Skinny Mini Sessions! | Alton, Illinois Family, Maternity, Newborn, Child, Portrait Photography

As many of you have noticed in the first half of 2012, when the calendar turned over a page last January, Breathtaking went a different direction with pricing and business structure. I wanted to move away from "shoot and burn" and in fact have been planning it for over a year. I've really felt like that sort of business practice, while much less time consuming for me and with far less overhead, wasn't really serving my clients they best way they could be served.

My main objection was that most of my clients weren't printing their images. 

Or they were printing them at discount chain stores and suffering bad quality. Or they weren't getting those beautiful images up on the wall to make a real IMPACT in their homes. Or they didn't have access to/time to fool with some really neat product offerings (Ever seen a mini-accordion album? They are soooo cute!)

Basically, my expertise and attention to detail were lacking in my final product. 

And let's be honest. We don't spend $350 on a photography session, $200 on outfits, spend hours planning and getting ready, an hour of shoot time, wait 3 weeks to get images.... only to let them sit on a disk in a desk drawer or print out some 8x10's from Walmart. It's a waste. 

But, it's hard to change a business structure. I took myself out of a lot of my client's price ranges (miss you guys!!!) and that was really sad. I am slowing building a client base but what I'm finding is that many people just don't know WHAT custom photography IS or WHY they should pay for it. I mean, why not buy the $9.99 package at the mall department store or pay your best friend's sister's babysitter who has a digital camera $50 bucks to shoot a disk of 50 unedited snapshots? Isn't that a better bang for your buck, after all?

 Boutique photography is just what it sounds like. It's a "boutique" style of doing things. I am small, I am intimate, I am hands on, and most importantly, I am experienced. I go beyond mall-store-level-service. I get to know you, your family, and your needs. My top priority is what you'd like to have in your final outcome. I spend lots and lots of time with each client planning and you now get double the amount of shoot time (2 hours!) so we get just what we're looking for! And after the session, I come to you for an in-your-home, personalized Ordering Session. You get to view your images and then pick my brain. And your gallery? Full of well lit, well edited, perfectly retouched choices.What images would look best together? Where in your home? What size combinations would look right on this wall? How big do we need to go to fill the space? What's the difference between a canvas and a float wrap? Do you do keychains? My mom would love one! How can we crop this to work in this space? 

I come wielding my tape measure, stack of sample prints and products, and time. Plenty of time. 

You see, I want you to be completely satisfied with your complete experience. From initial contact to final wall hanging. I want people to gasp when they walk in the door of your home and see a beautiful image in a stunning frame from Poppy Tree Frames. I want your Mother-in-Law to laugh with joy and thank you endlessly when she gets that cute little accordion album of your family photo shoot. Won't she love showing that off to all her friends!?

So, you wanna try this out? Try it out and see the difference? It's a little intimidating, huh? Never fear! In an effort to show you how freaking awesome this type of custom photography experience can be, I've put together the Skinny Mini Month of June! For half my normal Creativity Fee you'll be treated to my entire experience. Your shoot will be a "mini" and you'll get 30 minutes with me in one of three predetermined shoot locations. Minimum order requirements will be waived and you'll get three complimentary digital images, included in your session fee, on a keepsake, custom disk just for giving me a try. Want more? It's available for purchase but there's no requirement!

Sound too good to be true? It's not. 

Give me a ring or shoot me an email and I'll get you set up with a date. I can't wait to meet you and show you why the boutique photography experience is worth the price you pay for the quality and attention to detail you'll receive. 

XOXO

Chantel  

Little Boy Blue | Alton, Illinois Children's Photographer

This past year has been an exercise in coming home. I've had the pleasure of meeting old friends again and establishing fantastic relationships with many who weren't my "friends" in my youth but who certainly are becoming so now! Many of the families who have chosen to hire Breathtaking this year are connected with my past and Allison is no exception. I'm delighted to be getting to know her better than I did in high school and I was really pleased to get to meet her husband Patrick and her sweet son, Cooper. "The Dude" as they call him, has the most beautiful blue eyes (got those from Daddy!) and the sweetest temperament! 9 month olds can be hard to shoot sometimes. That 'ole Stranger Danger is usually revving up at that age. But not Coop! He happily sat for me, gave me smiles, threw out a few funny faces, and generally gave me a lot of great material to look at! Yesterday, at our in-home ordering session, he spent most of his time devouring cheese or squealing for my attention. I, too, adore cheese. ;)

Enjoy Cooper and his parents!

Valentine's Day Boudoir Party Fun! | St. Louis Boudoir Photographer

I've had tons of emails and Facebook messages about boudoir images since these first went live last month. Y'all have really just blown me away with your interest and I'm really excited to add Breathless Boudoir Parties to the line up of services offered by Breathtaking. I'm currently seeking out a new location as my last one was temporary but I believe I've got a good one on the hook. Think luxe St. Louis hotel.... hair and makeup.... Hors d'oeuvres... and three or four of your very best girlfriends all together having a blast. It's a good time!

