well.

In the comment below let me know how you invest in your friendships.

Finding real friends is a true investment of your time, but once you have them you really have  them. Don’t take someone’s friendship for granted.  This investment works both ways.  

Dallas Boudoir Photography: Confidence is Sexy

Wonderland Boudoir is a Dallas based boudoir photography studio who loves creating memories that will last you a lifetime.  One of our favorite ways to accomplish that goal is through boudoir parties.  Boudoir parties are a great way for you and up to 5 of your closest girlfriend to have some girls time while having beautiful photos taken of yourselves.  Boudoir parties are great for bachelorettes, birthday, and gifts for that special someone in your life.  During the month of May you can save 25% off this awesome session!  Please contact us for more details!

 We had our first ever Boudoir Party late last year with four amazing women.  You can actually see their photos in a previous post, What is a Boudoir Party.

We had SUCH a blast at this session… maybe too much fun.  LOL.  In our previous post we shared what it looks like behind the scenes of a boudoir party session.  This go around we wanted to share with you the individual photos of each woman.  Today let me introduce you to Ms. A.  Isn’t she GORGEOUS?!

Yes!  You may have recognized our beautiful client from the post Happiness is a Habit.

Each lady had a different idea of what they wanted to wear for their session.  Ms. A decided to go with classic sexy.  She brought with her long lace and colors that complimented her skin complexion. 

For her face we went with a soft flirty look that matched the transitioning seasons from Fall to Winter.  Her wavy hair complimented the overall look of the session.  She wanted a mix of playful and sexy with a dash of classy.

Ms. A brought with her an array of clothing options.  She knew where she was going but didn’t know exactly how to get there.  Therefore she made sure she brought with her more than enough outfits for her session.

TIP: Having too many options is better than not enough. This goes for almost every aspect of your life. 

Most of the clothes that Ms A is wearing came from Forever 21.  Yes, it is possible to look as fashionable as her without having to break the bank. 

If there is one thing Ms. A did not leave at home was her confidence.  This woman SLAYED IT!  She left any ounce of insecurities she had at the door and embraced the whole boudoir experience.  She was clearly in the moment.  You can easily see this in her photos.  Ms. A was focused, listened well, open minded, but wasn’t scared to share her opinions and what she wanted out of the session. 

Ms. A was also very genuine. She is as beautiful inside and out and I think that translated well from her photos.  I adore the fact that she could go from cute to siren in .0001 seconds.   I LIVE for it! 

What you can learn from Ms. A?

Lesson 01: Confidence is fucking Sexy.

The End.

Lesson 02: Wear clothes that flatter your frame. 

Ms. A is a beautiful curvy woman and she was able to portray that with complete ease.  In her first outfit she rocked a catsuit… some people may refer to it has a winter romper, but whatever name you have for that outfit it was amazing.  The romper has a design on the center that cinched her stomach and made it look even smaller.  Also, you can tell she tried it on because the outfit wasn’t too tight or too big.  Too tight or too baggy clothes don’t make you look smaller.  Finding clothes that fit your frame correctly makes you look smaller. 

 If you want to hide your stomach for a boudoir sessions do not bring a simple bra and panty set.  Wear a baby doll dress, bring a chemise, or rock a teddy. These outfits not only hide your tummy, but make you look even slimmer when posed correctly by your photographer. 

Lesson 03: Wearing nude heels to a boudoir sessions is an absolute plus. 

Nude heels help to elongate your legs, adds more muscle tone, and cranks up the sexy factor by at least 25%.  Nude heels are a must for any adult female’s wardrobe, with or without a boudoir session in the future.

So without further ado here is Ms. A!

So what did you think of Ms. A boudoir session?  Amazing wasn’t it?!  Be sure to follow up on Friday for Ms. K boudoir session.

 If you’re interested in Wonderland Boudoir shooting your Boudoir Party remember that we are having a 25% of sale on our Queen’s Court , Boudoir Party, for the month of May.  Please contact us when you and your girls are ready to shoot!

