March 19, 2024 • 26 mins
Embarking on a transformative journey isn't reserved for fairy tales; it's happening in the photography studio of Amber Carl, whose lens captures more than just images—it captures the essence of empowerment. In A Witch, A Mystic & A Feminist's latest episode takes you behind the scenes of boudoir photography, a realm where insecurities are shed and confidence blooms. Amber, a maestro of the craft, shares her story of evolving from a general photographer to a connoisseur of intimate portraits in the heart of Las Vegas, and now in Washington. Her mission is simple yet profound: to help women see their true selves, and embrace their beauty with open hearts. Through personal anecdotes and the detailed nuances of her sessions, Amber brings to light the transformative power of being photographed in such a raw, vulnerable way.
The journey doesn't stop at the studio door; we intertwine the world of boudoir with the energetic pulse of Ula, a dance fitness class that also champions self-discovery and acceptance. Amber discusses clients who've braved the boudoir experience, share their rollercoaster of emotions, from initial trepidation to the ultimate revelation in seeing themselves anew. It's a discussion that celebrates every woman's unique story and the courage it takes to stand in front of a camera and reclaim one's self-image. So come along as we explore this reflective—and often joyous—convergence of dance, photography, and self-love, where the ultimate keepsake is a renewed sense of self.
For more information about Amber Carl, please visit her website at https://photographybyambercarl.com/
Instagram: photographybyambercarl
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Have questions or comments for A Witch, A Mystic & A Feminist? Send us a message at https://www.wmfpod.com/contact/. Also you can subscribe to receive updates at https://www.wmfpod.com.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
It's a new week and a new episode of A Witch, a
Mystic and a Feminist, with yourhost, jamie Marlena and Christy
.
Today, we welcome mom, wife andphotographer Amber.
Carl Amber specializes inhelping women step into their
power through Boudoirphotography.
Welcome to the show, amber.
We are very excited to have you.
Oh, thanks, I had to practicesaying Boudoir photography
(00:33):
slower because it was like Ikept messing it up.
I'm like this is some easy word.
I don't.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
I don't get what's happening, but it is hard,
though I still have to slowmyself down, sometimes More.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Yes, you have to slow it down.
I just have to add real quickthat Amber is a dear friend of
mine, that we met here in LasVegas both what transients here,
that we just moved and thenshuffled on to our new places
here and Amber moved far away,which made me sad.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Oh, we still stayed connected, so that's what I love
.
That's awesome, yes.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, so that's how she came into our little world
here, and my experiences withAmber have been amazing.
Her photography is justbeautiful.
You've done weddings, you do.
I remember you did a sportssession for Stella.
We did the soccer and Stellagot to get all her hair done and
(01:32):
makeup, which wasn't herfavorite at like the age of
seven, but she did it anyways.
That was fun.
Yeah, you're so talented, thankyou.
And now, with your Boudoirphotography, really just
bursting from the seams up inWashington, tell us about that.
Tell us what you do for womenand what your focus is on.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Yeah, it's been really great.
My focus is mainly on justphotographing women in a way
where they can start to seethemselves in a new light or
start to see themselves likethrough the eyes of the people
who love them.
So you know, every womanstruggles with like negative
(02:17):
self-talk and talking down tothemselves and everything.
So my favorite part is whenthey come into the studio and
they're unsure of what's goingto happen and they're nervous
and they're scared, but thenthroughout the experience, you
literally see this persontransform like right in front of
your eyes and they're startingto feel it and I'm starting to
(02:39):
see those things and actuallyfeel those things that people
tell them as compliments andyeah, and then they leave on
this amazing high and then theyget their pictures like a week
later and it all starts overagain.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
So, yeah, no, it's just really good to be a part of
.
How did you decide to get intoBoudoir photography?
Speaker 2 (02:58):
It actually.
So I've been a photographerreally since about 2009,.
