Most – if not all – of our clients feel nervous when they book with us. After all, most women have never taken off their clothes on front of a camera, so of course they feel unprepared, scared or just plain not ready.
But it turns out that ALL of our clients are GLAD they went through with a session. It may have started out as a joke, or they were doing it for someone else, but in the end, having these photos turned out to be one of the biggest esteem boosters of their lives.
MsJ came to us to help her create some steaming images that featured her gorgeous self! We were so glad that she did, her photos are amazing!!
We asked her a few after-session questions, take a look at her answers:
What was your biggest fear before hiring me? Did it come true, and if not, what happened instead?
My biggest fear was that I would see the photos and be even more self conscious about myself than ever. The exact opposite is what happened. When I look at the photos it gives me the self confidence that I normally do not have.
Were you nervous about your shoot? How did Jackee help?
I was not as nervous going into the shoot as I thought I would be. I started relaxing when Pru did my hair and makeup. When I got to Jackee I was already feeling good about myself. We went into the studio and started to talk. It only got better from there. She is definitely down to earth and a person who relates well to others. She helped me choose my outfits and accessories. Once she began shooting I just let loose and let her take over. I had confidence that she was the pro and knew exactly what needed to be done. The final shots are proof of that!
How did you feel after you saw your photos for the first time?
OMG that’s me??? That basically sums up how I felt the first time I looked at the photos and every time I still do. She doesn’t try to make you look like someone else, she just brings out the best in you.
What, specifically, was your favorite part of your boudoir experience and why?
The actual photography session was my favorite. The time flew by so quickly, but I did not want this time to end. In my younger years I did a small amount of modeling. I can’t even say it brought me back to the good ole days because this was sooooo much better. We joked and laughed and had a great time. I felt like I had known Jackee my entire life. It was like having a girls day out, but she was working her magic the entire time and I was having the most amazing time.
Did you enjoy working with Jackee and Pru?
What great women!! They are not only professional, but very down to earth. They both excel in their profession and it shows. I can’t imagine doing this type of photography shoot with anyone else.
What advice would you give to other women thinking about having a boudoir session?
Just go for it!! Your inner beauty and your outer beauty will shine through. It doesn’t matter if these photos will be for you or for someone special in your life. This is something you deserve. Don’t put it off…you won’t regret it!
If you were to recommend me to your best friend, what would you say?
As your true friend, I would have to encourage (or should I say insist) that you jump at the opportunity to do this. If I can do this, so can you.
Oh, MsJ I had such a great time that day! Thank you!
Prudence Walker – owner at Rustic Cuts & Co. Premiere hair and makeup artist at JLReis Glamoir Photography
Have you ever looked at a magazine and thought “God, I’d love to look like that!” You’re in luck, my HMUA – hair and makeup stylist – can make it happen.
While you can get away without it, a hair and makeup styling is a must for a boudoir session. You want to look your absolute most beautiful and HMUAs know all the tricks to make you look like yourself, with a ton of oomph. HMUAs do your hair, give you smoky eyes and thick fringe-y lashes and a silky, sexy pout. You’ll love what you see in the mirror and your SO will have their socks knocked off.
When I first met Prudence, I liked her immediately, but I had no idea just how important she’d become to me, professionally AND personally. She has brought my photography and my work to another whole level. Although I am a hairdresser myself, I concentrated on nails and was NEVER good at hair and make-up. Prudence has lifted the worries I had before and during a session.
Prudence is also opening a salon locally very soon, as well as being the premiere stylist at JLReis Photography, so we sat down and talked about some of the important questions that we thought y’all might want to know!
What made you want to get into the Hair and Makeup industry?
I LOVE all aspects of art; growing up, I was a very creative child. I grew up in a family of believers and listeners and givers. When one of my other goals in life was not going to work, my Uncle (HMUA), said to me “Why not give to the world what you were given?” … the ability to see beauty in others even if they didn’t see it themselves. So I combined my passion of art/design and compassion of helping others and went to school for barber/cosmetology. Later in life I went on to get my instructor’s license to help others achieve their HMUA goals as well.
What’s your favorite part about doing Hair and Makeup for Boudoir/Glamour Sessions?
The transformation of it all from the minute you walk through the door: the outfits, your expectations, your fears, your laughter, the moment you look in the mirror, when it all comes together and you strut out the door like you own it.
What can clients expect from you when they hire you to do their hair and makeup?
That they can trust me with everything, I listen …
How would you describe your style?
How would you describe me? 😉 Hmmm … “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak ~ Rachel Zoe” Okay, sometimes look like a hurricane ☺ but I’m having a whole lot of fun
What makes you stand out in the HMUA industry?
I LISTEN, it’s not about me but you ☺
Where can you see hair and makeup trends go over the next few years
Everything repeats itself, but I can see simple and classic (it never goes out of style) But to each their own
What’s your favorite part of a Boudoir/Glamour Session?
