Connecticut boudoir and pinup photography studio

October 28, 2016

Introducing our 2017 Brand Ambassador – Katie!

Our 2017 Brand Ambassador search wrapped up earlier this week and I was beyond excited to announce our two winners… Katie and Esmeralda! Welcome, Katie!! I’m so excited to have you!! Katie’s career is in animal control and she’s a tremendously dedicated mother, wife, friend and animal lover. She and I first met and bonded over our mutual love for animals and her work in animal rescue. She’s incredibly driven and also just finished her real estate courses and is a licensed real estate agent in the state of Connecticut. I’m so excited for everything her future holds! And I’m thrilled that she’s joined the team here at Lost Highway Imaging!

Katie’s first shoot is ready to share and I know she’s looking forward to sharing some of her thoughts about the experience and how transformative boudoir can be!

LHI: What initially made you decide to book a boudoir shoot?

Katie: Well, I initially reached out to Beth for some headshots as I’m working towards obtaining my real estate license. Although headshots aren’t overly exciting to begin with, I knew I didn’t want standard, boring, corporate looking shots. Obviously I still need to look professional, but with a bit of sass. I knew Beth would know exactly how to spice me up a bit, and I was so thrilled when she agreed to do it. I honestly thought she might say no, mostly because she’s an artist, and her visions are so dramatic and beautiful. I kind of assumed corporate head shots would seem like a waste of her talent lol. When Beth so graciously agreed to take the shots, and mentioned doing something ‘fun’ after…. I was secretly screaming and leaping for joy because I’ve always wanted to have a photo shoot with LHI, but have never felt worthy of doing so. Sounds sad I know. But when you see these breathtaking images of these gorgeous women…. I questioned if I had even an ounce of ability to pull it off. But hey… YOLO… right?

LHI: What was your biggest fear before you booked your shoot? Did it come true and, if not, what happened instead?

Katie: Well, I gained a lot of weight with my pregnancy. (My daughter is almost two now… so the mac & cheese isn’t helping anything either ?…. ) I have always struggled with my weight and body image since I can remember, but I have been especially hard on myself since everyone obviously lied to me about how you just ‘bounce back’… especially if you breast feed… Uh yah… lies… Anyway, my biggest fear was walking out in lingerie and looking appalling. I was afraid of not fitting into anything, or looking like an awkward stuffed sausage. Having no modeling experience, I was also afraid of being super annoying and not “delivering” what Beth was asking for. My fears didn’t come true because I was remarkably 100% at ease. I felt so comfortable, and found Beth to be SO easy and fun to work with. The key is to… let go and trust.

LHI: What was your favorite part of your photo shoot?

Katie: Being able to let go! For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was allowed to let go. I could stop hiding!!! When someone hands you bra and panties and says ‘let’s walk to the barn’ …. you have two choices… you can hide and decline, forcing yourself to stay hidden in your ‘comfort’ zone… or you can say.. hah what the hell, let’s do this. Then you are rewarded with gorgeous images. Images that show off features that you don’t even realize you have. Not just that though, it gives you a sense of freedom. It gives you a boost of confidence that you didn’t even know you could find within yourself.

LHI: Why should women treat themselves to this experience?

Katie: It’s going to sound cliché… but its liberating. Empowering even. I have my own reasons, every woman does. For me, it’s not just about me really. It’s about my daughter. It’s about really showing her that all women are beautiful. This isn’t a speech about embracing plus size women either. To be honest, I hate that term. That’s my point though I guess. My daughter is going to see these photos some day, along with other photos of women of all shapes, sizes, color…etc. I want her to see the beauty in ALL of them. I never want her to be ashamed of her body. I want her to KNOW she’s beautiful. We are role models for our little ones. We help mold what they view as their self worth. I’m worth it, as is she.

LHI: If you were going to tell your best friend about your experience with Lost Highway Imaging, what would you tell her?

Katie: Already did… and she booked one lol!!

Thank you Katie for sharing your experience and your images with us! I’m honored you trusted me to create these photos for you and I can’t wait to work together during the upcoming year!

Ready for a shoot of your own? Have more questions? Send me an email at beth@losthighwayimaging.com or call/text 860-608-4868 and ask away! I’m here to help and there are NO dumb questions! Our Connecticut boudoir photography studio caters to all women because we truly believe that ALL women are beautiful. Ready? Let us SHOW you!

Our studio is located in Preston, CT and serves all of New England and beyond. Our clients travel to us from major metro areas like Hartford, Groton, New London, New Haven, New York, NYC, Boston, Providence and even Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Cape Cod. Traveling to us? Email or call for suggestions on where to stay and how to plan!

