Music to my ears...

The first time I met Maxine was at the Red Dress Gala where she sang for the crowd and made me have to catch my breath! She was amazing!

In the months that passed we came to know one another even more. She loved my photography style, I loved her singing and personal style. Then, I found out that she was a Capt. in the Army when she asked my husband and I to attend her change of command ceremony at Ft. Jackson. Her hubby and my hubby made friends easily and the four of us were soon talking about heading to Miami in late May to shoot their vow renewal after 15 years of bliss. How could I say no???

Maxine's singing career is taking off. With gigs spanning around the US and extending into Canada, Maxine thought it high time she updated her portfolio images to reflect a more sexy, classy look. So yesterday afternoon we walked the bike paths of Lake Carolina and found the most beautiful of light to accompany her amazing wardrobe and smile. I had a fantastic time, and I can't wait to shoot her wedding in just a few weeks...

Thank you Maxine for including me in on such an important day. And for loving my work enough to keep my calendar booked with events!!! You are so beautiful!!!! I had a great time yesterday!!!

Enjoy a few sneak peeks... :)

Locks Of Love... A special hair day!

There are those who talk about doing things, and there are those who DO those things they speak of.  I am blessed that I seem to easily find those who are the doers of the world...

This morning I drove to Cayce to a wonderful salon called Salon 1411 for a very special photo opportunity.  One that you only hear of once in a blue moon... 

My client, whom I now call my friend, was doing such an amazing thing that I just had to go be a part of it and to forever capture the magical feeling that only comes from those who give so willingly and lovingly. 

Her hair, her gorgeous, long, beautifully healthy hair was being cut over 14" all in the name of giving back to those less fortunate. 

http://www.locksoflove.org 
 Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Please click the link above for further information on this amazing group of people.
 
It was touching beyond words. We all cried a few tears. Not over the loss of hair length, but over the spirit of giving to others. All of us there have felt the pain of illness such as cancer in the lives of our families and friends.

My grandfather, rest his soul, passed from lung cancer years ago. And to watch the pain he went through, and to watch his strength through it all is something that I will never ever forget. He was my everything, and I was robbed the opportunity to spend the remaining days of his life with him because of the selfish and ridiculousness of another family member. And to this day I still have the hardest of times forgiving her for her heavy ego and childish ways.


My grandfather and grandmother are now with God in heaven, and I miss them each and every day. Its days like today that I take a deep breath and smile as I am blessed to know those like Mrs. Shealy who don't just say they are going to make a difference, but they go out and actually do it!!!

Jessica... I am so very proud of you. What you have done today will be the biggest blessing for another life one day very soon. Your love will bring them hope once again at a time when so much seems hopeless.


You are an angel, and I am BEYOND humbled to call you my friend. You came into my life with such a force that I will forever hold a special place solely for you in my spirit.
God Bless You!!! 





Her beautiful long hair... 


First ponytail ready for the cut...
 

And it began...
 

First one complete...
 

 With a deep breath, and a few tears shed by all, we thought of those who will be blessed by this wonderful gift...


And then she started on the other side...

This is what true beauty looks like... Jessica and Jenna her stylist.

And the styling begins...

As she admires her new look...
 

And a little spray... 


Her beautiful new cut... 


And here is the hair that is off to "LOCKS OF LOVE..." An amazing spirit is locked inside these strands. Someone very special will one day call this there own.

Boudoir and a Georgia peach...

When a new client phones me about a boudoir session one of the first things I try to do is talk about other things... not that I am trying to talk them out of a shoot (obviously) but I've noticed that if you divert the conversation towards humor first - business second then all of those insecurities and all that apprehension goes right out the window.


Onward to Miss*****.
Today she drove in from Georgia for what she described as "The craziest thing I've done in a very long time." I laughed, not at the statement, but at her brutal honesty. And when I met her face to face I knew we would be instant friends. I love an honest woman. I love when someone is not concerned with what others think of them, and therefore there really is no filter. I'm very much like that myself, and people either love ya or hate ya... but they will always know that you are no hold barred, pull no punches type of woman.


She walked in $20 in hand and headed straight for the "Pity Poo Jar" and dropped it in. She said she wanted to get that part out of the way first. Then proceeded with a laundry list of things that I need to be aware of when I shoot. Things about herself that she didn't care for too much. Things about herself that she would rather not highlight. I gave her 10 minutes to get it all out, then I banned her from speaking of it again. Then off we went....


First 20 frames or so she was stiff as a board and kept asking "Does this look ok? Am I doing this right?" So I did my usual and showed her a couple of frames of herself so she could see what I was seeing. And then it happened. That magic light bulb moment when you watch the woman before you evolve from an unsure client to a newly confident woman. She started laughing more, smiling more. She started to offer poses instead of asking to be shown poses. She dropped her nerves on the floor and let her sexy vixen out!!! And was she ever amazing!!!

We wrapped it up and she gave me a huge hug. And when I went to let go she hugged me again, this time with eyes full of tears. She said that she felt beautiful, and sexy, and ready to go home with a new attitude about herself and her sexiness. And THAT folks is EXACTLY why I love doing boudoir!!!


I think she is pretty darn sexy! And I think her hubby is in for a great night!!!! :)

Boudoir Beauty...

