May
03
I want to make something very clear... Just like all women! We are strong, beautiful and unique! Please remember that….
I know there are times we don’t feel it or see it, we may feel tired and worn out but that is the very time we need to look after ourselves, be kind about how we feel (don’t give ourselves a hard time) be gentle and put ourselves first, i know a lot easier said than done. Strength comes from knowing what vulnerability feels like.
Life does have its up and downs, but the great thing is we can choose to have more ups! Its all about how we see things. Don’t get me wrong, i have my moments but i try and work (hard) on being positive every day but it is so worth being able to choose to be happy. Happiness is real beauty, its written all over you.
What makes us unique is our own story, every woman i meet has a story to tell. We have emotional and physical scars that life has given us but these are our tiger stripes! These show us we have battled and survived.
It helps to have inspiring people around you too, look out for them, they are worth their weight in gold!
So please remember we are all strong, beautiful and unique, tell yourself, tell others xxx
Feb
16
During the week February 2nd – 9th both Shona and I photographed nearly 20 pets for two local Charities, Limerick SPCA & Limerick Feral Cats.
It was a challenging week, not just teaching Shona how to use the camera but also how to get the best out of your client, in this case, pets.
During the sessions, i could hear Shona every now and then say “Yes”, which was fantastic, no longer was she just blindly shooting but was waiting for the right moment and knew when she got it!
We managed to raise €520 for both charities, which you can imagine they were delighted with.
Mary from Limerick Feral Cats said the money will go towards neutering 6 cats, which Limerick SPCA plan to spend it on purchasing much needed hay for local horses.
L-R Back Row: Mary Mollica, Limerick Feral Cats. Shona Birdthistle Mulligan, Eva Birdthistle Photography. Geraldine Nardone, Limerick SPCA
L-R Front Row: Pam Skehan, Limerick SPCA. Con Horan, Limerick SPCA
Nov
01
I am so lucky to have amazing clients who are such an inspiration. Have a read about K’s Boudoir Couture experience in her own words, this may inspire you too, Eva x
I always wanted to have a Boudoir Couture photo taken. I love Gok Won and always watched his programme ‘How to look good naked’. I have three children and thankfully never kept the ‘baby weight’ or got stretch marks, but lately because of exercise I feel fitter, feel better and think that for my age I don’t look bad. This was for me, a gift for me and DH (*darling husband).
The weeks before my session I put a lot of thought into what to wear and how I wanted my image to be captured. I researched Boudoir Couture and fell in love with Pinterest! I surprised myself by having a lot of what I wanted to wear already, all I needed to buy was pearls and stockings. I even rang Eva about arranging to drop in my bag of what I was going to wear a few days before my session! As the day grew nearer I was excited about my session and so looked forward to the day. Then the day arrived, I was giggly but nervous. I wanted to do this, I was going to do this, I was going to enjoy doing this. I am extremely camera shy and don’t like getting my photo taken, so as a norm this was going to be completely out of my comfort zone. But from speaking to Eva on the phone and meeting her for my consultation I knew that once I got to her studio I would relax and would feel comfortable during my session.
After my session I felt Amazing!! My make up and hair were both done to perfection, exactly what I wanted. I was on a high, so empowered as a woman! I had just posed in lingerie for an hour being photographed and enjoyed every second. Given half a chance I would have gone back in a heart beat for another session!
To be honest, when I saw my images at first I didn’t recognise myself. I asked Eva, Is that Me? I looked so good. I looked sexy, curvy, womanly, gorgeous, comfortable in my own skin! Which is exactly what I wanted to look like.
The main thing I would say to that is be honest with yourself! Know what you want, how you want to look, and how you want to feel. Do your research. Speak to Eva. Listen to Eva. She will guide you. She is gifted. From the minute I spoke to her I felt comfortable and I knew I was going to enjoy my Boudoir Couture session. I am so so glad that I did this and would recommend it to all women. We don’t have to be 7ft tall and a size 0 to be beautiful. Have a session with Eva and you will see how beautiful you are. I hope to go back for another session!
And can’t wait to give DH his gift xx
Oct
15
I am utterly amazed at the response to the Boudoir Couture session in our studio in Limerick. So many women are daring to bare, sometimes as a gift for their other half, sometimes for themselves. Its on many a Bucket List, or is to help with self esteem. Whatever the reason, it is now more popular than a standard portrait.
A recent client said after her session “this was supposed to be a gift for my husband but the session has turned out to be a gift for myself”
Every woman is beautiful, but sometimes we don’t feel it. It is my job to show you how beautiful you are. This morning’s client dropped me a quick message after her session “just want to say a huge thank you for this morning.You made me feel like a million dollars”
And my favourite of one, you know you’re going to want to show these images off to your friends, wait until you see their reaction… “Delighted with my images, still in shock to be honest with how well I look. Showed a friend today…wow was the reaction…. then I said its Me!!”
I love how positive the experience is, how positive my clients feel about themselves and their images. Its time to dare to bare, put on your favourite underwear and get the Boudoir Couture experience.
Eva x
Aug
04
In addition to lightning and posing techniques that i use to flatter every figure and illuminate skin there are a number of things you can do to prepare for your session. In fact these are the things that will result in the best possible images.
1 week before your session
- Start drinking at a least 8 glasses of water a day. I know this is easier said than done but it will make a huge difference to your skin’s appearance.
- Moisturise, especially on your knees and elbows, with a good body lotion or body butter after your shower or before bed.
- Don’t forget your lips! Exfoliate with a lip pumice every few days and use a lip moisturiser every day will have them in picture perfect.
- Visit your beautician to get your eyes brows groomed, remember your eyebrows are the frame to your face.
