Mateo Yorke Photopathic

A recent shoot with KK.

2013-01-26T14:58:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share a few pics from a recent shoot with KK here in my studio. Feel free to share!

Valentine's Shoot for 2013

2013-01-09T16:03:00.000-04:00

Valentine’s 2013

Book a boudoir shoot for the month of January for $150. Two to three hours of shooting, unlimited wardrobe changes. Bring your own lingerie, props, and attitude! Get shots that are ideal for sending to your lover for Valentine’s or for yourself!

$150 if booked and scheduled for January 31st or earlier. Includes shoot, choice of 10 images for retouching and digital delivery, and 1 8x10 gift print. Available options include onsite make-up artist, additional prints, cards, calendars, and photo books. Price from Feb 1st - 10th is $450.

Book 3 sessions with your friends for the same day (limited dates available) and get your choice of upgrade to hotel room shoot or $50 per person off ($100 each!).

Book now by e-mail, Twitter, or Facebook.

Ashley - 12 Days Project

2012-01-22T16:07:00.000-04:00

One of the shoots that I managed to fit in before the holidays were completely started was with Ashley, a local model whom I'd be aware of for a while, but never had the chance to work with. She was a treat! Ready for anything and with a sizable wardrobe in tow.

The Cool Guy

2012-01-13T13:00:00.000-04:00

Every now and then, I get a client who knows exactly what he wants his photos to look like in the end. My job is to make it happen. Finding the right model, making the lighting perfect, doing every little touch-up that's required.

This was one of those shoots.

White Sheet - 12 Days 2011

2012-01-12T23:01:00.000-04:00

I'm going to try to get some of the shoots from the last few months posted on the blog in the next little while. I'm also planning on starting a few new projects over the winter, so time to clean up and finish up some of the older ones!

First up, a great shoot with Katelyn. For this one, we wanted to do some high key stuff with white sheets and white underwear. What I didn't expect from this shoot was the really awesome emotion and tension that Katelyn brought to the set. She was really easy to work with and from her agreeable nature, I just didn't expect to get these kind of results! Can't wait to work with her again!

I'm booking a limited number of boudoir shoots before Valentine's day. The package is only $99, and you get a cd with all the best images for your sweetie in time for the big day. Prints also available for an additional fee. E-mail me soon as time is limited!

12 Days Project 2011

2011-12-02T22:07:00.001-04:00

Model: Susan C.

Every year around this time, I make time in my schedule to shoot some new ideas, some things I have yet to try, and a few do-overs of shoots that I've done before, but I think I could now do better. I aim to do about 12 shoots, but the busy holiday season always means fewer get done.

Here are the rules:

All shoots are TFCD, you get web-resolution shots of the shoot, plus you get to pick your favourite three which I'll give you in full-resolution. The concepts will be listed below and I may take suggestions, but if you're looking for something specific that's not on the list or outside of my general interests, then consider looking at my Holiday Special instead!

Hair and make-up are on your own, or with a stylist/mua who is willing to work TFCD as well.

The idea is to have some fun and wrap up the year with some great new photos!

Send me an e-mail or Facebook PM to show your interest and to try to book a concept! You may not get your first pick, so let me know a few ideas that jump out at you!

Concept List:

Classic White Shirt
White Sheet (see this pic for an idea)
Artistic Nude
Candid SG-styled
Continous light (soft focus)
Sofa series (lingerie, directional light)
One-Object (new series)
Winter Glam
Valentine's Pin-Up
Cozy Sweater (bring your favourite!)
Hockey Jersey
Body Paint (no experience here!)

More ideas will be added here and shoots that are reserved will be crossed out! Suggestions are welcome!

2012 Holiday Special

2011-11-27T18:34:00.001-04:00

It's time for Photopathic's 2012 Holiday Special! Not a touching cartoon about the true meaning of photography, but a chance for you to save big, while making someone very happy for the holidays!

For only $100 (half-off the usual $200), you get a 1-hour photo session in the "For Him" style. Make some sexy pictures that you will be proud to show off to your partner, loved one, or maybe just for yourself!

You get:

minimum of one hour shooting time (we don't watch the clock)
unlimited wardrobe changes
web-access to the best shots from your session
3 touch-ups in web resolution (perfect for online or digital frames)
A shoot styled to your comfort level with no pressure
Complete discretion and privacy assured!

As a bonus, you get a $50 printing credit. Choose a handful of 5x7s, a nice big print, or use it toward the cost of an album for your sweetie!

