A Few Personal Thoughts About Beauty StandardsI'm angry. I'm angry at myself for letting the standards of others affect how I feel about myself and my body. I know, this is nothing new to most women, and isn't that sad? I photograph women for a living. Every week, I meet women who are struggling with body issues. And you know what? Some of the most insecure women were also some of the most beautiful women I have ever photographed. Our society has a standard of beauty. Okay, that's normal and had been the case with every society throughout history. But, has there always been this horrible self-loathing in every woman who didn't fit that exact standard of beauty? I don't know. Whether yes or no, we need to stop. I do genuinely believe that everyone is beautiful in their own way. However, I have had a hard time listening to my own voice lately. All it takes is one person to put you down, make a snide remark, or give you the dirty up-and-down look of hate. Now, at this point, most of you may be thinking that I'm referring to skinny women hating on curvy women, or vice versa. Well, no. It's everyone hating on everyone else. I can tell you that skinny girls do not have it easier. Yes, okay, clothes can be easier to find when you don't have curves. But, the amount of hate that I remember is remarkable. People were always saying things like, 'I wish I were skinny, but not as skinny as Sydney because that's gross', 'Boy, you're so thin! I can't wait to see you when you get FAT!', 'I hope you have ten kids and get huge one day!'. When I worked at a clothing store selling denim, I got yelled at on a weekly basis by women who hated themselves and were taking it out on me. Now, I am a much curvier version of myself due in part to some health issues from a couple of years ago. I'm 5'8" and about a size 10. Well, there shouldn't be anything left to make fun of now, right? Sadly, that's wrong. I've still had people make comments, and now it's about how funny it is that I'm not so skinny anymore. What!? Are you kidding me? I also feel more societal pressure lately to be thinner which I know is ridiculous, but it still gets into your head. It's very hard to ignore the negative messages around you. Especially when they tell you that you are not good enough. No matter what size or shape we are, there will always be someone to tell us that it's wrong. And that just plain sucks. So, let's all just stop it right now. We need to love who we are, and be who WE want to be and not what others tell us we should be. If you love your curves, then own it! If you are a tall, thin, typical model type, then you own it too! Do you have a scar left over from an accident or serious illness? Then be proud of it and all that you have overcome. If you have an athletic build, if you are a mother with stretch marks, if you just plain don't fit into someone else's 'standard of beauty' then just love yourself, dammit! And more importantly, let's all accept one another and just learn to be happy for once. Boudoir BeautyThis Boudoir Beauty came to Artistic Photography looking for that special Valentine’s gift for her husband. She wanted something flirty and sexy, and came prepared with pink lingerie from Victoria’s Secret. She did her own hair but had a professional artist do her makeup, which she highly recommends. She was a little nervous at first, since she had never been part of a photo shoot like this before, but Sydney made her feel very comfortable. She enjoyed the session too much to pick a favorite part! Her advice for anyone else during a boudoir session? “Just have fun with it!”
Are Comfy Shoes the Key to a Lifetime of Happiness? The Raupfer Wedding
Are Comfy Shoes the Key to a Lifetime of Happiness? The Raupfer Wedding Or The Raupfer Wedding at Von Jakob (if you want to be boring)
Matt and Ann Raupfer’s fairytale began two and a half years ago, when they met at a sports bar through mutual friends. A year later he asked her to marry him, during a horse-drawn carriage ride on New Year’s Eve. The lovely couple vowed to spend the rest of their lives together on May 31, 2014 at Von Jakob Vineyard and Brewery in Alto Pass. Artistic Photography joined the Raupfers for their special day. Ann bought her dress at Touma’s Bridal in her hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The ball gown style dress had a full tulle skirt topped with sparkly appliqués that flowed up onto the bodice and straps, and the bodice laced up the back like a corset. Ann said she wanted something very traditional, and the sparkly details of this dress made her feel like a princess. The couple hired the Dave Caputo Band to do their music, Larry’s House of Cakes for their cake, and the catering was done by Von Jakob. The ceremony went smoothly, with Matt and Ann quoting movies to each other during their vows. “I was worried people wouldn’t get it or would think it was tacky,” said Ann. “They ended up thinking it was cute and funny, and even asked for an encore of them during the reception.” Her favorite part, though, was when she saw Matt’s smile as she walked down the aisle. Ann says the most important thing for future brides to do is to relax and have fun. Her number one tip? “Comfy shoes!” She recommends hiring a decorator and a caterer to help keep the stress at a minimum. “Getting the pictures before the wedding is a much better idea. After the wedding, everyone is hungry, ready for a drink, and they disperse. If you are doing photos after the ceremony, make sure all immediate family and the wedding party know that they are expected for pictures afterwards.” She suggests having fun with the pictures and making the most of your memories. “It was a great experience. Making it fun is a really important aspect for me and Sydney and crew really knew how to make it fun. It was also very pleasant because they really listened to my wants and needs for photos and found ways to get great shots no matter the situation. They were very professional and experienced.” Thanks, Ann and Matt, for letting Artistic Photography spend your beautiful day with you. Congratulations!
