Transformations

Menagerie Connecticut Photography - CT Boudoir Pinup Romantic Lingerie Sexy Intimate Glamour Maternity Head shots Fashion Editorial Portraiture Photo shoot

August 29 2017

Their Biggest Fears and What Happened!

Marilyn RielSTUDIO ARTICLES Boudoir, Christmas Gifts, Confidence, Cosplay, Excuses, Fashion, Groom's Gift, Lisbon, Photography, Pinup, Professional Portraiture, silhouette photography, Testimonial, Transformations

If you’ve ever been nervous getting up in front of a group of people to give a speech, you’ve probably heard the advice of imagining them all sitting in their underwear to make you less nervous. But what if you were the one going out to give the speech in your underwear?

Everyone has things that they fear and I’m right there with you!!! Find out what my clients biggest fears were when considering a photo shoot and what really happened when they got in front of the camera.

I’ve asked each client to tell me about their biggest fear when considering a photoshoot. After their session, I want to know if it came true and if not, what happened instead. Here are a few of their fears and what happened…

Ms. G: My biggest fear was looking bloated or too small/flat chested for the skimpy lingerie I’d chosen! It did not happen – instead I looked really sexy and feminine.

Ms. S: I was afraid I would have fat hanging out in places you didn’t want people to see. Didn’t happen! It was fun without feeling nervous and there was no judgement zone! I just felt gorgeous.

Ms. R: I was worried about posing and feeling comfortable holding a pose for long moments. Marilyn was so easy to follow and was very quick and enthusiastic.

Ms. B: My biggest fear was of not being photogenic or comfortable. It definitely did not happen! The pictures were amazing and the atmosphere was great!

These ladies ranged in age from their 20’s to their 50’s and were all amazing!

Before their sessions, we met at the studio and talked about what they had envisioned for their session. They filled out a short questionnaire to tell me a little more about them like, what is your favorite part of your body, how outgoing do you consider yourself on a scale of 1 – 10 and even if they have any phobias or allergies. These things help me to prepare for their shoot and also, to make their experience customized and as comfortable for them as possible.

So whether your fear is posing, not being photogenic, or needing to lose that last 10 pounds, it’s OK. You are not alone in your fears and I’m here to help you through one of the most fun, amazing days you’ll have.

If you’re interested in a personal tour of the studio or a complimentary pre-shoot consultation, give me a call or use our contact form and we can set up a date for you to come in!

If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.

If you have dreamed of having a photo-shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed. To make that happen, just click to book below! Is it a long trip to visit the studio? We’ve photographed women from all over the eastern part of the country including New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Feel free to contact us and set up a special phone consultation! And, as you now know, Gift Certificates are available.

Book your session today!!

July 18 2017

Menagerie Photography Studio Tour

Marilyn RielSTUDIO ARTICLES Boudoir, Cosplay, CT, Fashion, Generations, Groom's Gift, Headshots, Lisbon, Photography, Pinup, Professional Portraiture, silhouette photography, Studio, Transformations

If you’ve never been to my studio, today’s post will give you an idea of what it looks like, some of our sets and where all the magic happens! I have 1000 square feet of space and use every inch of it! So read on and see where I work and where my clients spend the day when they come in for their sessions.

Being in a rural area, the first thing people see is our sign at the road and my awesome pink door when they pull up to the studio.

Our studio space is private and designed to be comfortable and welcoming.

The main gallery room is where we do everything from personal branding to pinup, fitness, fashion and even some boudoir. This is where I set up the window wall for your amazing silhouettes.

We call this space the Victorian Room. The chandelier, bed with tufted headboard and large mirrors make this a great room to get amazing shots. This is primarily used for boudoir style shots but we have also done portrait photos by the fireplace for the Christmas holidays and our recently added vanity can be used for boudoir or pinup images.

Our Hair and Makeup space is one of my favorite rooms with the black and white theme and the pink ceiling. – Yes I painted the ceiling pink! This is where our hair and makeup artists spend the first two hours of your day getting you ready for your shoot. There is also a changing room for privacy off of this space.

This room is used before you come in for your session day and for your image reveal. This is where we sit and talk during your pre-shoot consultation about why you want your picture taken and what you have envisioned. You have a chance to see photos from other sessions and touch the different types of product you can purchase.

About two weeks after your shoot, you will come back to the studio to see your images on the 55 inch screen and choose the ones you love.