You are also welcome to bring someone with you to your shoot... a close friend, sister, anyone who will encourage you to bring out the best for your photos!

Additional services (make-up, hair, and so on) available at actual cost, or arrange your own!

Book now by e-mail: mateo.yorke@gmail.com

Boudoir Ideas for Every Taste and Style

2011-01-18T22:23:00.000-04:00

Over the past few days, I've been posting ideas for boudoir themed shoots in preparation for the big weekend coming up. I thought I'd share them here as well for those of you who aren't also following twitter. (Apologies for those who are!)

Bring white lingerie and white faux fur mittens, scarves, and hat. Great winter theme with white or blue make-up.
Bring his favourite work or play shirt (white collar, plaid, or sports jersey) and some black coloured undies.
If you're a bit shy, bring your favourite pjs, and a lacy bra. Great boudoir can hint at sexy by showing very little.
Add intrigue and mystery by using a fan or mask to hide most of your face. Shadows and dark make-up add allure too!
Bring your gym gear and work up the sexiness with a towel. Makes for a great locker room styled shot.

Or think of your own idea! We're open to all suggestions. Bring your favourite props and costumes. It's your turn to be a star!

Boudoir at the Atlantica Oak Island

2011-01-17T20:36:00.002-04:00

This weekend, we will be offering some fantastic deals on boudoir photography as part of the Atlantica Oak Island's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" weekend. I thought I would give you an idea of what we're going to offer in terms of location and set! All of the shooting will be done in one of the Atlantica Oak Island's gorgeous villas, but we're going to set up each part of it a little differently so you get a full range of options.

[Madison]

First, we will have the loft bedroom set up with full studio strobes and umbrellas around the king-sized bed. This will make for some nice crisp, studio-style lighting. Great for showing off your sparkling eyes or making colours on your Valentine's negligee really pop! Awesome for bodyscape shots that highlight your best features, while also providing clean white linens to hide your least favourite features. This is the height of magazine style boudoir. Additionally, there is a sizeable bathroom off this bedroom that could make for some great shots as well.

[Fallen]

Second, we will have the dock-level bedroom setup as a darkened room with continuous softbox light. This room will be great for moody, smoky-eyed come-hither stares and more artistic, classic boudoir. Heavy curtains provide privacy while adding a deep texture to the ambiance of the room. Strong directional light will cast mysterious shadows and provide great lighting for photos that taste like well-aged whiskey.

[Madison]

Finally, the main living area will give us room to work a few portable flashes against the natural light coming in across the ocean or through the fog. Big windows and a comfortable couch mean we can capture a wide variety of moods and lighting set ups in one area.

We're ready to make you the star! See you on Friday!

(Can't make it this weekend, book a shoot in Halifax! See our Valentine's Vamptacular special!)

Next Weekend's Boudoir Madness!

2011-01-14T19:50:00.002-04:00

[Rebecca]

In only seven days, I will be at the beginning of a crazy weekend at a beautiful resort on the South Shore of Nova Scotia with over one hundred fantastic and beautiful woman from all around the region. It's the Atlantica Oak Island's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" weekend and it's going to be a blast! The guests get to participate in a relaxing weekend with lots of opportunity for fun, from astrology readings, lap dancing, aerobics, Pole Dancing, to Zumba classes! And, just in time for Valentine's Day, some fantastic boudoir photography in an awesome setting!

With only a weekend to do it, I hope to photograph about 20 of the bravest, fun-loving, and confident women there. But to help them get ready for it, I thought I'd post some of my favourite tips and most asked questions first.

First, and foremost, you should expect a professional photographic experience. That means we will do everything we can to make you feel comfortable, to give you guidance and advice, and to produce some top quality photos that you will enjoy, whether for yourself or to give to a partner! I will have a female assistant nearby at all times and I have a strict policy of never touching or approaching a subject without talking about it first, even if it is just to adjust your hair!
Our Boudoir Photography is about making sexy and intriguing photos that you will love! This will often involve sexy lingerie, revealing outfits, and sultry expressions. It may involve as little as a white shirt or strategically crossed arms. We are not offering erotic photography or artistic nude photography during this weekend. We will, however, offer non-nude, implied nude, and concealed nude options. We will work to your comfort level and you call the shots! Above all, your shoot will be fun!
You should plan now for your shoot. Pack your favorite lingerie, underwear, pajamas, or find Valentine's appropriate new items before your trip down to the resort. Think of your partner's favorite items or costumes. We shoot subjects in everything from the classic school girl mini-skirt to the necktie he wore at your wedding. Don't forget your high heels!
Finally, we have the option of bringing a professional make-up artist with us if there is sufficient demand. If you would like to have professional hair and make-up done for your shoot, you must book in advance. If there is not sufficient interest, we will not be able to bring our stylist. (Deadline to pre-book make-up is this Sunday night!) Of course, you are always welcome to do your own make-up. Don't forget to bring it with you!

