photography

New Couture Studio

So February we started shooting in our new Couture studio in Annacotty. A few months ago i decided that I wanted to give clients more in their Couture experience but knew that the city was not the place for this. We began creating an environment that would be a little touch of luxury in a quiet location. Check out our video below for a steal peek…

 

 

Char’s Boudoir Shoot

You may have read a post on Facebook recently about our lovely client Char, won Miss Photogenic at Miss Plus Size UK, I’m obviously biased cause I think she rocks it in front of the camera. Read what she had to say about her recent Boudoir Couture shoot.


What made you decide to do the Boudoir Couture session?

I’ve always been drawn to do a boudoir shoot. I wanted to do something where I felt sexy, empowered and  to embrace the curves I tried to hide for so many years. For years I looked at magazines and seen pictures of glamorous strong women who just embodied everything a woman should stand for and it just clicked one day that I was going to become if not try to be just like those women.

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How did you feel before the Boudoir Couture session?

If I’m being completely honest, I wasn’t nervous. When you find a photographer who chats to you before the shoot and just makes you completely at ease there is actually nothing to be nervous about. Its taken a long time and I’m confidently happy in my own skin. I am human though and of course I have my off days, I look in the mirror sometimes and think I should try change things but no body is perfect and that is completely normal. I also thought if I turn up to this shoot nervous it’ll reflect in my photos and I didn’t want that. I choose to embrace it and that’s exactly what I did.

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How did you feel after the Boudoir Couture session?

The shoot was so much fun and I honestly didn’t want it to end, and after it was finished I told myself this wouldn’t be the last boudior shoot I would do. I felt exactly how a woman should feel about herself – confident, sexy and most of all happy.

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How did you feel when you saw your images?

I was speechless. I couldn’t believe the woman I was looking at was me. When you are having fun and happy it really shows in the pictures and it also helps to have a super talented photographer like Eva 🙂

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What would you say to someone who is considering doing the Boudoir Couture session?

My advice would be not to be scared and go for it, even if your not 100% happy in your own skin, the boudoir experience will open your eyes and show you how beautiful you really are no matter what you shape, size or age. You will go home that evening with the biggest smile and a spring in your step. It is such an empowering feeling to stand in front of a camera and feel beautiful. Most women I know are so busy with their every day lives that they forget how to feel beautiful and sexy, and some have never felt that way at all. A boudoir shoot will make you feel all of that and more. One thing I will say is to never tell yourself that you’ll do one when you lose weight. Embrace the body you have and give it all you got.

 

What to wear

This post is a guide to what to wear for your photoshoot, it is most important that over anything else you are comfortable on the day. Ok i don’t really recommend tracksuit and t-shirt, but if you’re wearing something you don’t feel good in then it will show in your portrait. 🙂

First off, decide whether you want to be photographed in a casual look, a little dressier or even in that WOW outfit! If you are being photographed with other family members, make sure that you look similar in style but not matching, as each of you are unique and should dress accordingly. 

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Avoid patterns and choose block colours instead, as your eye gets drawn to pattern and you should be the focus of your photo. Details such as lace sleeves or lace necklines are stunning! Sequins, V-Necks, semi-fitted tops or dresses are gorgeous to photograph too and so complimentary to every body shape.

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Before your shoot try everything on and make sure it fits comfortably. Repair any faults, steam, iron or launder your outfit before your shoot. Give your nails a polish and don’t forget your accessories.

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If you have any questions feel free to give me a shout, talk soon.

Eva

What she Wears

So we headed to Kerry this weekend to celebrate my Mum’s 79th Birthday. I can’t believe she is one year off 80, she certainly doesn’t look it or act it. I suppose that is part of the times we live in, you no longer have to act a certain way when you get older. I remember when I was a kid, once a woman reached 60 she wore matching knitted skirts & tops with flat shoes. Today I love to see women carving out their own path, wearing what they want and not bowing to what was once convention.

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Boudoir Couture at 78

I remember asking my Mum years ago how was her skin so beautiful and she said her Mum told her not to put soap & water near her skin, only cleanse & moisturise and she has been doing it ever since. (and so have I)

I asked her what was the best advice she would give today and what she has learnt over the years to keep her skin looking amazing.

When she was about 15 she started off with Ponds Cold Cream as her daily routine, it was the only thing that was really available then. She also wore far too much makeup back then too, with her then boyfriend telling her he could “shovel it off her face”. Eeek.

Once she got married and started her family she couldn’t afford and didn’t have time for her makeup. She moved on to Oil of Ulay (now Olay) when it first came out and would experiment with different types of moisturisers, basically whatever she could afford. It was around this time she stopped using soap & water and began cleansing her face morning & night.

Now a days she just cleanses (Clarins), uses a serum (No7) and moisturises (Clarins), “these aren’t cheap, but you only need a pea size amount so it lasts ages”. As she does a lot of outdoor activity she also applies SPF 50+ La Roche tinted Fluid every day before she goes out, she also swears by lip balm.. “I don’t go anywhere without it” she tells me.

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Couture Photoshoot at 76

I asked her what advice would she give a woman in their 30’s onwards, she replied “as your skin changes you need to change the products you are using, you don’t have to buy the most expensive or the big brands. Don’t listen to what someone else uses, everyone has different skin, experiment, get samples, go with what suits you today. ”

I asked her was drinking loads of water part of her keeping her skin hydrated… “I don’t drink enough water, about 3 glasses a day. I much prefer a glass of bubbly, Prosecco on a normal day and Champagne for a special occasion” Gosh, I certainly picked up a few of my Mum’s traits.