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April 9, 2016

Horses, Beaches and a Princess – The Video

This is a project very dear to my heart. I don’t often talk too much about my family here, but I have 4 wonderful kids. The oldest is 12 and he has been fascinated by photography and videography for a while now. He’s also been asking to produce a promo or behind-the-scenes video for me. When I decided to bring this project to life, I handed him my camera and asked it he’d like to come along for this shoot on the beach with my model and dear friend, Angela and her horse. He jumped at the opportunity and was an utter professional the whole time we worked. Watching his eyes light up meant the world to me. As we were walking off the beach he said to me “Mom, it was crazy! I saw all these pictures in my head and then, while I was shooting, I saw everything I imagined on the back of the camera! It was like magic!” I hugged him and told him that is what a real passion feels like. The adrenaline rush of creating something that makes you happy right down in your soul.

When he surprised me with the preliminary cut of this video, I was brought to tears. Real tears rolled down my cheeks while I watched what he created. I’m so excited to share it with you all. He said to me “You know, you might not want to tell people a 12 year old made this. They might think you are not professional.” Then I cried more tears. I assured him that that couldn’t be further from the truth and, even if it was true, I’ll always give credit where credit is due! I am PROUD to share this and I am even more proud to say that my son created it. That he felt what it feels like to truly love doing something and that he looked at the final product and was full of joy and pride. Thank you, Aiden, for every minute of hard work you put into this!

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April 7, 2016

Horses, Beaches and A Princess – The Photos

Most people have a distinct separation between their jobs and their hobbies. When someone says “What do you do for work?” the answer is pretty simple. And when someone asks “What do you do for fun? What are your hobbies?” it’s also pretty straightforward. But, for me, I only have one answer. Photography. It’s kind of a strange position to be in when your job and your hobby is one in the same. Plus, it confuses people when you give them the same answer to both questions. Lol! But it really is true that my passion covers my career as well as how I spend my free time. On the upside, I build skills for double the amount of time and I love what I do. On the downside, I sometimes get caught up in creating for my career and for others and lose sight of my own artistic pursuits and visions. This year I promised myself that I would find more balance and keep from getting too caught up in the business-y work, like emails and accounting and paperwork.

Part of why I’m a photographer is because I’m a dreamer. I’m always lost in a daydream, thinking up some fantastical world that I’d like to live in for a while. When I was a little girl, I learned to ride a horse practically before I learned to walk. Horses are so intertwined with my childhood that I couldn’t begin to separate them if I wanted to. My dad is a farrier and my mom trained racehorses and we had a huge barn. My first job was helping to give riding lessons when I was only 12. I took over that aspect of the family business when I was 15 and started doing it on my own, running the lesson program myself. It was an incredible opportunity and gave me tremendous life experience, but mostly it let me spend all day, every day, around my favorite things in the world… horses. I’d sit out in the field with my beloved Quarter Horse and imagine what it would be like to be a princess, wearing a long flowing gown, running bareback down the beach. I did a lot of running bareback on my horse on the beach (and in the field… and in the woods… any anywhere else horses were allowed) and I wanted to capture how it felt. Not how it looked to the eye of a casual observer, but what it felt like to be transported to a fairytale world on the back of my favorite horse.

Finding a model with that kind of skill is not exactly an easy feat. Plus, being a horse person makes me picky so not just “any old horse” would do. And selfies were out for pretty obvious reasons. But the minute I met Angela and her beautiful Andalusian mare, I knew we were going to make magic! I found the perfect dress, split up the front so she could ride in it, and I dyed it a perfect pale pink, to match the pink sunset I imagined in my dreams. I spent far too much money on gorgeous silk roses and handmade a beautiful bejeweled bridle fit for a queen!

When we got to the beach, it was perfect! We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day… or a more beautiful sunset! It felt so amazing to create something that had only existed inside my head for so many years! Thank you, Angela, for helping make my dreams come. And thank you to my son, Aiden, for creating a very special video that I’ll post as my next blog entry!

I’m dedicating the next few years to slowly working on a project in honor of Cimmaron, my beloved Quarter Horse mare that was my best friend throughout my entire childhood. I lost her almost 2 years ago now, and not a day goes by where I don’t think about her. She was given to me on my 9th birthday by my mom and dad and we were inseparable for more than 20 years. The image above will be the closing image in the series. I love you, Cimm.

Want a shoot of your own? We do more than just boudoir! If you are in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts or elsewhere in New England or New York, get in touch and tell me what your dream shoot looks like! I also travel and destination shoots are always welcome! This year I’ll be in Las Vegas, California (multiple locations), New Orleans, Pennsylvania, Florida and more. If you are dreaming of a photoshoot of your very own drop me a note and let’s talk! beth@losthighwayimaging.com

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February 29, 2016

Dining Room Boudoir – What?!?

