She kicked cancer's ass | Cocktails + Curiosity Event Recap

Last week, I had the honor of being a part of the Cocktails + Curiosity event hosted by the Piazza Center for Plastic Surgery and benefitting the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas. Held for the third year in a row, this swanky-pants cocktail party at the Terrace Club in Dripping Springs really blew me away. 

Last month, I had the pleasure of working with Lora...a breast cancer ass-kicker-survivor who was introduced to me by the Piazza Center. We wanted to create wall-art that really captured her journey through photos.  If you missed the first blog on this, check it out HERE.

When creating the art for the event, it quickly became clear that one single image just wasn't going to cut it.

How could one image represent the roller coaster of emotion that someone experiences when fighting cancer?  I ultimately decided on the three images you see below.

The first, representing a newfound wisdom and confidence. The second, clearly representing the sadness and remembrance of all that occurred, and the final representing her joy and spitfire attitude that I'm guessing she's had all her life, but was fueled when she kicked cancer's ass.  

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And a few more from her shoot:

We were too wrapped up in the event to take "real" photos, but here's a few iPhone snapshots! (BAD, photographers, BAD!!!)

Lora in front of her display

Thank you SO much to the Piazza Center for including me in this event, to the Breast Cancer Resource Center of TX for all you do to help those affected by breast cancer, and mostly to Lora for trusting me with this photo experience and for being another inspiring badass to enter my life through my work.  

You don't *have* to take your clothes off | Austin Beauty Photographer

It's probably no secret that I'm a fan of nudity. I think every woman should be able to rip her clothes off, whip them around her head, and have her photos taken confidently. (Note: I have not yet achieved such confidence myself...but I'm one step closer with each personal boudoir shoot I do).

Boudoir is my baby. It's my niche, my specialty. It's what I do 92% of the time. Yes. I did the math.

The *OTHER* 8% of the time is spent doing BEAUTY portraiture. So. What's the difference? 

 

BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY

While boudoir photography almost always involves a certain level of undress or nudity, it is also a little more raw, candid, unposed LOOKING (although we do pose you throughout the entire shoot!). Boudoir is meant to embrace a woman's sexuality, independence, femininity, and badassness. Because of the posing and the wardrobe, these images tend to be more intimate in nature. We do retouch all boudoir images for our clients with standard retouching techniques and the finished product is generally a variety of about 50-60 images with a natural retouch that include "detail" shots such as legs, tush, breasts, back, shoulders, collar bone, lips, as well as full bodyscapes and imagery that includes the face. 

Example of Kara Marie's BOUDOIR Photography. More intimate in nature, boudoir images embrace a woman's sexuality, femininity, and badassness in a certain level of undress. 

Example of Kara Marie's BOUDOIR Photography. More intimate in nature, boudoir images embrace a woman's sexuality, femininity, and badassness in a certain level of undress. 

 

BEAUTY PHOTOGRAPHY

Now, BEAUTY portraiture is a bit more polished...with a finished "fine art" look and feel. Beauty portraiture is a great option for a woman who wants a smaller collection of absolutely breathtaking portraits of herself that are wall-worthy. Our beauty portraits always containing the full face and have more "statement" wardrobe which can mean a ball gown, little black dress, lace bodysuit, fabric draping or even nudity. There are also more special effects such as fine art tectures and extensive retouching done on these images.  The finished product is generally a smaller collection (roughly 15-20) fully enhanced, wall (or Facebook profile pic)-ready images. 

Example of Beauty Portraiture by Kara Marie Boudoir. Beauty photos always contain the client's face, can be taken fully clothed, + are finished with a full retouch and a fine-art edit making it classic wall art.

Example of Beauty Portraiture by Kara Marie Boudoir. Beauty photos always contain the client's face, can be taken fully clothed, + are finished with a full retouch and a fine-art edit making it classic wall art.

Beauty portraiture also tends to appeal more to the masses.....it may be a little less intimidating for a woman who is hesitant to bare it all for my camera (although I maintain that, regardless of your wardrobe or lack thereof, I *WILL* make you feel comfortable. Promise.)

These are images that you can gift to mom or grandma and they will gush over without instructing you to cover up your bits. 

They don't necessarily need to be taken in our studio, as you can see. These can be taken outdoors, in your own home, on the street, in a car....you get my drift. 

