A good friend of mine told me about this book “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E. L. James. She said it was right up my alley. I checked the book out right away. Wow! Bondage, sex and all the taboo subjects and it’s a #1 seller?!?!? Just goes to show you that sex does sell, and we all have that naughty side that needs to be unleashed once in a while.

After reading just few chapters I got inspired. This is my light interpretation of the story that captured imaginations of so many around the world. Hope you enjoy!

 

“I am going to have coffee with Christian Grey… and I hate coffee.” ― E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey

I don’t know why she is complaining. With Christian I would have coffee anytime of the day… or anything else he wanted.

“Men aren’t really complicated, Ana, honey. They are very simple, literal creatures. They usually mean what they say. And we spend hours trying to analyze what they’ve said – when really it’s obvious. If I were you, I’d take him literally. That might help.”  ― E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey

 

After doing some more research I found out that there are many books out there similar to 50 Shades of Grey. Some of them I read and can vouch for. Other’s were a news to me. If you read 50 Shades of Grey and craving more here is what Amazon.com recommends:

Carrie’s Story: An Erotic S/M Novel by Molly Weatherfield

Story of O by Pauline Reage

 Nine and a Half Weeks: A Memoir of a Love Affair by Elizabeth McNeill

Gordon: A Novel by Edith Templeton

The Sleeping Beauty Novels: The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty / Beauty’s Release / Beauty’s Punishment by A. N. Roquelaure

The Surrender: An Erotic Memoir by Toni Bentley

Now, I don’t want to say that this kind of experience is for everyone, but just to put it out there… At Oni Studio, there are no judgments or taboos.

We mean what we say: “Making all your photographic fantasies come true!”

If you are left craving more check out their FaceBook page.

And to keep up with our new projects, ideas and fun photo shoots become a fan on our Facebook page!

 We are also on Twitter, Pinterest and Google Plus!

Maternity sessions are not what they used to be. With a variety of photographers available today and their unique styles any mom-to-be can select the type of photo shoot that will match her personality and comfort level. Before, maternity sessions used to be somewhat one-dementional, when now you can go as creative or crazy as you would like.

Creating your own package can be so much fun. From choosing between fantasy, pin-up, glamour or boudoir styles to picking a location. Would it be in the studio, your own home, a park or a garden, or a luxurious hotel room. And then there is the dress-up part… what girl does not like that?

When our long time model and friend Jenn, became pregnant with her second child I knew right away that I wanted to write this blog and be able to explore all the possibilities of the maternity shoot. I wanted to show the variety that any future mom can explore at Oni Studio. Few months ago I wrote about a pin-up maternity session. This is a little bit different.

“Shooting with Victoria at The Palace Hotel was absolutely sensational! There was a very sophisticated yet historical aura in the atmosphere.

Shooting at over 6 months pregnant was a very sensual experience for me, and I really wanted to capture that attitude in the photographs; and, I believe shooting in that hotel amplified that objective. It’s a very provocative place, and I wanted my photos to have that identical sense, which kind of goes against the grain with “traditional” maternity photos. I couldn’t be any more satisfied with her winning shots!”  ~Jennifer B.

I invited Jenn for a few short sessions. One was at The Palace Hotel in Port Townsend, another one in the studio and outside in the orchard on a sunny day. Her husband, a military police officer, was able to join us for one of the shoots as well and we took some great shots of mom and dad.

I hope you enjoy the photos and get inspired for your own shoot!

What’s new at Oni Studio? Well, we have been working hard on expanding our prop closet. Our clients would still provide their own lingerie, shoes and other personal items, but we want to be able to add really unique pieces to any shoot. Now we have a variety of wigs from Gothic Lolita, ear wraps provided by Feather Heaven, and amazing head pieces are on their way hand made by Rachel over at Posh Fairytale Couture. We also have masks, gloves, hats and other goodies. During the consultation we can go over your outfits and what we can add to make the look complete. So don’t wait any longer and book your appointment today.

 

Keep up with our new projects, ideas and fun photo shoots by becoming a fan on our Facebook page.

 We are also on Twitter, Pinterest and Google Plus!

 

Boudoir photos are intimate images of a woman that are revealing and sexual. This kind of photo shoot is exciting and liberating. It can increase self-esteem, rekindle romance and all around be a life-changing experience.

But being a woman myself, I can understand how that excitement can quickly turn into apprehension. Thinking about being so vulnerable and exposed can be scary and I often hear women say:

If only I was thinner… taller… prettier… Had bigger this and smaller that…

There are so many excuses, but it all gets down to making that first step. Once she makes that step, she never regrets doing it.

Proper lighting, flattering poses and professional makeup can transform an every-day girl into a princess she really is.

 

So what can you expect once your decision has been made?

5 Easy Steps to a Sexier You

#1 Book a Session

Fill out the contact form on our website or call me directly at 757-582-2334 to book your shoot. We’ll set up a phone, Skype, or an in-studio consultation to go over your ideas and wardrobe choices. Also, I will send you information about your shoot, what to expect and how to prepare.

#2 Day of the Shoot

It’s like visiting a good friend! Arrive at my home studio and get situated in the dressing room. We’ll go over your outfits one more time and talk about the process. Finger food and refreshments are served to keep your mood and energy level up. If our makeup artist is here to work on your hair and makeup, she will pamper you and help you get ready. After that you are ready to step onto the set!

#3 During the Shoot

All lights are on you! We’ll move from set to set and try different posing and lighting to highlight your sexy side. I will guide you through this process, so you don’t have to have any modeling experience, but at the end you will definitely feel like a super model!