But I would photographeverything families, weddings,
all of it and I would do Boudoirhere and there, just like for
friends.
And then when we moved to Vegasis when it really started to
become more of a thing and Ithink it was becoming more of a
(03:21):
popular thing too.
Like when I first started inphotography, it wasn't very big,
but it started to become moreand more, especially there.
So I focused on it more thereand that was 2018 probably.
But then we ended up movingback to Washington and it's like
(03:42):
things just kind of startedopening up for Boudoir like met
a woman who had a studio spacethat I could use and started a
group on Facebook for all ofthese ladies, and then they all
just kind of started referringtheir friends and it just took
off from there and I love it andshe travels with it too.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
So she'll do women retreats in different.
You've done Hawaii, vegas.
Obviously.
You've come back and had womensign up for these retreats and
Boudoir sessions and it's just,it's beautiful, and if you go to
her webpage or you follow heron Facebook, you'll see some of
(04:23):
the amazing photos that thesewomen are willing to share.
It's just such a beautifullight you put on for these women
and really empowering them tofeel comfortable in their skin.
I think that's what I get themost from your work.
What does a typical sessionlook like?
(04:45):
So someone finally gets thecourage to do this?
Speaker 1 (04:48):
right.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
And they're like, oh, hey, it's gonna be that picture
for my husband.
But what does a session looklike?
What do your clients go through?
Speaker 2 (04:58):
So most of the time they'll come in and I work
directly with a hair and makeupartist, so they'll have hair and
makeup done by her first.
And I love that because shetalks to them and gets them all
excited for their shoot andboosts up their confidence and
everything.
And it really helps with nervesbecause nearly everybody's
(05:19):
nervous when they first come in.
So then once that's all done,then we go up to the studio and
we'll go through.
I have them bring outfits, butI also have like a client closet
too where they can try outoutfits and see what works.
And we'll decide together, likewhat outfit do you wanna start
with?
And then we'll move on to thisone.
(05:40):
And I usually ask them whattheir favorite outfit is,
because I save that one for themiddle when they're really
feeling it.
So put on the favorite outfitin the middle, yeah.
And then I just we go throughoutall the different sets in the
studio and I direct them theentire step of the way, so they
(06:03):
never need to be like what posedo I do?
What do I do with my hands?
I don't know what I'm doing.
How should I smile?
How should I smile?
Should I smile?
I'll just I tell them and showthem throughout the whole thing.
Yeah, and then usually too,like I'll have a favorite
picture pop up and I'll show itto them on the back of my camera
, and that always boosts theirconfidence too, because they'll
(06:26):
be in a pose and they'll be likethis isn't gonna look good.
And then they see the pictureand they're like that's me.
Yeah, that's how it usuallygoes, that's fun.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
So, like for me, I am a bigger girl and I'm, like you
know, 50 pounds heavier than Iwas a few years ago and have
insecurities.
How would you make me feelcomfortable and confident in a
session?
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Honestly, like a majority of the women I
photograph are all differentbody types, so just showing
people throughout the shoot likeways to pose, so you feel good.
Also, showing the photos on theback of the camera, too, helps.
I think, though, that a lot ofit is just how my personality is
(07:17):
, and you, just as soon as weget together, people have said I
just felt comfortable instantly.
And I don't.
Yeah, I don't know it just.
Whenever anybody, I always tryto let them know how amazing
they look and yeah, it's just,it's fun.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
She has a very calming vibe Amber does, and so,
yes, I can agree with like justbeing in her presence.
It's a very soothing type ofenergy, so, which I think is
actually very important for thework that you do, because, my
goodness, I can see how it wouldbe very intimidating for women
(07:57):
to come in and start posing inlingerie they probably never
would have thought they wouldwear before there has been, let
alone being photographed bysomeone else.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
And one of the funniest things is, too, is that
it happens every single time.
Somebody will come in andthey'll say okay, you can change
into your first outfit.
There's a bathroom right there.
