Mr. & Mrs. Smith: A Wedding Reception Adventure

I received the news about my friend Matt's engagement through a text message from my husband during the intermission of The Nutcracker. My mom and I were getting back to our chairs when the phone vibrated. When I read the message I let out a big scream with a jump off my seat, forgetting for  less than a second where I was but it was too late to stop; I was in the middle of a 2 seconds celebration (and carefully with grace sitting back down as if everything was calculated; yes, it was a bit embarrassing hahaha!).

You see, Matt is my "brotha from anotha motha"; like my young sibling, the one you would think this day would never come to, despite how awesome he is. But the day had come and I HAD to be part of it.

I liked Sandra from the first time I met her. She is so sweet and kind. One of those people that you feel immediately at ease with, the ones you feel safe around because you know she has your back, even if you just met. That is the bright sweet energy that emanates from her. 

Matt and Sandra being their awesome selves, didn't want any of their photographer friends to work during their wedding; they wanted us to enjoy ourselves (though for me photography IS my joy, but I understood where they came from) so we split it between Stephanie Jager (ceremony) and myself (reception). I was very happy with this arrangement because it meant to me the opportunity to make something special for them while doing something useful instead of just sitting and listening through the reception; this made a huge difference to me. I had a blast!

I used a Canon EF70-200/2.8 II so I could capture a lot of candid moments from very far without people noticing I was doing that (Sneaky, eh?). From "paparazzi" portraits to groups and panoramic, I enjoyed playing during the wedding and I was able to make something special for my friends that will last a lifetime.

"All blessings be poured over the amazing newlyweds. May God be the head of your journey together, now and always. Love you!"

Revealing Rosemary

Hair and Makeup by Kada Bombay Beauty Loft. Styling by Chantal Studio Intent Boutique

Who did I think of when I met Rosemary? Julie Andrews. Being a wonderful humble lady, Rosemary finds my remark funny. But I'm not alone on this. She definitely evokes the lovely actress; not because of her appearance but because of how her personality is. She is one of those people you just want to sit with, let her do all the talking (though she's more interested in listening to you) and let yourself be captured by the beauty of her elegant and fluid movements, the way she talks and her beautiful warm smile. Every time I think of her, I picture her with a warm yellow light coming from her; the kind of light you want to be in all the time (have I mentioned before that I remember people with coloured light?) even if you're not talking but just being in her presence.

Her husband's words describe her perfectly:

"Rosemary is elegant - Audrey Hepburn elegant -  with farm girl in the mix. Unique style.  She is honest,  fiercely intelligent and literate".

She also happens to be an amazing poet. Being a book geek myself, of course I had to read her book "YES". I took it out of the library and couldn't put it down. to the point that I bought it right after I finished it and asked her to sign it.

She IS an amazing poet with a long list of national awards up her sleeve. Her poems are so beautiful and inspiring that woke up in me the dormant writer that has been in hibernation for more than a decade. The simplicity and beauty of her verses reminded me why I love writing. You can see and feel her personality in the words she writes.

To simply put it, Rosemary is beauty.

To finish, here are Rosemary's words about her True Beauty Experience:

"I can't tell you how honoured I felt to be a part of it. 

Fela, your photos are amazing. I have never thought of myself as photogenic, but you somehow achieved that... I will always treasure the memory of the reveal event".

7 Reason To Get A Reveal Your True Beauty Session

Contrary to the popular belief, a Reveal Your True Beauty session is not aimed only at women with low self esteem. It does have indeed a higher impact for them but you'll be surprise to see that you might fit the criteria to have your own session too.

I love how Katie, one of my clients, wrote it on her review:

"... As people we often spend all our time putting our energy into our families or spend too much time working -that we don't get the opportunity to spend a selfless hour on ourselves to create a beautiful product. 

The photos of myself are a reminder of how beautiful I think I am but forget quickly. 

They are a reminder of what other people see everyday, but I don't.

I hope everyone can take the time to invest in an experience of such as this. Because then you too will be reminded of how truly amazing you always where. "

The Reveal Your True Beauty experience is not a makeover but rather the much needed spark to love and embrace who you are.

To know more in detail what is about, click here.

So if you had skipped through it because "it's not for me" or had doubts about doing it or not, check the list below. If 3 or more apply to you, then yes, the Reveal Your True Beauty Session is for you:

1. You are a woman of any age. From teenagers to seniors we go through different stages of self criticism. From not "pretty enough" to not "young enough". We all do it!

2. "I'm a busy mom". How many times you find yourself thinking "I need to wash off the mommy look for a couple of hours to feel Me or feel sexy?" I have found myself overdressing when I go out with my friends because I need a break from the mommy look to remind myself that above being a mom, I'm still Me. Moms will relate ;)

3. "I'm a workaholic". You love working, we get it. I love what I do too (you can confirm this every time I jump up and down with excitement during a photo shoot), but as workaholics we need "boundaries" (read from Harvard Business Review blog: "Happy Workaholics Need Boundaries") is very important and healthy! We need time to spend with family and friends but also to rediscover ourselves which is the first thing we put aside when duty calls. 