So, if you do happen to be holding out on a boudoir session because you're just a little too intimidated by the idea, try a beauty shoot first! Even if you've already done a boudoir shoot or seven, a beauty shoot offers a whole different element of elegance and femininity. 

We've grown up | Kara Marie Boudoir | Austin Boudoir Photographer

Over 8 years ago, I was sitting at my desk at my last "real" job. I had just learned how to use my first "real" camera and take "real" photos (or so I thought). I was shamelessly daydreaming while on the clock about my photography business that I decided I wanted to start approximately 3 days prior. You know...because I had to really take my time to make sure that was what I wanted to do. 

I brainstormed and scribbled down about 50 different potential business names on company post-its. The last thing that my pen scribbled that day was "Click Chick". YES. That was it! I ran the name past my husband, who approved, and then marched down to the County Clerk's office to file my DBA the very next day. Shortly after I left that "real" job and never looked back. 

You see, I do just about everything impulsively. 

I created my new website, a Facebook page, ordered business cards, and filled my calendar with photo shoots. I didn't wait until I was ready to be in business, I was just....open for business. 

The "Click Chick" name matched my brand at that time. Fun, quirky, and dare I say...amateur. 

Over the years I've grown to feel more and more conflicted about carrying that name for my business. It started to drift further and further away from the image that I felt my brand otherwise emitted.  It felt immature, insecure, and novice. I thought about changing it countless times, but was concerned that it was too far into the game to do so. 

Then I finally realized, given my *hopeful* business lifespan, 8 years is just a blip on the radar. This was one of the first decisions that I WASN'T impulsive about. But now, we're ready.

This brand has grown SO tremendously since it was born and I am so completely proud of it. We are ready to grow up and have a "big girl" name. 

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Going forward, we will now be "Kara Marie Boudoir". Phew!!! You have NO idea how freaked out I've been about this change, mostly just thinking about all of the paperwork, every account I'd have to change, all the website pages I'd have to update, not to mention all of the branded marketing materials.  ALAS, it's done!

Thank you all SO much for your support along the way, for reading my blogs, for booking your shoots with me and for sending me your referrals. It is because of ALL OF YOU that this brand and business has grown into all it is.   

Please stay tuned for the reveal of the most awesome promo video I could ever possibly dream up! 

LOVE YOU ALL! 

Pretty Mamma Beauty Shoot | Austin Beauty Photographer

I shall preface this post by saying that this woman makes pregnancy look all adorable and stuff. Try not to harbor any bad feelings towards her for this. It's not her fault she's so damn cute, even at 7 months pregnant!! ;) 

But seriously though...look!!!   I LOVED this maternity session, Miss KK was such a pleasure to photograph! 

 

Every time I go in to HEAT Bootcamp for my training sessions, this girl is there, lunging away- bump and all! I wish I possessed HALF of her energy...and I'm not even pregnant! 

Thank you to Miss Keri for allowing me to share her gorgeous photos will all of you lovelies!

Mommy Daughter Pajama Party | Austin Beauty Photographer

This season has been flooded with Mommy/Daughter beauty shoot bookings which makes me so so so happy. The only thing that could possibly make me happier is if someone did a pajama party mommy daughter shoot.  Thanks to Yanci, I am the HAPPIEST.   This gorgeous mother/daughter duo is no stranger to my camera...I've lost count of the number of times they've booked me (which ALSO makes me so so so happy! Love my loyal ladies!!!)...but this may have been the most fun session we've had!

Yanci knew that I've been crushing hard on black and whites lately, and she requested that we do a full shoot without a stitch of color. Be still my heart. 

And Rush.  OHHHHHH my darling, Rush. This girl was built to be in front of a camera...as you'll see... ;) 

Are they not the cutest of cute!?   I wish I possessed one tenth of the girly nature that little Rush does! I'm telling you, y'all...I didn't have to coerce her to do anything. She knew exactly what to do with that makeup!  She knew what she was and was not allowed to use, she knew to cap everything before putting it back in the bag, she knew to blot her lips after lipgloss.  She's TWO, y'all.  I want one. 

WANT A MOTHER/DAUGHTER BEAUTY SHOOT OF YOUR VERY OWN!? OF COURSE YOU DO. LET'S CHAT, DAHHLING!