Get in touch so we can talk about photographing YOUR dream wedding! Herrin,IL 618-889-7154 http://www.photosbysydney.com/contact.html Alternative Wedding Dress StylesNot all brides dream of wearing a shade of white on their wedding day, much to the dismay of those around them. Don’t fret: there’s no reason to feel pressured into it! Especially not when you consider all of the wonderful style options that you can wear on your wedding day that can perfectly encapsulate your style. Goth Gowns When people hear “goth”, their mind immediately goes to black. While that’s an option, that’s not the only option at your disposal! Gothic wedding gowns denote a style of wedding dress that is inspired by medieval art and lines. They’re big, they’re poofy, and boy, are they beautiful. Goth gowns can come in a myriad of gorgeous bold and dark colors, including purple, black, red, and grey. Not only will that dress be incredibly memorable, but it will also be supremely gorgeous. Vintage Gowns There are so many designers that are trying to pass off their modern collections as “vintage”, but you needn’t get pulled into their lines. These dresses can be inspired from any bygone era, whether Edwardian, or 60's. With beautiful material and dreamy, clean lines, your gown can be reminiscent of the dress of one of your favorite relatives. Multicolored Gowns Why settle for just one color on your wedding dress when you could combine all of the colors? Multicolored wedding dresses are beginning to gain popularity, and we’re all for it! You can get as extreme as having a rainbow colored wedding gown, that will make folks grin at the fun of it, or just have several colors highlighted in different ways: one color for the dress, another for a belt, and maybe even another color for your crinoline. Speaking of which… Multicolored Petticoats If you were thinking of going a more traditional route with your dress, while still wanting something fun just poking out from underneath your hem, why don’t you look for a great petticoat? A petticoat is worn under your dress, and you can get a great petticoat in any color that you want. That way, you’ll get a perfectly presentable dress with a fun splash of color. There are many options at your disposal if you’re more of an offbeat girl that is looking for a fun alternative to a traditional wedding dress, giving you plenty of opportunity to find the perfect dress that meshes just right with your personality. Don’t let anybody talk you out of pursuing something that is more within your taste, and when you get the opportunity, rock it!
Contact us to discuss your Dream Wedding! Herrin, IL 618-889-7154 http://www.photosbysydney.com/contact.html Interview with a Bombshell
After a day of shooting, we sat down with Miss A to ask her about her Bombshell Session experience.
How would you describe your overall boudoir session experience? Empowering. I left feeling confident and strong and unstoppable. List the outfits you brought and where you bought them. I brought three different nighties from Victoria’s Secret and Dillard’s, a white button-down men’s dress shirt and solid black tie, a few black bras, three pairs of lacy underwear (red, pink, and black), and a brown wiggle dress from Macy’s. You know, in case I ended up looking awful in everything else, I better have some legit clothes. Who did your hair and makeup? What are your thoughts on these vendors? The studio provided both hair and make-up artists immediately before my shoot. I wanted big, curly, wavy hair playing off of my natural curl and hoped the ginormous pimple near my lip would be concealed. I was able to show Sydney pictures of hair and make-up during my consultation, and both artists achieved exactly what I wanted! What kind of vibe were you going for? Do you think we pulled it off? I originally sought these pictures for my husband who is currently stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, with the Army National Guard. Naturally, I wanted these pictures to look like me, maybe waiting for my husband, wanting my husband. Wearing something I’d easily wear around my house, for the most part. I didn’t want too much make up, no uber frilly costumes, and natural light in a bedroom scene. I also wanted these pictures to represent the woman I have become in my late twenties. I feel strong, beautiful, and confident, and I wanted to see that in print. Were you nervous about any part of the shoot beforehand? If so, what? Did you become more comfortable after the session started? If so, what helped to relax your nerves? My biggest concern was that I would look nervous in my pictures. Also, that I would think my thighs were too big, my boobs were too small, or that nothing would fit right that day. I think any jitters I had were erased during hair and make-up, though. There’s just something that makes a woman feel so good when someone else pampers her. My make up was airbrushed, and my hair was so sexy. I felt incredible just looking in the mirror in my tank top and jeans. I loved the music, too! It also helped to chat with Sydney. She’s so easy to talk to. What advice do you have for others getting their boudoir pictures taken? I made a “secret” Pinterest board prior to my consultation. I pinned tons of stuff: outfits, hair, make-up and poses. I wanted to keep the fact that I was doing this shoot private, since at the time my husband didn’t know about it yet. I took that board of ideas to Sydney who also had a board of pins for me on her Pinterest. It made it really easy for us to collaborate and stay on the same page. What was your reason for doing the boudoir session? (a gift for him, yourself, wedding present, anniversary, etc.) A gift for him, that ended up being a gift for me. Originally, I thought I should do this for my husband, but as I was proofing my photos I realized this was totally for me. I ended up purchasing a “big book,” because there was just no way could I narrow down that many awesome photos to fit in the smaller book. I plan to keep it forever. I’ll share it with sisters and friends and my daughters as they get older. I want my girls to grow up knowing what it means to love and respect their bodies. I want them to see, regardless of size or whatever “problem” areas they may see in their bodies, that they’re beautiful and sexy and no one’s opinion matters if they really believe it. I believe it. I feel it. And now I see it in my pictures. What are some of your favorite pastimes or hobbies? What about skills? I love baking, crafting, and playing with my two kids. I sing in my church’s choir, and I spend most of my time running my kids to soccer practice and piano lessons when I’m not working full-time, like most moms. I love reading and the arts. I’m a professional stage manager, but I grew up performing, dancing, singing and acting. What was your favorite part of the session? I loved how this entire day was just about me from start to finish. No babies, no work, just fun with a friend. I LOVED getting to view my proofs right then, too. Why did you choose the location where the session was held? I wanted a bedroom scene, because I wanted these pictures to represent the “me” my husband would see. I want him to be able to take these with him should he be deployed and remember what’s back at home waiting for him, loving him, and wanting him. I loved that I was able to look out a window “looking for him.”
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