4. Have found comparing yourself to models on magazines or criticizing your body because it doesn't look certain way (and that includes wishing your hair was curly... or straight... or wavy... or just not how you wish it were). We should make the outside beauty match the inside beauty; not the other way around.

5. "I'm not photogenic". Apart from this belief feeling true to must of us, I believe it is also a defense mechanism against the feeling of intimidation or awkwardness we get from being in front of a camera. As a photographer I find highly important to put these feelings at ease for the simple reason that I cannot photograph your true beauty if you won't show it to me and that will happen only if you trust me; I'll guide you safely through it all, no need to fear. 

6. "I don't know what to do in front of the camera". You don't need to know. None of the ladies I have photographed knew how to pose. And in case you're doubting, it's not as hard as you think. It's not your job to know this but mine, the photographer. I've heard so many times from so many people having experiences with photographers who take the "pose and look pretty" approach to photographing people. I cannot understand how a photographer thinks they'll take good photos of this kind without engaging and guiding the subject with patience and gentleness. 

7. "It's a waste of time". Now, if you believe this, you HAVE to do it. Seriously. Believing it's a waste of time on YOU is believing you are not worth anybody's time, not even your own and this is serious talk here. If you don't think you're pretty enough or skillful enough to be photographed or you feel embarrassed by the way you look, if you think you're not  sexy or feminine enough, you NEED this session. These are lies that you have to stop believing because they're not making you grow as a person but rather killing your potential. And in case you doubt you have potential, YES, YOU DO. We all do. God made each one of us wonderful and filled with different gifts that make us unique. I experienced ALL these feelings long ago so I understand where you're coming from (read "The Ugly Betty Story And Why I Want To Show Your True Beauty To The World"). Believe me, you can change that; just take the first step. 

Meditate on this:

"She didn't have to be perfect because she was perfectly loved"

                         - Excerpt from "Perfectly Loved" by Holly Gerth

Now come and give yourself the chance to see it.

Revealing Jaimie

Hair and Makeup by Kada Issa - Bombay Beauty Loft

Jaimie and I clicked at the first mention of books at her REVEAL YOUR TRUE BEAUTY  session. 

Have I mentioned how much I like reading? I like getting lost in the stories, living them and breathing them through each written word. I used to spend a whole day or weekend reading a book. Just couldn't put it down until it was finished. In fact, as soon as I learned to read when I was little, I spent my recess time at the school library; I had finished the children's book section by the end of the year.

Yes, I'm a book geek and Jaimie too and that is how a lovely book relationship started. We have already swapped books and we could talk for hours about it. Even our literature tastes are similar! Isn't simply awesome?

One of the things I love about photographing people is meeting them, knowing them, and sometimes, more often than not, being at awe with how amazing God is to put them on my path.

We had a great time with Jaimie, trying to remember that we were at a session and we had to get back to business. We just kept talking and laughing so much! 

Jaimie deep in thought checking a book I had brought to the studio. Happy I captured the moment!

Her husband's description of Jaimie sums it up pretty well:

"Smart, spunky, friendly, energetic, loving, low maintenance. Looks great dressed down or up, would fit in perfectly in the 1920's as a flapper in one of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novels".

And to finish, her own words about her experience:

Janie and Emma: A Mother/Daughter revelation

Hair and Makeup by Kada Issa from Bombay Beauty Loft

Mother/daughter quality time can go a long way. Having fun together create memories for a lifetime. For Janie and Emma, a Reveal Your True Beauty Session together was a great plan. An opportunity to inspire each other, discovering and revealing together the beauty they see in each other and themselves.

Little Emma is an aspiring actress. Janie her mom encourages her and together (with Bunny, of course!) they make a fun team to be with. They both are actually in a bunch of cinematography projects right now but are good at not revealing much about it. 

Emma was thrilled about having a special time with mommy. For her it was like playing dress up; their hair done, makeup for mom, a soft blush for her with a bit of gloss... and mommy all to her self to cuddle and play with.

I was impressed at how easily it was to guide Emma through the session despite her age. The talent is definitely there!

This Mother's Day, as we live in a modern busy, busy world, give the most valuable gift a mother can have; QUALITY TIME. Why not use an opportunity to inspire each other, discovering and revealing together the beauty you see in her? 

They are both confident, smart, funny, talented and beautiful. I could go deeper into that but I prefer to share what they say about each other:

Janie about Emma: 
"Emma is a sweet girl who loves to sing and dance. She is very active and loves everything!"

Emma and Victor about Janie:
E: "Mommy is pretty and she is my favourite mom and I love her"
V: "I love mommy because we play together and she is funny" 

Janie has done a wonderful job building confidence and self worth in her children. Emma's description about herself pretty much sums it up:

"I am pretty, and mommy loves me, and I like to play and my favourite toy is Bunny".