If you want to go in there,they'll go in there, change into
their first outfit.
We'll go through the poses andthen we decide to change outfits
and they come back and they'relike I'll just change right here
(08:26):
, I'm fine, I don't need to goin the bathroom, you've seen
enough.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
You've seen enough Makes me laugh every day.
So when your clients walk awayafter these amazing sessions,
they have just got to be oncloud nine.
I can imagine the boost inconfidence and being in their
own skin.
Have you had like just?
I feel like I would be in tearswhen I was done, because I just
(08:56):
I don't.
You know, we all work on ourinsecurities and loving
ourselves in our skin, where weare at every moment in our lives
, and it's tough at times,especially with the social media
out there and telling us whatwe should look like Exactly.
Do you have any stories ofclients just overwhelmed?
(09:20):
Or they walked away and yourjust heart was full because you
knew you did something magicalfor them?
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yes, there's one that sticks out immediately and I
love.
She's come back to me a coupletimes and I've loved all of her
shoots.
I use lots of her photos on mywebsite and for advertising and
things like that, because it isexactly that story.
She was in a tough place.
Not Her body had changed.
(09:46):
She wasn't comfortable in itand didn't really know who she
was again after having kids andgetting out of the military and
just so many different things.
So she came and she did a shootand I remember showing her one
of the pictures after we did thepose and she couldn't speak.
She just broke down in tearsBecause she was surprised to see
(10:10):
herself in that way and sheloved it.
So there's that one, and I'vealso heard afterwards just how
the confidence boost justcarries on throughout into every
other aspect of their life.
So they feel so much betterabout themselves and excited
(10:31):
that it just spreads.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
And Lane.
I remember in our pre-interviewand I think this is pretty
important to share as wellMarlene had asked about your
editing afterwards.
Are you cropping and cinching?
Go ahead, Marlene.
Yeah, because.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
I think that that's important.
There's a lot of Photoshop thatgoes around and, talking about
social media, you have certaincelebrities or whatever, making
themselves look thinner andelongating things.
Again about me I have stretchmarks, I have my tiger scars.
Do you Photoshop those out oranything?
Speaker 2 (11:11):
No, and you'll see, one of my big messages and
you'll see it on my website toois that your stretch marks, your
scars, everything that makesyou you proves that you've lived
your life and laughed and loved.
So my whole message is toembrace those things and because
they make you who you are.
So, no, I don't ever edit themout.
(11:33):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
I think, yeah, that was a very valid and important
question in our pre-interviewand I think that was very
important to share because it isloving your body the way it is
and for you to reinforce thatand empower women to embrace the
scars, the stretch marks, theroles, if you will.
(11:58):
You know, or lack thereof, butyou know, let's be honest,
there's a lot of women out therewho struggle with their bodies,
who are super thin, and we justwe have to embrace them.
So I think it's beautiful toknow that you're not here to
make up an image.
You're here to show the beautythat you're in right now.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Right, yeah, and Jamie, that's one of the big
things I remember you and Iconnected on and like, became
friends and built a friendshipon, is that first conversation
we had was about exactly that.
I remember so, mm-hmm.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
And Amber, prior to her moving,we were talking about your Ula
classes, right?
So?
And I had never heard of Ula.
It's like Zumba, but on adifferent level.
Yeah, I don't know how toexplain it, but I went to one of
her Ula classes because shetaught them and it was very
(12:52):
again, women empowerment, feelgood, um, dance, have fun, you
know, burn some energy and burnsome calories, and it was always
a very empowering session ofexercise.
So you've always been on thispath and what you do for women
and and their confidence does alot for the world.
(13:13):
So you know, it's beautiful tosee what it's really what.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
It's great.
I feel like I've always been ahelper, like I just really love
helping people feel better aboutthemselves, feel good, feel
empowered, whatever it is.
So the Ula kind of helped Idon't know, it infused the
photography a lot too what?
