I call it Double Exposure. A repeat business. A customer that comes back for more.

There are many reason why a woman would want more than just one photo session in her life. Usually it’s to celebrate a milestone, something to remember. I’ve had clients that came back after they lost weight, changed their looks, or changed a boyfriend ; ) . Some come in before, during and after pregnancy. Others, love their experience so much and get so inspired, that they book a session just to pamper themselves.

When Sarah called me up and wanted to make an appointment for a Boudoir Photo shoot I was not at all surprised. What made her experience a bit different from others is that her first session was more than two years ago, when she just turned eighteen. The two shoots could not be more different from one another. Not only did Sarah change and mature, but Oni Studio did as well. Two years brought an unrecognizable change in our quality, knowledge and experience. But enough about us. Let’s let Sarah tell her story.

My first experience at Oni Studio was two years ago, I was eighteen then and very nervous and shy. I was introduced to Victoria when my friend brought me along to her shoot, and instantly after it was done I was ready to book my own.

When I got to the shoot I had no idea what to do, but Victoria helped pick each outfit and made me feel comfortable. During each shoot she told me how to pose and definitely knew what she was doing. I brought the friend who’s shoot I went to, I did feel a little uncomfortable doing the lingerie shoots in front of her, but I got over that as soon as Victoria started shooting. Back then her shoots were very inexpensive, for a CD with 15 pictures on it, and that’s it. Two years later and WOW things have changed! Victoria has gotten way more popular, and has more experience under her belt. Prices have gone up, but it is well worth the money.

 

When I arrived Victoria went right to work looking at my outfits and planning the shoot. Then I sat down and got pampered by Ashley from Make-Up Your Mind, who did my makeup and hair.

 

The sets are more diverse now. Before it was a little room with a back drop, and now there is a whole house to play with. We were on a set of mirrors, on a desk, then to some stairs, on to a bed, and lastly outside onto a motorcycle I had brought over. Victoria made me feel so comfortable and relaxed that I didn’t have time to think about the fact I wasn’t wearing much in some of the shots. And I love the difference of the photos from two years ago to today. The first shots almost look like high school pictures, cute maybe a little sexy, but the ones from this year are….holly cow is that me?! I’m hot!, and usually I never say those kinds of things about myself.

 

 

Just by this one shoot with Victoria, I have gained so much confidence about my self that I used to never have. And I am now looking to branch out on modeling. Hopefully I will get to work with Victoria again. She is wonderful, and can make you laugh when your starting to feel uncomfortable. I think everyone should have this experience.

~Sarah G.

That’s all for now, remember ladies if you are interested in a shoot act quick because we are moving to Poulsbo after the New Year! Keep up with our latest work by becoming a fan on our Facebook page, we are also on Pinterest, Model Mayhem, and 500Px!

Recently I did a boudoir photo shoot with a very dear friend of mine and Oni Studio makeup artist, Ashley from MakeUp Your Mind. It only took her two years to finally get enough courage to do it, but after the photo shoot she was so excited about it and pleased with her photos she wanted to tell her story.

I have been working with Oni Studio for almost 2 years now, and I can’t tell you how many people come in so nervous about their boudoir shoot and leave so happy and confident about themselves. To see that transformation is one of many reasons that I love working with Oni Studio. However, upon meeting so many clients, the most common question I get, besides, “Can you come over and do my makeup every morning?” is “Have you ever done this type of shoot before?”

Up until a few weeks ago, I couldn’t give an opinion based on my own experience, which is totally different than an opinion of one just observing. So after several people telling me I should try it out, my husband leaving for deployment in May and the real root of it… not feeling very confident with myself and how I looked, I gave in. It took me two years to finally strip down to my unmentionables and let Victoria (figuratively) have her way with me.

Yes, I was a little nervous because I’m not a size 2, or a size 12 for that matter, and I’ve got stretch marks galore after pregnancy. Victoria listened to what I liked and didn’t like about myself, and was able to enhance and pull out my inner beauty and what I was wanting to portray in my pictures.They turned out beautiful and my husband couldn’t be happier! So, it’s important for me to say, just be confident in who you are no matter your size or insecurities.You will leave Oni Studios feeling like a whole new person!

Until our next blog entry, keep up with our new projects, ideas and fun photo shoots by becoming a fan on our Facebook page!

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As with any skill once you learn the basics you start to build upon them, expand your visions and try new things.  We believe that in business as well as life you have a have variety and always seek to expand and improve in every en devour. =)

After my recent surgery I had a lot of down time to research new photography techniques, and one of the styles I hadn’t tried yet, but thought was very interesting, is bodyscapes. This technique, sometimes referred to as low key lighting, is something I’ve been very enthusiastic about lately and hadn’t explored very much before since I was restricted equipment wise. However, after we splurged a bit at B&H Photo I’ve been delving into this type of photography with a vengeance!

