I was blessed with the amazing opportunity to join a group of great photographers for the Boudoir Divas Workshop a few days ago. It was nothing short of amazing and worth every penny plus some. If you have never heard of the Divas – go check out their website and blog right now – they are amazing.
I knew that I wanted to be able to make women feel beautiful and grow their confidence – the way I felt the first time I did a boudoir shoot. I had heard about the Divas in 2010 but they really peaked my interest when I stopped by their booth at WPPI 2011. As soon as I heard about the June workshop I signed up. I was nervous and to be honest – very intimidated. I have never even attempted anything boudoir related and I have only been in business since last year! But can I just say that the Divas (Kimberlee and Marissa), along with their girls (Ashley, Deena, and Danielle) made me feel so comfortable! And the atmosphere with the other photographers was great! We all became friends immediately and have memories to last a lifetime!
Day 1 was great. If you are not thinking of doing the “Basics” breakfast – ADD IT ON! I am soooo happy I did. Yes they go over the basic of exposure, etc. But you learn and get to PRACTICE how they determine exposure – that is what made it soooo worth it to me!
Then it was on to posing, exposure, pretty much everything photography! Lunch was so yummy (build your own taco & delicious sandwiches and salads on day 2) and then it was on to actually photography the models. Queue the nerves! Seriously – I got so nervous. Luckily they had the pose books out for reference – but still it took a while for me to get into my groove. I would pose my model snap a couple pics and then say “Ok let’s do another pose.” And then I freeze and I am think “Oh Shoot! I don’t know what to do next!” and my mind would be blank! Luckily the models were SOOOO wonderful and took it in stride. So Jenica, Heather, Sarah and Natalie – thank you for being so great through my brain freezes!
I loved learning how to work with studio light. I was very nervous about it – but after a lot of trial and error – I have grown to love it. It was also nice switching from the fast photo-journalistic style of wedding photography to a slower pace, take your time photography. It took a minute to get my mind to switch out of wedding mode but once I did – everything started to flow and I felt more relaxed. It was also nice knowing that no matter what question I asked – no matter how stupid I may think it is – I could feel comfortable asking. I never felt like anyone was rolling their eyes or thinking “Oh my gosh – I can’t believe she doesn’t know how to do that!” – everyone – the Divas and the other photographers were all so helpful. I am so thankful I had the group of girls that I did.
Day 2 was all about marketing and the business side. Which I LOVE! Yes I am a drop-out business major (I switch to something more interesting – Geography – my 2nd year of college) but I do have a business mind and I love everything that goes into building a business. Day 2 flew by! When we got to post-processing and I opened my laptop and saw the time – 3:45 – What! Yeah I felt like I had just got there. Ca-razy! The Divas are so amazing and helpful. It is truly refreshing knowing that they are so willing to put everything out there about their business. Thank you lady’s.
So if any photographer are out there – whether you are like me and have NO boudoir experience or you have been shooting boudoir for a while but want to refresh your creativity – the Boudoir Divas Workshop is so worth the investment! And not only will you leave with knowledge, a new sense of creativity, and solid portfolio – you also leave with new friends and memories.
And thank you Carrie, Mapuana, Marianne, Michele, Jamie, Tessie, Cheryl, Suzanne, and Stephanie – seriously – you girls are so inspiring and fun. Thank you for the wonderful memories!
Be sure to check out their websites – such an amazing group of photographers.