Speaker 1 (13:32):
is Ula.
Yeah, like can you explain it?
I think I'm still confused.
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
It's a dance fitness class.
Basically, it came out ofMissoula Montana, so the woman
who created it called it Ulayeah.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
And it's fun, but it was.
It was like I would come out ofthere sometimes during a
session like in tears Becausethe music she chose and the
movements that we did andeverything it was a lot of fun.
Then there were, you know, thefun party nights that we would
like do a shot before we startedclass.
So I mean it was, and she wouldhave the, the neons going on
and everything.
So it was a lot of fun.
Speaker 4 (14:11):
It was a lot of fun, but yeah, so I have a question
for Kristy and Jamie.
Have either of you done aBoudoir photography session?
Speaker 1 (14:20):
I have done Boudoir adjacent.
I don't know I've done.
Yeah, I mean I haven't gotten.
Yeah, I guess you could say,yes, I have.
When I was a lot younger.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
Um things we learned, yeah, but you know I keep
telling Amber I need to, but Ihaven't yet.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
It's interesting because, for me, doing it when I
was a lot younger obviouslyyour body's a lot younger Like
it's a lot firmer.
I've never been that firm, but,like you know, and so I've
thought about it many times, Ishould do it again because it
really did empower, right, like,even if there were photos that
I didn't like, right, that cameout of the shoot, there were
(15:02):
photos that I did and that Istill cherish today, I still
look at.
I'm like I really like thatphoto, like that's me, you know.
So I really do think like Ishould do it again, um, because
my body has changed so much,right, we've I've had kids, I've
, like, you know, I'm 40 yearsold, all these things have
happened and I've lived, youknow, probably another 20 years
(15:24):
since that photo session, um,and I wonder, like, would I feel
the same?
I'm fairly certain I would, youknow, walking out of there
finally, you know, but, um, Ihave the same hesitations for
the same insecurities, right,like, I don't know, I want to
see that.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
I don't know, you know, uh, you're not so happy
that you have those.
Now I am To look back on yeah,I am, and I, you know I
criticize them because I'm likeoh, what were you doing with
your face?
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Like, what were you doing?
Like, what were you doing?
That's weird.
Like you know, I like criticism, like nitpick a little bit, but
overall when I look at themit's just a sense of like, wow,
you did that and you were very,you were a very shy person, you
know, and like that wasn'tnecessarily you, um, on the
outside, you know.
And so I'm glad that I havethem to look back on and say I
did that and I have fun and itwas empowering, it was nerve
(16:12):
wracking, it was so out of mycomfort zone, but I have these
to commemorate it and so yeah,yeah, definitely Okay.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
So question for Marlena would you ever consider
doing this?
Would you ever consider doingit?
Yes, yes, I assume your answers.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
You haven't done it yet?
I have not.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
You asked me and, chris, I have not.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
I mean, I consider it , but at the same time, like I
said, I'm like 50 pounds heavier, and you know.
So I have those thoughts of,well, if I drop 20 pounds or 30
pounds or you know whatever itis, that my goal is, you know
it's like, oh, maybe I'll do itthen, but um with that, like you
know, someone does aconsultation is like, oh well,
I'm going to wait until I'm like30 pounds lighter.
(16:53):
What would you, um, what wouldyou say to them?
Speaker 2 (16:57):
I would probably tell them that it's so much more
than the photos.
Like it's great to have thephotos, um, to look back on,
like we were talking about, butthe experience itself is like
every woman should do it and youdon't.
I always tell people likeyou're beautiful how you are
right now and you don't need tolose any amount of weight, you
(17:18):
don't need to change anything,you don't even need to go buy
new outfits, I'll take care ofthat for you.
But just, um, experiencing itand then being able to say that
you did that and having thatexperience to look back on and
then the photos are like thoseare a bonus and throughout the
(17:38):
experience, too, it can help youstart to see like you might
feel like, oh, I need to lose 50pounds, like you said, or
whatever it was, um, but lookingat the photos, you a lot of
people see them and they go, oh,I'm, I'm fine, just how I am,
like I don't need to loseanything.
