I’ve missed shooting engagements. This past weekend in Green Bay was still a little cold for my tastes, but Amber and BJ were an awesome couple to kick-off another season of shooting outdoors with. We started at their favorite vegan restaurant, found a shopping cart randomly in a parking lot, and then headed out to Bairds Creek.  The sun and wind were perfection … glowy and fierce.

Amber and BJ are foodies and football fans, which I kinda think is the perfect combination and maybe how I’d even describe myself.  I definitely lost a bit of my voice singing to THIS SONG on repeat for the entire 5 hours I spent in the car to and from Green Bay.  I have a girl crush on the keyboardist.

And HERE is a sweet little blog post by one of my favorite florists about my new branding :)

I never expected to like boudoir photography. I mean, I used to think it was down-right gimmicky, plasticine (over-airbrushed much?), and cheesy. Not at all fitting with my tastes or shooting style.

But I won’t bore you with the details of how one day I saw some fresh and youthful boudoir and was hooked … and how, like wedding photography, not everything has to be the same.  And how I’ve never been interested in what most people are doing anyway.  And how I never want to stop shooting boudoir now because it’s empowering, amazing, beautiful, dreamy, sensual and really fun.

I was 100% hooked after my first session, and then I shot 6 more sessions for my brides and friends.  And with the talented team of Jennyface on makeup and Autumn Hair on hair … all the sessions were an absolute blast. An absolute blast.

So it’s officially here now … Anda Marie Boudoir! I’m so excited to see where this new business venture will take me.  My new boudoir portfolio is right here.  I hope you enjoy it :)

Sneak peek at some of the work-friendly images inside:

*Disclaimer:  there is no nudity in my portfolio, but if you aren’t allowed to look at the Victoria’s Secret or American Apparel websites at work, then my portfolio probably isn’t ‘work safe’ and you should just check back when you get home. Everyone is wearing at least what a swimsuit would cover though … and usually more. All photos used with permission.*

I’m still here.  Been working hard.  I’ve always been a really hard worker; it’s certainly one of my better character traits.  People sometimes say my life is ideal … but they often have no idea how much determination, long hours, and preparation have gone into creating that illusion. Any success I’ve had is the result of getting my hands dirty every day, taking risks, failing, trying again, surrounding myself with people who push and inspire me, and staying 100% true to myself no matter what’s “expected” of wedding photographers or what anyone else is doing.  I wasn’t born into privilege; luck and money are not what got me here.  It was all hard work and over-the-top determination to never work another job that didn’t inspire or challenge me.

Launching my new branding was such a weight off my shoulders … almost a year of working 24/7 that has already proven to be the hugest return-on-time-investment.  Thank you so much for all the kind words here, on Facebook, on Twitter.  My heart was so overwhelmed and so full.  I couldn’t be happier or more at peace about it.

I have another huge project underway.  It has me tossing and turning at night and wishing sleep was never necessary.  I’ll be around … but a little more silent here for a week or so yet.

Until later…

I ran across the above quote in an interview with Nirrimi on some blog last week.  The interviewer was asking the young artist how she felt about being so successful so early on in her career.  And I love how she responded.  I want to make it my motto for the rest of my life.  When I was shooting Jenna the other night … even though it was only 30 minutes outside … I was really happy.  And in my element.

Thanks Jenna, for always being my muse on any type of shoot, even at the last minute.  You inspire me.