Savannah Boudoir Photography // ...and a little whiskey, too, featuring Becca

Becca has been one of my best friends since I was in the 7th grade. When I called her up a couple of months ago and asked if I could use her gorgeous downtown apartment as a backdrop for this big, crazy, busy marathon, I knew that she’d say yes without hesitation. Even though she asked nothing in return (being my best friend and all!), I wanted her to have the experience of a boudoir session.

I knew we’d have fun with her session! We had so many things going for us—best friends (no embarrassment or nervousness here!), her own space that she’s comfortable with, and, hello, she’s gorgeous! We had time to play with themes (note the bottle of Jack, which was a totally impromptu prop!) and outfits and the session was super relaxed.

"I had a blast doing something I wasn't sure I would be good at!” says Becca. And her advice to other ladies who would like to have boudoir photos done? "Have fun with it! You’re in good hands, so don't be nervous."

Bou-whaaat? // Tulsa Oklahoma Boudoir Marathon

If you follow my Facebook page or subscribe to my newsletter, you’ve probably heard the news by now: I’m coming to Tulsa for a boudoir marathon!

Many of you are right there sharing my excitement that there will be a boudoir marathon in Oklahoma this spring, but a few have asked in the same breath—“I’m excited, but what exactly is boudoir?”

In short, a boudoir session is a day of... diva. You get to sit back and relax while you are treated to an hour of pampering by the hair and makeup artist, then when you are all dolled up and feeling like a million bucks, you get to jump in front of the camera and have that feeling documented so you can keep it and show it off forever! First, let me show you a short video of my last boudoir marathon so you can get an idea of just how glamorous and fun these events are:

Here are a few questions I have been hearing a lot of—and, of course, their answers!

What do I have to wear for a boudoir session?

Nothing.

I'm just kidding... but really! You don't have to wear any certain thing. You can choose to go the traditional lingerie route, or maybe a loose fitting sweater with boyshorts, or a little black (or white!) dress. I fully encourage you to get creative with it! What you wear is entirely up to you, but it should be something that makes you feel comfortable and pretty or sexy or beautiful--whatever look it is that you want to achieve. We will go over wardrobe during your session planning meeting and pick out some great options for you to bring that are tailored to your style.

What can I expect the day of the marathon?

First of all, you get to show up to your session comfortable--no makeup, no tight clothes, no worries! Feel free to get to the (beautiful private downtown Tulsa) location a little early, snack on some gourmet treats and enjoy a glass of wine while you wait for your turn with our fabulous stylists.

The stylists will already have a pretty good idea of what look you're going for after I report back to them from our session planning meeting, so you don't have to worry about making too many decisions the day of your session! Just sit back and enjoy while somebody else does all of the primping for you.

Once you're all dolled up, we'll go through your outfit selections and have a look at the location to pick out what we want to shoot. Then, we have some fun! During your private photo session, we'll blast your favorite music and I'll direct you into poses that show off your favorite features and minimize the things you're not so crazy about.

Once your session is over, you don't have to run! You're welcome to hang back and relax with the other girls while they get ready, too! One of the best things about participating in a boudoir marathon is the "girls day" vibe. You'll not only get a gorgeous private photo session, but you'll get to enjoy some time to just hang out and chat with other fabulous women throughout the day.

What if I want something other than what's offered in the package?

I have many fine art quality prints and products available in addition to the products that come with your package! You will receive a full product list during your session planning meeting and I will show you samples of everything that is available so you can get an idea of what you might be interested in. About a week after your session, we will meet back up and I will unveil the finished images for you to select your package items. At this time, you will also have the option to add on anything else you might want.

Do you have more questions for me? Head over to the Facebook event and post them on the wall, or you can contact me directly! I can't wait to see you at the marathon, Tulsa! (If you haven't booked your session yet, you can snag your spot at this link.)

xoxo
Emily

The Creative Heart of Emily Caldwell Photography

A few nights ago, I was sorting through an old, old, old portfolio site I had made for myself back in 2010. When I first opened the home page, I felt a little... guilty. Like I'd wronged myself. We all expect to grow and change in 5 years' time, but sometimes the growth isn't what we thought it would be. Sometimes, while developing one part of a heart, another vital piece gets pushed aside.

