Glamour and Beauty Meet at the Barbie Suite | Palms Hotel, Las vegas

Normally, I’m running around laughing and giggling with kids and families or chatting with high school seniors about dreams and summer plans. But to get out of my comfort zone and push the envelope I signed up for The Boudoir Forum’s shootout in Las Vegas held during the WPPI convention in February. Since I was attending the convention and wanted to be creatively challenged, this seemed like a perfect fit. The Barbie Suite at the Palms was completely over-the-top featuring colorful Barbie wallpaper, enormous Barbie portraits and a six foot high case filled with at least 60 Barbie’s in the same black and white swimsuit.My little cousins would have been thrilled (but would have tried to pry open the case to play with the dolls).

We were divided into small groups of 3 to 4 photographers per model. And each model had an individual space to play. We used different backgrounds, textures, lighting and made sure that each photographer had a chance to direct the model and take the lead. One goal of mine this year, is to work on posing since most of my clients are not actresses or models :). It’s important to be able to highlight peoples attributes and make them feel amazing during the photography process. Letting their beauty within shine.

Thanks to Leah Stinson and Jennifer Williams for arranging the shootout, the wonderful and sweet models (Andrea, Bijou, Jayna, Mandy and Nicole) and the fabulously talented hair and makeup artist, Kelly Trerise.