{Winter Wonderland Surprise Proposal}

Nov. 4th, 2014 I found this message in my email.

 Message: From Jeremy B.

Man… That skill testing question was BRUTAL! Almost had to throw down a calculator! haha. Hey Kate! I love the pics, you are definitely talented and great at what you do! I need some help with something and I think you are the perfect person The Starsky to my Hutch, the Jay-Z to my Beyonce, the Indiana Jones to my… that little Asian kid from the Goonies. I am excited to get in contact with you and set up a session.
but first you have to answer a skill testing question..
Name the 4 Ninja Turtles… aaaaand GO!

My response:

Thank you so much for writing Jeremy!
Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael,  Then of course you can’t forget — Splinter, Shredder etc. lol I AM an 80’s child. TMNT is in my blood    I can’t wait to chat with you! Give me a call anytime today——I can only imagine what you are thinking of for a session

Warm Regards,
Kate Ferguson

The following email from Jeremy:

It isn’t anything crazy, so don’t be too scared.  I am looking to do a session in the snow with my girlfriend. She has been bugging me for years to go do a photo shoot and I would like to take her. Here’s the thing… she is going to believe that it is part of a contest. This contest’s first prize is a trip to sun peaks at delta hotel deluxe suite, trip to the sun peaks spa, and a photo session with Kathleen Ferguson Photography. Guess what… SHES GOING TO WIN!! OOOO AAAAAH. Lol.

Also… during this photo shoot I will be giving her a gift that you will capture. This gift is round, size 6, and covered in diamonds. This girl has me on lock down… HAHAHA. I’m proposing!! This is where you come in. I would love a great shot and I think you can deliver this. My mom, and now YOU, are the only ones that know… Help a brother out?

So Of course I agreed and then our plan was set in motion:

So this is the email that Marlo received after she WON her amazing weekend getaway. Jeremy had her fooled…. HOOK LINE and SINKER. Isn’t he amazing?!?!

So together with the INCREDIBLY TALENTED —- EVENTS BY KATE – (who is responsible for all the gorgeous decor) Katelyn Meekle and Jeremy we were able to create the most incredible surprise proposal ever.

And of course Marlo said YES!!!

Congratulations you two. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of it!

What a perfect and incredible way to propose! Looking for an incredible way propose to your fiance?! Email EVENTS BY KATE or kathleenfergusonphotography@gmail.com for details!

Special thank you to the sponsors of this event:

EVENTS BY KATE

EXPOSURE- A PLACE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

Katelyn Meekle and Sara Schreiner for all of your help this day.

{In the Boudoir} ]]> http://www.kathleenfergusonphotography.ca/2014/boudoir-kfp-kamloops-boudoir-photographer-4/feed/ 0 http://www.kathleenfergusonphotography.ca/2013/the-before-and-after-image-debate-kfp-kamloops-empowerment-photographer/ http://www.kathleenfergusonphotography.ca/2013/the-before-and-after-image-debate-kfp-kamloops-empowerment-photographer/#respond Thu, 21 Nov 2013 00:28:46 +0000 http://www.kathleenfergusonphotography.ca/?p=1615 NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

{Why KFP Does Not Offer Before and After Images}

I have been asked so many times why I do not show before and after images on my website. From a photographers and business perspective it makes so much sense if I was to market this way. I know it would drive business up- as this successful marketing tool has been used time and time again.  I have put a lot of thought into this concept and from the moment I opened KFP I have always felt the same way about it- that my work is not about makeovers, it is about reminding women to take time out of their busy schedules for themselves, what makes them unique and why they are perfect just as they are.

You see, in today’s world we are constantly bombarded with makeovers. There is always some ad somewhere telling women that we are not good enough right now, but that we need this product, or this experience to be happier, to love ourselves more, to feel more beautiful, and to feel more complete. Between reality TV shows, magazines, makeup stores and online- we are constantly seeing the message that we all need a makeover. I, like you, have always found myself drawn to this kind of marketing. Why? I feel it is because there is something SO magical in that ‘Ta Da’ moment when the curtain is pulled back and this ‘new and improved’ person is revealed.  They do such a great job of presenting the Before image to look so dark, unhappy, sad, deflated, lacking confidence – they always portray a woman who looks so discontent with her life.  I am sure in the moment we can all relate to one of those negative buzz words associated with that image. The After image is ALWAYS the complete opposite. This woman is now so vivacious, confident, charismatic, and appears so ‘happy. She looks like she can rule the world doesn’t she? Who wouldn’t want to be her- or buy anything that made her feel that way- because if it worked for her it can work for us too right?