The reception desk is where we get paperwork prepped and where the beverage station is set up and my private office is in the back.

When we opened the new studio space in 2015 I couldn’t believe I would ever feel cramped but the time has come for us to look for more space. We are planning an expansion and the goal is to add another 1000 square feet in 2018. The new space will include large windows for natural light photography as well as an area specifically designed as a pinup garage space with a vintage truck.

If you’re interested in a personal tour of the studio or a complimentary pre-shoot consultation, give me a call or use our contact form and we can set up a date for you to come in!

If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.

Book your session today!!

June 20 2017

I Want to Spend the Day with You!

Marilyn RielSTUDIO ARTICLES Boudoir, Confidence, Fashion, Generations, Groom's Gift, Lisbon, Memories, Photography, Pinup, Professional Portraiture, silhouette photography, Transformations

Most people think of having their picture taken as 30 minutes to an hour of “stand here, move there, OK we’re done!” That isn’t the experience you have when I take your photos. I will be spending the whole day with you.

Yes, I want to spend the day with you. The whole day, 9am until 3pm having fun, doing your hair and makeup, drinking coffee or cold drinks and snacking on chocolates, fruit and pastry! You will bring 5 or 10 of your favorite outfits and your most amazing shoes.

You’ll spend the day feeling pampered and like a princess or a celebrity model. You will leave at the end of the day feeling confident, empowered and loving the skin you’re in right now.

Why do I want to do this? Because you deserve it… and the special people in your life deserve to have pictures that show you on your best day, happy and having fun, that they can cherish as well.

So how can you do this? It’s easy! Just give me a call and we can set up a day to meet at the studio. You’ll tour the studio, and then over something to drink talk about how you want to be photographed and what your experience would include.

I look forward to seeing you soon! Do you want your coffee black or with cream and sugar?

If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.

Book your session today!!

May 23 2017

Plan Ahead – When to book your photo-shoot

Marilyn RielSTUDIO ARTICLES Boudoir, Confidence, Fashion, Generations, Groom's Gift, Lingerie, Lisbon, Photography, Professional Portraiture, Transformations

If you were planning your wedding would you wait until a few weeks before the date to start calling photographers? Of course not, right? You know wedding photographers are booked out months or even a year ahead. Well, many people forget that professional portrait photographers work the same way. With this in mind, I wanted to explain what a professional photo-shoot entails and why planning ahead is so important.

I get a lot of phone calls, emails and social media messages from women who want to give a gift of images to their special someone. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and military deployments are some of the great reasons for their photo sessions. I love working with these ladies to create a unique, personalized experience that culminates with an amazing gift they can give. When a woman works up the nerve to call and schedule her session, the worst thing that can happen is to hear that there is not enough time to get this done. Often they are calling less than two to four weeks before they need to gift their images. Unfortunately this doesn’t leave time to have them come in for their session, edit their images, have them come in for their reveal to select their favorites, order their product and receive it back in time for them to give it for their special occasion.

So how can you be sure you’re planning with enough time?

The perfect planning would be to start making your inquiries about 3 months before you need your finished images in hand. Yes, I know that sounds crazy, but stop and think for a minute; there are other women out there planning their sessions and they have already called and booked their dates. Like any other business, they have appointments already set and your product also takes time to be created and delivered. This also gives you time to find someone you are comfortable with who can work with your schedule. There are many photographers out there but finding the right one for you who is also available may not happen on the first phone call or email.

Your actual photo session should be 6 weeks or more before you need your images. Yes, at least six weeks. There is a lot of work still to be done when you leave the studio the day of your shoot. The photographer needs time to edit your photos, set an appointment to show you the final images so you can pick the ones you love, and get your product ordered and delivered.
No one wants to stress about not getting their gift in time. If you’re considering a photo session, give yourself time to prepare and enjoy the experience. Your session with me is a day long event that we beginning planning weeks before you come in. The day of your session begins at 9:00 am and includes a full day of pampering and fun. When you come in, we go over what clothes you brought so we can plan out your day. You have beverages and snacks available and you move right into hair and makeup. While you’re in hair and makeup, I’m preparing the sets and lighting based on the outfits you brought and putting final touches on the plan for your day. Your hair and makeup are done by our professionals here at the studio. When your finished being pampered it’s time to change into your first outfit and we begin. You are coached through the posing so you can relax and let me guide you through the shots. Getting to change outfits multiple times and use different sets, is like playing supermodel for the day and tons of fun! At the end of the day, usually around 3:00 pm or so, we wrap things up and give you a sneak peak of a few images before you leave. It is a day all about you and creating images you will love.