In the comments below let me know which outfit you liked best on Ms. A and why? 

Today you have a chance to win a $40 gift card from Victoria’s Secret when you leave a comment.   The contest ends May 30th, 2015 at 11:59AM CST.

The winner will be announce on Facebook and Twitter on May 30th!   

There are four words more power than ‘I love you’, and those word are ‘I’m here for you.’

There are four words more power than ‘I love you’, and those word are ‘I’m here for you.’

I’m here for you.   This is such powerful phrase.  It’s a sentence that will make even the strongest of us feel weak in the knees.  Loving someone is great, but loving someone and being there for someone are two different ideologies.  I feel as a society we may have forgotten that.

The phrase ‘I love you’ gets thrown around so loosely these days.  It seems as though it has almost lost its meaning.  Anyone can say I love you, but actions are more powerful than words.  Many times we know when someone loves us.  They don’t have to say it. You can tell by what they do for you and how they treat you. Those actions include just being there for you.

Not only being there for you in your time of need, but being there for you in your time of joy and happiness.  It’s great to just have that person in your corner.  

Loving someone doesn’t mean that you will always be there for that person,  but being there for that person always means that you love them.

Someone being there for you is so fulfilling.  Knowing that you have that person that you can run to  is a wonderful safety net.  Whenever you feel like you’re freefalling you can be confident that you will have that person to catch you.

 This person doesn’t need to be a lover.  This person can be a brother, sister, or best friend.  While a significant other is always nice don’t forget that before you met that person you had a base camp of mom, dad, siblings, and friends.  Know that no matter what’s going on in your life they will always be there for you… as you should be for them.   Never take these relationships for granted.  They can disappear faster than you would ever expect.

You should be there for them.  Listen, reach out, email, or send a random text just to say that you love them.  No reason needed.  Just that you are thinking about them.  Even if they don’t reply back take comfort in the fact that you made them smile and feel loved.  That is a feeling that everyone can appreciate.

My Aunt TC does that to me every once in awhile and even though I don’t always reply back… I love her to death.  It brightens my whole day when I receive a text message from her first thing in the morning.  I am so blessed.  I really am.

Today is Monday.  When you get a chance, please send one of your friends a random text message saying, “I’m here for you. Always.” 

Make someone’s Monday special.  Words are your most powerful resource. Let someone know that you are there for them. 

Happy Monday Y’all!

In the comments below tell me who you’re going to text message and why.  This morning I will text my mom and my Aunt to let them know I always have their back.

Wonderland Boudoir, Boudoir Party, Dallas Boudoir

As you guys know this month is dedicated to friendships and boudoir parties!  A boudoir party is a great activity for bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, or just a fun Girl’s Night Out event.  Today I want to give you guys a behind the scene glimpse of a boudoir party.

Late last year we put together our first boudoir party with these four beautiful ladies. Each lady has different comfort levels with the idea of boudoir so each of them wanted something different.  Some wanted to be more subtle while some of the other ladies wanted to bare it all! 

You may have arrived with a group but everyone gets 30 minutes of individual time with the photographer. Remember this is YOUR time.  Make the most of it and get the photos that you have always desired. 

Today I will showcase the whole party and for the rest of the month I will show case each of these ladies independently so you can see their individual sessions.  No two will be the same and that’s the fun in a boudoir party! 

About the Party

The party was AMAZING.  After all the girls showed up to our studio the drinks and food started to flow.  While we do provide champagne I believe that you should only have one glass prior to your session. While the champagne may give you liquid courage you don’t want to have drunk eyes.  Being coherent is an essential part of a boudoir party. LOL we want to make sure you’re getting the best photos in your 30 minute session.

Hair, Makeup, & Styling

The hair and makeup team will speak to each girl about their hair and makeup goals.  Hair and makeup will also be determined by the outfit that you choose. Styling is such an important part in good photos.  We will discuss what we think will be the best for you based on what you bring. 

