L'image de Boudoir

According to Wikipedia, the term boudoir is French for a lady's private bedroom, sitting room or dressing room. The term derives from the French verb bouder, meaning "to be sulky"or boudeur, meaning "sulky." The term boudoir may also be ascribed to a genre of photography.  Boudoir photography is not generally a new concept but has recently become extremely popular with (though not exclusively) brides as a gift to surprise their future husbands.  Other motivations or inspiration for boudoir photography shoots include anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine's Day and weight loss regimes.

When I think about Boudoir imagery the first thing that comes to mind is light. The second is lines and composition. Boudoir photography is more than just making someone look sexy or glamorous.  It is about beauty and art and the combination of the two with a hint of mystery all rolled into one. Photography of any type has always been an art form to me not just a reproduction of a scene or object. I am constantly thinking of ways to transform what I am shooting into a work of art.  I ask myself how can I push this person, object, scene, etc., in front of me beyond just a "regular" image. Shooting boudoir style images has been a lovely and challenging experience.  I like to think I see more than a human body.  It's all about curves, shadow and placement within the frame.  Please take a minute to view more images on my website www.amandaanthonyphoto.com under "portfolios." If you would like the opportunity to express your beauty through boudoir style imagery for your significant other or even for yourself, please contact me to set up an appointment.  I am more than happy to shoot in the privacy of your own home.

Gentlemen - Try to top this proposal!

Kristin and John were married on October 22, 2011. The ceremony was held at Shady Grove United Methodist Church and the reception at the Hermitage Country Club out in Manakin Sabot. I think the most fascinating thing about this wedding is the proposal. Here it is in Kristin's own words.

It was very romantic! In September 2010, John began planning the proposal while he was still in Afghanistan. He was working over there for the State Department, embedded with the military. One of the soldiers in that unit used to be a D.C. Capitol Policeman and he helped make the location John selected possible. During his February/March leave this year, John surprised me by taking me for a tour of the Capitol Dome in D.C. There is a little-known tour that allows a person to go behind the walls of the Rotunda and up into the Dome itself. We climbed all the way up with a tour guide/guard until we came to the very top of the dome outside, giving us a 360-degree view of the city. I was still clueless that he had planned to propose up there and he was very good at remaining calm and his usual self. He handed the camera to the guide as if we were going to have an artsy couple's photo with the Washington Monument in the background. Holding my hands, John turned to me, smiled, and asked me to marry him. Making sure I had just heard him correctly, I asked him, "Are you serious?!" Then, realizing he was not on one knee, he knelt down and asked me again, to which I replied, "Yes!" quite a few times. This was all captured by the guide taking pictures of us! When we finally reached the bottom of the Dome again, our guide took a detour and told us to "Come over here, quick!" He led us into the United States Senate Press Gallery where a few reporters were waiting around for something to happen. When we walked in, we were ushered to the stage behind the official podium where we were congratulated and had our picture taken (courtesy of a last minute surprise by our guide!).

Anything But Ordinary

In my mother's house, there are boxes full of photographs that contain memories of the past. Images from my childhood, the beloved pets that shared our lives, our grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends. A fragment here, a moment there, as a collection they represent the times of my life. However, with all these images, there is not by itself that completely documents any one event in my life such that I can remember every detail. There have been many times that I've wished for a complete story instead of just an image or two. My portrait sessions are designed to capture an event or a moment in the life of your family! During our session, you should choose a location and an activity that represents your day to day life--yes, that means no posing in matching outfits on the beach or in front of the Christmas tree. Anything But Ordinary is my motto of choice. I would rather see a game of soft ball, your daughter's first ballet lesson, your puppy's first birthday party. Your family at home relaxing with the latest member of the family albeit human or four-legged, not bedazzled and frozen by a set of studio lights against a white backdrop--a segment of our precious lives that we can remember. Engagement and maternity sessions also fall under this category. Even if I am not available to photograph your wedding, you can still share in one of my portrait experiences! Portrait sessions usually last about 1.5 hours, but can be less or more depending on what you are doing. All portrait sessions are posted online for ordering prints and also include your own copyright-free disc containing all high-resolution images. Sessions begin at $350. For more information, please send me an email and tell me more about the kind of shoot you are interested in! info@amandaanthonyphoto.com

For the Love of Line Dancing....

Jessi Suttenfield and Chris Duke exchanged wedding vows on January 9 at First Presbyterian Church www.fpcrichmond.org with a reception at Westwood Club www.westwoodclub.net. Jessi showed off her love and talent for line dancing. She was amazing dancing along to the Electric Slide, the Cupid Shuffle and several other line dancing songs. Music was played by Manny Green www.mannygreen.com. There was also some break dancing thrown into the mix by one of Jessi's bridesmaids and a guest.