Ever Natural Photography

This is Destiny, owner of Ever Natural Photos, an Idaho Falls Idaho Boudoir Photographer.

So I’ve heard lately that some people have asked my husband how he feels about me shooting Boudoir and people ask me how I could shoot Boudoir and isn’t it porn and so forth, so here I want to explain something about Boudoir and where I stand with it.

First, I’d like to state that it is always okay, to me, to ask questions about boudoir.  If you don’t know what it is, feel free to ask, look it up, talk to someone who has done it.  The only way you will find out what it is, is to do your research, ask questions. 

It is not okay however, to assume that Boudoir is porn.  That by itself is an insult to women everywhere, and more especially to women who have participated in boudoir sessions and to the photographers who shoot it.

So, why do you do boudoir sessions? Honestly, I didn’t ever have an interest in it.  I started out doing photography, before mine was an official business, shooting weddings for family and friends and helping people where they needed it.  I had always had a camera and always took tons of photos, and I had thought about being a photographer once upon a time, but I never did anything about it.

There definitely is a large market of photographers everywhere you turn, but they are all different, they all have different styles and niches.  And mine was no different than almost every other photographer. So early 2016 I made it official, I asked my hubby what he thought of me turning my photography into a business. “Sure.”  And then shortly after I started putting myself out there, letting people know, setting up an ‘open house’ or Ever Natural Photos in the Park day where everyone could get family photos at a discount.  So great, hurrah, I was in!

As I mentioned before, there are photographers everywhere you look and so naturally it’s hard to get business.  Everyone needs to make money to support their family or hobbies, so all of us photographers scramble for clients.  I was getting business here and there.  It was okay, but not awesome.  I wasn’t marketing very much, just letting people know. 

Well my cousin is also a photographer and she does Boudoir and I had seen some of her work on pinterest, her website and I never thought that that was for me, but the idea kinda made me wonder.   I’m not going to lie, I always thought of Boudoir as naked ladies, art nudes, kinda thing.  But I’m so glad that I was wrong and that I learned better.

I joined some facebook groups and delved more into, and looked it up on the internet.  Let me tell you, you can look boudoir and glamour up on the internet and you will get a few different definitions.  I’ll tell you my favorite definitions here soon.

My Sister in Law  and I talked a lot about it and we both thought the idea would be lots of fun and that she would love to help me if I decided to do it.   We talked about the styles that we liked and where our standards of nudity and what not lie.  We were very much on the same page of what we would do, if we did it. 

So here’s the part that is, in my opinion, the most crucial part of this little story. Boudoir-What is it? What does it mean?

Like I said there are different definitions.  One of the most common definitions of boudoir that I found is sexy bedroom photos. There are still more to choose from, but that by itself sat well with me. All of the boudoir groups that I am apart of talk about giving confidence back to women and showing them they really are beautiful.  Yes, that’s it, that’s me.  I want to show women they are beautiful.

So how can I do boudoir.  Well let me put it to you this way. I do not care what you think of me.  There is it.  Taking photos of half naked women as an LDS woman, what you think that that makes me, I don’t care. I do not feel guilt from Heavenly Father, I do not feel ashamed.  I feel enjoyment and elated when I snap just the right shot and show it to my client, and they tear up, or they tell me that that woman on the camera is not them, they don’t even recognize themselves. 

I feel beautiful.  When I see the light in their eyes as they become more confident and really enjoy themselves, it makes me feel beautiful.  If other women, who are down on themselves, now feel beautiful from doing this, that means I might be beautiful myself.   The world enjoys knocking everyone off their feet and kicking dirt in their faces.  Not me, I like to help them get back up, to show them they are gorgeous just the way they are. 

I like making that connection, because we are so similar, we are women, and people, human beings! We are mothers, or college students, even grandmas!  Some are divorced and they are taking a stand for themselves, against the person who made them feel like they were inadequate.  Some just want to feel like a princess.  Some just want to capture that moment in time when their body is still ‘beautiful’ before having kids. Many do it as a gift to their spouses or partners for their anniversary’s, birthdays or holidays or even just as a gift to themselves. 

Whatever their reasons, whatever my reasons, I am all in.  To take and be a part of such an intimate piece of these women’s lives, is a complete honor.  One that I don’t take lightly, but have gotten addicted to. 