While doing research for this new shooting technique I was contacted by Crystal, who was a prospective client for a wedding shoot (yes I do WEDDINGS!), and during our conversation she mentioned Vantel Pearls, a company she worked for. For those of you who are new readers of our blog, what I do every now and then is highlight a woman owned business, or feature a woman in what would be considered a nontraditional role, to support strong women in our community. So when Crystal and I talked I knew right away how to showcase those beautiful pieces of jewelry. Each pearl is unique and no two strands are exactly the same. Pearls are a timeless classic that should complete every woman’s jewelry box, and Crystal can definitely help you out with that.

I didn’t always appreciate the beauty of a pearl. Not until I started working for a NEX jewelry department and learned more about them and different styles and settings. When Crystal showed me some of the inventory she had on hand and a catalog from the company I was pleasantly surprised. There are so many modern unique pieces to choose from to match any taste and occasion. But don’t take my word for it. Book a home party with Crystal and let her blow your mind!

Hi! My name is Crystal Hetzer. I joined Vantel Pearls in 2007 and the company has given me the opportunity to have a home ran business, still work full time and going to college online full time. I thought about getting into a home business for a while to help with the bills, but I’m not into make-up or expensive clothes, but I do love jewelry. The best thing about pearls is that they are great for every occasion and all the different styles they come in are fantastic!

The one thing I love about doing home parties is that the customer never knows what color, or how big of pearl they are going to get when they pick the oyster. Vantel Pearls has made it easier for customers, in the way that they don’t have to open an oyster if they don’t want and they can order the product with either a white or black pearl. The company focuses on the customer, like other businesses, the hostess gets items at discounts but I feel that Vantel Pearls gives a wide variety of items to choice from to use the discounts on. Also the company is reaching out to customers in different ways. For example, online with demonstrator personal websites, facebook and other media outlets. Every Thursday on facebook they put at least one item up at a deep discount for customers.

Vantel Pearls is committed to the idea of leaving the world a better place, and truly believes that every individual does make a difference. Each time you make a purchase, Vantel Pearls donates a percentage of sales to agencies that provide shelter, counseling and education to families in need.

Vantel Pearls often gets involved with their local schools or other adolescent organizations to talk about bullying and how it relates to a pearl. I believe that this can be directed to not only adolescents but to every person that choses to wear a pearl. “Inside every oyster, there is at least one pearl.  A pearl is formed when an oyster defends against a grain of sand or foreign particle.  The oyster secretes layers and layers of nacre or mother-of-pearl around the irritant.   When we have a challenge, how many of us, as oysters do, find the gift in it-actually turn it into something positive?”

~Crystal Hetzer, Independent Vantel Pearls™ Demonstrator

www.vantelpearls.com/crystalhetzer

360-682-6847

During this photo shoot I tried few different lighting set ups using primarily a strip light. I searched through my trusted “Lighting the Nude: Top Photography Professionals Share Their Secrets” book a number of times for reference and inspiration. I definitely need more practice, but for the first try I am pleased with the result.

What do you think?

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Ever go into a Sherwin Williams and ask them if it were safe to throw latex paint on a naked girl? Welcome to my world! Now two years ago not only would have asking a total stranger such a question seemed strange to me, but these days I almost constantly find myself in some type of new and adventurous situation, but back to the story.  So while I was there I asked one of the guy employees, “What’s the best paint to get to throw on a naked body?”

The guy looked at me for a second and asked me to repeat “that last part”. I bet that was the first time he heard that kind of request at work! He regained his composure quickly and helped me select the appropriate brand of paint. To make his decision he asked me questions like “how the paint will be applied” and “how long it will stay on”. He was a big help and I walked out of the store a happy customer with a funny story to share with our fans on our Facebook page. Come to find out that one of our fans knows the guy from the store and had already heard the whole story!

If you’re wondering why I was in the Whidbey Island Sherwin Williams harassing poor innocent employees it’s because we had seen a post by Cat’s Meow magazine advertising that their upcoming issue had a latex and pasties theme and I thought I could kill two birds with one stone, and get to throw paint on someone!  For those that have never heard of Cat’s Meow it’s a very slick publication featuring new and upcoming models, photographers and others in the creative industry, very worth checking out!

This is a little backwards, but the first set we actually did that day was against our new brick Candy Stick Background from Backdrop Outlets. I wanted it to look like she was standing in a dark alley under a street light.  I positioned one of the Einstein lights with a standard 7 inch reflector on a boom right over the models face and an Alienbees with a softbox to the side of her to open up some of the shadows.

 The result was an evenly lit face and chest area, which is what I wanted the viewer to notice first. The rest of the body, though still visible, was in a deep shadow. It was one of the first times I had attempted low key lighting such as this, and while I’m still no expert I did capture the feeling I was trying to impart, and I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 The wardrobe was found when Miss C and I went shopping at Lover’s in Burlington, WA. I always love going there, and the fact that Cold Stone Creamery is right across the street has nothing to do with it! There are always really cute outfits to choose from and anything from leather to lace. We needed a pair of skin tight pants to go with the top that Miss C already had (bought from Lover’s earlier) and of course we found exactly what we were looking for.

Thats all for now dear constant reader, I have to thank Miss C for coming over and letting me splash her with paint, thanks so much! 

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!