You will need to have day old hair for your session.  Hairstylist prefer that.

While the makeup artist will most likely have your foundation sometimes it better to bring your own because some people have sensitive skin and the makeup artist foundation may break you out. 

When it comes to styling please remember to try on your clothes before your session.  I have a post that identifies the 7 things that you need to do before a boudoir session.  The rules found in this post also apply to boudoir parties.  Take this post and make sure you SHARE it with all your friends.

Wednesday’s post covered what a boudoir party actual is and the benefits to it.  As pointed out  in that post, at Wonderland Boudoir, each person in your party is allotted a 30 minute shoot time the photographer.

The 30 minute sessions include:

Hair & Makeup

• 1 outfit
• Private Gallery with 30 of your best photos
• Of those 30 photos you get to pick your favorite (one 8x12) digital photo that you want fully edited
• You do have the option to buy additional photos or your entire set

Without further ado let me how you guys how much fun a boudoir session with you and some of your girlfriends can be!

Wasn’t that so much fun?!  If you’re interested in booking your own boudoir party please check out our investment page.  Then head over to our contact page to give us a call or send an email for more information!

Remember we are offering 25% off out Boudoir Parties this month!

In the comments below let me know please let me know if you have any questions about boudoir sessions that I didn’t cover!

What is a Boudoir Party and How Does it Work?

Some girls want to have a boudoir session but they don’t want to do it alone.  Some people just do things better when they have their partners in crime in tow.  This is the beauty of a boudoir party.  They allow you to take part in an intimate form of photography with without the fear of doing it alone.  

Today’s post will touch on why Boudoir Parties are awesome and why you and your closest friends should book a session as soon as possible!

5 Reasons for a Boudoir Party

1.  Bachelorette Party: Boudoir parties are a great Bachelorette gift!  They can even be a wonderful bonding activity for the bride and her maids before the big day.  Not only do you have a great time with some of your closest friends, but you will also create a wonderful groom’s present for you future husband!
2. Girls’ Night Out: Sometimes girls just want to have fun (okay. That was cheesy).  Spend the afternoon being pampered by an amazing artist and allow the photographer to make you feel like a supermodel.  After your last girlfriend finishes her shoot you guys can catch a Lyft and celebrate a night on the town while looking like celebrities.
3. Birthday Celebrations: What better way to celebrate a milestone!  Are you turning the Dirty 30? Perhaps the Fabulous 40?  The 50 is the new 25? (Hey! Even Madonna kissed Drake!) This is a great venue for a birthday party.  Why not celebrate the woman you have become over the years?  A boudoir party is a great way to really embrace your beauty and see the hot girl your friends see in you every day.
4. Bonding Events:  Bonding events are great team building exercises.  Women own companies book boudoir parties to help teach their teams to let go of any flaws or insecurities they have about themselves.
5. Girls’ Day: This is a lot like Girls’ Night Out… expect it’s during the day.  Lets be honest, some women are mothers and don’t have the ability to stay out all night when she has mouths to love and spend time with.  Therefore book an early boudoir party and then finish the day off with brunch. During brunch you guys can chat about your personal experiences and still be home in plenty of time to have one on one with your kids and husband.

5 Reasons why Boudoir Parties are Important

1. They are fun!  I know boudoir sounds super intimidating but they aren’t.  They are really fun and allow the subject to let loose. 
2. Great bonding experience with your friends:  Boudoir Parties are enjoyable because ladies are often laughing and cracking jokes on each other while simultaneously cheering each other on.
3. Great start to a wild evening: Plus you won’t have to worry about hair and makeup. Bachelorette Parties or Girls’ Night Out can be super exhausting because you have to do your hair, makeup, and then decide on what to wear.  After you look at yourself in the mirror the only thing you will want to do is go out and show the world how amazing you look. 
4. Your friends can be your biggest cheerleaders:  I know I mentioned it before, but it’s not something you should look over.  Lets’ face it.  Having supportive friends around you will be amazing boost for you confidence.   Just imagine having  your BFF cheering you on, making you laughing, and just having a good time. 
5. Get out of your comfort zone:  There are times we just need to get out of our comfort zone.  We have to do things that we never thought we would do. A boudoir session with you closest girlfriend in a safe and controlled environment is a great way to do that.