[Madison at the Atlantica
Oak Island]

Each session will cost $100, payable by cash or Paypal at the beginning of the session or in advance. Sessions consist of one hour of photography time, thus, you should arrive 15-20 minutes in advance with hair and make-up ready unless our stylist is doing your prep work. If hair and make-up is requested, the cost is $75 per person and your prep session will be one hour before your photo shoot begins. Make-up and hair will be available only if there is sufficient interest and is an optional add-on. You may choose to do your own hair and make-up.

If you would like to book a double shoot for you and a friend (or two) for moral support or for extra sexy pictures, each additional person is $50 and 15 minutes of additional shooting time is added (i.e. $150 for 2 people over 75 mins, $200 for 3 people over 90 minutes). We'll work together to ensure everyone gets equal time, but we can keep shooting while one person is changing, etc. Alternately, you may book two back to back sessions for $100 each and share the time. Maximum of 3 people at any time. All sets are closed, so your friends may not drop in on your intimate session!

[Robyn at the
Atlantica Oak Island]

You get as much photography as you can handle during your allotted time. You are permitted as many wardrobe changes as you like, but remember that each change takes time away from the camera! Don't forget to time your shoot appropriately. Try not to wear tight fitting clothing for a few hours before your shoot. Bra straps, panty lines, and even socks leave red marks in your skin that will take time to fade!

Finally, here's what you will get after your shoot:

Web access to review your best 25-50 images in web resolution
Your choice of your 5 best images sent to you in web resolution (great for Facebook, e-mail, and digital photoframes!)
A 5”x7” print of your favorite print mailed to you (or picked up in HRM).
Additional prints (at additional cost) up to 20" x 30" are available as are a variety of fun options, like stretched canvas prints and even playing cards. All make fantastic Valentine's gifts for your significant other.

Space will be limited to the first people who sign up and only 10 spaces can be reserved in advance, so contact me as soon as possible or find me at the opening reception next Friday night!

Can't wait to see you there!

Valentine's Vamptacular!

2011-01-12T20:58:00.000-04:00

It's time for our 3rd Annual Valentine's Vamptacular! Get a sexy photoshoot done for your special someone, or have some fun for yourself! Valentine's Day is just about a month away, so don't delay!

* 1 hour of premium boudoir photography
* unlimited wardrobe changes
* 5 retouched images at printable resolution (4"x6")
* 1 5"x7" print of your favourite image
* Dates available until February 10th (for Valentine's delivery)
* All for the low price of $200!

Add a second person to your session (great for a bridesmaid or bff) for $100 more and get:

* 1 additional hour of photography
* 5 retouched images each
* 1 5"x7" print each

Also available as a gift certificate for use anytime! E-mail now to reserve your place!

[Photos of Rebecca!]

A Special Santa Offer

2010-12-15T15:44:00.002-04:00

'Tis the season for giving, so we've decided to put this little offer out a few days early this year. Blame it on the eggnog. ;)

Book your Valentine's Vamptacular boudoir shoot before 11:59pm on December 31st, and we'll sweeten the offer with a gift from Santa:

~~1 hour~~ 2 hours of premium boudoir photography
unlimited wardrobe changes
5 10 retouched images at printable resolution (4"x6")
1 5"x7" print of your favourite image
Dates available until February 10th
~~$200~~ $150

Add a second person to your session (great for a bridesmaid or bff) for $100 more and get:

3 hours of photography
10 retouched images each
1 5"x7" print each

Hurry! Just like Santa, this offer will be gone before you know it! Limited sessions available. E-mail now to reserve your place!

[Photos of Susan from last year's 12 Days Project!]

2010 Year in Review

2010-12-13T22:09:00.000-04:00

As the year winds down, I thought I'd take a look at the year that was. This is a collage of some of my favourite images of 2010.