I do love these sessions but I'd never done a party like this before. V-Day 2012 seemed like the perfect time. Love has been blooming in my life for nearly a year now and I've never felt so relaxed and comfortable in my own skin. I absolutely adore helping other women feel that way. My cohort Marissa Hart joined me in downtown Alton at our gorgeous rented loft and she really made magic happen. See last blog post for before and afters. They are all beautiful to begin with but add a little makeup and some curls plus slip into something sexy and you get images that make clients say "Is that ME!? I didn't know I could look like that!" And the best part? Marissa and I had so much fun. In fact, Marissa posted later to Facebook that spending the day making other ladies feel fabulous made HER feel fabulous. I would have to agree. :)

Marissa primped and primed in the adjacent room while I shot in the beautifully lit main space. It was such a blast. I mean, every photographer who ever writes a blog post says "It was SO MUCH FUNNNNNN!" even when you sweated and slopped through grass and were eaten alive by chiggers and had 1000 other difficult and not fun things happen. What can we say? We're optimists, the lot of us. But this session really WAS fun. We gossiped, listened to Marvin Gaye and Interpol (eclectic mix, much???), drank mimosas, ate chocolate dipped strawberries, and laughed our asses off the whole time. I will admit, to be real, my feet freaking HURT when we got done! I spent the whole day in bare feet climbing on and off of my ladder so I could get the correct angles. Nothing like your photographer hanging off the side of a ladder chanting YES YES YES while she shoots with one hand. ;)

First was Miss B. She was a little nervous. And why not as these were her very FIRST professional pictures ever. I really felt honored to be the one she chose to capture her in this moment. After a little imbibing and some primping, she was ready to take to the set. And this is what happened:



The images were a gift for her boyfriend (possibly now fiance!?) and I hear reports that he's really happy with the custom designed album that came with her session.....

Next up was beautiful Miss M, who came to me with the idea for a 40's pin-up look and man did she run with it! She had it all- gloves, cool hat, gorgeous wardrobe... and then Marissa just killed it with hair and makeup. Check it:

Last up was the stunning Miss N.... who was my partner in crime during most of high school, gave me my first drag off of a cigarette, and we basically just helped ourselves to a load of fun and a little bit of trouble any time we set out in her silver VW Jetta. And as the light faded and I switched from natural light to my flash unit... something amazing happened and I saw that old flame flare in her eyes and she got really really sexy... and her images prove it. These show a bit more skin that what was posted above, so be aware. ;-)

She's smokin'.

This was fun stuff and I am delighted to hear that several of you are interested in getting on the books for parties. And keep in mind, if you DON'T have a group of friends that want to go in with you on a fun party- don't sweat. You can still book a normal session at my normal fee schedule and we'll figure out the details. From shooting it in your clean, well-lit bedroom to renting a hotel or bed and breakfast room for a day- there's lots of options. I've even shot a half naked lady in the back of her friend's cow pasture! Creative muscles well FLEXED, people. ;-)

Until next time!

Chantel

The Anatomy of a Boudoir Shoot | St Louis Boudoir Photographer

It was my absolute pleasure to involve my friend and former high school cohort, Marissa Murphy Hart, who is currently a student in the arts of beautification, to join me on a cold, rainy weekend morning at our uber secret, gorgeously lit location in the heart of historic downtown Alton, Illinois for a party like no other. A party involving mimosas, wine, chocolate, music and well... some sexy, smokin' hot, half naked ladies. She rocked the hair and makeup, the ladies rocked the attitude, and I rocked the shots. As a result, there were a few happier men in the world this Valentine's Day and three women who got to see themselves as they never have before. Enjoy a little indulgence into that day (which will live in my mind forever as the 'Marissa Got Pulled Over For Speeding While Trying To Get To The Naked Ladies Day'.... heeheehee).....

She really, really rocked it. But first, everyone looked like, well, a little bit like little old ladies at the beauty shop....





But glam takes a little bit of work, even when working with beauties like these. So we added a little makeup to our hair-in-the-works....





(here she is... working hard but looking so fine she's barely breaking a sweat!)









Man.... all this hard work. I'm thirsty. And hungry. Got anything to nosh on????



Oh yeah. Baby.



Lucky me? I got to enjoy a round of chocolate and strawberries and sip my mimosa while the first lady was made up all pretty like! Music and good conversation and pampering. Does it get any better?





And.... we're starting to get there ladies....









.... tune in tomorrow to see these gorgeous ladies shine. I already know how hot they look so I can promise you it's worth the wait! ;)

Introducing.... Breathless Boudoir

bou·doir

[boo-dwahr]

noun-

a woman's bedroom or private sitting room


Introducing a new branch of Breathtaking Photography. Elegant, sexy images starring the beauty of you. Classic, timeless, and simply breathtaking. Let's be real. In today's world, how often do we get time, as women, to retire to beautiful, calming boudoirs and simply be quiet and still and sensuous? How often do you really celebrate what it means to be feminine? How often have I, in the past year, really pampered my body and enjoyed it as the hard working, beautiful thing that it certainly is? You're beautiful. Did you know that? I don't care what our media fueled thin-frenzy says about curvy thighs and stretch marks and wrinkles and yes, maybe a bit of sag. You are gorgeous and supple and sensuous but just don't often have the time to revel in it as you (we) should.

