Our beautiful client booked a 2 look session – which of course means a lot of range in her gallery!  When she broke out these adorable leg warmers…I instantly knew we’d use them! One of the things I tell clients… is to PACK A BAG!  And I LOVE when they listen to me!  It’s not uncommon for me to hear “I don’t know how or if we can incorporate this….” You’d be surprised at what we can come up with!  Better to have options, then to leave feeling like maybe you should have brought more.  Generally if someone is going for two looks – we start with a softer look, and will use outfits that match up to that feel best.

Sports attire of any kind always works great… and yes the guys love it   Hello Lakers Fans!  Good photo to remind you that is doesn’t have to always be lingerie or have a ton of skin showing to be sexy!  This was actually shot, infront of a small section of blank wall.  Simple, clean – perfect!

We went through a few other outfits, before changing up the makeup and hair.  Anytime we get a black and white outfit – a punchy lip is brought to the session!  The color pop really makes a statement, and gives a very different feel! Especially when you go red

Not only were the polka dots on this piece adorable – the lines were so sexy!  Playful and fun   Take a trip up to Saratoga – and visit Lisa at Fiat Feminae - tons of different, boudoir styled lingerie at her shop!  Although I’m not posting a shot of the back – per the client’s request – this had matching underwear – that had the cutest bow right at the tailbone… just a fabulous fun outfit!  Which is sometimes exactly what you need to wear to really have fun and feel playful!  It’s hard for me to always articulate to clients the transformation that goes on with EVERY client during a session.  I can see the confidence build, they relax – better expressions, and  body language.  Which is exactly when I start the more non-traditional posing!  Many of my client’s will tell you that I say “If it feels a bit uncomfortable…you’re doing it right!”  A hunched over, folded, or even big arch can feel weird – but look amazing with the lines it creates! 

January dates filled up fast – with Valentine’s Day being the big push.  Be sure to check back to see all of the gorgeous clients who started off the 2012 year!

Honestly, I don’ t know how it happened – busy I guess – but my poor blog was put on hold.  No reason to dwell on it – soooooo gonna make the effort to get posting more often! 

Probably the word of 2011 for me … BOUDOIR!   I love these sessions so much – and can not even begin to say how thrilled I am that they’ve taken off!  They are my favorite portrait sessions to shoot… if you could see what I do  – what happens to a woman during a session – you’d understand it!  Confidence builds, and they really glow by the time they are ready to leave   Definitely something incredible about being the person that helps bring that out in someone – getting the emails after from them, often for weeks – telling me how much they loved the experience, and how they are still smiling a huge smile… well how do you not love that… and get addicted to it!!!! 

This year is proving to surpass last, and the booking for early in the year have not only poured in, but bookings are being made all throughout the coming year! Love it – love that women are celebrating themselves – embracing their bodies, and enjoying the idea of being and feeling sexy!  It’s also pretty cool to see that it’s happening all over the country…. one of my favorite sites to pop over and see is the Boudoir Divas  They are a team of women in San Diego California… and that’s all they do!!!!  Well, they also put on workshops etc…. but boudoir is it!  Who knows… if things keep going the way they are… that may be something I entertain in the future

Before I switch gears – want to be sure and remind you to friend me on facebook – and peek through the over 100 images in my boudoir album – the women are all so beautiful – and it’s because they feel confident, and sexy!!!!!  Find me here…   You’ll also see a  Best of Boudoir 2011 Album!  Which was such a fun contest to run!!!!  This pretty girl took home the gold, and is getting a wall piece of this image!

What else is coming this 2012????   WEDDINGS!  Last year I started to dabble – and with a few under my belt – am diving in.  Bookings are on the calendar already – and hoping that the Bridal Show I’m attending February 26th at the Century House will bring a few more wonderful couples my way.  You can find info. about this show here

As promised… posts will be coming frequently   so be sure to check back in from time to time! 

Happy New Year everyone!

Generally I correspond with clients both via email and phone prior to their session multiple times.  We chat about clothing, location, session choices, and the style they want their session to have.  A touch base always occurs a few days before, giving the clients the chance to ask last minute questions – or sometimes to simply calm the nerves! 

As I stated earlier – the session is the smallest part of this process.  But before the session even begins – additional time is spent looking through wardrobes, re-arranging furniture, finding the best shooting location and answering questions.  THEN – we shoot and have fun!  A post session discussion occurs as we wrap up.  Again, questions are answered, the when, how, and where do I see my photos is all covered!  Samples of wall pieces are also brought along, so a client can see the products, and sometimes even look at one in the space their considering for their own in their home.   A big help if you are a visual learner!

The computer time is next - uploading, backing up, and the first run through finding the cream of the crop images!  Personally, I also look at various exposure and processing options – to find the perfect fit for each image!   Once the gallery images have been selected further editing using Photo Shop is then done to polish them up!

Now it’s time to get the clients involved again!  An email usually arrives to my clients announcing that their gallery is ready – along with a preview image or two! Everyone enjoys the sneak peek!!!!  And I LOVE sharing them!  We coordinate a time/day to view the gallery together - and have a phone consult to discuss and place the order.

So you’d think that would wrap it up right?  NOPE!!!!!!   At a minimum – the order needs to be placed, an invoice prepared and sent, and emails with confirmation of payments received, as well as when to expect their beautiful portraits!!!!    With some orders, even more time is spent… here’s a sampling from a recent client’s session!