Mother and Daughter True Beauty Sessions are available as GIFT CERTIFICATES and IMMEDIATE BOOKINGS. 

Why not use an opportunity to inspire each other, discovering and revealing together the beauty you see in her? 

What's Beauty Photography?

Hair and Makeup by Kada Issa (Bombay Beauty Loft)

"Beauty Photography can be best described as a hybrid cross between very good portraiture and fashion photography" 
- Paul Kerins, photographer

I couldn't have said it better myself. Beauty photography is known mostly as and advertising media for makeup; though it is indeed used mostly for this purpose, there's another use that hits way closer to home and oh how close it is!

So what's the "closer to home" version? The one that focuses in real beauty. YOUR beauty. Your REAL beauty. The one sometimes we hide inside, keeping it safe from danger and criticism. Ironically, that criticism comes mostly from ourselves. We live in it's denial because we were thought different. I'll prove you wrong.

"Beauty is not on the outside, it's something that shines out from inside you"

- Sue Bryce, Photographer

I've been in your shoes and I did for quite a long time; years actually. To better understand where I'm coming from check the post Ugly Betty And Why I Want To Show Your True Beauty,  where I share my personal experience and how it prepared me for helping you to discover and reveal your true inner beauty. After all, I believe everything happens for a reason.

How do these beauty sessions work?

It's actually more simpler than you might think. As an overall, you get hair and makeup done by a professional artist that knows her way through preparing you for photography. The photographer, being an artist, gets inspired by you, your personality and beauty. Then, the creativity and fun begin.

In order for the beauty session to be successful, you need to trust who you are to the photographer. This is, of course, not a one sided deal. A beauty photographer knows well his/her art and will treat you with respect, professionalism but mostly with kindness. This will help you feel comfortable and in a trusted environment. After all, we want to bring out that beauty you are hiding and what better way than to make you feel relaxed?

It is an intimate experience and it will be treated with all the respect it deserves. 

Here's something one the ladies wrote about her experience. Her words are what motivate me everyday to give my best and bring your best:

"Most people dislike getting photos of themselves and would find it hard to get excited about a photoshoot. 

But then came along Fela of Fela Photography. Working with Fela from start to finish was something of a different experience that every person should be lucky enough to partake in. There wasn't any pressure to look a certain way or need to be camera shy simply because Fela can put anyone at ease. 

As people we often spend all our time putting our energy into our families or spend too much time working -that we don't get the opportunity to spend a selfless hour on ourselves to create a beautiful product. 

The photos of myself are a reminder of how beautiful I think I am but forget quickly. 

They are a reminder of what other people see everyday, but I don't. 

I hope everyone can take the time to invest in an experience of such as this. Because then you too will be reminded of how truly amazing you always where". - Katie

After your session is done, I always recommend to treat yourself, either with your partner or on your own, to an amazing evening. After all, you have had your hair and makeup done. Why not take advantage of it? In fact, plan ahead of time what you want to treat yourself to: a romantic dinner? Theater? Ballet? Go out to dance? A girls' night? Be creative and make it special! You deserve a day of pampering, don't you? Of course you do. We all do!

Revealing Katie

As usual, my partner in crime aka HMUA (for hair and makeup artist) is Kada Issa from Bombay Beauty Loft. She knows exactly what I'm looking for and has the ability to enhance the beauty that's already there without over doing it. I love working with her so much!

But today's story is not about Kada but about Katie. As some of you know, each lady has to fill a form prior to their session on which they describe themselves and someone else (friend or relative) has to fill the other half. The purpose of it is to introduce me to who YOU are because if I don't know you, how can I bring your beauty out? The other reason is a healthy exercise to get an insight to what beauty others (friends, family) see inside of us. 

The day of our session Katie expressed how great the exercise had been, to the point that between her friend (who filled the other half of the form) and Katie, created a little chain were they would encourage other friends too by answering the same question. 

Styling by Studio Intent Boutique

I want to share what Katie's friend said about her because I believe it to be true from getting to know Katie:

"If I was to pick a color to describe Katie it would be yellow, the warm yellow of the sun. Not only is this color bright and cheery, but being the color of the sun it symbolizes so much more. Katie is bright like the sun, she is intelligent and has an amazing sense of humour. Even when it is cloudy, she is like that ray of sunshine beaming through the clouds, with her determination, drive and enthusiasm. She has an eye for beauty, not just in what she wears but with her knack for catching those moments of greatness through film. This woman has always been a force, a force of happiness, pride, beauty, intelligence and support in my own but also in many other people’s lives. Not only is she a beautiful person on the outside, but she has an incredibly beautiful soul and shines from within".

And who better than Katie to talk about her experience with the Reveal Your True Beauty Session:

Katie was simply wonderful. We laughed a lot that day and definitely felt the sunshine yellow warmth of her heart.