Ben's Headshots

2010-12-10T12:46:00.000-04:00

Ben is an actor in his 4th year at the Dalhousie Theatre program. He's also a buddy of mine, so he asked me to do up his next set of headshots in preparation for the summer theatre season and for his auditions post-graduation.

Like any other photography project, I want to make Ben's photos as interesting and as flattering as possible. What's different about a good headshot though, is that casting directors will also have to find the photo interesting and appealing, but not be faced with a surprise when Ben actually walks through the door for an audition. These shots are some of my faves from the shoot, particularly because I think they look like the Ben I've seen on stage a few times now. (Of course, his final pick will be in black and white, but that's yet to come!)

Break a leg!

Boudoir with Fallen

2010-12-01T19:24:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, boudoir needs only a splash of colour and an appropriate accessory.

Cyber Monday Special

2010-11-29T13:09:00.001-04:00

Here's our Cyber Monday special:

Book a shoot of your choice (portrait, grad, boudoir, fashion) for only $75.

You get:

up to 2 hours of studio time
unlimited wardrobe changes
cd of the best images at web resolution
1 5x7 of your favourite image

On-site make-up artist available for $75 if booked in advance.
Additional prints, cds, and full resolution images available as an additional charge.

Must be paid by PayPal. Bookings by e-mail only: mateo.yorke@gmail.com

Offer expires on November 29th, 2010 at 11:59:59PM.

Boudoir with Madison

2010-11-27T15:57:00.000-04:00

Simply Madison and simply stunning. Working with Madison always gets me exactly the shot I wanted.

Tuesday Shoesday

2010-11-16T18:00:00.001-04:00

Twitter is definitely changing the way I do things. Here's a shot for #TuesdayShoesday. It's a big thing in the wedding market, but I thought I'd remind you that it's also part of the boudoir scene as well.

Boudoir for the Shy Girl

2010-11-09T17:46:00.000-04:00

I've been concentrating on my boudoir photography for the last few months, specifically because it's a lot easier to work on than my wedding photography. Gathering a few willing test subjects, I mean models, is simpler than filling a church with people on an evening after work.

Apart from trying out different styles and working with a variety of lighting techniques (all technical stuff that is of nearly no interest to my clients), I've also been researching different types of clients. One client that is greatly under-represented in my boudoir catalogue is the shy girl.

Those that ask for boudoir photography typically don't need convincing. Most either bring way more lingerie than we could conceivably shoot in a day (and would put many storefronts to shame!) or they bring little to nothing at all, citing their "European" attitude or ancestry for their comfort level in front of the camera. These wonderful people aside, I'm inclined to think that the vast majority of Maritimers fall into the category that I might label more reserved or even shy. (I for one fall into that camp. Don't ask to look under my kilt any time soon.)

So what is a shy girl to do? A bottle of champagne goes a long way to uncovering the feisty spirit within, but that may not be a healthy way of expressing a different side of yourself, nor would it necessarily make for better pictures. I found this article from the Wedding Bee to be most insightful and gave me some new perspective.

Ultimately, boudoir is a style and whether the subject is nude, partly nude, or fully dressed, it's the look and feel of the photo that will convey sexiness, not whether whether a breast or a buttock is exposed. Likewise, a confident and comfortable subject will make a much sexier photo than someone who is too far past their comfort zone. Your favourite dress or your favorite pyjamas, coupled with a few cherished or significant items from your relationship, will do just fine for a boudoir shoot.

An important point to remember: You're not doing a boudoir shoot for a magazine or for mass-market appeal. You're doing it for your partner - someone who's already chosen you for who you are! ;)

White Boudoir

2010-10-27T21:49:00.001-03:00

I thought I'd post some of Nora's favorite images from our recent boudoir shoot. I always find it interesting when a client chooses completely different images as favourites than I would choose. Obviously, she knows herself and how she looks much better than I do. Perhaps she finds these more flattering than the ones that I think make her look awesome! I'm happy to oblige!

If you're ready to try some boudoir photography, now is a great time! There's still time to get some prints done in time for Christmas and you can take advantage of our October BOGO! Book a paid shoot before the end of the month and get a gift certificate for a second shoot. Give it to a friend or lover as a gift, or come back for a second helping yourself. E-mail me now.

And if you've read this far, go "like" our Facebook page already! There will be lots more to come soon!

Tango!

2010-10-26T17:00:00.001-03:00

Sometimes one of my models or clients has an idea and the theme for the shoot is set long before the session begins. This was one of those shoots. Sure, it went in some unexpected directions, but tango was the plan. Or the red dress was the plan.