Recently I posted a special shoot opportunity on my Facebook page. It was a few weeks before Valentine’s Day and my kids had a half day at school. Pre-Valentine’s is super busy at the studio and I was worried about losing a full shooting day… so I had an idea! When I got hurt over the summer and went through multiple surgeries my husband and kids did a little remodel of my dining room as a surprise to me. I was not allowed to drive or even lift anything over a pound for months and I was really down about not shooting. They did something awesome and turned my office/dining room into a little home studio space for me so I could still create while I was laid up. It was fun for models and people I knew well, but it never occurred to me to bring clients here (mostly because I happily share my home with German Shepherds, 6 spoiled kitties and a rabbit!). So I decided to make a bedroom set and offer the session to one client who wanted something truly different from what I shoot in my studio. Miranda jumped right on it and I was thrilled because not only is she gorgeous, but I’d photographed her before and she’s just plain awesome! It also helped that I know she loves animals and would be happy to have my crew hanging around while we worked!

Here they are “helping” me set up…

They were so ridiculous! LOL! But on to the real stuff…

One thing I love about Miranda (and there are many!) is that she’s always up for anything and she trusts me to dress her up and pose her like a Barbie doll! Lol! She never hesitates when I have a crazy idea and no matter what pose, expression or outfit I throw at her she’s all in. She embraces it all and she looks like a pro moving from pose to pose effortlessly as I coach her. It also helps that she has curves to die for and the kind of eyes that you just get lost in. We spent most of her shoot laughing and a fair amount of time pushing kittens off the bed. But the second you turn the camera on this woman -BOOM- she’s all business!

Katey, from MayMac Lingerie, joined us to help dress and style Miranda and her styling and lingerie options are just flawless! I always love working with Katey because she is a true professional and intensely passionate about her work. She believes, heart and soul, that all women are beautiful and our messages are perfectly in sync as business owners. She knows that all women deserve gorgeous lingerie options, regardless of their size or shape, and her lines all reflect that!

Miranda, thank you so much for embracing and loving yourself and inspiring the rest of us to do the same! You are gorgeous and I’m so thrilled every time we have the opportunity to work together! The camera loves you… and so do I!

Ready for a session of your own? Thinking about a boudoir photography shoot? Maybe you are a bride looking for the perfect sexy gift for her groom? Or thinking lingerie photos would make a great anniversary gift? Get in touch! We’re here to help and our Connecticut boudoir studio serves all of New England and beyond! E-mail beth@losthighwayimaging.com

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January 1, 2016

Introducing: DESTINATION BOUDOIR SESSIONS for 2016

Lost Highway Imaging has a huge announcement to ring in 2016… Destination Boudoir! What is Destination Boudoir? I’m glad you asked!

Destination shoots are the ultimate in luxury! Our Connecticut boudoir studio is fabulous… elegant, convenient, and designed specifically for women! But some sessions call for something more! Maybe you are a previous client who wants a totally different look for your next shoot! Maybe you really want the Lost Highway Imaging experience but you don’t live in New England! Maybe you are planning a vacation and you want to commemorate it with something truly unforgettable! Or maybe you have a dream shoot in your head and our studio sets just don’t have the look you are imagining! Whatever the reason, destination sessions are something you’ll never forget! We chose our locations right down to the specific rooms and suites for just the right colors, space and light! We’re introducing our 6 hand-selected locations throughout the year and we’re starting with the one and only Las Vegas, Nevada!

Each of our destinations has its own style and unique flavor! Our chosen Las Vegas suite is all things black and chrome and ultra-modern! Lingerie planning is FUN in this suite! Black lace, nude mesh, silver sequins, bright colors, glitter and sparkles and even black leather look brilliant in this space! The minute I toured this room last year I knew it was the one! The designer couch is black glitter vinyl and the chrome X’s that adorn the walls on either side of the bed are just super fun and waaayyyy sexy! With 1000 square feet to work in, there are so many areas to showcase! The bathroom has a 10 person shower, perfect for wrapping up your shoot with wet portraits! Here’s a tease featuring just a few of the endless possibilities in this room….

Next week there will be a featured session from this gorgeous suite so keep an eye out to see the huge range of artistic possibilities!

Planning a Las Vegas vacation? Seeking a Las Vegas boudoir photographer? If you are headed to Vegas, or live in the area, you can schedule a destination session with us! Want more details? Send an email or give us a call!