The Anatomy of a Boudoir Shoot | St Louis Boudoir Photographer

It was my absolute pleasure to involve my friend and former high school cohort, Marissa Murphy Hart, who is currently a student in the arts of beautification, to join me on a cold, rainy weekend morning at our uber secret, gorgeously lit location in the heart of historic downtown Alton, Illinois for a party like no other. A party involving mimosas, wine, chocolate, music and well... some sexy, smokin' hot, half naked ladies. She rocked the hair and makeup, the ladies rocked the attitude, and I rocked the shots. As a result, there were a few happier men in the world this Valentine's Day and three women who got to see themselves as they never have before. Enjoy a little indulgence into that day (which will live in my mind forever as the 'Marissa Got Pulled Over For Speeding While Trying To Get To The Naked Ladies Day'.... heeheehee).....

She really, really rocked it. But first, everyone looked like, well, a little bit like little old ladies at the beauty shop....





But glam takes a little bit of work, even when working with beauties like these. So we added a little makeup to our hair-in-the-works....







(here she is... working hard but looking so fine she's barely breaking a sweat!)









Man.... all this hard work. I'm thirsty. And hungry. Got anything to nosh on????



Oh yeah. Baby.



Lucky me? I got to enjoy a round of chocolate and strawberries and sip my mimosa while the first lady was made up all pretty like! Music and good conversation and pampering. Does it get any better?





And.... we're starting to get there ladies....









.... tune in tomorrow to see these gorgeous ladies shine. I already know how hot they look so I can promise you it's worth the wait! ;)

Balance- An Important Announcement From Breathtaking | St Louis, Alton, Illinois Birth Photography

Balance.


We all need it. In our lives, in our careers. I won't go deeply into my personal belief system here but I lean much more toward Eastern types of philosophy and I strongly believe in finding a life where I am balanced. And preferably sane!

In keeping with this, I have come to a difficult-but-good decision for myself and for my crazy, busy, bustling family (all 11 of us).

Starting April 1, the day my son celebrates a decade of life on earth, Breathtaking will no longer offer regular portrait sessions to new clients. Portrait sessions for past clients will be extremely limited. And I'm only offering those because I know at least three women that will hunt me down and force my camera into my hand if I try to stop shooting their families. *wink*

Instead, I am going to put my love of birth photography back onto the front burner of my life and my business. I'm stripping it down to what I love the most. I'm giving myself more time with my family, less stress over scheduling, and less overhead cost for my business. There will be a new website, a new blog, and a few new goodies for my camera bag. I'm excited about this movement and a little nervous, too. I hope that you will all do me the honor of suggesting birth photography to your pregnant friends and family and pass on my name if you do. I will be offering birth coverage in the Illinois area from Alton to Belleville as well as all over St. Louis and I will take on only four births per month. Pricing information can currently be found on my website at www.takeyourbreathaway.net and selecting "Birth Information" from the menu.

I will also still offer boudoir parties twice a year, as well. :)

I adore you all and I appreciate that you chose me, that you chose to send your friends to me, and that you've done me the honor of allowing me to capture your children and your families for so long.

Introducing.... Breathless Boudoir

bou·doir

[boo-dwahr]

noun-

a woman's bedroom or private sitting room


Introducing a new branch of Breathtaking Photography. Elegant, sexy images starring the beauty of you. Classic, timeless, and simply breathtaking. Let's be real. In today's world, how often do we get time, as women, to retire to beautiful, calming boudoirs and simply be quiet and still and sensuous? How often do you really celebrate what it means to be feminine? How often have I, in the past year, really pampered my body and enjoyed it as the hard working, beautiful thing that it certainly is? You're beautiful. Did you know that? I don't care what our media fueled thin-frenzy says about curvy thighs and stretch marks and wrinkles and yes, maybe a bit of sag. You are gorgeous and supple and sensuous but just don't often have the time to revel in it as you (we) should.

I love the ability to show my clients how amazing they really are. Allow me the honor of revealing to you (and perhaps a special person in your life) the sensual, sexy side of you.



Details by email:

chantel@takeyourbreathaway.net

XOXO

Chantel

Lifestyle Photography Fun | Alton, Illinois Family Portrait Photographer

So this is the first of four blog posts coming this week. I spent a few days in Dallas at the tail end of December and some of my most favorite clients took me up on the opportunity to do a little shooting while I was there.

Like Kristin and her clan of stunning children. And really, I'm not sure she and her husband could make unattractive kids. This family is dear to my heart because I've shot two of her births. There's something really awesome about watching kids grow up in front of your lens. When tiny Joon came into view I nearly hit the ground. It's literally been a YEAR since I saw him. Last time he was a teeny, tiny two week old newborn.

Talk about a laid back, fun, lifestyle family photo shoot. It wasn't intended to be a "concept" shoot necessarily but it sort of bled into that with my borrowing a chalk board for a fun prop and them bringing a few old, colorful quilts. I'd LOVE to do more prop/location themed shoots this year! Add to their friendly, easygoing vibe a warm December afternoon with the most stunning golden sunshine you've ever seen and, well, Kristin and I were very, very happy girls. Enjoy!