I have always felt like these makeover depictions are always missing the most important detail- It is not that makeovers do not work long term or that they are not effective to improve our lives. It is just that it is NOT  just about the makeover. It is actually about making time for ourselves- it is about quality ‘me’ time- that feeds the physical self and the soul. It is about reminding ourselves that we are more than our jobs, our families, our belongings, and our accomplishments. Who we are as women is more than all of these things. These ads are constantly telling us that happiness is directly related to the products used. That happiness is therefore only skin deep. But I have always wanted to see the after the AFTER shot. The one where the makeup is off, the person in real life is revealed, and day to day activities start again. Is she still as happy? Does she still love herself? Does she still feel confident? I with the would focus on the pampering, the real reason why a makeover makes us FEEL so amazing. What makes that feeling last longer is realizing that it stems from taking time for ourselves and taking a moment to just spend a day being pampered. We get to talk about ourselves, have someone else take all the pressure off of our makeup and hair, get to dress up in gorgeous clothing that we forgot we owned and just relax while someone gives us complete direction and positive feedback the entire day. How amazing does that sound? I feel more happy just thinking about it.

Marketing without the before and afters is a challenging thought as a photographer. How do I portray to new clients that my session are all about HOW YOU FEEL- when you are done, and that the images we create together are simply a reminder for you of that day, that moment, that feeling- where you rediscovered feelings for yourself that you ALREADY HAVE. That you took time from your busy schedule and just planned a You day. A day devoted to feeling incredible in your own skin, learning not to take yourself seriously and viewing yourself through the lens of someone else. Seeing what the world sees when they look at you. A woman who is gorgeous beyond her skin- and right into her soul.

Here is as before and after as KFP gets. Check out the sneak peek commercial at the link below.

xo Kate

https://vimeo.com/79927278

{Meet Eden}

Why did you decide to book a session for yourself??

I booked the session as a 50th birthday surprise for my husband. I think I also booked it for myself, as it turned out to be an amazing ego boost!

Where you nervous before your session?

I didn’t sleep much more than a wink the night before the session. I was incredibly nervous and wondered why I even thought I could do this.

How did you feel during your session?

The most interesting thing about my session is that from the moment the camera came out, all of my nerves dissipated. I think the biggest reason was the amazing woman on the other side of the lens. I felt powerful and yes, surprisingly, I felt beautiful.

What was the first thing you thought when you saw your images?

When I saw my images, I felt my stomach tighten and I began the regular song and dance of, are these good enough to show my husband? Are my wrinkles showing too much? Does my skin show my age etc. It took me about ten seconds to step back and look at these pictures as if they weren’t my own. They were beautiful. There was nothing about this woman that needed to change, so why have I wasted all this energy over all these years wishing for something I really didn’t need?

What does ‘Sexy’ or ‘Beautiful’ Mean to you?

I used the word before, but my session made me feel powerful. I realized that sexy or beautiful wasn’t just a visual interpretation of a woman’s face or body, it’s her interpretation of how she rules her world. Confidence is the most beautiful attribute a woman can possess.

What advice would you give other women thinking about booking a session?

As for any other woman who has been on the fence about booking a session, why wait? Most women have a problem with exposing their vulnerabilities to a stranger. Kate is only a stranger until you say hello, you show up to meet a photographer and you leave with a new friend.

Would you book another session in the future?

My next birthday is coming quick and I will be 40. I am not upset about this, I am excited. If this is what 40 looks and feels like, I am ready for the decade to begin! I will do this at 45, I will do this at 50. Who knows how many more? I guess as time goes by, I’ll just have to wait and see….

{Makeup & Hair: Avinash Tanda – 1.250.315.2787}

{Empowerment {Boudoir}

 This week has been all about embracing our body parts- There is always that one area on our bodies that we are not fond of. Certain body parts that perhaps we don’t send enough love to. It is the first thing we glare at in the mirror every morning. It is the one thing we complain about to our partners and girlfriends. It is always that body part that ‘if it was just a little bit better” we would be perfect. It is always the thing we hide from the world most.  We cover it up, tuck it in, suck it in, lift, pull, prod, lol and all the other wild things us women do to make ourselves feel fabulous.

It is incredible to think of it- all the things we do to our bodies in search of perfection, and all the time we spend worrying over it. It makes me smile because I bet we are the only ones who notice these ‘flaws‘.