All of it, but when the pictures come out and you and all of your friends and family go WOW! The glow in your face!
Other than Boudoir/Glamour Sessions, what else do you do hair and makeup for?
I love traveling for weddings! I’m the open minded stylist/ friend listening and helping you
What’s in your makeup bag?
A little of everything … remember, I’m just like you
What do you like to do on your weekends?
Now if I tell you everything about me what fun would that be 😉
Is there anything else that you want people to know about you?
I am here to help, even with the little things that you may have forgotten about yourself. Mixed in with some sass, class and maybe some crazy fun! But most importantly I LISTEN to what you need. I believe in kindness, I believe in helping others with no questions asked, I see the good in everyone first, I believe in good wholesome conversations. I believed in myself for 48 years when no one else did, beside a few close family and friends. I give my worth away to prove myself over and over again. I never accept a compliment cause its not about me it’s about helping. I believe I am smart enough to survive anything. That’s been my whole life and being.
Client Feedback
The experience was great. She was amazing to work with and has a great personality. […] But seriously 9.5/10 ~ Amber C
I have loved working with Pru! I’ve gone from no makeup, to LOTS of makeup! […] As to hair, if anyone can take this wavy, curly rats nest and make it look fantastic, she does. That’s a brave and experienced person right there! ~ Emily P
She’s amazing she does great work I’m even having her do my hair and my daughter’s hair for my wedding vow renewal. She cut my son’s hair the other day amazing job he is very very happy with it. I would recommend her to anybody. ~ Becky M
Prudence Walker did my hair and I have a lot of hair to deal with I told her that I wanted blonde highlights and my hair layered and thinned […] lo and behold the finished product was completely amazing my head felt lighter, the style was amazing and I’ve never had more compliments on the color in my hair… I would highly recommend her to anybody […] ~ Lori K
She is Fantastic!! ~ Melissa V
Prudence Walker is amazing with hair…she moved away on me and i used to have the cutest short hair styles and colors but since she moved away i have let it grow because i cant find anyone to cut or color it the way she used to. ~ Vickie J
I absolutely love Pru!! SHE does amazing hair! I drive 2 hours just to get my hair done by Pru ~ Jennifer B
If you choose to do your own hair and make-up for your session:
Please arrive at the studio with your hair and makeup already done. We do have hairspray and curling irons if you need to fluff up the curls etc. We want to have enough time to pick out your outfits and more time to shoot 🙂
We highly recommend that you wear a foundation even if you don’t normally wear it; it really makes the skin look flawless and silky smooth in photographs. Please wear a moisturizer under your foundation
Bring some of your makeup with you so that you can touch it or a different color lipstick to change up the look for your second set
We recommend starting with a more nude or natural lipstick and then progressing to darker lipstick as we transition into your second or third set
False eyelashes are HIGHLY recommended for your shoot. If Pru isn’t doing your make-up, make sure you’ve applied them before you get here. You can buy nice lashes from WalMart or Sally’s – and don’t forget the glue! I personally recommend the tube withthe liner instead of “squooshy: glue 🙂
There are quite a few tutorials here in one place right here (I love the eyeshadow in the first video!)
Boudoir/Glamour sessions are easy to set up. Want to set up your own session? Just email me or Facebook PM and we’ll get the ball rolling
Who am I? I am a glamour photographer. What I do isn’t for everybody, but it is for YOU.
It’s for the woman who has NEVER liked a photo of herself. It’s for the daughter(s) who want a forever memory of their mom.
I do it for you, who think you have to use lose ten pounds (you don’t). I do it for you, who doesn’t feel comfortable on front of the camera (oh what fun we’ll have and the photos that come out of it will be spectacular!)
I am a glamour photographer for the every day woman. Your last beautiful photos don’t have to be from your graduation or wedding day.
Professional headshots are important? Are you a professional? Do you have a website, Twitter or Facebook account? Is your profile picture a picture of your dogs, a cartoon or a street view of your business? Do you have a professional headshots?
Why not?
I can guess. Most people, professional or not, don’t want to invest money having photographs taken of themselves for 100 different reason (which boils down to the same reasons that people don’t want to have personal portraits taken -but that’s for another blog).
Your customers like to see who they are working with. It makes you more real – and that makes you more trustworthy.
But why should you take a professional headshot if when you can take your OWN photo. Because it will LOOK like you took it yourself and if a clients feels that you don’t value yourself or business enough to have professional portraits taken, to represent the face of your business, no matter what it is, the odds are that they’ll choose someone else. NE Wisconsin is behind the times on a lot of things, but as more and more people become more and more familiar with the Internet and bringing their own business to the Interent, they’ll see what I’m saying.
I know that having your photo taken is stressful; trust me, I know. I’ve hated having my photos taken since HS (and it showed). But if I knew then what I know about angles and lighting, I would have taken better photos.