I love the ability to show my clients how amazing they really are. Allow me the honor of revealing to you (and perhaps a special person in your life) the sensual, sexy side of you.



Details by email:

chantel@takeyourbreathaway.net

XOXO

Chantel

Lifestyle Photography Fun | Alton, Illinois Family Portrait Photographer

So this is the first of four blog posts coming this week. I spent a few days in Dallas at the tail end of December and some of my most favorite clients took me up on the opportunity to do a little shooting while I was there.

Like Kristin and her clan of stunning children. And really, I'm not sure she and her husband could make unattractive kids. This family is dear to my heart because I've shot two of her births. There's something really awesome about watching kids grow up in front of your lens. When tiny Joon came into view I nearly hit the ground. It's literally been a YEAR since I saw him. Last time he was a teeny, tiny two week old newborn.

Talk about a laid back, fun, lifestyle family photo shoot. It wasn't intended to be a "concept" shoot necessarily but it sort of bled into that with my borrowing a chalk board for a fun prop and them bringing a few old, colorful quilts. I'd LOVE to do more prop/location themed shoots this year! Add to their friendly, easygoing vibe a warm December afternoon with the most stunning golden sunshine you've ever seen and, well, Kristin and I were very, very happy girls. Enjoy!

This is Huck. He used to look like this:



Now he looks like this!!!!



Pretty cute, eh?

Baby Brother Joon one year ago (almost exactly!!!)



And now he's a lady killer, I tell ya.....



Those big, brown eyes take my breath away, they do.



I wasn't lucky enough to be at this Sweet Thang's birth, but I love her all the same. I originally met her at her beautiful Mama's maternity session (waaay back when I didn't even offer portraiture!) and she's a trip. Always fun times when Miss Millie is around. ;)





If you'd be interested in a different type of family photoshoot... just a little off the beaten path and a bit more fun than the typical- contact me! Spring dates are booking now and concept sessions ARE available in the Alton area. :)

Back to the Business of Birth | St Louis Birth Photographer

I've noticed over the years, we photographers often have a path that led us into the art of still photography. It's not something you just fall into and take up because it's there. It takes an innate love and skill set that is almost inborn. From portraits to still life to photojournalism, we all have the passion that drives us to keep pressing that shutter button and capturing the things we see around us.

For this girl, it was birth.



While I offer portraiture and love it very much, at my heart I am a photojournalist. I want to be the fly on the wall capturing the action in front of me. Shots like the one above? I don't just love to capture them. I live for it.



Birth photography has always been around as long as cameras have been at births. But the business of capturing birth on film/camera for a client was just starting to pick up steam in 2005 when my passion for birth itself was in its infancy. I was pregnant with my third child, planning a home birth, and finding stunningly beautiful images of birth on the Internet. It captured my interest immediately.



In 2004-2005, as I was nurturing the babe growing in my belly, I was also nurturing the love of the art of birth photography. I wanted this to be my life, my career. I absolutely loved and was fascinated by birth. I already enjoyed the art of photography. In 2006, I was given permission to shoot my first birth. The ONLY one I've ever missed. My clients called too late and I was unable to make the 40 minute drive to the birth center fast enough to shoot the actual birth. But what I learned was irreplaceable.



I had never had work that I was so passionate about. To this day, nearly 6 years later, I have yet to find anything that grips me with the same excitement, the same joy, the same vitality that birth photography brings to me.



My sadness in December 2010 at shooting what I knew would be my last birth for quite some time was a little overwhelming. Yes, I was still offering portraiture and my photography business has continued to grow and thrive, but my status as single mom meant that the unpredictable nature of birth was off the table. Possibly for a very long time. I was nearly distraught.



My fiance, Jay, says that my face lights up when I talk about birth photography. It's what most animates me.



And why wouldn't you love it? The long nights, the weeks of living on call- ready to drop everything and go at a moment's notice, the sleeping with one hand on your cell phone (and obsessively checking your phone when a Mama has started laboring), the foggy mornings of editing last night's images.....

It's a calling. It's a passion. It's my life. Other than Jay and my children there is literally nothing I love more.







And now, it's back in my life.

Breathtaking happily introduces birth photography back into it's menu of choices, beginning with due dates in late February 2012. I'm just absolutely delighted to begin this work that so fills me with joy and allows me to give my clients a glimpse into their births that they would not otherwise have.

I shoot at home, at birth center, and at hospitals around the St. Louis Metropolitan area and into Illinois. I work equally as well at c-sections as I do at home births, with obstetricians as well as with midwives.

I will accept 4 births per month and offer a fantastic Belly+Birth+Baby package at a discount for the complete boutique photography experience.

You may reach me at 636-328-5120 or at chantel@takeyourbreathaway.net

I am honored and humbled at my ability to serve women and give the gift of memories treasured for a lifetime.

Much love,
Chantel