Miss "V" in all her glory... | Austin Boudoir Photographer

You've definitely seen the "teasers" by now...Miss "V"'s photo shoot was insanely amazing. She totally rocked the lens, rocked her outfit (uhm...this floral kimono is to DIE for), rocked her tattoos, and made my day. Miss "V" just moved to Austin from California and I think this photo shoot was the PERFECT welcome for her, don't you??

Many of you may not believe it (especially the photographers who may be reading)...but I did VERRRY little editing on these images. I only sharpened, added a touch of contrast, and straightened the crop when necessary. I did absolutely NO skin retouching whatsoever. My "secret" is so simple , it's ridiculous. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you know what that secret is...if you don't, then I'll just leave you in wonder :) 

Incredible, right!? Miss "V" was such a classic beauty. It was a pleasure to have her in front of my lens! 

Major props to my incredible makeup artist, Lauren Davis of Hint of Shimmer! 

 

Ready for your turn?! Let's chat, dahhling!

Miss "V" teaser | Austin Boudoir Photographer

I have this shoot that I did this week...and, as a rule, I do my full boudoir features on MONDAYS (best web traffic day, y'all....gotta play the game!), but I definitely needed to blog a teaser. <3 

You will NOT want to miss this blog post bright and early Monday morning! Set an alarm, y'all! Or better yet, subscribe to my blog so you get an email! 

SO much more to come!

xx,

Kara Marie

The lovely Miss "B" | Austin Boudoir Photographer

When I get MULTIPLE emails and texts from a client in the weeks leading up to her boudoir shoot oozing with excitement about their upcoming session, I KNOW it's going to be an amazing shoot!  Miss "B"'s enthusiasm was so apparent during her session. She TOTALLY brought it (along with my favorite chocolates. YESSS). She was completely in the moment. Her expressions were perfection. And she was such a laid back, goofy, free-spirit!  I got SO MANY amazing images of her....it was nearly impossible to select some for the blog. Alas, I gave it a shot! Here are some of my favorites!!

(Note before scrolling further...there is some tasteful nudity in this set of images!!!) 

Gorgeous, right!?  I told Miss "B" that it's TOTALLY unfair that she's been blessed with such a rocking body when the rest of us (eh hem) have to PAY for such (eh hem) assets. ;) 

 

Makeup by the fabulous Lauren Davis of Hint of Shimmer.

 

Pssst! Hey you! Are you ready to book your boudoir shoot or what?! You know you've been thinking about it forever. Let's chat, dahhling!


Try New Things Project! Join me! | Austin TX Boudoir Photographer

Last week I caught myself saying "I've ALWAYS wanted to try that!!!" one too many times. I then, realized, that there was ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE to have not done these things before!  Everything is attainable. Everything is within reach. I've been slacking on LIVING. Life isn't getting any longer and I'm not getting any younger/less busy. The time is now. It's time to live!

Drum rollllll please.....

It's the official launch of the #trynewthingsproject !  I apologize in advance for the quality and cheese-factor of this video. We tried. 

What I didn't  mention in the video (err...actually I DID, but that part had to be edited out due to excessive rambling and "ummm"s.), is that I will be giving away a SUPER amazing prize (we're talking like $1000 value here, people!!!) at the END OF THE YEAR to the best post from one of YOU!  Document your #trynewthingsproject journey on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Vine! At the end of the year I will select the best post for this ballin' prize package!

I can't wait to see all of these posts, and I REALLY can't wait to start chipping away at my extensive list of "I've always wanted to try that"s! 

My list goes on and on and on and on....but here's just a few of my items that I'm working on RIGHT AWAY!:

1. Salsa Lessons with da husband

2. Zip-lining

3. Stand-up Paddleboarding

4. Trapeze Class (yep)

5. Self Defense Classes 

 

What are 3 things YOU have always wanted to try?? List them in the comments!

Miss "Z" conquers her body image | Austin TX Boudoir

You may have read what Miss "Z" had to say about her boudoir session on my review page...but you should most definitely see the images from her session. 

Boudoir is about more than just sexy images. It’s about self-confidence, it’s about feeling empowered and on top of the world, it’s about accepting yourself EXACTLY as you are and realizing–hey…I’m HOT!

When I first heard from this amazing woman, she said she was particularly nervous as she’s a self-proclaimed “curvy girl” and “not your typical 20-year-old-model-thin-girl”. Upon meeting her, I saw nothing but a beautiful bod, killer eyes, and some AMAZING curves. Like….amazing jealousy-envoking curves. We had SO much fun during her session and got some absolutely incredible images!