If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.

Book your session today!!

April 18 2017

Sharing One Client’s Story

Marilyn RielSTUDIO ARTICLES Best Lingerie, Boudoir, Confidence, Fashion, Photography, Professional Portraiture, Transformations

When I tell people I’m a portrait photographer, and that I specialize in women’s portraiture, I am still asked, “So what kind of photos do you take?” Instead of just telling you, let me show you and share one client’s story!

Not everyone who comes in for a session at Menagerie Photography wants their images shared and we totally respect that. But there are many women who come in who have amazing stories to tell and who want to share their images to let other women see that they can do this too. Today I want to share one of our client’s stories and some of her images with you. I do this with respect and am honored she chose me to capture her images at this time in her life.

When she came to us about having her pictures taken, she was celebrating one year clean and sober. She had become devoted to taking care of all aspects of her health- physical, emotional and spiritual, after years of neglecting herself. She told us that as there are many women struggling with addiction and dependency, she thought it would be refreshing and inspiring to see a woman who had overcome extreme challenges and who had come out happy, healthy and on top!

When she came in on the day of her shoot, she was looking beautiful and relaxed. She looked just like the rest of us getting ready for a day off with no makeup and hair down, just being herself.

She got to be pampered for the beginning of the day, getting her hair and makeup done by one of our stylists.

Once she was done with the stylist we went through what she had brought for clothes. She had brought a number of outfits from dresses to lingerie. The lingerie was her personal challenge to step out of her comfort zone, something I hear from a lot of women. She brought the lingerie to have some boudoir photos taken along with some outfits that were more fashion portrait style.

She let me know she was nervous about feeling awkward posing or that she would be unhappy with her body in the images. I let her know that it’s my job to pose her and not to worry. I did let her know that some poses may feel odd, but to trust me that she will love the final results and will look amazing! At the end of the session, she said she felt comfortable and happy and more accepting of her body.

We had a great time going through her outfits and using the various sets to create a special day for her. She is a beautiful woman and deserved the opportunity to experience a day that was stylized just for her. A day to celebrate her beauty, her spirit and her journey that has made her the woman she is today.

When asked what advice she would give someone considering booking a session, this is what she had to say:

“Think of it as a big gift to yourself. It’s your life, your body, and every woman deserves to feel beautiful and sexy. You’re treated like a princess – hair, makeup, creativity and really hard work as well as care on the staff’s part. You’ll feel glamorous like I did and enjoy the wardrobe changes and all the set ideas. I highly recommend it!”

If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.

Book your session today!!

February 21 2017

DO YOU DREAM OF YOUR OWN PHOTO SHOOT? Part 2

Marilyn RielSTUDIO ARTICLES Boudoir, Confidence, Cosplay, Fashion, Generations, Lisbon, Photography, Photoshoot, Pinup, Professional Portraiture, Transformations

Your day has arrived and you’re filled with excitement and a bit nervous. You spent the last month preparing your outfits, thinking about what props to bring, making sure your haircut is up to date and getting your nails done.

You arrive at the studio by 9am and take a deep breath… the fun is about to begin! You’ll spend the next 4 to 6 hours here at the studio for your customized photoshoot. I’ll help you carry your things into the studio and we’ll get you a cup of coffee or tea while we hang up things and take a look at what you brought with you.

Your hair and makeup artist is ready to review your look for the day and get started on your makeup. You’ll spend about an hour to an hour and a half getting pampered and styled to ensure your makeup is right for your photos and your hair will look wonderful.

When your hair and makeup are ready, you’ll get into your first outfit and I’ll coach you through posing as we get your photoshoot underway. Everyone is nervous when their session begins and we’ll arrange your outfits and poses to help calm your nerves and make you comfortable.

With music playing and snacks to keep you going between sets, we will change up your outfits, sets and lighting to give you a variety of looks to choose from when you select your images.

By the end of your shoot, your feeling like a pro and your nerves have long since disappeared. There is always laughter and joking to keep things fun and the day flies by quicker than you can imagine.

When we’ve finished shooting and you’ve gotten changed, you’ll get a sneak peak at a couple images from your session and we’ll arrange your reveal date where you’ll see your edited images and select what you want to purchase.