How Does a Boudoir Party Work?

• Every boudoir studio is going to have a different process.  When booking with Wonderland Boudoir you must have a minimum of 4 girls with a maximum of 6.  If you have a total of 6 girls each person pays about $100 per boudoir session! 
• Each party is given a complementary bottle of champagne (as long as you are of legal age.  We do reserve the right to card anyone who looks under 40 years old or cut anyone off.). 
• Each girl will have their hair and makeup done by our amazing team. 
• The background we use is our regular White Studio. 
• Each girl is given a 30 minute session. 

When do we get our Boudoir Party Photos Back?!

After everyone’s edits are complete (usually 30 business days) each person is given a private gallery to pick their final photos for editing, albums, and frames.

Depending on the number of photos purchased the photos will either be emailed or you can come back to the studio and pick up your USB file and any additional products purchased.  All digital copies can be printed up to an 8x12.

Please Note: I DO NOT SNAIL MAIL BOUDOIR PHOTOS!  There have been too many times were USBs have been lost by the USPS and due to the sensitive nature of the photos I require clients purchasing 6 or more photos to come to the studio and pick up their digital copies.  Wonderland Boudoir is not responsible for any lost or stolen photos. 

 

How much is a Boudoir Party?

Prices for boudoir parties are going to change from studio to studio.  For Wonderland Boudoir our prices for a Boudoir party start at $650, The Queen’s Court.  This $650 amount can be split amongst attendees. 

The deposit for a Boudoir party is 25%, $162.50 (prices are valid as of 05/04/2015. Prices are subject to change without notice).  The remaining balance will be due at the time of the session.  Prices for additional photos, albums, and frames can be found on our investment page.  Any additional products purchased (such as additional photos, alums, and frames require a 50% deposit). 

The Moral to the Story?

Book a boudoir party session!  It’s a great bonding experience for you and your closest girlfriends.  Rather if you are getting married, celebrating your dirty 30, or just want to have a girls day a Boudoir Party is a great way to have a fun and memorable time with you and your friends.

To learn more about our Boudoir Party, the Queen’s Court, please check out our investment page.  Please contact us to secure your spot for this fun  ride!

In the comments below please let me know if you have any additional questions I did not answer about a boudoir session!

Real Friends Stab You in the Front, Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde penned my favorite quote of all time, "Real Friends stab you in the front."  

Real friends, I mean ride or die friends, are SO hard to find!  I have been so blessed in this life to have some of my closest friend with me for the past 20 years.  I trust these people with my life, and I know I can come to them with ANYTHING because they will always have my back.  They aren't looking to gain anything from me, or I from them.

 They are my BIGGEST cheerleaders and my most honest mirrors. 

 I know my friends will never talk behind my back because they will always say it to my face.  If I ever have someone come up to me and say, "So and So said this about you" I can easily reply back, "I know.  She told me about myself yesterday."

 Why?

 Because real friends will stab you in the front. They will look you dead in the eyes and express to you their honest opinion.  While their words may sting for just a second it's always for the better because your friends have your back, so they will tell you to the front.  

 Any friend that talks about  you behind your back needs to cut off immediately.  Those types of people are caustic to your mental and emotionally stability.  Never keep someone around that does not make you feel like a good person.  Don’t keep a person around that does celebrate with you when goods things happen or doesn't console with you when bad things do... even if you did break up with your boyfriend for the 15th time (even after she told you 14 times to leave the guy alone) she will still be there for you.  

 I had a person in my life that was truly caustic.  One of my best friends from high school met this person and then looked at me dead in the eyes and gave me a slow bink.  She then she says to me is, "You couldn't find any better people in Dallas to hang out with?" 