I adore this first set that she took in a comfy over-sized sweater that her boyfriend got for her…

One of the top 3 reasons why I don’t shoot boudoir in a studio is that I LOVE the variety of location and light I get by providing my clients with in-home sessions. In Miss “Z”‘s guest bedroom, there was a soft orange glow that looked incredible in the final product…

My advice to anyone who wants to do a shoot with you but would like to lose 10 or 20 pounds first…don’t wait, JUST DO IT!
— Miss "Z"

What an incredible woman! She totally rocked this shoot and owned her curves! Read more of what she had to say to me after she saw her images!: 

“My advice to anyone who wants to do a shoot with you but would like to lose 10 or 20 pounds first…don't wait, JUST DO IT!  If you lose weight, you can do another one!  Or you might just end up loving your body the way it is!  Kara: you really are a genius with posing, lighting, retouching, and just making your subject feel totally comfortable.  If I could change something about how much of my body I showed, I would wear LESS, not MORE…”  

YEAH! Now THAT’s what I like to hear!!! 

Mega-thanks again to the talented Lauren Davis of Hint of Shimmer for providing Miss “Z”‘s glam makeup!

Are you ready to rock your body just the way it is?! Let's shoot, dahhling!

Where I've been....

Holy M.I.A., Batman!  I'm not being held hostage, I'm not deathly ill, and I'm still alive, if you can believe it. I've just been insane with busyness. IN.FREAKING.SANE.  Mostly crazy PERSONAL busyness, but paired with the usual business busyness. Over the last 2 weeks we've celebrated my son's 1st birthday, entertained my mom and her husband who came to visit, went to the rodeo, dropped and shattered a brand new bottle of OPI nailpolish on my kitchen floor, snuck off to Vegas to celebrate our wedding anniversary (and take full advantage of having family in town to watch the kids!) where we acted like kids again, ate entirely too much, slept entirely too little, went to a night club (THAT made me feel old and lame), saw an old client, went through an entire bottle of eye drops, got the best anniversary present ever (see: DIOR!), and did pretty decent on gambling winnings, mixed with regular life- shot 4 boudoir sessions, 2 consults, 2 engagement sessions, 1 event for my favorite venue,  and still managed to put makeup on and wear something other than a robe most days. Here's a little peek at all the action! 

I'm actually super impressed with myself for being fully "present" in the moment while on our little getaway...I mean, I was definitely a little tipsy ;)  But I did NOT have my phone out snapping instagrams the whole time. In fact, when I got home, I was a little shocked at my lack of photographic evidence.  Ohhh well. 

So I'm back to work now! Spending the day tackling some album designs and editing a few sessions!  That means photos soon, y'all! 

xoxo

Now that I'm back, let's shoot, girl!

Boudoir Party Booking Special! | Austin Boudoir Photographer

March is my favorite month! It's the month of my wedding anniversary, my youngest son's birthday, my favorite holiday (St. Patty's!! Holla!), AND my busiest month for boudoir parties! There is something that is SO insanely fun about getting together with a bunch of girlfriends, getting all dolled up, drinking some champagne, and being a total rockstar for a few hours while you have some amazing photos taken of yourself! Boudoir parties have become SO HUGE over the last couple of years. It's a fantastic opportunity to take the plunge into a boudoir shoot if you've always been too nervous because now you've got all of your friends right there with you with THEIR butts hanging out, too ;)  To commemorate the awesomeness that is MARCH, I'm offering a booking special! 

BOUDOIRPARTY.jpg

This is a fabulous idea for bachelorette parties, bridal showers, birthday bashes, mom's night out (in), or "just because" because clearly, you deserve it!

So here's how it works:

1. You gather your friends...typically the most successful parties have about 5 girls but you can have as many as 7 or as few as 3.  We work together to schedule a date for your booty bash. 

2. My makeup artist and I come to you on the day of your party complete with a sexy swag bag full of goodies for you and your friends to use during your shoot. 

3. Each girl gets a professional makeup application and a private mini photo shoot!

4. Receive an extra sexy rate for booking as a party! {Be sure to use the above coupon, too, for extra savings!!!}

These are SO much fun, y'all. Seriously. 

So the booking special above is valid as long as you book before the end of this month...your party simply needs to be scheduled by October 30th so you have plenty of time to coordinate your best girls' schedules! 

SO, are you ready for this, or what?!  Let's chat, girl!

Vintage Boudoir Part 2 | Austin Tx Boudoir Photographer

Remember the vintage pin-up-esque awesomeness that was last week's blog post?? If you don't, you MUST go check it out. 

I promised you a part II, didn't I??   Here it is!!! YAY!

BAM!!!  

Thank you again to all the collaborators! 

LINGERIE STYLIST-- Jennifer of UNDERWEAR Austin

HAIR STYLIST-- Nina of Urban Betty

MAKEUP ARTIST-- Lauren of Hint of Shimmer

LOCATION-- Roadhouse Relics

MODEL-- Elizabeth M

PHOTOGRAPHER-- duh. 

You want your own shoot, don't you?? It's ok. I don't blame you.  Let's chat, dahhling!