Portland Boudoir Photographer | definitely outside the box

I was over the moon when this lovely woman contacted me about doing some "weird" boudoir photos. She was a little worried that I may shy away because her requests and ideas were a little out there. Are you kidding me? It's pretty much my most favorite thing to shoot! So, with a crazy outfit, a drag queen wig, fabulous makeup, a ton of crazy accessories, an insane outfit with taped x's on across the nipples, some biker boots, a spell book, an iPod with a special play list, some killer light, and a cemetery…we set out for an adventure that was nothing short of awesome.

My favorite thing about this particular shot (well, after the lighting) is that she looks like Elizabeth Taylor! You see it too, don't you?

Like I said, some crazy (as in, crazy-awesome) accessories.

The whole look she was rocking lended itself beautifully to the light here.

Then she rocked this amazing silhouette. Seriously, the more a client "brings it" to the session, the better the images are. Even if you have to fake it, it'll pay off in the end.

She, of course, didn't have to fake it. She is just seriously full of awesome.

Yes, that's a real human hand. 

I was totally digging the feather collar/skirt she brought. 

Sometimes you just have to dance. At the cemetery.

Just a little voodoo magic.

This is one of my favorite shots. The use of a slow shutter speed really helped capture some ghostly like movement, while she danced around.

Did I also mention the crazy props? Yes, she brought amazing props.

I love how powerful this shot is. Reminds me of a superhero.

Sometimes shooting in woodsy areas like this are too dappled with light, or simply too dark. We lucked out, though, by finding little patches of light like this.

She randomly opened the book to exorcism. In a cemetery. Interesting.

I don't think we can even call this ironic. 

This session was a combination of film and digital. 

Film camera used was Canon EOS-3 and some inexpensive Fuji film. 

Digital camera was Canon 5D Mark II.

Makeup by Colie Serhan with the Trish McEvoy line at the Washington Square Nordstrom.

If you are interested in doing a "fabulously weird" photo shoot (boudoir or otherwise), please do not hesitate to contact me. I seriously LOVE these kinds of shoots. This is the stuff that drives me as an artist! So, feel free to email me at kel@kelwardphotography.com or via phone/text at 503-939-6781. I look forward to hearing your awesome, outside the box, ideas!

Oregon Boudoir Photographer | La Grande session details

In case you missed it, I recently announced that I'm going on a boudoir tour! 

My first stop will be in beautiful La Grande, Oregon. 

This little town has such a special place in my heart. I earned my art degree from Eastern Oregon University, was on the cheer and dance teams (yep, you read that correctly), and my husband proposed to me on the 50-yard line of the football field after one of his games. A short 6 months after graduation, I moved back to La Grande, where we spent several more years. My oldest was born there, I coached at both La Grande High School and Imbler High school, and it's just one of the most beautiful towns I've ever seen! 

Okay, enough about that. I'm sure you want the details regarding the boudoir sessions in La Grande, right? Each session will include a private shoot with 2 total outfits and 20-30 black and white images, to be delivered in digital file format. Please contact me directly for pricing and additional details. 

Please click HERE to view the list of cities I'll be visiting on my boudoir tour!

Salem Boudoir Studio | beautiful mama on film

I know I've already said this, but I'm loving the combination of color film and boudoir, in my studio. Most locations do not provide enough natural light for me to rock color images, but because my studio has two big windows and because the walls are all light colored, it totally works. 

Makeup by Paloma Ortiz. 

This shot, right here, is my favorite from this gorgeous session.

Do I even need to say that my camera LOVES this beautiful woman?!

I mean, hello? Look at her!

I'll be shooting her wedding next month and cannot wait! 

We had to do a few bridal inspired shots, since she's a soon-to-be bride!

 To book a session with me, simply email me at kel@kelwardphotography.com or give me a call (or text) at 503-939-6781. If you're out of the area, I'm also going on tour! Tour locations include:

La Grande, OR

Bend, OR

Manzanita, OR

Seattle, WA

Los Angeles, CA

Houston, TX

Reading, PA

Las Vegas, NV

Atlanta, GA

Albuquerque, NM

Orlando, FL

I may also be adding Colorado Springs to the list soon! If you're in one of these locations and would like information regarding the boudoir tour, please email me! If your city is not listed, but you and a group of friends are interested in boudoir sessions, please don't hesitate to ask! I'm happy to add cities to the tour. 

You can view my portfolio HERE and my boudoir page on Facebook HERE.

I also have a google+ account now! You can visit that by clicking HERE. 

Lastly, if you are in Instagram, my feed is HERE.

For my fellow film geeks, these shots were taken with a Canon EOS-3 and some film. Yes, film. As in, I can't remember which film stock I used. If I had to guess, I'd say Portra 400, but I'm not sure. I suck at keeping track of my shoot details. Oops. I do know, though, that they were scanned by the FIND lab.

