I truly believe my job is so much more than that of a photographer. I would like to think I give more than an image when the session is finished. I have had many conversations with clients and they all say the same thing (whether conscious of it or not), they feel GOOD about themselves with the session and resulting images.

In many respects I think  men have an easier time of it. We are brought up with sports and ruggedness and “Action Man” for toys (“G.I. Joe” for my American friends). We are expected to get dirty and play rough and get in a mess. And later we care less that our hair thins or we get salt and pepper colouring. We turn into that which society expects.

But women, women are brought up with the more impossible “Barbie” ideal, where everything is perfect and no-one ages or puts on a pound. Where perfection is sought by a society out of touch with reality. The press, magazines, TV all bombard with visions of false reality and expectations. Yet it truly is ALL false.

Why do we look at ourselves in the mirror? Why do we try on clothes in front of the mirror? Is the mirror our silent critic? The unspeaking one who truly knows us and will tell us when we look good and make us feel better?

As a photographer I am expected to produce photographs. Well composed, lit and exposed images. But I truly feel my role is SO much more. I strive to be the mirror. My lens IS the mirror. I want to get to know you, to gain a rapport with you, in so much I can effect a feeling that the mirror does.

Knowing what someone wants, how they would like to be seen, how to best help pose and light them to show their best attributes to the fullest, how to frame and capture their true beauty and all in turn, how to make them feel good about themselves!

We all deserve to feel good about ourselves and all should. I truly feel the therapeutic effects of beautiful images of ourselves is immeasurable. So, to me, it’s SO much more than Photography!

I truly LOVE my career. I feel I get paid twice, once in a way to pay my bills, feed myself and provide shelter. But also in a greater way that makes my heart glow.

Many moons ago I taught Scuba Diving (I have been an Instructor since my early 20’s). Many of my co-workers were hungry for more and had the desire to become Master Instructor’s and higher. To gain such a title required the teaching and qualification of students in different levels of diving, inc. Rescue Diver, Advanced Diver etc. But I was more than content to only teach beginners. Why was that? Why was I content to stay where I was? I am NOT a person to rest on their laurels, in fact I am very driven, so why was this. It’s actually quite simple. I was being selfish  I wanted that feeling, that feeling I got when my student had taken their very first open water dive in the ocean and experienced a whole new world! I wanted to be the one to see the wonder in their eyes and see the beating of their glowing heart.

Now, later in life I still crave that feeling and that is why I say I am paid twice. I LOVE the feeling I get when my clients see their photograph’s for the first time. I adore hearing their excitement and seeing the joy in their eyes. I am still selfish in a way I guess, but no excuses  So my passion, my goal, my desire is to illicit such a response from my clients, my subjects (with the photograph’s I create for and of them), that they feel so good about themselves it radiates.

So again, it’s SO much more than Photography! Indeed it may be therapy for both of us!

The image below is one I have posted before, but it’s a great way to show the trust and rapport that can be attained which results in a beautiful yet quite simple and timeless image.

It was captured near the end of the session with one simple window for lighting. I believe it convey’s the beauty and softness of the female form whilst being sexy and seductive and truly made the subject feel good about themselves.

Inner Beauty Revealed

It has taken me time to find the right one, but Sweet and Spicy Boudoir is now offering Calendar’s!

Twelve month (with front cover, so 13 images) Calendars which are 11″ x 17″ spiral bound.

Special introductory “a la carte” pricing for a Calendar will be $180 and to add to an “album” session will depend upon session chosen (enquire for details).

All images will be hand re-touched as usual and you will have final say before print.

I have not received a proof copy yet but when I do I will post some images and of course have it available at meetings.

These calendars have the dates horizontally across the bottom so the actual images are very large and beautiful.

Sweet & Spicy Calendars mmm

She was a wonderful subject and myself, Theresa and Colleen had such a blast. I just know Colleen is going to love the finished images as is her lucky hubby!

Theresa from mymakeuprocks did a fantastic job again!

What weather though, real nasty driving there and back in the freezing rain, so unusual for Houston too. Still, it’s not that I am unaccustomed to such weather, being from the UK lol.

Today I (hopefully) get to finalize the surprise I have been working on! It’s been awhile coming and I am pretty excited about it all!

Still cold today but thankfully not so wet. So wrap up warm and have a great Friday!

That S&S Look

I am going to try and make it but work commitments may take precedence

But what the heck has Wiener Dog Racing got to do with Boudoir?

Well quite alot actually.

Everyone associates Greyhounds with dog racing. They are fast and slim and sleek and just go hand in paw with racing. Greyhounds love to run, adore it, live for it even, to them it’s such fun! So why not Wiener dogs, why should’nt they have the opportunity to race, run and have fun?