We live in a very conservative area.  Showing even a little bit of skin is looked down upon.  Yes, I do believe in modesty, I go to the temple. But I also believe in helping other people see themselves in a different light; a beautiful, confident light.

To quote a fellow Boudoir photographer, Susan Eckert, “Boudoir is a means of exploring the power and beauty of our feminine qualities; a tool that enables us to explore and communicate the essence of who we are and how multifaceted we as women can be.”

You may still feel the same way about Boudoir Photography as you did before you read this, but now you know why.  Why I do it, why I enjoy it, and why I feel that it is something that is needed sometimes. I hope you no longer think of it as porn or racy, but more intimate and soulful. And if you ever change your mind, let me know and we will do something fun.

Destiny- Ever Natural Photos

You know we're ready for a hot summer, but are you? And we all know just how hot East Idaho can get. Here are seven ways you can make sure your summer portrait session goes off without a hitch.
 
1. Dress appropriately. Summer means hot and humid weather, which can lead to sticky bodies. Choose breathable, lightweight fabrics that don't weigh you down. As for shoes, sweet flats or loafers are a great option.
 
2. Think about your hair. If you or a family member's hair reacts to humidity in a negative way, opt for a hairstyle that won't leave you feeling insecure. For example, a pretty braid or an updo is a good choice. Or you can wear a headscarf, or use a little extra product to keep frizz at bay.
 
3.Pack necessities. When packing your photo shoot necessities, we recommend bringing the following items: Lots of water for all, a snack for sustenance, sunscreen, umbrella for shade, water mister, makeup touchup.
 
4. Get creative with session ideas. Summer offers a host of activities that lend themselves to amazing photo sessions. For example, there's the fair (elephant ear, anyone?), the circus, festivals, and plenty more. I'd be more than happy to shoot a really creative session with you.
 
5. Think about head to toe details. For example, if you're wearing flip-flops or open toed shoes, you want to have manicured feet. If it's really breezy, a hat or scarf can keep things under control.
 
6. Rest assured knowing I won't let you overheat. Sometimes it's hard just to walk outside when it's scorching outside, but know that we're going to have an amazing shoot. We'll spend lots of time in the shade, dive into the cool A/C when we can, and I will never push your family into staying longer than they can or want.
 
7. Incorporate props. Outdoor summer shoots are loaded with imagery as is, but we can always incorporate a few props into the mix. Vintage step stools in a field look gorgeous, as do blankets, balloons, and even visually striking treats (lollipops, ice cream, etc.).

Need help planning your boudoir session in Idaho Falls Idaho? We’re here to help with these tips on incorporating your partner’s interests for a truly personalized photo shoot:
 
Sports – This is a popular one. If your man loves sports, bring some sports gear with you. For example, you could wear a jersey from his favorite team/player, or bring a ball, mitt, club, bat, etc.
 
Occupation – If your guy loves his job, try to incorporate that in your session. If he’s in the military, think dog tags, uniform, etc. If he’s a doctor, try a nurse outfit or lab coat. If he’s a firefighter – borrow his helmet and boots. There are so many options here. Some careers are more difficult to incorporate creatively, but we can even make an office job work. You can totally rock the button down shirt, tie, and briefcase. If you need help, give us a call or send us an email and we can help come up with something.
 
What does he love about you – Think about the things he loves – his favorite part of your body, traits you have that he adores. Maybe he loves your sassiness or playful personality, or how you are shy, sweet, etc. We’ll want to feature these attributes in your session. Does he love it when you walk around in his clothes? Bring some along for an added personal touch.
 
Fantasy – Does your partner have a fantasy? Surprise him by dressing up for your session. If he’s a big Star Wars fan and always wanted you to wear a gold bikini like Princess Leia, now would be a good time to break out that costume for some sexy sci-fi photos.
 
Hobbies – What does he like to do for fun? Does he play guitar, read comic books, paint? Bring along items from his hobbies. Is he a country boy? Bring a cowboy hat and boots. Does he enjoy carpentry? Bring his construction hat and tool belt along.
 
If you need help coming up with a theme for your session to incorporation your partner’s interests, contact us and we will brainstorm with you.
 

