Photographer since 2001

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Audrey Rocks our Kitschy Garden Set!


Audrey has been a client of mine for about a year now and she always manages to rock out these flawless images. Marie-Sophie did the amazing hairstyle - yes, that's all real hair!

On a funny note; here is a very disgruntled bartender taking a little air conditioned break, Starbuck from Diablos.... not so much with the rocking out of the set... Mr. 6'7" makes the set look like a toy ;)
AND; on a hilarious note - here's Rick, also from Diablos, very (extremely) drunk at our Christmas party last year.... as Marie-Antoinette... Also not rocking it out (Photo courtesy Sose Canadian)

HA!

Deadly Dollies!

Here's the image without text from the Speakeasy Burlesque ads!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

La Marquise de Pompadour!


As I mentioned before, Marie and I are in love with french culture of the 1700s. You should see our collection in the attic over here! The colours, the excess, the beauty and the frivolity are all part of the charm of the era. We've been wanting to do a queenly garden set since we met at the Montreal Burlesque Festival about 3 years ago... But it has been done, over and over again by countless photographers such as the amazing David Lachappelle (who's work inspired us), Ewa Cieszkowska, Vogue magazine, Juicy Couture, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Kerli (with a bubblegum gothic twist), David McNeil, and, of course Montreal's Andrea Hausmann (the beauty of her set is unrivalled); that I was worried it was a bit "old" and would probably piss off god know who for whatever reason. My one condition was that we do it (if we had to do it) over the top, busy with candy, cupcakes, colour and texture so that it was clear- even if there were similarities, that we did it CRAZY and more of an homage than an original idea.

After chatting with a few people in Montreal's burlesque community we decided to jump on the Marquise de Pompadour's wagon. Though decidedly similar, she was a woman who indulged regularly and was no stranger to frivolity - after all she was the mistress to the King - She was also a very intelligent, strong and confident woman full of elegance. 
We figured if we were going to do a french garden royalty set, we were going to do it our way; full of kitsch, flowers and..... puppies.


In this set you can choose to go over the top with huge wigs and tons of ribbons and bows - or you can tone it down and not get too lost in the backdrop. The choice is yours. We also offer a retro filter, creating a more dreamy pink look, toning down the explosion of kitsch colour (as seen above, below you'll see the original image).


Here are a few other shots:


Costuming by Isabel HL, Marie-Sophie and myself
Hair and Makeup by Marie-Sophie and Stef Porter






La Marquise de Pompadour, 150$ includes: Hair, Makeup, Set, Costuming, All images taken and 1 Retouched image. Call for bookings Thursday and Friday afternoons (514 273-3218)



Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Speakeasy Burlesque!

Speakeasy Burlesque Presents Dirty Dolls!
With performances by:
Cherry Typhoon
BonBon Bombay
Mlle Oui Oui Encore
Velma Candyass
Rouge À Lèvres
Kitty Kin-Evil
Trixie Cups
Lavender May and more!

Join us July 30th at l'Abreuvoir (403 Ontario, corner St-Denis) in the super secret downstairs rococo lounge at 8pm. Prizes and surprises guaranteed! 15$ at the door - a steal for all these A-list stars!


Monday, July 9, 2012

Friday, July 6, 2012

"Au reste, après nous, le Déluge"

Something Marie-Sophie and I have been passionate about for years, but has never come to fruition due to budget, time or patience.... is about to happen. We are both passionate about french culture, especially the dynasties of the 1700s. Though Marie-Sophie was adamant about doing a Marie-Antoinette set I really wanted to move away from what had been done by other photographers. I've had a special place in my heart for Louis XV and his Marquise de Pompadour since discussing it with Montreal Burlesque Performer Velma Candyass... While researching the Marquise I discovered that most women could relate and embody this magnificent woman. Yes, she was a consort to the King - the only woman he trusted and confided in - But she was also intelligent, beautiful and refined.

...And she knew how to party.

In two weeks, we're bringing Versailles to our studio. With over 1000 flowers, endless cakes, candies and more.... You'll be able to have high tea and endless champagne like a true Marquise... all in corsetry and lingerie of course! Marie-Sophie, Myself and Bittersweet Billie are working hard to bring you giant hair, huge bustles and endless frilly things coated with lace, pearls and Swarovski.


To book your session feel free to drop by the studio Thursday and Friday from 2pm to 6pm and Saturday from noon until 4pm. Due to the high volume of calls and emails we receive daily, your best option is to drop by and say Hi! We're terribly sorry about this inconvenience but we'll happily welcome you and show you around the studio in person. For those of you outside the Montreal area please call for bookings Thursday and Friday after 2pm for the receptionist!

Thank you infinitely for your patience and for your continuing support of our passion!!

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