Much the same with Boudoir. It can have perceptions and they are truly false. It really does not matter your age, your figure or your size, it’s all about enjoying yourself!

The make-up session is akin to a mini-makeover/spa treatment, and then the photo session is just like your own personal little “photo shoot” with posing help and the lights and sound of the camera shutter. Basically it’s not just producing beautiful and sexy images but so much fun and enjoyment, and everyone deserves to have some fun!

And now, on this rather wet and gloomy day (although truly who cares, it’s always sunny in Sweet and Spicy land ) I must get ready for today’s session in Pearland, Texas later. I can hardly wait, it’s always wonderful working with new clients.

So stay warm and dry out there, and Greyhound or Wiener Dog, all deserve to experience a little Sweet and Spicy

Some Sweet, A lot Spicy!

At least a good storm cleans the air and provides a nice aftermath for the most part

Today I am trying to finalize the “lil surprise” I keep mentioning. It takes some design work so is slower than I would like and I am really trying to get it 100% right but, as with most things, there really is’nt a right way, so I need to be content and get it finished lol

Beauty in repose

Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints for their tremendous Superbowl win. And commiserations to my countrymen (in blood and soul anyway) in Wales for their defeat to my other countrymen (this time in birth) in England for their narrow 6 Nations Rugby defeat at the weekend.

That’s about as sport related/fanatical I get am afraid I LOVE my Rugby but that’s about it. Played from an early age and was picked to play on many different and higher teams and still adore the game.

But what does the new week bring? Well I hope to finalize the little “surprise” I hinted at on Friday and get that particular ball well and truly rolling. I have shoots this week, one of which is with a newlywed wife of a Naval Aviator and I still have more new Sweet & Spicy planning to do.

The new year is bringing new opportunities with it and fresh ideas and desires. It’s going to be an exciting year for Sweet and Spicy Boudoir, so join in with the fun ride and lets enjoy it together!

That sweet yet spicy look

Ever get those days when functioning with the simplest tasks is a chore? That’s me today. I have been told twice now “it’s Friday, don’t worry about it” but I still feel kinda silly at times when this happens

So new business cards ordered, new postcards ordered and a special deal in the works Don’t ya just hate it when someone drops hints but dos’nt give much away LOL

Suffice to say I am working on something else which I am really excited about and will be a gift with each session booked (as well as available separately).  So stayed tuned and keep watching Sweet and Spicy as I think this is gonna be very different and very cool! And ya can’t beat “free” with every session booked now can ya

Houston Romance

With the re-launch of the Sweet and Spicy website I also wanted new business cards (also I am nearly out of my current ones ).

Anyone who has ever really put effort into designing and thinking about a business card should feel my pain haha!

I am a visual artist, I am a photographer of course , so it was agonising to get a card “just how my mind saw and wanted it”.

Finally I have come up with something a little sexy, a lot classy and very desirable, well I think and hope so

So now the wait begins to receive them from the printers and see if my pain and headaches were all worth it

In other news, I have also been busy processing recent session’s. Again I have been so fortunate to work with some amazing ladies of late and hand re-touching their gorgeous images to the highest standard is always my goal and pleasure.

The new session pricing seems to be well received from the feedback I am getting as is the newly revamped site.

Don’t forget to check us out on boudoirphotographynetwork.com which is growing almost daily.

I don’t “rest on my laurels” here at Sweet and Spicy so continue to look for new and exciting times to come!

I don’t perhaps post as many Black and White’s as I should (most people seem to prefer colour images) but I certainly offer B&W and actually think they are even more striking at times.

Sweet thoughts and Spicy desires

Also the kinda “outtakes” , the times when my humour gets the better of my subject for instance, can also actually be stunning and precious images;

Sweet and Spicy Photographer humour

The weather was pretty ghastly, overcast and drizzle, but the models, make-up artist’s and hairstylist’s braved it all and did a spectacular job!

I think we actually caused quite a stir at home time rush hour with plenty of horn peeps and glances.

Due to timing and many people involved you will have to wait to see any of the images, I know , as a big launch is planned for a few weeks time.

Today is a processing day. Past session’s to process and save which has piled up a little.

So onwards and upwards today and hopefully I can clear some of the backlog.

Glamour Curves

I am going to Downtown Houston to shoot for designer Shawn Kingsley of “ONE Duey Kingsley”.

This is going to be in preparation for Houston Fashion week and in conjunction with “Rick’s Bridal Couture”.

Full ensemble of make-up artists, hairstylists, choreographers, models, should be fun

So, bar fighting Houston traffic and parking ,am looking forward to a more unusual yet busy and unique day with lots of people around.

Houston Curves