With your final images selected we can get your product ordered and you’ll be able to pick it up in about 2 to 3 weeks. There is nothing quite like seeing your images displayed when you come in and getting to hold them.

If you’ve dreamed of a day like this for yourself or if there is a special someone in your life who would love this experience, give me a call and we can set up a day to talk about how to make this dream come true!

If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.

Book your session today!!

February 14 2017

Do You Dream Of Your Own Photo Shoot?

Marilyn RielSTUDIO ARTICLES Boudoir, Confidence, Fashion, Groom's Gift, Lisbon, Photography, Pinup, Professional Portraiture, silhouette photography, Transformations

What is a photo shoot? Models, lights, cameras, professional photographers, hair stylists, makeup artist and magazine style images? Something reserved for Victoria Secret models or famous people? Have you ever dreamed of being that woman at the center of all the attention?

You can be that woman! You can have a photo shoot designed specifically for you that reflects your personality and style. You can be the center of attention for the day, having your hair and makeup done and being posed from your nose to your toes.

Today I’ll share with you how you can make that happen and what to expect as you prepare for a day you will never forget!

When I tell a prospective client that we will be spending a month preparing for their photo session and that it will be an all day event, I’m often met with a disbelieving look or a blunt “Why does it take so long?”

Many people who come to see me about photography sessions have little or no experience with a professional photo shoot. Their experience is limited to traditional 30 minute, book the date over the phone and show up appointments. Often images are digital only and after the initial shares on social media, are never printed or looked at again. There is nothing wrong with that experience at all if it fits the need for your situation well. If you are looking for more, let me share what makes us different.

The services provided at my studio are quite different and are more of a boutique experience that allows the session to be tailored around your personality and style. Our 1000 sq ft studio and professional hair and makeup stylists are ready to make this your special day.

Before you book a session at my studio, you come in for your complimentary pre-shoot consultation. This gives you an opportunity to meet me and see the studio where your images would be taken, the various sets, and hair and makeup room. You also have a chance to see the quality of our work and the various options you have for how your images can be displayed. We talk about why you want to be photographed and what your style is to make sure we are a good fit to provide the images you want.

Once you have decided we are the right fit for you, we book your session date. Normally this will be at least 4 weeks out as this includes booking your hair and makeup artist as well as setting up a private Pinterest board to collaborate on ideas for your session. I have found this collaboration gives an opportunity for you to look at images from our Pinterest boards as well as others to show what inspires you and what your vision is of what sexy means if you’re planning a boudoir session. This is also a way for our stylists to see just what you have in mind for you hair and makeup. You have the chance to pin styles and update the comments to share exactly what you like. For instance there may be a picture where you love the hair style but hate the makeup. The more we share, the better we can plan your day.

You are also provided with guides to help you get prepared along the way to your shoot covering everything from selecting your outfits to getting your Mani-Pedi just before your session. We also keep in touch along the way via email and are always available by phone to talk about any questions you may have. This preparation includes not just getting your outfits selected, but also deciding what props or accessories you may want to bring to make the images more meaningful to you or the person you are giving them to. This may be anything from his football jersey to hats, to fancy jewelry or that killer pair of heels.

The time will fly by quickly and before you know it you special day has arrived… Read about the experience the day of the session in next week’s blog.

If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.

Book your session today!!

February 7 2017

Spring Cleaning Your Closet

Marilyn RielALL BLOG POSTS Beauty Tips, Fashion, How To, Lisbon, Photography, Spring clean your closet, Transformations

With spring right around the corner and bathing suits already for sale in the stores, it’s time to tackle going through your wardrobe! If you’re like most of us, there are clothes in your closet and dressers that haven’t been worn for years but you can’t bring yourself to get rid of. Well, today we’re going to share some essential tips for organizing your wardrobe and getting ready for the warm weather.

Start Now

Waiting until the warm weather has really hit, inevitably leads to stuffing all the winter items in bins or boxes because you are too overwhelmed to deal with sorting through each item. So start now and pick one of the plans below that works for you. There are different approaches to tackling this project and it’s best to pick which one fits you best. No matter what approach you pick, have your bags, boxes or bins ready for sorting your items.

