Sarah Slims

I met Sarah a few months ago and heard her story about how she had lost a lot of weight.  She told me about  the product that was helping her and I pretty much decided it had to be to good to be true.  Still, she was so enthusiastic about her changes, showed me her before photos and admittedly I was impressed.   I told her I’d try it sometime, just not then.

Then she contacted me again wanting another portrait session as the company was putting her on their website and she needed some photos.  Again, how exciting!  Sarah has lost over 50 pounds using Plexus.  It’s a drink mix that you drink 1-2 times a day.  She didn’t change her diet, however her tastes and desires for certain foods went away. 

Okay, I’m trying it!  I haven’t been on it very long but, I’m already noticing some wonderfully positive changes!  I’m diabetic – my blood sugars have stabilized, I sleep good at night, no leg cramps, my moods improved, I have MORE energy!  Within the few weeks, I’ve already rid myself of 10 pounds.  I’m looking forward to seeing future changes in myself as I have seen in Sarah.

Want to learn more about Plexus?  Just click this link right here … –> Plexus.  And stay tuned on Monday for a very personal blog entry from me (Monica).

~ 253-970-5689 ~ info@familyaffairphotography.com ~ www.familyaffairphotography.com ~

Getting the Glam On!

Recently we started offering boudoir sessions and much to my surprise, I fell in love with this type of photography. Not for the reasons many might think. What I love was watching women of all ages and sizes coming in and not feeling so confident about themselves or their bodies.

Each woman was quick to point out what was wrong with them and we didn’t need or want to hear their negative voice. We all get that enough in our lives, our own self talk can be negative. So, watching these women leave the sessions giggling, laughing and walking on cloud 9 because they felt liberated, free and BEAUTIFUL was such a delightful sight.

What about the woman who doesn’t want to do boudoir? WHY can’t we get a make-over and have some beautiful photographs of ourselves? You know your children will want them and well don’t we all want a photo of ourselves where we look and feel GORGEOUS!

So with great hesitation, I’ve been calling these glamour sessions. The reason I’ve tried to avoid calling the sessions ‘glamour’ is I remember the days in the 80’s of glamour sessions where you went in and had the hair, makeup, the heavily padded shoulder pads, leather jackets, feather boas, etc. This is NOT that type of session. Let’s think Hollywood glamour, Vogue glamour, being the bombshell of a woman that you are no matter your age or size!

Bring an outfit that you might wear for a date night out, soft fabrics, jeans and a solid color tee shirt, I’ve seen women come and rock it with a simple camisole and beautiful scarfs. Make this a reflection of you whatever you choose.

Some come get dressed up, pampered and be photographed in that awesome outfit you have. We look forward in getting to spend a fun filled afternoon with you.

~ 253-970-5689 ~ info@familyaffairphotography.com ~ www.familyaffairphotography.com ~

‘Glamour Session’ ~ Jessica

Early April, we moved into a new studio space that we share with two other photographers, it was decided that we would have a studio ‘play date’.  We took some of the left over materials we used for the aspiring portrait photographer group and with that tulle, a new dress was created for Jessica using black duct tape, and one of my favorite scarves that I now leave at the studio for other uses.  To see photographs from our group session see below for Hannah & Annie, together and their separate sessions.

We had a great time with our studio partners and our beautiful model.  Thank-you Jessica for being a good sport and allowing us to “dress you up” …. in reality under all the tulle she has a camisole and shorts on. =)  Hair and makeup by Ashley Bresnahan.

~ 253-970-5689 ~ info@familyaffairphotography.com ~ www.familyaffairphotography.com ~

Glamour ~ Betsy

Several months ago I started watching world renowned glamour photographer, Sue Bryce on a webinar series.  That webinar opened my eyes and I realized immediately, THIS is what I wanted!  I wanted to do something where women can come in and FEEL beautiful, feel pampered and to renew that love for themselves.  It’s so easy for us as women to start putting everyone else first and not do things for ourselves.