Wedding Photography Details Behind the Scenes

2010-10-25T16:48:00.001-03:00

When you see the latest in wedding photography, you often get some highly unique poses, some cute angles of the smiling couple, and some stunning images capturing the very best of the happy day. Those are the shots we all want to get and that every bride and groom want to have for their album or to hang on their wall.

But when I look at wedding photos, especially when I'm checking the latest trends or critiquing a fellow photographer's work, the shots that I immediately like are the ones that capture the minute details of the day... the colour of a tie, the close ups of the bouquet, and the set up of the banquet hall.

And you know what? The bride and groom like to see these details as well. A lot of work goes into the modern wedding and a lot of choices are made (with sometimes the gnashing of teeth!). I try to capture some of these choices along with the rest of the wedding, so that when your aunty wonders if you used the vase she lent you, or if your friend's borrowed and blue item was part of the service, you can see that they were... even if you missed it in the blur of the day itself.

Thanksgiving Weekend

2010-10-11T17:57:00.000-03:00

I believe it was W.C. Fields who said "never to work with children or animals" and there's a good reason for that. Even when they are your own kin, it's awful hard to get them to stand still for very long. Yet, I couldn't resist the opportunity to get some shots of my nieces and nephew when they were here for Thanksgiving.

Despite the whole thing devolving quickly into chaos, I think the shots were more worth it. ;)

A Natural

The whole crew

Nora and Why Not to Use Continuous Light

2010-10-07T21:51:00.000-03:00

I was so enjoying my results using continuous light last week that when Nora arrived for her shoot on Tuesday, I immediately set up the directional softbox once again and began shooting. Nora was fantastic! She could move, pull interesting poses out of thin air, and quickly move from one idea to another in no time.

A bit too quickly.

After we were shooting for a while, I realized that my miss rate was way up and I was less than satisfied with our results to that point. There were a few good images, but not the usual amount. The reason: I was shooting too slow due to the lower light levels and Nora was moving a lot. This meant a lot of blurring and ghosting and fewer great images to work from.

The solution: Slow Nora down for a bit, and switch to strobes for the rest. The lesson: Play to that energy and vitality, don't try to reign it in!

The rest of the shoot flew by in a (literal) flash and I was more than pleased with the outcome. Here are some pics from both parts of the shoot.

In this set, you can see the soft and directional light from the continuous bulb. It feels and looks natural and the colours and quite rich. Nora looks fantastic. The other thing that I really like is that in the bottom right images, Nora isn't wearing anything scandalous... it's a full, sleeveless top and full boy shorts. They could just as easily be white gym tights. Boudoir photography can work for you, even if you're shy about showing too much skin or want to keep your midriff covered. Stretch marks need not be an issue!

Likewise, in this set done with the studio strobes, Nora is wearing a full tank top in some images and a men's tuxedo shirt in others. A successful boudoir image, in my mind, creates the suggestion of sexuality, without necessarily invoking any immodesty. You don't need to be in-your-face-erotic to create provocative and sensual pictures!

If you're ready to try some boudoir photography, now is a great time! There's still time to get some prints done in time for Christmas and you can take advantage of our October BOGO! Book a paid shoot before the end of the month and get a gift certificate for a second shoot. Give it to a friend or lover as a gift, or come back for a second helping yourself. E-mail me now.

And if you've read this far, go "like" our Facebook page already!

Stephanie and the Continuous Light

2010-10-01T18:00:00.005-03:00

On Wednesday, I had a terrific boudoir shoot with Stephanie, a make-up artist that also does a bit of modeling. (She did Kristina's make-up and styling for the Twelve Days Project last year.) I had two goals in mind for this shoot. First, I wanted to get at least one really awesome image to update the collage on the boudoir page of the new website, and second, I wanted to try out some new lighting and focus techniques.

As you'll be able to see from the images, it was a full success on both counts. Lots of great images and some really interesting lighting. (Note: These are unretouched thus far.)

First up, a collage of some bright, high-key (read: almost blown out) images using three strobes.

Second, the same location and gear, but now using a single continuous light (i.e. not a flash, just a normal light) with a softbox and grid. Obviously two VERY different types of images.

More pics from this set to follow, but I wanted to show the big difference between the strobes and the continuous light.

OCTOBER SPECIAL: BOGO! Book one portrait, boudoir, or Halloween session and get one to share or to use yourself at a later time! Makes a great gift!