Make a Plan

For the one step at a time approach, pick one type of clothing at a time, for instance socks & underwear, jeans, jackets, etc. This process will take longer but is less overwhelming and works for those who just can’t dedicate a whole uninterrupted day to getting it done. Take everything of that item you own and assess what condition it is in. Just like on the TV shows that focus on cleaning out a house, make three piles – Keep, Donate, Trash. If you have items you were given as a gift and never wore because they didn’t really suit your style, put them in the donation pile. If you have clothes that are stained or torn and cannot be cleaned or repaired, put them in the toss pile. This is the time to be honest as well. If you have clothes that don’t fit, are you actively doing something to remedy the situation? If that pair of size 6 jeans you had in high school have a ton of memories but no chance in hell of ever fitting again, it’s time to donate, toss or get crafty with them. Remember if you choose the crafty route and you don’t get it done in the next 6 months, time to let them go!

For the brave souls who can tackle their entire wardrobe in one go, remember to set aside enough time and space for your project and have a plan before you start. Take everything out, empty your closet and all your drawers so you have a big picture of what you have and the outfits you love to mix and match. If you have classic items that mix well with everything and that can be worn for years to come, those are a great place to start your keep pile. No matter which approach you choose, this can be a difficult task but you will feel great when you finish.

Storage Tips

Once you have your keep items selected you still have a few things to do. Before you pack everything away when the warmer weather hits, remember to keep a few transitional items for those cool days so you don’t have to pull bins back out later. Throw out the toss pile and pack your donate items in your car to drop off your next time out. If they stay in the house, these items have a sneaky way of crawling back into your closet and drawers.

When you’re ready to store items, it’s important to do it correctly so when you go back to them in the fall, they are still in wearable condition. If you have items that need dry cleaning, get that done before you store them as any dirt or oils should be removed before packing them away. If you have jackets you are storing, make sure they are washed and thoroughly dry before putting them in storage. Make sure you empty pockets, zip or button items before packing to keep things in shape. If you have items that will be stored on hangers, invest in hangers that will not leave your clothes misshapen over time. Use caution when storing items in a basement or attic if they will be subject to moisture or extreme heat or cold as mold can ruin your favorite clothes and leave spots that will not come out. Last but certainly not least, label your storage containers so it will be easy for you to retrieve items when the weather begins to cool off or if you decide to take a vacation to an area that has cooler weather.

I hope these tips help you get this off your to do list and moving on to more fun and creative projects or on a shopping trip to fill in the gaps in your wardrobe for spring!

If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.

Book your session today!!

January 24 2017

Why Are We Captivated By Stories Of Transformation?

Marilyn RielSTUDIO ARTICLES Confidence, Excuses, How To, Photography, Professional Portraiture, Transformations

Are you a fan of Rehab Addict, Fixer Upper, or Good Morning America’s Makeover, we are all captivated by the idea of makeovers and transformations. Whether it is a single room or an entire house, people watch shows like the Property Brothers to be inspired or to dream. Do you watch the makeovers from What Not to Wear or Good Morning America? Why? What is it about these shows and the people on them that draw you?

I love binge watching DIY shows from HGTV and my husband and I totally remodeled our 1000 sq. ft. studio space back in 2014.

I believe we are drawn to these shows because they give us confirmation that change is possible and can happen to us. The home you dream of, the clothes, hair and makeup changes that would show just how beautiful you are and build your confidence; these are what we see. We see “every day people” making their dreams come true and we want that for ourselves.

If you are in love with these shows too, are you inspired, motivated and driven by what you watch to make changes in your life? Do you only dream or do you run towards those dreams to make them a reality? I’m here to tell you to run towards them and make your dreams come true.

I left a job I had for 22 years to follow my dream and to share it with others. I love what I do and it’s a lot of hard work and long days but even on my toughest days, I would not trade it for anything! If you have read my other blogs, you have heard about women who I have photographed and seen their images. You know that I love showing how amazing each one is in her own style. Many of these women had dreamed of a chance to be pampered for the day, to look amazing and feel great about themselves. Their photo shoots gave them a chance to be beautiful, sexy, retro-chic, strong, powerful and to see that in images they could take home. They are able to look at these images when their having a tough day and smile; knowing that they are beautiful and powerful.

You deserve to make your dreams a reality! Whatever your dreams are, the only way you can achieve them is to get up each day and purposefully work towards them. You can do this if it is what you really want. Go for it with your heart and your soul every single day and watch your dreams become your reality.

If you have dreamed of having a photo shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed.

If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.

Book your session today!!