We have a special glamour photography package that includes hair, makeup and beautiful images!  To read more about our ‘Fabulous Women’ event that we had, check out this blog entry:  Fabulous Women

~ 253-970-5689 ~ info@familyaffairphotography.com ~ www.familyaffairphotography.com ~

Glamour ~ Sisters, Hannah & Annie

What fun it was having the two sisters for a glamour session with a bit of a twist.  This is the final of our series, featuring Annie and Hannah who came in for a creative and fun photo shoot.  I think I can honestly say, while I love the images of them alone, I absolutely loved this time when they relaxed and goofed off together in front of the camera.  They allowed their true personalities to shine. 

~ 253-970-5689 ~ info@familyaffairphotography.com ~ www.familyaffairphotography.com ~

Creative Glamour Portraits ~ Hannah

For several months, I’ve been waiting to do this ‘challenge’ that was presented by another photographer who challenged those watching her seminar to do themselves.  She had a bolt of tulle and challenged photographers to make a dress without cutting the fabric and even suggested adding other elements such as window screen.  We decided to bring in two young creative women to model and help with the look. 

For Hannah, we had black tulle and decided to throw in black trash bags as the other challenging element.  It was decided that the black dress would have a mermaid look to it, then when we added some peacock feathers to her hair, we had to give the dress a bit more puffiness in the back.  This challenge isn’t for everyone of course but, it was fun attempt and admittedly a bit more challenging for someone like myself who doesn’t sew or has any knowledge in designing dresses!  Fortunately, the dresses remained in tact until the end of the shoot, and we had a lot of fun getting to ‘play’.

~ 253-970-5689 ~ info@familyaffairphotography.com ~ www.familyaffairphotography.com ~

Creative Glamour Portraits ~ Annie

Annie came to our photography studio with her sister, Hannah for a photo shoot that was a bit of a challenge and required team work.  Everyone needed to work together to make this session happen!  The challenge was to make two young ladies into ‘models’, and was aptly titled “Build-a-Model”.  We (3 photographers, Annie and Ashley our makeup artist) worked together in creating the total look, dresses were made from a bolt of uncut tulle and for Annie, window screen was thrown into the mix!

After everything was designed, created and put together we were able to go out and really enjoy the fruits of our labor!  Thank-you Annie for being such a great sport and rocking this shoot!

~ 253-970-5689 ~ info@familyaffairphotography.com ~ www.familyaffairphotography.com ~

Fabulous Women

Below are the before/after photos of the wonderful and beautiful women who came to our studio for a day of hair, makeup and photography.  Some of the after photos weren’t my particular favorite from the their session, however, they were the best to help illustrate the transformations that took place. 

Recently we had added boudoir to our repertoire of services provided and what hit me the most about the boudoir was how women walked away feeling empowered, beautiful, confident and held their head high as they left our studio.  However, I knew it wasn’t something I would even dare consider doing myself; partly due to my age, partly due to my weight, partly due to my scars, but if truth be told I’m not confident enough to do boudoir. 

It was after watching those women who came in for the boudoir, that I realized I needed to take control of myself instead of neglecting myself and feeling unworthy of attention.  Years of past abuse in my life have been engrained in my thinking and I’m slowly working past the abuse inflicted on me and I continually give thanks that I now have a wonderful, patient & loving husband who knows when to step back to give me space so I can work things out and when to step in and stop the negativity in my own head.

Anyway, I really wanted to add a photography service, a ‘experience’ for those of us who just aren’t at the boudoir comfort level for whatever reason.  We all have our own fears and comfort levels.  Even at this particular session there were women attending who were uncomfortable simply hearing how beautiful they look.  Sadly, I could relate, I’d be uncomfortable too.  However, I am slowly learning that we are our own worst enemy, we often see the worst in ourselves instead of looking at the wonderful and beautiful qualities we have inside and out.  I’m learning that we truly need to love ourselves in order to fully love those around us.  That alone is a work in progress!

If you are interested in a ‘glamour’ session please give us a call and we will have a hair & makeup person come and then we will show you through our camera how beautiful you truly are!  Beauty comes from within and when you feel wonderful, it’s going to show in your images. 

We are also scheduling some mother/daughter sessions.  So consider bringing your mom or daughter, imagine both of you getting made over, a little bonding time and then having the beautiful memories preserved.

Credits:  Hair – Jennie D’Andrea 253-474-1720

Makeup – Stephanie Reilly  muastephanie@live.com

~ 253-970-5689 ~ info@familyaffairphotography.com ~ www.familyaffairphotography.com ~