Stacey Bode Photography

Jared is such a daggum natural in front of the camera!  We took some headshots for him last week, and I think the only one that didn’t make the cut was taken during a light check and was actually a picture of a wall.  All the ones with Jarred in them were keepers!  Most impressive.  I think he totally has a great look, and I’ve decided that he should play a character named Chett Weatherton on a soap opera.  You know…..down to earth, despite being from a wealthy oil family in Texas.  Rough around the edges, but with a heart of gold.  Do you all see how my mind wanders when I’m editing tons of photos.  I lose it a little sometimes.  But seriously, he should be on a screen somewhere.

Hats off to Sloane Warren, who took Jarred’s already handsome face, and made it picture-perfect.  Hooray!

Jarred, thanks for being so fun and easy to photograph!

Today, I had the pleasure of judging a photo contest for the West Cobb Shutterbugs!  It’s painfully unnatural for me to critique the art of other people.  My philosophy is that if you like what you created, that’s what’s important.  However, I realize that my comments are also used as a learning tool for the group, so I put my fears of criticizing aside, and chatted away about each photo.  I’m always SO impressed by the work of these folks.  They take some really lovely photographs, and pull off some technical wizardry that makes me want to learn from them too.  You can look at some of their images on their website by clicking HERE.  You should totally check it out.  They are about the nicest people you’ll ever meet, and it’s an honor each time they have me back to talk to the group.

The subject of today’s photo competition was reflections.  I don’t have any of the pretty nature-inspired reflections like they took.  As some of you know, I’m definitely a people-person when it comes to my camera.  However, I thought this post was a good opportunity to share one of my portraits that has a reflection, and give you a quick preview of Jaimie’s Cheeky Lamb boudoir shoot.  Oh boy, I can’t wait to show you more.  She has got some kinda wow factor going on!

Wanna know what makes me really nervous?  It’s shooting other photographers!  Of course, it helps when it’s a friend AND someone awesome.  This handsome devil is Shannon Jenkins of Offhand Photography.  We’ve been pals for a while now, and he’s a great photographer.  You should totally check out his Vicious Lovely series.  It’s to die for!

Shannon, this photo shoot could have ended in you talking me down from a ledge of anxiety, but instead you made it very easy and fun.  You’re the best!

Did I mention he’s funny too?  He is a swell improviser.  Ah, so many talents….so little time!

Lookin’ good my friend…..lookin’ good.

Yay, Shannon!

Oh, Elizabeth…..you lovely thing, you!  There is just no going wrong photo-wise with this gal.  I’d swear her face and personality were made to be in front of cameras.  She, and Sloane, and I had so much fun during her shoot that it was more like a party than a photo shoot.  That’s how it should be!  Here are a couple samples of our girly fun times…

I told Elizabeth that she HAS to use this next one as her headshot.  I don’t know many folks that can make this face, and still look this cute.

Possibly the coolest shirt ever.

And now….Elizabeth Zeta-Jones.  Thanks for showing us how well dresses can work for headshots.  Yay!

Elizabeth, you are way fabulous.

Yay, Tom and Julia!  Good grief, I adore these two.  I’ve known them for a while now, and they are the swellest of the swell.  Tom is one of the nicest AND funniest guys you’ll ever meet.  He did a show called “Teddy Bears, Rainbows, and Milkshakes” for cryin’ out loud!  A roomful of people is always way better with Tom in it.  Julia is one of those gals you think only exists in movies.  She’s smart, kind, witty, and happens to be drop-dead gorgeous.

I felt like a happy little kid when I went to shoot their engagement pics last week.  We strolled around the park and the High Museum, and it was a total blast.  I love how easily they can shift from silly to romantic, and then back to silly again.  It’s also nice that they forgave me for shouting things like “Is that a bale of hay, or is it my birthday?”.  Man, I just couldn’t have asked for two more awesome people to have photo playtime with.  Now this is me shutting up so you can see some photos.

Stay tuned….this is only Part I of their engagement pics.  We’ve got some more photo plans.  Tee hee!

It has been brought to my attention by a trusted friend (Robin!), that when I note in my posts that my clients have gorgeous eyeballs, it’s creepy.  I didn’t think so since they ARE called eyeballs.  However, I began to see Robin’s point when she mentioned that it was like instead of saying “you have nice skin”, you’d say “you have a nice epidermis”.  Technically correct, but a little “off”.  Ok, I get it.  Soooooo…..I will say that Lindsay has lovely EYES.  Because she does.  She also has an equally lovely personality.  I hope the word “personality” doesn’t give Robin the willies.