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Louise and I helping Mum celebrate her 79th Birthday

Happy Birthday Mum and thanks for your advice. Right I’m off to buy some Factor 50 and a bottle of Prosecco  xxx

 

Finding the Light

I adore the quality of natural light and i am so fortunate to have stunning light in our studio. We begin all Couture Sessions using the light form our windows, bouncing and bending it to get the desired effect.

Being inspired by Irish artists such as John Lavery or the Dutch Masters like Vermeer natural light is a perfect (& free) resource to light our subjects. Yes there are days I curse the brightness of it as I adjust my settings to compensate or days when there isn’t enough and I ask my client to sit as still as possible, however my ideal day being an overcast one like today.

I am preparing a new back drop today similar to the style I shoot to create a painterly feel to our Couture Portraits, and I am so excited to think of the possibilities we can create.

Here are some of my favourite painterly inspired emotive portraits using natural light:

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Cara couture Session

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I adore Couture portraits, timeless <3

Martina & Damien’s Winter Wedding

Oh i love weddings! I am an utter romantic and can’t help getting swept away by the emotions of the day and shedding a happy tear for the couple. Martina & Damien’s wedding was no different. A beautiful couple with lovely family, delighted being together to celebrate this day. Capturing their moments was such a privilege. Here are a few of those moments…

Martina & Damien's Wedding Day

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Huge thank you to Martina & Damien for allowing me to share this with you, and yes i fell in love with her Dad’s restored vintage Beetle.

Eva x

Creating Your Personal Brand

A New Year is all about redefining you, not reinventing. Are you looking for a promotion, a new job or to market your business to a wider audience? If so you need to think about the image you put forward. Think of yourself as a brand, how do people feel when they hear your name? Do they know who you are and what you do?

Follow these steps to help you build your personal brand:

What do you stand for?

Are you funny, trustworthy, creative, an expert in your field? What are your passions? What makes you you? What ever you stand for you need to define it and communicate it. Make a list of “key words” that describes you, what you are about and then use these to help you be more strategic in your communication.

Your Domain

Using your own name is important to build your personal brand, therefore branding your business with your name is recommended. Try and secure your domain name for your website or even a blog and make sure you use it across all social media platforms.

Your Personal Style

Create a style that makes you stand out from the crowd or create a signature look that communicates your “key words”, e.g. are you a creative designer  or a confident business woman. Make sure you wear your signature look at meetings and in your business profile. If you are unsure where to start, I would recommend finding a wardrobe consultant that specialises in working with executives. Check out Gaye Moore on Twitter 

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Personal Brand Kit

Your personal brand toolkit consists of many elements, make sure they represent you & communicate your personal brand key words effectively.

  • business cards
  • websites/blogs
  • social media profiles
  • professional headshots
  • email addresses

Communicate your Personal Brand

Now you have created a personal brand it’s time to communicate it to your audience. Be active online, create original content,  join a network group, speak at public events and ask for introductions.

Best of luck with redefining your brand in 2016, if you need any help please feel free to contact me 🙂

Eva

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Women in Business Headshot

So you have decided you need a new business headshot as the one you have just isn’t professional enough. Fantastic! Next thing to think about… what to wear for your shoot?

Keep it Simple! No, really simple. A headshot should be all about you, not your accessories.

Avoid anything high fashion as it will date your image quickly and you want to get a few years out of your investment.

What suits your body shape? Are you pear shapped, apple or even triangle.. (didn’t know this was a shape) .Try on different necklines as you may be surprised at what suits you.

Opt for solid colours and please do avoid patterns and the viewers eye will be drawn to your body rather than your face.

***If in doubt…. wear a solid colour, semi fitted v-neck top.

(high v-neck for smaller bust, a deeper but not too deep v-neck for a larger bust)

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Have a look at some of our clients images here.

 

Feeling Fabulous at 40+

What a great event we had in the studio today for Feeling Fabulous at 40+. Not only did we learn how to pose in front of a camera and what to wear but also a few new tricks when it comes to makeup and skin care.

A huge thank you to everyone who was able to make it, a big squeezy hug to our Model Yvonne, Brenda from Annie Ruffles for the tea service and of course Alison & Marian for the makeup demonstration (The people we will blame for having no money left).

There are a few products I would love to remind you of… the Mac 24hour Prep & Prime for under the eyeshadow! Inglot Under Eye Concealer (see below), Puff Off from Benefit, these products will make a huge difference to your eyes, making sure they are bright and beautiful.

If you have any questions about today please feel free to contact me by dropping me a line here

You can find Annie Ruffles on Facebook here for hiring of stunning props and Tea Servcie

You can find Alison & Marian here to chat about there new Showcase Brand or ask questions about the Skincare & Makeup.

Again, thank you for making it such a lovely morning.

Eva x

Irish Portrait

You may know by now, I adore emotive portraits and I love creating images that look like paintings. Niamh won a Couture Session competition and during the pre-session appointment I soon realised the style of shoot we would be creating.

She adores Irish fashion from the 20’s & 30’s and she loves medieval architecture, literature and art. But we didn’t want to create something that looked like a costume but rather influenced by all these elements.

The artist that came to mind was Lavery, his women were always emotive but also very strong. So with this in mind we created a selection of images that were in my opinion an “Irish Portrait”.

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Please if you are looking for a portrait, ask me to shoot you like this. I would be in heaven!

Eva x