Are you nervous about your boudoir session with Ever Natural Photos? Here are some tips to help you relax during your shoot:
 

1. Play Music – Bring your favorite music to play during your session. This will help you to calm down and feel comfortable.
2. Deep Breathing – Practice deep breathing. This is a proven relaxation method. Breathe in deeply through your nose and exhale through your nose. Repeat until you feel better.
3. Take a Break – If you’re feeling overwhelmed, we can take a break from shooting and talk and relax before resuming the session.
4. Drink – Not to get drunk, but just enough to help you cut loose. Feeling a little buzzed will help tremendously. We offer wine or champagne with every boudoir session.
5. Laugh It Off – If you’re feeling silly in front of the camera, laugh at yourself. Laughter is a great relaxation technique. It will help you loosen up.

 
Just remember, here in Idaho Falls, Idaho, we love to embrace who we are and keep it natural.  Lets empower each other.
here to edit.

​We've gone ahead and given you some tips to ensure your day is stress free and flawless for your spring session. Listen up!
 
1. Wear layers. Spring can be finicky in the sense that you can go from frigid to over heated in a matter of minutes. We suggest wearing layers -- tank top, tee shirt, cardigan, scarf, etc. That way each family member can peel off, or add, a layer as they see fit and remain comfortable throughout the session.
 
2. Location is a big deal. You better believe we're going to take advantage of the fresh, warm air and all those bud popping up from the ground and in the trees. If you have any favorite locations, let us know. We have a nice list on hand, ourselves.
 
3. Play into the colors of the season when choosing your family's outfits. Fresh pops of green, blue, pink and yellow are always a hit in the springtime. We recommend choosing a color theme for the whole gang, then slightly deviating from that with accessories to keep things interesting.
 
4. Speaking of accessories: wear them! Choose jewelry, scarves, or prints that play into the spring theme. Butterflies, flowers, insects, etc, can make for some super adorable family pictures.
 
5. Time it right. Book a session too early and you may miss out on those spring buds. Book too late and you've already wandered into summer territory. Keep an eye on the weather and give your photographer a call when the time is right.
 
6. Incorporate props. Spring offers some beautiful backdrops where props blend in perfectly. For example, old wooden chairs look stunning in a sea of blooming rose bushes, and a quilted blanket is lovely on the fresh, green grass.
 
7. Really think about your footwear. Spring can often mean a soggy ground, so flip-flops or heels are not the best choice. Instead, wear something that's comfortable and spring appropriate, like loafers, flats or boots.

Hope you can come to our Open House.  We are celebrating opening a studio in Idaho Falls Idaho.  The only way this was possibly was from you guys help.  We appreciate your loyalty so much and we want to let you get the first views of our studio.  

The great part about this studio is that it has a large back yard and some front that is so green and lush with flowers and plants tended by a known green thumb!  This studio and yard can accommodate Boudoir sessions in and out, Family sessions inside and outside, as well as any other photo sessions you might need. 
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Can't wait to see you there. 
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If you’re on the fence about whether or not to hire a Full Service Photographer to photograph your event, consider these reasons:
 
Let’s say the event is a family reunion and you want to get a group photo of the whole family. You could do it yourself, but one of two things could happen then. A) You have someone take the photo for you, leaving a family member out of the photo because they had to take it. This could possibly offend that person or make them feel awkward for being excluded. Or B) You set a timer on your camera. This can be problematic because there are so many people in the photo that you will need to take several images to make sure everyone is looking and has their eyes open. You will have to take two to three times as long to get the photos done because you’ll have to keep resetting the timer, and you still might not have gotten the shot. Hiring a professional will eliminate all of this stress.
 
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to go around all night taking selfies with my phone or camera with all of my friends and family members. I would much prefer to relax and enjoy the moment instead of trying to capture it. The quality of the photos will be much better than the selfies. Also, trying to take a selfie with a group of people is next to impossible when trying to get everyone inside the frame.
 
If the event is a birthday party, you don’t want to miss out on visiting with guests or helping your child open presents or cut the cake because you are too busy trying to take the photos. You want to be part of the action, not stuck behind the camera.
 
Another great thing about hiring a professional Full service photographer is that you don’t have to worry about editing and distributing the photos after the event is over. You just have to wait to receive them from your photographer.
 
Finally, it’s really a gift to have well lit photographs taking by a professional who preserve the memory of your event. Those images are going to be cherished by everyone for a very long time to come.

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