#4 Viewing Session

After your photo shoot we’ll sit down and go over your images together. At this time you can select your favorite images to be edited. We’ll talk about your print order, specialty items, and answer any questions you might have.

#5 Order Pick-Up

Once your order has arrived from our printing lab I will give you a call and set up a time for you to come by. After reviewing your order you can take it home and show it off with a new sexy confidence!

There are no secret about Boudoir Session and if you have any questions all you have to do is ask. So this Holiday season do something special for yourself. Make a memory to cherish for a lifetime, and if the man in your life happen to get a present that is for his eyes only…. I am sure he will not complain.

One of the most popular gift ideas for the Holidays is the Wall Calendar. This calendar includes thirteen of your favorite images, one for the cover and twelve for each of the months. There are several styles of the calendars to choose from and it can start on whichever month you wish. These publisher-quality calendars are printed on high-quality card stock and are easy to customize to make it uniquely you. This gift keeps on giving throughout the year!

Take advantage of 15% off Holiday Calendars offer from now until December 20^th. Book our appointment today!

 

Victoria and I have always enjoyed Halloween. In fact, its most likely our favorite time of year. It’s the only time everyone can dress up and unleash their inner monster and this is what Oni Studio is all about: Bringing out the hidden personality!  When we met Johanna and company we knew we had met our match. Every year Johanna, along with an army of volunteers, operates the Frightville Haunted House to help raise funds for the Oak Harbor Boys and Girls Club. We had met Johanna a while back as she had been a fan of our work and was kind enough to invite us out to shoot the event. During the pre-shoot reconnaissance we knew this wasn’t some run of the mill haunted house where people were just going through the motions. This group means business! With countless hours dedicated to designing and building the sets, special effects make up and nightly shows, their dedication to raise money for such a fine cause is admirable and we wish them the best of luck with their event.

If you would like to help out with the Oak Harbor Boys and Girls club or make a donation please call the administration office at: 360-240-9273 or you can visit the website here.

The first time we saw pictures of the Frightville House they were taken by another local Whidbey Island photographer, John Pendleton. His pictures had a very creepy and gritty feel to them, and were just as phenomenal as his other work. Since I put John in the same class and category as Joe Mcnally in the area of lighting, the prospect of going out and shooting the same thing he had was intimidating! Victoria and I talked it over (as we do most of our shoots) in order to attempt to flesh out every creative detail. In this process we will discuss lighting, draw out diagrams, examine potential pitfalls, discuss marketing possibilities and research the internet to see how the project has been shot previously. She wanted to utilize a more even type of lighting with softboxes and grid modifiers, but I was vehemently against it. I thought it would make the pictures look “too real”. Victoria stressed that all other photographers would try to light it in a spooky type way, and that her style of lighting would serve to distinguish our work from others. Since I didn’t have any ideas of my own I went along with the plan.

After a long discussion we packed up most of our studio equipment and set off to the Frightville House with the intention of using our grids and softboxes. Although we walked through the rooms before, when we actually got there with all the equipment, we realized the spaces were too small for setting up our studio lights. In addition to that we had forgotten our hot shoe speed light! We were trying to figure out a lighting set up when Victoria dropped another bomb on me by saying, “No pressure, but they are not open today. The crew came down here on their own time and spent hours in make up just to have this photo shoot done.”

O—M—G!!!

Sometimes when the pressure gets really applied to me I have an epiphany, and thankfully I had one then too. Why not just use the light that’s already here? The keepers of the house have done a lot of research and experimentation into sculpting the light in the creepiest manner possible. With the creative use of our light reflector, high ISO, tripod and Photoshop we would be able to bring that raw fear to our viewers!

It took a bit of adjusting with the camera, but we started getting some good shots until we got to the shot posted below with the corpse bride in front of the moon. Obviously the moon back lights her, and no matter how hard we tried to bounce that light back into her face with the reflector, we were not getting enough detail in the face. I was racking my brain to a solution when I saw another volunteer using a flashlight to find something they had dropped, and then the ghostly voice of Obi Kenobi whispered in my ear, “Use the flashlight Luke!” I would have never had attempted this in front of my instructors at DINFOS, but I took the flashlight and shined it directly onto my reflector to diffuse it. Victoria took the picture and I waited in nervous anticipation for the little happy jump she does when the picture is good.

“Click”….happy jump! Yes!

So the irony is that the thousands we have spent on lighting equipment was defeated by a $20 dollar flashlight, and an old $10 ebay special reflector. Kinda neat!

All the shots we have here were taken with the use of only a reflector or a combination reflector/flashlight.  We hope you get as much pleasure viewing them as we did shooting them! 

…This is our 11th year and the Haunted House is one of our main fundraisers for the Club. All proceeds from the house benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Harbor. Everyone who works in the house is a volunteer and construction begins in April to have the house ready by October. (We do like to joke with our “masterminds” that they start planning on October 31st right after the house closes for the season). It takes between 25 and 30 volunteers a night to man the house, again all volunteers. We are very proud that Frightville was rated #5 out of all the haunts in Washington State. …thanks again for the great pics! It was a lot of fun to watch you do your magic!

Peg Fenstermaker

Director, Boys and Girls Club of Oak Harbor

Keep in mind constant reader that we were only able to shoot a small portion of the haunted house. There are many more rooms, and many more monsters! We at Oni Studio hope you have an awesome and safe Halloween! Tune in next week for another exciting and sexy edition, and remember if you would like to book your own shoot with us its as simple as filling out the contact portion on our website here!