Portland Boudoir Photographer | five awesome bras for small chests

First of all, I'm going to just go ahead and say that I'm a little jealous that those of you with small breasts have such inexpensive bra and lingerie options! Seriously. I am lucky if I can find a bra in my size for under $60, and don't get me started on cute options. 

Second of all, love yourself as you are, including your bra size. Embrace it and work it! 

Okay, here we go. Five awesome bras for the small chested ladies! (Please note: I did not take these photos. They're from the websites, where they're available for purchase.) Simply click on the photos to go to see more photos and details about the bras online. 

1. Kimchi Blue lace triangle bra. Urban Outfitters, $20.00.

This bra comes in a variety of colors and has matching panties available too. 

I just love the lace detail and delicate look of this bra.  I also love that it doesn't include any push up pads. Having small breasts doesn't automatically mean you want them to look bigger! And hello? Elastic band? Comfort City, baby!

.

.

.

2. Kimchi Blue Allover Scalloped Lace Bralette. Urban Outfitters, $29.00.

You know who can't pull off this awesome bra? Girls with big boobs. 

The back on this is killer, but the front is just as beautiful! 

Click on the photo to see more photos of this bralette.

.

.

.

3. Elle Macpherson Intimates Fliora Bra. Anthropologie, $65.00.

Seriously, just LOOK at this gorgeous, vintage inspired bra! As you can see, matching hipster panties are also available. The set comes in this beautiful mint green (listed as turquoise on their site) or a lovely pink. The details on this bra are just perfection. Available in as small as 32B. 

.

.

.

4. Timpa Duet Black Lace Sheer Unlined Demi Bra. Dollhouse Bettie, $36.00.

If you're a 1970s style girl, this is a great bra. The design is perfect for embracing the small boobs! It also comes in 32A, which is awesome. It's available in black or wine and matching thongs are available. 

.

.

.

5. Women's favorite push up lace balconette. Target, $17.99.

For those that do want a little bit of push up in their bra, this is a fabulous option. It is available in 8 different colors, including this fun "fresh melon" color. Now that I'm shooting color boudoir in my studio, you can all go and buy fun colored bras for your sessions! 

To book a session with me, simply email me at kel@kelwardphotography.com.

You can visit my website at www.kelwardphotography.com

Salem Boudoir Photographer | sunset in the studio

Just beyond the sunset
Someone waits for me
Just beyond the sunset
Lies my destiny
Where the purple mountains
Lie in deep tranquillity
There I’ll find the treasure
Of love eternally 

Just beyond the sunset
Waits someone so fair
Just beyond the sunset
All alone they wait there
Their hair is golden
The colour of the sand
Their eyes sparkle in the night
Like diamonds in your hand

Just beyond the sunset
Lies a home for me
Where the world is peaceful
Like a paradise should be
Just beyond the sunset
Someday is where you’ll find me

~David Harris, 1966

These shots were from the very first boudoir session I did in my studio. I knew immediately that I loved shooting in there at sunset. I have west facing windows, so for about 2 hours the light just pours in like this. It's stunning and beautiful, and I'm just so in love with it! It allows me to be creative in so many ways - exposure, composition, shadows, etc. 

If you are invested in booking a sunset studio session, just let me know. I often shoot in the evenings and on weekends, as those are the times that tend to work best for my boudoir clients. Most are moms and/or work 9-5 type jobs, so evenings and weekends just make sense. 

Please feel free to visit my website at www.kelwardphotography.com and view my boudoir portfolio at www.kelwardphotography.com/boudoir. I also have a Facebook page (click here to view), as well as a "regular" blog, if you're interested in more than just boudoir. Click HERE to view my other blog.

I can be reached by email at kel@kelwardphotography.com and by phone/text at 503-939-6781. I look forward to meeting you! If you'd like to sit and chat, I have space available for that in my studio. I'm also happy to meet up with you at your home or at a local coffee shop. Just let me know what works best for you!

Salem Boudoir Studio | looking through

This is one of my favorite boudoir images taken in my studio. It's so simple, but has a sense of mystery to it. There's a soulfulness about it that I just love. 

If you're interested in recreating a shot like this for your studio boudoir session, just let me know. I keep these mirrored beads on hand just for this reason. 

2014-2015 travel dates announced!

I'm going on tour! I'll be offering private boudoir sessions in each of these cities. Details vary for each, so please email me for specifics! kel@kelwardphotography.com

If your city is not listed, but you're interested in having me visit, please do not hesitate to ask! I'm happy to add locations to the list, if there is a group of ladies interested.

Salem Boudoir Photographer | introducing color!

In case you missed the announcement, I am now offering color boudoir images! If you're partial to black & white, you can still have an all b&w session, of course. If you'd like to mix in some color, though, you can do so when booking a studio session with me! Here is a super sexy sneak peek from a recent session. 

Canon EOS-3 + Fuji Superia 800, scanned by The Find Lab.