How many times do you think I can keep saying how much I love my job? A million times over and it would hold true every single time. I love my job!!!

Ok, now that I made that clear, let's talk boudoir...

Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of spending the day with an amazing woman and her bff.  It was a total girls day that started with champagne and cheese and fruit and yummy- yummy candy. Then she headed off to the MUA for her pro MAC make up application. 

Wrapped tight in our Deborah Berard Photography robe, she sipped her champagne with a quiet calm that was completely infectious. And it wasn't too long until everyone involved forgot that this was a photo shoot and acted like we were playing dress up in our mothers closet. All while hitting the liquor cabinet. LOL!  
And it was fabulous!!!

As we started our shoot her calmness continued, and did it ever show! With each frame I could see exactly what I describe to women again and again and again... that confidence.  And was she ever having fun!  With her bbf by her side lending a hand with props, wardrobe and as a "fan"tastic fan holder, :) helping to keep everything moving as smooth as the silk Miss*** was wearing.

When it was all over she gave me a HUGE hug and paid me the best compliment ever. She told me that the shoot was fun, easy and much different than she expected. She really didn't find herself as nervous as she thought she would be. She felt sexy, and sensual, and she said that my directs and demonstrations made everything as simple as could be. I kept things moving and the energy flowing.

That right there was the best words I could have EVER heard!
I wish I could show you all of them because she is just THAT beautiful, but rules are rules. 

Enjoy...

Did you know we do Bridals?

Did you know that Deborah Berard Photography started as solely a wedding photography company? While in San Antonio Texas we built our brand into one of the areas top wedding photographers. With an ABC Feature story, numerous magazine features and a couple of local charity events put us on the map and on it quick!

Now that we have come back to the states we have made our new home in South Carolina and opened our dream boudoir studio. Boudoir, fashion, stylized shoots... THOSE are the shoots that get me going. I love it, but I miss the bridal and engagement portrait side of weddings. So now, after much back and forth, we have decided to add bridal and engagement portraits back into our line up. That also includes the ever famous "ROCK THE DRESS" shoot.

And we are NOT your run of the mill type of portrait photographer. I will NOT be standing you in a field with your bouquet in your lap while you gaze over your shoulder. Nope, that's just not us. So if you want to go ride a carousel, roll in the mud, stand on a post in the middle of the street... we can do that!!!

In fact, we already have...

Pushed Dates & Just Keeping Up...

Pushed back AGAIN... those were the words I was greeted with last evening during a call with the editor of CINHTE Magazine to discuss the shoot for designer Bryan K Osburn. Garments hadn't shipped on time, now a model is a no go for the date. I really don't mind the delay because I have some wicked fun ideas in mind if I really get to stretch my creative wings during this shoot, and I could use some further planning. But because of all these crazy ideas I have rolling around in my head I'm also growing increasingly antsy for this shoot to finally set, and keep, a date.

So onto next project... props for my client on Saturday. An old aluminum chair that I am painting garnet is what I am working on at the moment. She has this country theme going so I am coming up with nice, sexy, country style props and ideas so her session is fun and full of action. I even spoke with the MUA (make up artist) today and she is a go as well.

Then, it's back to working on the website. Seems more and more inquiries are coming in about stylized bridal and engagement portraits so I thought it was time to link that baby as well. I am meeting with the women at Wedding 101 to discuss advertising with them. And then I received a message from Fashion Blogger, fashionista, PR wonder woman, and all around great gal Gigi LaBord of Miss Fancy Threads asking if she could interview me for her feature? I mean come on now... how could I say no?

Monday there will be another FemFessionals meeting. This one is at the loft, so everyone come on down and join us for an amazing night of networking and friendship making.

For now I leave you with the new Buttons for the website. Yes... they're film strips and I shoot digital. Hahaha... These new kids won't get it! LOL!

I LOVE THIS POTTY SHOT!!!!
Thought it was just TOO cute
for the Blog Button.

Promotional Items finally ordered...

With two HUGE orders still looming overhead, we decided to finally get one out of the way by ordering most all of our promotional items needed for advertising, etc.
Banners, postcards, work polo shirts, t-shirts, and such all were placed for delivery this afternoon after spending literally 13 hours in front of the computer editing the little detail of it all.

I'm pooped! But I really love how they all came out. Right down to our "I've Been Exposed" coffee mugs.

Bridal Boudoir Special!!!

Your wedding day is fast approaching. You've been going to the gym., eating like a health freak, tanning, growing your hair just right. It's no surprise that you're finding yourself feeling on top of your game. and believe me IT SHOWS!!!

Don't ever forget exactly how amazing you were feeling in these months prior to the big day, and give him something that he will treasure in the process...

Bridal Boudoir Images!!!

Imagine his heart racing as he opens his personalized, custom flush mount photo album; Filled with images front to back of you, only you, his soon to be wife. Or have your image custom mounted and framed, then ship it to your honeymoon suite and have it hung on the wall & watch his surprise when he see's that it's you! There are a million ways we can customize this gift to be as unique as you are.

After all, he chose YOU over ALL others. Never let him forget exactly why he made the best choice ever!!!

Contact us today and receive 5% off your collection if booked by May 30th, 2012.

Our Press Release~

Deborah Berard Photography is ready...
Is Columbia?

Liberating Columbia's women:
One Fierce Photograph at a time!!!

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