Last year our book club (read: wine club with a reading
problem) wanted to do something different to mark the end of the year. We
wanted to spend time together, but we wanted to do more than just go out for
dinner. We’re not the ten pin bowling types, and good lord, we’re certainly not
the bungy-jumping types – and then there was the fact that one of our number
was due to have a baby during November…
In a fit of giggles (the type of fit that happens about
every 15 minutes at book club), one of the girls suggested that we a fun photo
shoot, all together. Well, as normally happens when a bunch of women with great
ideas get together, the photoshoot idea soon evolved into an opportunity for
fun shots, professional portrait shots and… boudoir shots!
We decided to spend a Saturday afternoon doing the photos –
and we were lucky enough to come across Gerry,
a photographer based at the most fabulous studio in Morningside. He said that
he had some props that we could use for our shoots, but we all took some time
to pack ballgowns, executive-wear, and some racy items from the drawer that you
hope your children never find…
A few of the girls were a little nervous to strip down to
their lacy bits for a strange man (we’re all married and love our husbands to
bits – sometimes more to bits than others…). We were also a little nervous to
put our bumps and wobbles on display in front of someone who clearly has spent
a lot of time photographing some of the most perfect, beautiful women.
But Gerry was amazing. Not only did he put us totally at our
ease, he made us all feel like supermodels. He gave us great direction on how
to pose, when to pout, when to laugh, and when to literally just let our hair
down. He managed to capture the most beautiful images of us in the ‘boudoir’
section of our shoot, making each of us feel beautiful, sexy, and in control.
And yes, he made each of us believe that we were right up there with the
professional subjects that he’s spent years photographing.
The new mommy in our midst took the plunge and did some
exquisite maternity shots with her eight-day old daughter. We each did some
portrait shots – the kind that you can use on your Twitter handle, Facebook
profile or for your mother’s mantelpiece – as well as pics in our evening wear.
Gerry’s studio is spacious enough that it has a lounge and
kitchen area in it, so we took snacks and bubbles (not of the bathing kind) and
turned the afternoon into a celebration of friendship and how fantastic it is
to be a woman.
If you’re looking for something different to do with your
girlfriends, give Gerry a call to set up a shoot. If you’re uncomfortable with
the idea of a group boudoir shoot, I can tell you it’s one of the most
empowering things I’ve done in a while – and I (and my husband) loved the
results. If you’d prefer just to do fun friendship shots, or even family
photos, Gerry’s relaxed and professional manner is sure to put you at ease –
and I know from experience that you’ll love the photos he takes.