Just experiencing that and thenseeing how they actually look,
(18:01):
yeah, yeah, that's always great.
So that's probably what I'd say.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
That really hits because we don't see ourselves
like others do.
Exactly so that that makes me alittle emotional because it's
um, yeah, with our worst critics, exactly so.
When you get to see it throughothers' eyes, when you have
those photos, it's a wholenother experience and it's very
(18:30):
hard for us to not criticizeourselves.
But then you have amazingpeople like our family or
friends I had last weekend.
We went out to lunch at LazyDog with the kids and I'm just
sitting there and this ladywalks by and she goes.
I had to stop and tell you howbeautiful your hair is.
I just saw you take it down andput it back up in a bun and I
(18:52):
can't tell you what that did forme.
Like I just it's you never, wenever get to experience how
people see us in that lightuntil we step outside of
ourselves.
And I think these sessions,these photos, can do that for
women.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
That's exactly it.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
It's a beautiful sentiment, Sentiment sentiment.
Sentiment, I can't say the word.
So I love that and I love whatyou do for women.
Thanks.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
I get emotional about it too.
It's pretty powerful thing Ifyou think about it.
That whole transformation fromthe inside out is my favorite
part.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
Do you have music playing when you're doing the
shoe?
Okay, I do, yeah, okay, is itcompletely silent?
I'm like, is it really quiet?
And you're like it's.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
it's just quiet, stillness and her camera
clicking, that's all.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
You're staring at them.
That's not weird?
Speaker 3 (19:48):
It's not weird at all .
Yeah, I would need musicblasting or something like boom.
I can't think about it, whatI'm doing, just let me do it and
that's then they'll get.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
They kind of get lost in the music and then like my
directed and showing them whatto do and everything, but it
just helps them get in the mooda little bit more.
I bet it's funny too, because Ido.
I do couples, so a lot of thetimes you'll have like the
husband or the boyfriend is likethis makes me really
(20:19):
uncomfortable and I always tellthem like you just give it a few
minutes and then it'll be likeI'm not even there, it's just
you and your partner justreconnecting, reigniting that
flame, whatever the reason is,and they just kind of get lost
in it too.
So does it get spicy?
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Yep Sometimes.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
She's on no comment Confidentiality, I'm not
photographing that yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
Sometimes I'm like, okay, you guys can we go to
different places.
Speaker 1 (20:53):
No, you're a glass of water.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
And I do want to mention too, your studio.
She's done the beautifulbeaches and waterfalls in
Washington it looks like.
So water type sessions as well.
I mean, they're just stunning.
And there's a lot of peopleprobably out there too.
They're like oh, lingerie, LikeI'm not, it's not even like a
(21:16):
body thing, I'm just not alingerie person.
So you know, it doesn't have tobe lingerie.
It's funny.
I'm sitting here thinking whatwould I wear if I did?
I mean, I keep thinking I'lljust be rolling around in like a
sheet or something, Like youknow, the sheet would be my
lingerie, I don't know.
But so there's a variety ofwardrobe options if lingerie
isn't your thing, if you don'twant that.
(21:37):
So, and scenery too, Likeyou've done the waterfalls and
the beaches, and it's beautiful.
I think it'd be freezing.
That water has got to befreezing when they're doing it.
Oh cold, I did it a little bit.
Freezing.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
They're like in it, they're in the water, oh, I did
it a little too late in the yearlast year, and so they were
quick shoots.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
Like they have got to be cold.
That is freezing water up therein Washington.
Speaker 4 (22:04):
So what is one of your favorite poses to put your
clients in?
Speaker 2 (22:11):
I love the ones like reaching ones or like where
they'll be, like reaching up thewall and then it's just from
behind and so you get just likethat curve of the body.
