Whether I’m photographing a family of nine at the beach or a sexy lady in the bedroom, I love hearing peoples reactions to my portraits. “Your clients always looks so happy!” “Your poses are so flattering!” “You just KNOW Jamie. You just know.”

Of course, I can’t take all the credit. My work is a co-creation that requires my subjects to invest themselves as much as I invest in them. I engage my clients right off the bat with wardrobe inspiration, style and location suggestions, hair and makeup tips. I feel it is my responsibility to go all the way. Push my clients. Make them look better than their best. Doing a “good” job simply isn’t enough. So I spend hours retouching every image that makes the final cut just the way I would want someone to spend the time working on pictures of myself. It’s art. It’s a process. The actual photo taking part is just the middle of the story.

In order to be true to my clients I must first help them be true to themselves and overcome their fears. I find their soft spot. The part of their self which is most protected. Hold it gently. Make it smile. Reflect it back. That’s the only way I know how to be a successful photographer and earn the accolades that go with along with it. When I get compliments like, “Wow! She looks amazing!”, I beam with satisfaction.

Joanna and I started collaborating on her session way back in January, shot in February and had a gorgeous press printed album designed and ready just in time for her boyfriend’s March birthday. I’m pretty sure he was over the moon about it. Isn’t she fabulous!? Since she purchased the digital files from me, it’s been fun stalking her on Facebook and seeing all the great feedback she’s getting. My favorite comment so far? From the model herself, “It was SO much fun!! It helps having an absolutely amazingly wonderful photographer friend.” That right there made me all warm and fuzzy…because I’m not just the photographer…I’m the friend that helped her capture this beautiful time in her life….and it was fun too.

Is this confusing? Me, saving the writing for the end? It feels weird to me too. But, I simply couldn’t figure out what to say at the beginning. So I skipped to the end. Which is a lot like how this session began. As I drove through the gate to this incredible house out on the shores of Puget Sound, I was speechless. I’m pretty sure I only said, “wow” and “amazing,” for the first 15mins as we wandered from beautiful room to beautiful room of this incredibly well decorated home. And then there’s Tamar. And she’s drop dead gorgeous. And this is my job? I am so grateful. A glass of wine later and the show began. I could have posted every image from this session because it is that freakin’ awesome. But actually, I really can’t. A girl’s gotta have some privacy, you know? So what do you think about the ones I can show? Isn’t she amazing?

I know exactly how “V” felt. Five of my girlfriends, all of whom I’ve photographed before, came up with the clever idea of giving me my own boudoir session, through their eyes. Yikes! I mean…WOW! I mean….I’m so excited and nervous at the same time!! We’re planning outfits, snacks and wine. Hair is getting done and lashes are being extended. My friends, with my camera, taking pictures of me! Holy. Crap. This is going to be so much fun.

So now, I have to tell myself to relax. I’m reminding myself that it’s a perfect time to celebrate me and my body…just the way it is. I comfort myself knowing that I have full editing control and I can use the same “magic beauty brush” that I use on my clients photos on my own photos. I have really good friends. I’m so glad they’re making me do this.

So, when you contact me about doing a boudoir session, I’ll know just how you feel. Being nervous is normal but you will have a ton of fun and get some really gorgeous pictures of yourself. I know from experience.

Now it’s time to check out the fabulous photos of “V”! She had so much fun she even braved the snow outside in her skivvies. Now that is bravery.

Liz and her husband are expecting their first child this August. He thinks she looks pretty darn cute all glowing, barefoot and pregnant. Wise woman that she is, Liz knew just who to call to preserve that look and create a very special Father’s Day gift. Part boudoir, part maternity, Liz wore just a little bit of sexy black and whole lot of tender romance for her session.

Ladies, it’s always a good time for a boudoir session. Don’t sike yourself out about losing a few more pounds or getting that botox treatment. When you do a boudoir session with me, we have fun, it’s totally relaxed and I have a top secret tool that captures only your most gorgeous self. True story. I’ve had plenty of women just like you say they’d love to do a boudoir session but there’s no way they’ll look as good as the pictures in my portfolio. Ha! I’m so confident in my photographic super powers and the fact that you’ll look so hot in your portraits…I offer you a 100% money back guarantee. If you don’t love your boudoir portraits (like that’s possible) you don’t pay for a thing. See? Now you have no excuse. If Liz can do it preggers, you can do it too.

But enough about you! We’ll talk about you when it’s your turn on the blog. For now, can we talk about how fabulously this hot mama is carrying her babe? With just a couple months to go, Liz is not only glowing, she’s radiant…and sexy.

I can’t wait to see her album when it gets back from the printers! It’s true, I get a little jealous when my client’s orders arrive. A bunch of float wraps were delivered yesterday and I thought to myself, man I wish I could hire Jamie Neilsen to take my pictures. She’s good. But alas, body doubling is still a mystery as far as I know. Always the photographer, never the photographed. Darn it!

Kids aren’t the only ones having fun in front of my lens these days. These boudoir sessions have been simply delightful. We sip tea and turn up the music. We crank the heater and pick through piles of lingerie. We giggle about owning some of the same unmentionables and wander around the house in search of enticing light. There’s no overwrought posing or cajoling. It’s truly just a couple of girlfriends “hanging-out”.

This is Annie’s boudoir…

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