I am always surprised whenever a woman comes into the studio and tells me the areas of her body she isn’t fond of.  I am not sure why I am surprised-I do this all the time! We always want to set other women up to know what our faults are so that they don’t judge us- or we feel more secure and a connection with each other by sharing the areas of our body that need work. I wonder why we do this? This habit of putting ourselves down or leading with our faults.

What would happen if we walked this earth and put our best foot forward when we met each other. What if we celebrated our bodies instead? What if we celebrated who we are as women and know it goes beyond our outer appearance? You are all incredible. You are all beautiful. You are all worthy of self love.

I wonder what would happen if we learned to just love ourselves instead. If we saw those body parts we used to not like in a new light? What if we learned to love our bodies 100%  “flaws” and all- I think we would be unstoppable.

It is amazing how our perspective of our bodies can change when viewed through a different lens.  I love nothing more than helping you see the beauty you all hold- I would love nothing more than having a woman come to a session and list all the things she LOVES about herself!

This is my goal for 2014- changing women’s lives- one Empowerment Session at a time.
<3 <3 <3

I challenge each of you to greet yourself in the morning and say outloud one thing about your body that you love. Do this with your daughters. Show them it is OK to look in the mirror  and see something other than a critique. Try to make it new every day. What do you love about yourself today? Leave me a note below- I would love to hear from all of you!

Looking for that perfect gift for yourself this year? Email kathleenfergusonphotography@gmail.com for details.

{Meet Kim}

Why did you decide to book a session for yourself??

I’ve always wanted to do a boudoir photo session for myself but never felt complete. Now that my 3 kids are in their late teens and I have recently re married I have felt the most beautiful and empowered that I have ever been with the challenges of raising kids and finding love again. I wanted to celebrate the hard work and the joy I have received in my life and to show my new husband how he has helped to complete me.

Where you nervous before your session?

I was very nervous for the session but ecstatic at the same time. Once I got started with the session it was like being in my private bedroom posing for my husband it was so fun and can’t wait to do another session.

What was the first thing you thought when you saw your images?

When I first saw my images I couldn’t believe my eyes that they were me they were so beautiful, classy, soft, sexy, and just a wonderful warm feeling seeing them they made me cry I loved them so much.

What does ‘Sexy’ or ‘Beautiful’ Mean to you?

Sexy and beautiful to me means to be complete with who you are and how you treat others and yourself. Treat people the way you want to be treated I always say and I teach my girls that as well. Always pay it forward.

What advice would you give other women thinking about booking a session?

I have told lots of women to book a boudoir photo session as for 1. it’s fun 2. it’s sexy  and 3. it makes you feel sexy beautiful and totally empowered.

Would you book another session in the future?

Hell ya I would book another session!!

Makeup & Hair: Avinash Tanda and Victoria Rabbitt: 1.250.315.2787

Love Is In The Air

I am so excited to announce my new campaign for Couples Boudoir Sessions! A fabulous way to connect and celebrate with your partner!

Looking to create gorgeous keepsakes with your loved one? Email kathleenfergusonphotography@gmail.com today for details!

{Meet Couple A}

{Meet Anonymous}

Why did you decide to book a session for yourself??

To surprise my husband for our anniversary.

How did you feel during your session?

Very comfortable and confident.

What was the first thing you thought when you saw your images?

I loved them! I thought the makeup would be way too much but it looked amazing for the camera. I felt really good about myself!

How did you feel about yourself after your session?

I felt a lot more confident about my flaws. I realize that I notice them more than they show

Why did you decide to book a session for yourself?

I am getting married soon and wanted something to give my fiancée on the morning of our wedding.  The pictures are all wedding themed and I thought it would be fun & exciting to have something to look back on and also to generate excitement for the day to come.

Were you nervous before your session?

Not at all.  I’ve worked with Kate & Nicole before and they are so great and fun so I was really excited.

 How did you feel during your session?

Great.  It was a beautiful day, we were outside and laughing our asses off.  It’s a great way to spend the afternoon.

What was the first thing you thought when you saw your images?

Holy crap.  This is awesome!  My fiancée and I love to laugh and so I love how we captured sexy images that represent us and our life but put a playful twist on it.

How did you feel about yourself after your session?

I felt good.  Kate is so good at making you feel comfortable in your own skin, to feel sexy but not serious.  She’s amazing to work with and I’d recommend her to anyone and everyone!

Would you book another session in the future?

Yes.  Definitely.

Oh I LOVE Bridal Boudoir Sessions!! I adore this shot!

If you are looking for an incredible way to surprise your partner to be– and feel confident and beautiful email kathleenfergusonphotography@gmail.com for details!!!

Makeup and Hair: Beauty Code Boutique