- Fresh colour or highlights are best done at this time too but i usually advise getting a drastic new look at this time.
- This is not a good time to start tanning, if you normally use a sun bed its best to stop it at least before your session.
The day before your session
- Either give yourself a manicure and pedicure or visit your favourite nail tech. Choose the nail colour that best represents to mood you are going for.
- Shave or wax the afternoon or evening before your session. In my experience the more a client is groomed the more relaxed they are in their wardrobe choices.
- Last but not least, get a good nights sleep! Being well rested will have a positive effect on your appearance and your disposition.
Even though there seems to be a check list of things to do before your session, this is not a time of stress at all. It is a time to feel pampered and pay attention to your body. You will feel recharged and refreshed as a woman and thats before you see your images for the first time.
Feel free to get in touch of you have any questions.
Eva x
Jul
15
3 years… where has the time gone?
In all the years I was an employee I never really thought i would be brave enough to go it alone. Then over 3 years ago with Shona’s Aspergers diagnosis and my Father passing away, i realised life was too short to be in a job where I couldn’t give my family 100%.
I first started with Marketing and Photography for creative industries, but soon after began getting requests for portraits. My first few were ok, they did the job. But i was hungry to learn quickly and develop a style. I absorbed as much information about Photographers i loved. Sometimes i got it right and sometimes i didn’t. It took nearly 12 months before i could honestly say i could see a style starting to develop.
When i introduced the Couture Sessions i knew this was the right path for me. I was getting as much out of the session that my client was. My creativity was flowing and i adored the images i was creating.
What have I learnt most in 3 years?
I have learnt most of all that every day has potential to grow and evolve my business. Every day i try to do something creative, every day i try to learn something new.
Always grow and learn not just from others but from what you do too.
Service is so important. Being a one (wo)man show it can be difficult to do it all and sometimes I make mistakes (eek) but i strive to do it better every time.
I have goals i set every year, i even have a 5 year goal. My path isn’t always straight and can take me off in other directions but i just re adjust my settings and move forward.
What’s happening in the Studio
I will be working more and more on Fine Art portraits for children, this is a passion of mine. To create works of art in their own right. Keep eyes peeled during the Autumn & Winter for these images.
You will see more maternity portraits coming through the studio. This is such an important time to capture, the quiet before the storm (hee hee).
What I have loved recently is the project i have taken on with my daughter to photograph animals. I am trying to teach her how to take a photograph… she doesn’t always listen but when she does she captures a wonderful image. I have even learned that i love capturing pet portraits, so much so we have introduced it to the studio.
As ever i love working with women, whether its for the Couture Session or for women in business. I will be working on an exciting session shortly, so keep an eye out for the results 😀
Click here if you want to get in touch. I would love to hear from you.
Eva
Jun
14
Like most small business owners, we tend to do everything ourselves. Designing, Production, Bookkeeping, administration, cleaner and sometimes even our own product photography. Thats great if you have a fully equipped photo studio but what if you don’t… you can still take great pictures with what you have.
Kate Ramsey of Fabulous Felt asked me recently to help tweak how she was taking her images for her etsy shop (please check it out, i love her scarves so much!). She was taking great shots but they weren’t representing her gorgeous colours properly and the clean up in photoshop was taking a little longer than she wanted.
She already had a great set up, with white backdrop and 2 contsant light sources, both pointing to the product. This creates an even flat light with a little shadow behind the mannequin.
the original light set up
We changed the set up be moving the mannequin forward, Light 1 pointing to the backdrop to eliminate shadows and Light 2 closer to the camera to cool down the “hot” light. We also made a few changes on her camera settings to make the images sharper and bring out the true colours of her scarves. This will also make the photoshop is a lot quicker.
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- the new light set up
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- Kate & her simple but effective set up
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- me shooting Kate & the simple change to her layout
Even if you have a point and shoot camera, there are a few changes you can make to improve the quality of your images, location, light reflection and sharpness. Give me a buzz to have a chat about doing it yourself 😀
Kate’s final product image
Apr
24
I’m always delighted to be asked to capture business headshots, and I’m often asked questions about what to wear, how the image should look etc. I’ve answered the most popular questions below and hope they are of use the next time you decide to update your business portrait.
- Your business portrait should be used to put a face to your business and reflect the industry you are in. For example, if you are in the corporate world then you should look professional and welcoming, if you are in a holistic business then your portrait should be soft and welcoming.
- Body Language: If you cross your arms make sure you are smiling. When you close off your body it looks like you’re not approachable, by smiling you can look professional and open.
- Business or casual? What you wear should reflect your business. What would you wear meeting a client for the first time? Your business headshot is more than likely the first impression they will get of you, so make sure it’s a good one!
- What to wear? Keep your style simple and avoid high fashion and anything seasonal clothing (short sleeves) as it dates the image. Go for a look you know suits you. Opt for solid colours and avoid strong patterns. And if possible bring a change of clothes/colours to maximise your investment with a photographer, you might get a second or third image.
- Lastly, where can i use them? You can use it on your website, blog, business cards, social media, press releases, company brochures, marketing material, industry papers…. the list goes on.
Apr
05
Every day I meet wonderful people and get a small glimpse into their lives just like this family. Lorraine asked me to photograph her son Dylan for his confirmation, along with his extended family. Dylan looked amazing against our new grey backdrop both in block colour and pattern.
Not only did we shoot in natural light but also took the opportunity to photograph the whole family with the studio lights against white, which is perfect for group shots.
Next time you are thinking about getting a Confirmation or Communion portrait done, why not consider getting a family portrait done too 😀
Check out the gallery for more confirmation photography
