46 really is the new 26. WHAT? You didn't know that?

46 years old. I can remember the day that the age 46 seemed so old and SO far away! Yet here it is, my 46th birthday, right around the corner. No telling what a woman my age will ask for? But ask my husband and he will answer you in one easy sentence... "Make it shoes, botox, or fillers and she is good to go."

Oh goodness, how my husband knows me so well!!! So this year he changed things up a little bit. Instead of waiting until May 30th, I was given my gift early. And instead of it being yet another thing that he claims I simply "Do NOT need..." he bought me something I surely did need; He bought me a new SUV!!!

Yep, kiss that black voodoo, energy sucking, bad memory Mercedes good bye and say hello to my little friend!

My new Volvo XC60 T6 Polestar 354hp Turbo SUV that is!!!

She is beautiful! And only 1 of 3 in all of South Carolina! It was a custom built car for a Volvo client who later went with 2 convertibles instead. So there she sat, begging to be free. Begging to be bad. Begging for me to put her in my garage. So, I did!

In all truth, we have been eye balling new SUV's for some time now. With both brake and transmission issues, along with stupid things that didn't seem normal for a $60K Benz? Like peeling center console, cup holders plastic clip broke and fell into the center console? And buttons that simply do not work. In all, I am very disappointed in the Mercedes product and don't think I will be ever buying one again. It was an amazing experience though... touring the actual plant in Stuttgart, Germany. Placing the order making it completely my own. Braking her in on the Autobahn. But everything after that was just crap. Such a shame...

So I test drove around 9 brands of SUV's from the Nissan Morano to the Land Rover. I was walking past the Volvo when the interior caught my eye. Which made me ask the salesman, who went and got the keys, gave me a fantastic test drive, then told me to take it home for the night. :)
VERY smart move!!! The hubby really liked how it drove and handled. The next day, as promised, it was in our garage. :)

Thank you baby for my new car! I LOVE IT!!! And thank you for trusting ME to negotiate, and make the final deal. I didn't do so bad eh? LOL!

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...

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.

Grand Opening Special!!!

Deborah Berard Photography;
Liberating Columbia's Women; One fierce photo at a time...

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The Black Swan Loft...

Being a military spouse is not an easy deal. I knew these women were tough, but I never knew just how tough until I became one. PCS'ing, TDY's, Deployments... is was all so new to me and it was not an easy adjustment. I spent the last 2 1/2 years in Europe, which for most I assume would be an amazing thing. But it was so hard on me, sitting at home with only 10 channels of tv, 4 ft of snow more months than I care to remember, and sun that only came out from 9am until 4pm 5 months out of the year! Who lives like that??? I couldn't wait to come back to the states and get back to working.

Shortly after we arrived back in the states, my husband came to me with the proposition of retirement. We speak about everything together, and make all family decisions together, so he wanted to know my thoughts. I had all to do to hold my excitement inside. After all, this man has made a life out of being a soldier, and I don't want him to ever make a decision about his career based on me. I'll wait for my day, because when it comes I know that my husband will be just as loyal to my dreams.

And so she was born. What is now affectionately known as The Black Swan Loft. Deborah Berard Photography's new loft studio is just about complete. Minus 2 chandeliers and a little paint. Maybe some odds & ends as well? But all in all I felt she was ready for her reveal. She had been a bachelor pad for 2 years prior to me, and believe me when I tell you that it took about the entire first week of being in there to get the BOY smell to go away! LOL!

But in this moment of excitement, I want to also take this moment to publicly thank my husband Eric for all he has done to help me get this studio ready. From cart roller, to box shredder, to driver, to IT wiz, to banker, to cheerleader... this man can do it all. And I love him so very much! Thank you baby for your belief in me. For backing this dream, and for not yelling at me too much. LOL!

________________________

The dream has consumed me for years. The vision that I was once told by a fellow photographer that "I had given up on." The desire to create something unlike anything Columbia has ever seen in regards to boudoir photography. In this studio my desires is to show women the way back to sexy. To show women that they are amazing creatures, and should be pampered and adored. Where for one complete day she gets to be catered to. No phones, no kids, no job stress... just to be.

Isn't it time you came to be...
Just be...
Beauty. Exposed.

First shoot in new studio loft...

This afternoon was simply beautiful in Columbia, SC. The weather was a warm 83* with light winds and clear skies. Certainly not the rainy day that was earlier predicted, and we were all very pleased because I had a new baby girl traveling all the way from Sumter to have her pictures taken. She is 4 weeks old, so a little past my typical newborn age, and I really would have loved the studio to have been completely finished before anyone came over. But sometimes things like this can't wait and a newborn only looks like a newborn for a little while.

And although I only intend to post these two... I think they're pretty snicking cute!!!!

Tomorrow we have the U-haul for the day and all the large items are being moved, like the bed, the antique chair, and the chaise lounge. The painter comes on Tuesday, and I am fairly certain that by this time next week we will be open for business!!!

Wait for it... Waaaaaait for it!!!!

• A weeks time spent sitting on pins and needles thinking "Why haven't we heard back from anyone yet?"
• OR worse yet "What if they say NO for some freakish reason?"
  
• It was killing me.
• I'm thinking its now going on 3 tubs of Butterfinger Chunk Ice Cream by this point~

And then it came. The email asking if we could come down around 4 to sign the lease and pick up the keys!!! I was thrilled!!! I mean, Tom Cruise on Oprah's couch thrilled!!!!

So the morning that started with tears, and an uncertainty in the air, ended with a smile and two golden keys in my hands. I was relieved.

All in all I completely realize that this venture would never be possible without the complete financial, spiritual, and business guidance of my husband. I am truly blessed in so very many ways. So I hope that one day he steps back just a little and allows me a mistake or two. Because in all honesty, my biggest secret is....

"I WOULDN'T WANT TO DO IT WITHOUT HIM ANYWAY!"

Silent, but not lost~

It would surely seem that on my list of "priorities" that I should include on that list "Take time to Blog about what's going on"!

Swamped with responsibility, nauseous most of the time, needing more sleep, and so excited I could bust. Yep, that pretty much sums it all up for me at this moment. I am days away from getting the keys and I can't wait until I can make a post entitled "We're Home".

Until then, please know I have not forgotten you my sugar sweets. I am busy creating a playground just for YOU! (bicycle not included. Ok maybe?)

Believe me when I tell you, it will all be worth it in the end.

New Website almost ready!!!

Things have been pretty busy around here.

And although I won't share much else about it all with you now... very soon you are going to see some amazing things happening for us here at Deborah Berard Photography.

For now I will leave you with a little tease. The SPLASH page of my new site is just about finished. And I must tell you that I am loving the new - softer color palettes. Can't wait to tell you all about the big news!!!

Stay tuned~

Who got engaged during Valentines Day???

Valentines Day. Said to be one of the most romantic days of the season. Personally, my hubby and I give gifts year round to show our love and devotion for one another. I suppose after a certain year in your marriage its just a simple I love you, just on a different day?

I was bored, so I decided to go back over some old external hard drives. I found some great finds.

Things are changing yet again here at Deborah Berard Photography. So I am once again re-vamping my website and blog to reflect our change of direction. Until things are finished, I thought I could show off a few images from way back when...