But then also I lovesilhouettes, like, if you can do
, my studio has really bigwindows with white curtains so
(22:35):
I'll pose them like hidinghalfway behind the curtain or
right in front of the window andit's just when you can get like
that outline, it's reallypretty.
Speaker 1 (22:44):
Awesome, I love it Are we all traveling to
Washington for our boot bar.
I love it, I keep I know Comevisit.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
Or the next time she does a Vegas stint, she'll text
me and be like I'm in Vegas anddoing a shoot.
Oh, I wish I could see you.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
Yeah, she travels for shoots too, so it's awesome we
just started doing those women'sretreats too, Like you were
talking about in 2022, that wasthe first one that I did and we
went to Hawaii and we had like aself love coach, confidence
boosting coach that would doworkshops for us and we had we
(23:26):
went to a luau, did some fungroup things, but then they also
did boot bar shoots out on thebeach and at the house.
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
It's pretty fun.
So it's all about selfconfidence and like really
working in that during thoseretreats.
Yeah, for sure, oh man.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
Self love, self acceptance, loving our beautiful
shells that we're in as we are.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (23:53):
So what do you think are some of the common
misconceptions with regards toBoudoir photography?
Speaker 2 (24:00):
The biggest ones are just that my body's not where I
want it to be right now, or I'mtoo old for that, or I don't
have anyone to give those photosto.
Yes, you do, give them toyourself, give yourself the
experience.
Yeah, you don't have to be in arelationship or anything, it's
just about the relationship withyourself really.
Speaker 3 (24:23):
I love it.
So is there anything you wantto leave with our listeners as
far as encouraging them maybe tocheck out a Boudoir session, or
even in their day-to-day withjust loving themselves?
Yeah, is there anything youwant to leave with our listeners
?
I?
Speaker 2 (24:39):
think that if it's something you're thinking about
doing, then you definitelyshould Make sure you find a
photographer who's a exclusiveBoudoir photographer, because
then they've been working inthat genre and know how to pose
you, how to do the light, how tomake you feel confident and
comfortable.
(25:00):
So that's probably one of thebiggest things I would say but
just yeah, if you're thinkingabout it, just take the leap.
You won't regret it, oh man.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
And if you want, go ahead and plug your information,
your website, the best way toget in contact with you in case
they want to reach out, okay.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Yeah, my website is just photographybyampercarlcom,
and then I'm pretty active onFacebook.
That's also.
I think that'sphotographybyampercarl as well,
and then Instagram isAmbercarlphotography.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
So and how do you find out about the retreats in
the upcoming retreats?
Speaker 2 (25:37):
There's information on my website that would
probably be the best place to go.
Okay, awesome.
Speaker 4 (25:44):
Fantastic.
Well, thank you, Amber.
Yeah Well, thank you so muchfor joining us.
Yes, Thanks Amber.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
Yes, thank you, thanks for having me, thank you
all for joining us on thisepisode of A Witchamistic and a
Feminist.
Please visit our website,wmfpodcom, for all the latest
episodes and to connect with usand then, wherever you listen to
this podcast, please like andsubscribe and we will see you
next week.
It's a new week and a new episode of A Witch, a
Mystic and a Feminist, with yourhost, jamie Marlena and Christy
.
Today, we welcome mom, wife andphotographer Amber.
Carl Amber specializes inhelping women step into their
power through Boudoirphotography.
Welcome to the show, amber.
We are very excited to have you.
Oh, thanks, I had to practicesaying Boudoir photography
(00:33):
slower because it was like Ikept messing it up.
I'm like this is some easy word.
I don't.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
I don't get what's happening, but it is hard,
though I still have to slowmyself down, sometimes More.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Yes, you have to slow it down.
I just have to add real quickthat Amber is a dear friend of
mine, that we met here in LasVegas both what transients here,
that we just moved and thenshuffled on to our new places
here and Amber moved far away,which made me sad.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Oh, we still stayed connected, so that's what I love
.
