Guest Blogger - Corinna Jones

Another exciting guest appearance today! This time from an old, dear friend of mine…Corinna Jones! Corinna and I go way back to grade school where we had a little Girl’s Only club consisting of 4 fab friends, called The Fighting Foxes (not sure why we came up with such an outrageous name, as none of us were fighters…with the exception of Jennifer maybe, who used to pin me down to shake her hair in my face! Ohhh, the memories)! It has been amazing to watch Corinna grow into such a talented woman. She has had quite an extensive career in modeling and acting, and is even teaching children’s acting workshops here in Las Vegas now! She is here with us today to offer valuable modeling & beauty tips! Please extend a warm welcome….

I received an e-mail from Stacie some months back with a link to her website. Having known her since we were 10 years old (I won’t let you know how many years it’s been!) I was very happy to see my dear friend’s work. But honestly having been in the modeling/acting/entertainment industry for years, I wasn’t expecting that I was going to be so absolutely blown away by the quality of photos she captures. She rivals the best in the biz! So I hope you know you are very blessed to have a photo session with her! Stacie is an artist and I’m proud to know her.

Stacie asked me to give some advice to women who have never modeled to help them get and be comfortable in front of the camera, especially because it can be very intimidating when one has never actually taken boudoir photos. One reason she thought of me is because I posed for Playboy a number of years ago. I was Miss August and went on to become Playmate of the Year. When we shot my test photos for the magazine I was scared to death, and the initial test photos were only lingerie shots! I had been modeling since the 4th grade, but lingerie’ (and eventual nudity) were an entirely different thing for me. I even prayed to God and asked Him to show me a sign and let me know if I was doing the right thing. Of course years later I can only laugh and know how silly and cowardly I was. Now I love taking photos and hope to do some boudoir photos with Stacie soon. Regardless, all of us at one time or another feel self conscious about our bodies. So I am happy to offer my advice.

Posing:
One thing to keep in mind is body angle. What seems to feel contorted and uncomfortable is actually what looks the best. Arching your back, twisting and exaggerating are very important while still keeping your face and shoulders relaxed. Put on your favorite sexy lingerie’ and look in the mirror. Look at your favorite poses in magazines. Keep in mind that everyone’s body, shape and even flexibility is unique. One pose for one woman isn’t as flattering for another. Don’t ever judge- just practice and find what’s good for YOU.

Try using a prop. If your husband is in the military- use a hat or a piece of his uniform. Use your lingerie to help you pose. Is there a little tie or bow you can pretend to be untying? Suck in your tummy, get those great angles- but also be happy with who you are. You are WOMAN - feel it girl! Practice these different poses that make you look your best. You know better than anyone else what makes you look and feel sexy.

Do the same with your facial expressions. Look at yourself in the mirror when you’re feeling good. Imagine your husband or boyfriend and how they make you feel (like a princess I hope!). How do you look when you feel that way? Try to perfect it. Smile coyly. Be the vixen. It’s your show- work it! Get over feeling silly! Because if you’re taking photos for your husband or fiance’ – and especially for yourself-you want to look your sexiest.

It’s amazing what a photo can do to enhance your sex life. All women are beautiful, because all women have curves. We are all different shapes and sizes, but if you get a photographer like Stacie to capture you at your best angles, in the best lighting, and in your prettiest, sexiest lingerie - it’s like playing dress up for a day and having an image that will always make you feel good when you look at it.

If you work out and take care of your body- that’s great! But even super models and fitness queens have their imperfections when they look in the mirror. Almost every woman I know, even models have cellulite. Don’t look for it! Don’t judge, don’t look at your negatives. Enhance your positives and focus on what’s best about you! Trust that Stacie will make you look great and no one will see any of these imperfections! But if you feel self conscious- the camera will pick this up. Be positive. Be confident. ENJOY the process. Enjoy the shoot. Have fun. It’s all about you. Pamper yourself and know you look gorgeous!

When I first did Playboy I used to say that the photos we took would be proof to my grandkids that I was actually sexy once upon a time until gravity set in! But as the years go by and I’m more aware of me and settling into my own skin. I actually like seeing myself in pictures better now and I hope to continue to grow as a person and like myself in pictures in the years to come.These photos will be you at your sexiest and sultriest, so it’s important to feel that way when you are taking the photos. I always think of my man and how he makes me feel. And I imagine how much he would like me at this very moment (this is while your taking photos). And he’ll know it when he sees the photos. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to be relaxed and enjoy.

Preparation/Beauty tips:
For me to be completely relaxed and ready for a photo shoot I always like to treat myself to a nice spa day. Manicure/pedicure./facial and massage. I always exfoliate and moisturize a few days before the shoot. And if you’re getting your eyebrows, or anything else waxed, make sure to give yourself at least two days in case of a minor breakout or irritation.