However, I kept making excuses for this person.  I knew this person couldn't keep any friend due to a piss poor attitude.  This person consistently claimed that all his/her friends changed when they got into relationships, but even I knew at the time that couldn't be the case.  I mean this person got jealous when I hung out with other people or if invited other people to hang out with us.  

 One day I made a new friend in my complex who ended up becoming mutual friends with both if us.  Well, this person told me that the other person was not a real friend to me and was talking crap behind my back.  My friend also said that the more I hang out with this person the worse my attitude got.  I appreciated this talk because only a true friend would call me out on getting a terrible attitude   I have to respect the realness of a person who would sit me down and tell me about myself.

 I confront this individual about it and we settled it. 

Then one day we got into the stupidest argument.  He/She wanted to keep drinking by the pool but I wanted to go home and lay down.  This person was drunk and I clearly was not.  The argument escalated and in a drunken stupor he/she threw my keys across my apartment and broke them in half! Who the hell does that?!  GAME OVER!  I PUSHED this person out of my house and told them never in her right mind to contact me again.  

 Let me tell you something, that was the BEST decision I have ever made.  Once I kicked this person out of my house my life started getting better immediately.  I started feeling happier in my life.  It’s true, when you take bad things out of your life good things begin to happen.

 Nowadays, I am way more selective who I deem as my friend.  I only have a handful of really close friends who I trust with everything and I know who will keep it real when no one else does.

 The Moral to the Story?

 Keep real people in your social circle.  Don't keep people in your life just to have them there.  Keep people in your circle who really love you for who you are and only want to see you succeed.

 In the comments below please tell us how you identify who is a close friend.  

Dallas Boudoir Photographer: April Overview

Thanks for another great month guys!  

I want to thank each and everyone one of you for visiting, subscribing, and supporting the blog.  I get so happy when I receive personal emails from y'all advising me that you found my content super helpful.  

I also have to thank all the other boudoir photographers’ around the United States and the world for supporting me as well by tweeting, retweeting, and pinning all of my boudoir articles.  I am so happy that you guys find them helpful for both yourself and your clients.  

April has been a very hectic but amazing month.  I won't lie; we will have some JEWELS for you in the month of May.  I can't tell you what but if you follow Wonderland Boudoir on the Gram (that means Instagram) you may have an idea of what I have been up to lately in the studio.  Spoiler Alert: Nothing but goodies!

In fact I have been collaborating with tons of great brands, stylist, and artist in the Dallas area and I cannot wait to present to you guys all the great projects that are too come.  I'm screaming from the inside with excitement.  

Thank you to ladies who have either booked or shot with Wonderland Boudoir this month.  Each session is super special to us.  We have a ton of fun with our clients.  My favorite part of shooting boudoir is letting the host see all her gorgeous photos!  I get a natural high off the excitement in her eyes.  Yes, you can be THAT girl.  

For the month of May we will be discussing the importance of friendships and why boudoir parties are amazing way to bond with your girlfriends.  Boudoir Parties are also a great idea for Bachelorette parties.  

 Remember to read the blog post and to comment.  One post each month will have a special gift certificate attached to it to one lucky commenter!

Just in case you missed anything this month I wanted to share with you some of the most popular post of the month.

Check out our beautiful clients and their personal sessions!

My favorite quote of the month:

Look in the Mirror, That’s Your Competition

If you would like to book with us please know that if you sign a model release which allows us to use your photos on our website, social media, and etc you will receive a 10% discount off your ENTIRE boudoir production.   This savings extends to albums, frames, and additional photos.  

May Boudoir Special

Remember this month we are offering 25% off the Queen's Court which is the Boudoir Party!  It's the perfect idea for an amazing bachelorette party.  The Queen’s Court is good for you and up to 5 of your girlfriends.  If you like to know more about each production please visit our investment page.   Once you decide which production works best for, or you just want more information, please visit the contact page!  

Lets all have a Wonderful May!