She knew she wanted to display many of the images, and decided on wall pieces, but needed help with the layout.  Most of us do better when we can SEE what is being talked about.  And this is exactly what mocking up wall displays does!  Sometimes it makes it very clear what we don’t want, and helps us arrive quickly to what we really do want!  This client and I spent quite a bit of time chatting on the phone about size options, and layouts.  I want to be sure and say that this process is NEVER rushed.  It can’t be!  And as I told her – I’d much rather take more time, and know she’s comfortable, and confident with her final choices, than rush an order and worry about second guessing the selections!  Today was our last meeting - I drove over to her home, re-looked at the space, and brought a scaled drawing of the final layout for her to look at.  I know she was very happy and relieved to have me there, and she’s so excited for her order to be placed!  THIS IS WHAT YOUR EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE!  This is what makes custom photography unique.  Excellent portraits is one piece, but clearly….. there’s much more to a session with me than just that

Inquires come in daily – mostly from women – and occasionally from men who are looking to gift the session to a girlfriend or wife.  In past posts here and on facebook I’ve put up questions – a Boudoir 411 if you will.   No question that quite a bit of thought goes into booking a session on a clients end – and understandably they generally have a lot of questions! 

Recently I’ve been asked a few time - “What aged women tend to book these sessions?”    

There’s a range – from their 20′s to -50′s .

The ladies in their 20′s are typically into the high fashion, model like portraits you see celebrities in.  They want a feeling of  Hollywood, or modeling.  I also have found some that call themselves late bloomers – and feel they’ve come into their own – and want to celebrate it!

Women in their 30′s and 40′s are often mom’s – who are looking to get their sexy back !   They’re often consumed by the role of parenthood – and need some TLC – and personal time to focus on only them.  Some have had to work hard at regaining their post pregnant body – and want to celebrate that achievement.

40 and 50 aged clients are sometimes women who have been divorced, or have lost their spouse.  Some are looking to re-enter the dating world – or are simply just looking to see and be reminded of what they have to offer this world.  I also find that some women have settled into the idea of getting older – and have decided to embraced it – and want to document their beauty at this point in their lives. 

Whatever your age – whatever your reason — a Boudoir Session is an unbelievable gift to give yourself.  Lingerie, or not (which is not a requirement by the way)  the focus is on capturing your essence, your beauty.  The confidence these images, and even just the experience of the session alone brings to women is impossible to truly describe or duplicate. 

Drop me a line today -and let’s chat about the style and session type that would be perfect for you.  

Surprise him this year with something that he’ll LOVE!!!!  Boudoir Photos of YOU!!!

Thrilled to announce an incredible, exclusive offer for the May 1st and 15th Boudoir Sessions!

Bottom line – you’ll look and feel great – and end up with a perfect gift, wrapped and ready to place in his hands!  He loves you – give him some love back with gorgeous photos

Inquire today for details and to reserve your session.  518.248.0834   genine@geninegullickson.net

You can also find details here:  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=205391382817678

CLICK THIS!!!!!  BOUDOIR: Behind the Scenes - video link

The perfect way to see what goes on behind the scenes of a Boudoir Event!!!! 

This video Sneak Peek was created by the incredible team at Best Bytes Media.  Our two casting call winners made their way down to the Morgan State House in Albany, NY – directly across from Washington Park – for the filming.  We used their premeir suite – which is insanely beautiful, and couldn’t have been more perfect for a Boudoir Sesssion!!!!  Our goal was to give you a look into Boudoir Sessions with Genine Gullickson Photography.  What is looks like, what it sounds like, and of course what the photo outcome is! The full length feature will be released soon – can only imagine how great it will be.

So first let me introduce you to the Boudoir Casting Call Winners!

First we have Alex!  Can you believe she use to hate having red hair?  That she wouldn’t leave the house without earings and lipstick because she was mistaken as a boy once and was determined not to have it happen again?  We all have our stories – for her she’s embraced her lovely red locks and freckles   Alex is natural in front of a camera, which is exactly why she was selected to be one of our models for the video. 

Our second model winner was Shannon!

Shannon is a mommy of 3 little boys – and has worked very hard to get back her body.  Any lady out there can tell you that the post pregnancy body is something they could avoid!  Hard work is given her, her body back.  And when you’re a mom, doing something for YOURSELF isn’t always on the top of the list!  It was wonderful working with her – and seeing how incredible the photos made her feel!!

It’s that time of year!   Announcing the official Casting Call for high school juniors who wish to be considered to model for Genine Gullickson’s Senior Portrait Representative program. 

Requirement are:

HS Junior – live in 518 area

Message today to submit your application  genine@geninegullickson.net

All of the rooms are pretty – and the one we used, featured in the video is their largest.  Words really can’t tell you how cool it is, and perfect for Boudoir Photography.   Check our their site    http://www.morganstatehouse.com/

So this connection, couldn’t have come at a better time as I was looking for a location to use to shoot my BOUDOIR: Behind the Scenes video with Best Bytes Media  http://www.bestbytesmedia.com/Media/Index.html

To catch you up to speed – we ran a casting call and selected 2 women to be gifted the experience, as well as be featured in the video.  Keep watching as their “stories” and sample pictures will be featured here soon!!! 

Here is a sneak peek of the video being produced – AMAZING!!!!!!  Can not wait for the full length feature!  Check it out to see what a Boudoir Photography session with me is really like!!!

BOUDOIR: Behind the Scenes