I'd like to share a little history about my creative journey. This is history that, until I was flipping through process books and websites and old portfolio pieces a few days ago, I had almost forgotten. But, with the direction I'll be taking my business in the coming months, I feel this is a vital part of me to share because this is where my passion comes to life.

2008-2009 process book

Brag moment: My 2009-2010 process book was turned in for credit and received an "A+++" with the note: "Raw, vulgar, I love it. You nailed it."

In 2008, I was attached at the hip to my best friend, Chelsea. We would spend 80% of our time after school clipping fashion magazines and creating some honestly vulgar "collage-y" interpretations of pop culture, pasted into required reading books from our English class that we hated. (My "process book" was The Old Man and The Sea, in case you were wondering) We'd take inspiration from the colors, textures, and compositions we created in those books and bring it alive on camera. Chelsea would get dressed up in something classy, sexy or downright weird. We'd take my little Canon Rebel XTi outside and find a well-lit spot, or we'd go to my brother's old empty bedroom, drop a bed sheet down the wall, and I'd use his car work lights for studio lighting. We did some variation of this almost every day for two years.

For two years, I did nothing with my spare time but create. And looking back, given my knowledge and the tools I had to work with, I am damn proud of what I created.

Fast forward to fall of 2009. I had gained admission into my dream school, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, with plans to pursue a career in fashion and editorial photography. I was happy. I was sleep deprived and sometimes my work got shredded to pieces in critiques, but I at least had momentum. I organized regular Fashion Friday events with my friend and art director, Zamin Dharsi, collaborating with all kinds of local artists and creatives; I was doing what I loved even when it wasn't the assignment.

But at some point, I got spooked. I don't remember exactly how or why. I don't know if it was something that was said to me by a well-meaning friend or professor, or if it was the weight of the idea that my art would have to be meaningful and unique to sustain my career. In a sea of artists of all levels, I couldn't help but compare myself and feel inadequate. So, I left MCAD to "figure it out."

Reality check: You know what happens to students who leave school to "figure it out?" Most of the time, they don't. At least, not for a really long time. I can't say I regret my decision to leave school. I think huge parts of me--parts totally unrelated to my creative life--needed to grow or heal before I was ready to pursue my art. I do, however, regret that when I left school, I left my art with it. I should have known better!

It was a long time before I really picked my camera back up. I continued shooting occasionally, either at the request of friends and family or when I had a creative urge. But for the most part, my creativity was stifled by fear of the unknown. As an artist, I was completely paralyzed by fear.

When my husband, Nick, and I got together, I really got the what-for. Nick knew my work from far before we were a couple or married (in fact, I took his moody-guitar-player senior photos back in the day). He knew my talent and he loved that about me. Nick pushed me. At first it was, "Don't you want to do photography again?" or, "Would you like to shoot this session for my buddy?" I'd respond with a sheepish excuse: "I haven't shot anything in so long" or "I don't have the right equipment" or "I'm just not ready." Finally, his "do you wants" turned into him volunteering me for every type of session or event under the sun, which led to my hesitant first few bookings.

When my passion for photography came back, it honestly took me by surprise. I'm no longer a 19-year-old college student with nothing to my name but a beat up Toyota Celica and a closet full of hand-me-downs. I am now a wife and a mother; people are depending on me to do this right. I don't know why I dared to jump in like I did, investing so much of my time, money and heart. If I had to guess, I'd say (as cliche as this sounds), I did it for my daughter. In 17 years, Olivia will be going off to college to start her own career. I don't want her decisions to be based on fears. I need her to know that it's okay to fail, as long as you try with all of your heart. I can't teach her that if I don't show her that.

Last year, I committed most of my time, all of my money, and a little bit of my heart to my business. This year, I'm doing things differently. This year, I'm committing some of my time, a little bit of my money, and ALL of my creative heart (but not my family heart--shout out to you, husband, you tolerant, neglected man!)

How will that change Emily Caldwell Photography? How will that change my style and how I do business? It’s going to be amazing… but more on that later.

Yours,
Emily