This is Huck. He used to look like this:



Now he looks like this!!!!



Pretty cute, eh?

Baby Brother Joon one year ago (almost exactly!!!)



And now he's a lady killer, I tell ya.....



Those big, brown eyes take my breath away, they do.



I wasn't lucky enough to be at this Sweet Thang's birth, but I love her all the same. I originally met her at her beautiful Mama's maternity session (waaay back when I didn't even offer portraiture!) and she's a trip. Always fun times when Miss Millie is around. ;)





If you'd be interested in a different type of family photoshoot... just a little off the beaten path and a bit more fun than the typical- contact me! Spring dates are booking now and concept sessions ARE available in the Alton area. :)

Back to the Business of Birth | St Louis Birth Photographer

I've noticed over the years, we photographers often have a path that led us into the art of still photography. It's not something you just fall into and take up because it's there. It takes an innate love and skill set that is almost inborn. From portraits to still life to photojournalism, we all have the passion that drives us to keep pressing that shutter button and capturing the things we see around us.

For this girl, it was birth.



While I offer portraiture and love it very much, at my heart I am a photojournalist. I want to be the fly on the wall capturing the action in front of me. Shots like the one above? I don't just love to capture them. I live for it.



Birth photography has always been around as long as cameras have been at births. But the business of capturing birth on film/camera for a client was just starting to pick up steam in 2005 when my passion for birth itself was in its infancy. I was pregnant with my third child, planning a home birth, and finding stunningly beautiful images of birth on the Internet. It captured my interest immediately.



In 2004-2005, as I was nurturing the babe growing in my belly, I was also nurturing the love of the art of birth photography. I wanted this to be my life, my career. I absolutely loved and was fascinated by birth. I already enjoyed the art of photography. In 2006, I was given permission to shoot my first birth. The ONLY one I've ever missed. My clients called too late and I was unable to make the 40 minute drive to the birth center fast enough to shoot the actual birth. But what I learned was irreplaceable.



I had never had work that I was so passionate about. To this day, nearly 6 years later, I have yet to find anything that grips me with the same excitement, the same joy, the same vitality that birth photography brings to me.



My sadness in December 2010 at shooting what I knew would be my last birth for quite some time was a little overwhelming. Yes, I was still offering portraiture and my photography business has continued to grow and thrive, but my status as single mom meant that the unpredictable nature of birth was off the table. Possibly for a very long time. I was nearly distraught.



My fiance, Jay, says that my face lights up when I talk about birth photography. It's what most animates me.



And why wouldn't you love it? The long nights, the weeks of living on call- ready to drop everything and go at a moment's notice, the sleeping with one hand on your cell phone (and obsessively checking your phone when a Mama has started laboring), the foggy mornings of editing last night's images.....

It's a calling. It's a passion. It's my life. Other than Jay and my children there is literally nothing I love more.







And now, it's back in my life.

Breathtaking happily introduces birth photography back into it's menu of choices, beginning with due dates in late February 2012. I'm just absolutely delighted to begin this work that so fills me with joy and allows me to give my clients a glimpse into their births that they would not otherwise have.

I shoot at home, at birth center, and at hospitals around the St. Louis Metropolitan area and into Illinois. I work equally as well at c-sections as I do at home births, with obstetricians as well as with midwives.

I will accept 4 births per month and offer a fantastic Belly+Birth+Baby package at a discount for the complete boutique photography experience.

You may reach me at 636-328-5120 or at chantel@takeyourbreathaway.net

I am honored and humbled at my ability to serve women and give the gift of memories treasured for a lifetime.

Much love,
Chantel

Baby Planner Cami | Alton Illinois Baby Photographer

Long ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I went to high school with a pretty lady named Amy. All these years later she's given birth to three beautiful daughters. The last of whom is the subject of this humble blog post. Baby Camryn is so much like her mother in looks and expression I crack up every time I see this image:



That's TOTALLY an "Amy" look right there. A cocked eyebrow that denotes her incredulity at the world. "Really? You're going to get me all dressed up and drag me outside and take my photo? What ARE you thinking!?"

Yes, yes I am kid. And you're gonna LIKE it.



No? Not yet? Let's try it again....



Hmmmmm... I know. We'll get big sister Taylor in on the action. That should do the trick.



Yeah, that's what I thought. *grin*



I'll see you, Ms. Thang, in a few. We're gonna have loads more fun together, you and I. Mama has you booked every three months this coming year. **wink**

Your Favorite Photographer
Chantel

Bad, BAD Blogger! | Metro East St Louis Photographer

I'm a terrible blogger! Or rather, I've been so busy establishing our lives here in Alton, Illinois, resuming a business I thought I was going to have to let go, and meeting/moving in with the man of my dreams that I got completely sidetracked.

NO MORE, DEAR READERS!

Breathtaking is back in a BIG way!

Check it out peeps.... a little lookie-loo at all the session I haven't blogged since May!



Love my job, love my clients, love my life. I'm excited and practically bursting with new ideas for the biz and I can't wait to share with you all! :)

XOXO
Chantel