In all seriousness, Lindsay was a joy to photograph.  How is it that I get to photograph people who are so daggum nice to be around?  I don’t know the answer, I just hope it keeps on happening.  We had a fabulous day of shooting in beautiful weather, and Lindsay did a superb job in front of the camera.  Yayz!  Thanks again to Sloane for her awesome makeup voodoo!

This adorable lady is Jessica.  I hope she doesn’t mind that I’m gonna totally call her out on something.  She tried to tell me that she has only one expression in photos.  Lies!  It’s funny, I swear the folks I work with who warn me about how bad they are in front of the camera are almost always the best in front of the camera.  You crazy monkeys!  Naturally, Jessica did an incredible job, and I probably could have posted another 50 favorites from our shoot.  Maybe I’ll just have to start a separate Jessica blog!

This pic here is the second one we shot.  See, she’s already got it figured out.

It seems like everyone I shoot has the most gorgeous eyeballs.  Jessica’s are a greenish-blue, and have this cool ring of amber around the pupils.  Yes, I am jealous.

As I was editing her pics, I knew she reminded me of someone famous, but I couldn’t put my finger on it….until I came across this one.  It’s totally Bridget Fonda.  Am I right?

Jessica, thanks for doing such a great job, and for such a fun shoot too!

Hey everybody!  Usually when it’s been this long since my last post, I start with “insert lame excuse here”.  However, this time, I’m thrilled to be blogging since my site has been down for about 5 days.  I won’t go into all the nasty details about “insert names of companies here”, or how it has affected me “insert long list of expletives here”.

I have images of some cool folks to post now that I’m up and running.  In the meantime, here’s a ridiculous trip down memory lane.  These pics might explain my aversion to studio portraits.  With that said, if I find myself full of enough truth serum (aka, tequila), I might just have to admit that these are some of my favorite childhood photos.

I do kinda love this first one.  That is still the face I make in most photos.  Also, the hands I have now are either brilliant prosthetics, or that is some serious shag carpet.

Oh dear.  Here starts years of unfortunate hair.  During this time of my life, I would gently stroke my head and say “pretty hair”.  I’m sure this was a joke started by my parents.  They seem nice, but they are pure evil.  I’m not sure what the deal is with the flower.  I guess they thought something in the photo should be pretty.

I would wear a fancy bracelet while farming.  I have to point something out here.  All the props and outfits you’re seeing were not supplied by the photography studio.  These were all from the creative mind of my mom.  I guess this explains why I have boxes of stuff I use for photo shoots.  That rooster might have to make an appearance in my next boudoir shoot.

I’m not sure what to say about this next one, other than I must have made my mom really mad to deserve this.

Good student = sweater vest + smarty-pants pose + apple + pretending to read when I’d rather be on my Big Wheel.

I have to give credit where it’s due.  These images where taken by the Don Frederick Studio in Wisconsin.  I wasn’t sure if they’d still be around, but they are!  Right on!  If you’re out that way and need some portraits, check them out.  Make sure you bring some eggs and a bale of hay.  My mom and I would be proud.

I’m so happy to share some of the images from Lauren’s Cheeky Lamb boudoir shoot.  She is uber-adorable, and really knew how to make the most of her photo shoot.  She brought lots of fun and sassy outfits, and was able to convey a wide spectrum of expressions….sultry, sporty, romantic, provocative, and the list goes on.  It was such a fun day of shooting, as we also did photo sessions of Lauren’s sister Lisa, and her friend Jaimie that day too.  It was really cool how supportive they all were of each other.  There were many squeals and “wow!”s when they’d look at the pics we were taking.  Sloane (our makeup master) and I were also woo-hoo-ing, and I’m sure I was doing my little happy dance I do when I’m excited about the photos.

There was an added reason to celebrate during our shoot since it was also Lauren’s birthday.  Yay!  Everyone should spend their birthdays posing and looking gorgeous!

Lauren, thank you for being so ridiculously fabulous.  I can’t wait to shoot your wedding later this year!  You are going to be one stunning bride.

Lauren and her fiance’ like to cook, so she brought this awesome outfit and a whisk.  Love it!  Hmmm….none of my aprons look like this.

Sports fans, prepare to drool…

Her future hubby is a doctor, and he might need medical attention after seeing this…

Boudoir photos should definitely be this fun.

Lauren, you are lovely times 10!