Sexy at any size | Austin Beauty Photographer

I initially "met" Mandy on Instagram. Her selfies actually blew me out of the water. Her features are absolutely incredible and I knew that I had to get my lens on her sooner rather than later. Her complexion is absolutely stunning, her eyes are mesmerizing, her EYEBROWS leave me oozing with jealousy (seriously--they're perfection!), her hair is always fun and funky, her style makes me want to be her friend, her tattoos are SO fun and colorful, and her curves are rockin'! Flash forward about 2 1/2 years.....through her Instagram feed, I found out that she was working very hard to lose 100 pounds and her efforts were proving to be really successful. Her drive, positivity, and results were such an inspiration to me. So I did something I NEVER do (like....never ever.): I told her WHEN she hit her goal to get in touch with me and I would treat her to a celebratory beauty shoot. She was SO excited about this, and I was even more so!  ALAS- we finally had out celebratory beauty shoot. And.DAMN. It was awesome!  SEEEE?: 

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Here is what this beauty had to say:

“There is no wrong way to be a woman. Regardless of your size, you are allowed to feel sexy!”
— Mandy

"These are words that after struggling with my appearance for years, have helped me accept my curves and more importantly, love them. To me, true beauty is confidence and we all should feel nothing less than that about ourselves. Body positivity is essential to me and I dream to be a role model for all woman. Love yourselves, ladies. You are all goddesses!"


"I want to thank the lovely Kara Trombetta for the opportunity to work with her. It was an amazing experience and I enjoyed every minute. I appreciate the comfort and confidence I was able to hold with her. Kara's direction was fantastic and she is an amazingly talented photographer!"

SO, yeah--she's pretty much awesome, eh??! Love her AND these photos we created together! It was a pleasure documenting such an important time for Mandy--in all her curvy sexy gorgeousness!

Are you ready to celebrate YOUR sexy!? Let's chat, dahhling!

Big news! | Austin Boudoir Studio

3 months ago I created my 3 year vision board. It's something I do on the regular for my business to decide where I want to be, and make it happen. I knew that with the growth of business, and the increasing difficulty of separating my home and work life with my office being in the loft of my house, I needed to make some changes. On that board was finding the perfect commercial natural light studio and office space.

Today, I picked up the key to the NEW and first official studio space for Click Chick Boudoir! Eee!

 

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This space happens to be in one of the coolest buildings in Austin, Starlight Lofts on South 1st...78704 BABY!

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Recent clients have already had the pleasure of shooting in one of these units- as I was renting one hourly from another studio. And now I have one to call my very own! 

Stained concrete floors, so much natural light I have to wear my sunglasses inside, amazing location, and a super cool bunch of neighbors. 

 

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I'll be working very hard to get this baby ready for my August clients! To be completely honest, though...it needs nothing! I would be ecstatic to shoot in the completely bare studio! But, of course, I am going to deck it out in true Click Chick style! 

I am so excited for what this new adventure brings and so proud of my sexy little company for doing it's thang!  

YAY!!

Who wants to be one of the firsts to shoot in our new studio?!! Hit me up, dahhling! 

Xo

 

 

A little bit of everything with Miss "W" | Austin Boudoir

When Miss "W" showed up for her boudoir session, she had a little bit of everything. She had some lingerie, a few dresses, a floral slip, a clubbin' outfit, an oversized shirt, cowboy boots, "stripper heels", and accessories. I knew this was about to be a fun and diverse shoot! It did not disappoint!  

When I first met Miss W about a year and a half ago, I was a new client of hers. She's the business owner of a local establishment that I frequent. We chatted about what I do and she mentioned she wanted to have a shoot! We talked a little more about it each time I came in. Eventually she pulled the trigger and booked. I'm pretty ecstatic that she did...aren't you!?

Isn't she just lovely?! We had so much fun and could have easily shot all day!  A giant high-five to Miss "W" for really rocking out her shoot! It was amazing how many images we were able to get in less than an hour! 

Yet another face well-done by my makeup artist, Lauren of Hint of Shimmer, too!! <3

Psst! Hey you! You've been thinking about it long enough. Time to pull the trigger! Let's chat about your shoot, dahhling!