So V-Day is over and I survived!!

So the day has passed and the kickoff into my boudoir pinup portraits was awesome! No.5 Studios is officially on the map! Not without a few hitches (never trust a lab to be on time or deadon with the order if you have a tight deadline) but still great none-the-less. I even have four parties in the works from this one and one who wasn’t even there.

Setting up and Getting Started...yeah thats my backside.

I discovered the reason these parties can be so much fun- girls never outgrow dressing up and looking pretty. It was great shooting all the girls who showed up and they really gave me tons of styles to capture. No one session was ever the same. I am posting some shots from that night and 2 that were the inspiration for getting these started. Jennie Melissa’s shots got everybody excited and wanted to look fabulous.

Two Shots Of Jennie that Got all this started...

I did learn that any holiday oriented shoots will always have to be scheduled a month before-see above reference to labs. I am already making improvements and changes to help streamline the process so everyone gets plentyof options in the least amount of work (for me and the women taking part). The best thing to let the subject know is to think of a theme before hand- it will really help them and you figure out what shots to go for and costuming. Thanks to Chavonne for her brilliant costume/clothing investments- Her book really rocked it.  Also, if this is not only for the subject herself but someone special, get them to bring anything the intended receiver may like or own. Uniforms, Crisp white business shirts and ties, sports jerseys, the choices are endless but the guys love ‘em!

Chavonne working the mink and shades...

I picked out some stuff just to show how much fun we had and the different styles I captured in just one night.  Whether they had done something like this before or needed tons of direction all looked beautiful!  Thanks girls for a great shoot!

Kara was a blank slate who learned quick!

Some happy valentines are in the future!

So this weekend marked no. 5 studios official debut and it rocked! Our “Valentease” party was so successful that we already have 4 more parties in the works! And they say the first of the year is the scary time for photogs! What a way to kick off my business.

I do want to say thanks to very special people in my life and studio without which none of this would be possible-(my homage to the oscars btw:) -
Greg who has supported me since that first class and everday after. To my volunteer assistant who also happens to be my mom! Of course to my sister by association-JM- this economy needs to get on the up and up so you can officially be my partner. You are the right brain to my left. And my learning tree gals-you got this no5 going!

So anyway I’m not sure if this is what a blog should be for but I felt of was necessary.

As soon as I get the proofs actioned and spit shined (haha) a few sneak peeks will be posted. I hope all the girls that had sessions had as much fun as I did!

Keep checking in to see what’s next…
I have a maternity and newborn session I am just finishing up too so those might make it up here too.

“I’m Very Definitely A Woman & I Enjoy It.”

Never in a million years did I ever think I would be quoting Marylin Monroe but as I make the jump into the big time so to speak that quote has really made me think about how and why I photograph. The woman may have built a silly rep based on sex appeal but she had the brain to match underneath I bet but so often the two don’t coexist so well and it did her in. (Or maybe not she may have been a ditz for all I know, but the quote says alot to me)

So I have finally succombed to all those insisting on the purpose of a blog and here I am.

Whitson Blackwell Photography is officially kicking into high gear now that I have gotten back from ImagingUSA and discovered how much I can do to really get out there and let people know how much I love doing what I do.

And to start it off, I have added a new product line to complement my Maternity and Newborn work by offering a boudoir and Pin-Up style through my newly created No.5 Studios. It has already created some buzz and the results are so much FUN!!! Valentines Day has proved a great time to launch No.5- whether its for a loved one or just yourself- its always fun to play dress up right?

My style in this line steers away from the raunchy and I decided to try and pay homage to the “good ol’ days” of glamour photography. Less was more back then I like to think. I am offering individual sessions at your home or my home studio. And another idea to really have a good time has been hosting B&P Portrait Parties. This is a spin off of those classic tupperware parties- you host, I show up and do the work. Instead of leaving with kitchen crap you won’t ever use, you leave with a makeup and photo session that will knock’em dead. Its a great time to bond with your gal pals, feel gorgeous and even win door prizes (yeah just like they do at those other ones- you know you like those admit it). Plus by getting the girls together you get to discount the session cost (kinda like a group rate). We are getting ready to have our first annual “Valen-tease” Portrait Party to celebrate No.5 Studios creation January 31, 2009 and it should be alot of fun. (Thanks to Finao for the name idea! It has been a hit!)

So stay tuned to see what turns up and get a few glimpses of the results and everybody wish me luck!!