If you’re on a budget, take a nice long hot bubble bath the night before. Scrub with some sea salt or raw sugar- (baking soda also exfoliates skin and gets it glowing). I love to make a concoction of milk, honey, oatmeal and olive oil. I whip it in the blender and pour it into my bath. You can do this the night before, then go get a mystic/spray tan if you want your skin to look freshly tanned.

Dove Energy Glow can be applied for three days to a week before the shoot to get a nice healthy real looking tan. And it doesn’t smell bad like most self tanners. If you get a spray tan, make sure to have this done at least a day before the scheduled shoot. Fair skin is actually beautiful and looks amazing when lit well. Be happy whatever skin your in.

And don’t forget to give yourself a manicure and a pedicure if you don’t go get one in a salon. Clear nail polish, or a sheer pink always looks clean and nice if you don’t have fake nails. And a classic color on your toe nails. French manicures and pedicures always look great too. Ask your significant other what he likes best on you. This goes for what kind of lingerie he likes too. But ultimately it’s about what makes you feel good.

Hair is VERY important. Be yourself and do it the way you know it to look the best. If you need a root touch up (unless you like that look) do so a few days before the shoot. Or have your hair dresser straighten and style or curl your hair before the shoot. Not a good idea to try a new color right before a shoot, unless you trust whose doing it or have done it yourself before. A nice trim, cut and the right hair products are very important. Ideally it’s great to hire a makeup artist who also does hair and will be there to fix it for you and do touch up’s between looks. Stacie can provide you with a list of some of the best stylists that she uses.

Visualize:
I already mentioned this- but I can’t state enough how important it is to feel sexy and good about yourself. During the shoot, imagine that your husband, boyfriend or fiance’ is watching you. He wants you and you want him. It may sound corny- but it works!

Know that with the lighting and Stacie as your guide (she will give you direction) that she is only making you look fabulous. Trust her, and yourself. Imagine yourself on a beach somewhere. Be relaxed and in a meditative state.

Request (or bring) your favorite music. Luther Vandrose, Yanni, Enya, Keane, and my personal favorites Sarah Brightman and Sara Tavares. Whatever you love that’s slow and sultry. Jazz is excellent! Or whatever makes you, you! You might want “rock star” sexy photos- This is YOU- your music, your personality.

Quick Tips:
Make sure you get a good night’s sleep. Don’t go clubbing the night before your shoot! Drink plenty of water and eat well. Have a great breakfast (not too much coffee), and if your eyes are puffy in the morning put a cold pack or some ice on them. I like to fill my sink with water and ice cubes and dip my face in it. It’s crazy I know! But it works to tighten the face and minimize unnecessary puffiness and lines.

Make up:
It’s always wonderful to have a makeup artist to enhance your beauty. And if you do hire a makeup artist I highly suggest one who does airbrushing. It makes your skin look flawless and actually fills in lines!

Some basic makeup tips:
Your base is the most important, so use a foundation (I love bare minerals!) that makes your skin look flawless. Always start with clean and exfoliated skin. Use a good moisturizer and eye cream. One thing I use here in the desert to keep my makeup fresh and my skin hydrated is Evian Brumisateur Mineral Spray Mist once my makeup is applied. Especially if I continue powdering throughout a shoot. It moisturizes and keeps your skin/makeup fresh and your face looking awake. Always start the shoot with less makeup. It’s always easier to add than take away. Stacie will be able to guide you in this also - as she’s checking the lighting, etc.

Always start natural (softer makeup) then go stronger (heavier with the makeup) and sexier/sleeker with the lingerie. Softer makeup can be very romantic and natural. Powder is very important to prevent shine. If you want a dewy look- only put shine enhancers on the upper balls of your cheeks and apply blush over it.

Don’t make the mistake (I’ve done this before) of over doing it and making yourself look like a totally different person. Enhance your own beauty. Of course at first you will feel overdone and odd if you’ve never done a photo shoot. But know that even though you’re wearing a little more makeup than usual and posing like you don’t do every day- it will look great on camera. Again- look through magazines. Get ideas and run with them. Stacie will be able to give you pointers here as well. She knows what looks good, and what makes you look great!

Have a great time and get some good shots!

Corinna Jones

May 12, 2009 | Categories: Boudoir, Portraits, Style, Beauty & Resources | Tags: actress, beauty tips, boudoir photoshoot tips, boudoir session tips, childrens acting classes las vegas, Corinna harney, Corinna Harney-Jones, Corinna Jones, friend, las vegas boudoir, las vegas boudoir photographer, modeling tips, Playboy model, Playmate of the Year, vegas boudoir tips | 3 Comments »