That's awesome, yes.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, so that's how she came into our little world
here, and my experiences withAmber have been amazing.
Her photography is justbeautiful.
You've done weddings, you do.
I remember you did a sportssession for Stella.
We did the soccer and Stellagot to get all her hair done and
(01:32):
makeup, which wasn't herfavorite at like the age of
seven, but she did it anyways.
That was fun.
Yeah, you're so talented, thankyou.
And now, with your Boudoirphotography, really just
bursting from the seams up inWashington, tell us about that.
Tell us what you do for womenand what your focus is on.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Yeah, it's been really great.
My focus is mainly on justphotographing women in a way
where they can start to seethemselves in a new light or
start to see themselves likethrough the eyes of the people
who love them.
So you know, every womanstruggles with like negative
(02:17):
self-talk and talking down tothemselves and everything.
So my favorite part is whenthey come into the studio and
they're unsure of what's goingto happen and they're nervous
and they're scared, but thenthroughout the experience, you
literally see this persontransform like right in front of
your eyes and they're startingto feel it and I'm starting to
(02:39):
see those things and actuallyfeel those things that people
tell them as compliments andyeah, and then they leave on
this amazing high and then theyget their pictures like a week
later and it all starts overagain.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
So, yeah, no, it's just really good to be a part of
.
How did you decide to get intoBoudoir photography?
Speaker 2 (02:58):
It actually.
So I've been a photographerreally since about 2009,.
But I would photographeverything families, weddings,
all of it and I would do Boudoirhere and there, just like for
friends.
And then when we moved to Vegasis when it really started to
become more of a thing and Ithink it was becoming more of a
(03:21):
popular thing too.
Like when I first started inphotography, it wasn't very big,
but it started to become moreand more, especially there.
So I focused on it more thereand that was 2018 probably.
But then we ended up movingback to Washington and it's like
(03:42):
things just kind of startedopening up for Boudoir like met
a woman who had a studio spacethat I could use and started a
group on Facebook for all ofthese ladies, and then they all
just kind of started referringtheir friends and it just took
off from there and I love it andshe travels with it too.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
So she'll do women retreats in different.
You've done Hawaii, vegas.
Obviously.
You've come back and had womensign up for these retreats and
Boudoir sessions and it's just,it's beautiful, and if you go to
her webpage or you follow heron Facebook, you'll see some of
(04:23):
the amazing photos that thesewomen are willing to share.
It's just such a beautifullight you put on for these women
and really empowering them tofeel comfortable in their skin.
I think that's what I get themost from your work.
What does a typical sessionlook like?
(04:45):
So someone finally gets thecourage to do this?
Speaker 1 (04:48):
right.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
And they're like, oh, hey, it's gonna be that picture
for my husband.
But what does a session looklike?
What do your clients go through?
Speaker 2 (04:58):
So most of the time they'll come in and I work
directly with a hair and makeupartist, so they'll have hair and
makeup done by her first.
And I love that because shetalks to them and gets them all
excited for their shoot andboosts up their confidence and
everything.
And it really helps with nervesbecause nearly everybody's
(05:19):
nervous when they first come in.
So then once that's all done,then we go up to the studio and
we'll go through.
I have them bring outfits, butI also have like a client closet
too where they can try outoutfits and see what works.
And we'll decide together, likewhat outfit do you wanna start
with?
And then we'll move on to thisone.
(05:40):
And I usually ask them whattheir favorite outfit is,
because I save that one for themiddle when they're really
feeling it.
So put on the favorite outfitin the middle, yeah.
And then I just we go throughoutall the different sets in the
studio and I direct them theentire step of the way, so they
(06:03):
never need to be like what posedo I do?
What do I do with my hands?
I don't know what I'm doing.
How should I smile?
How should I smile?
Should I smile?
I'll just I tell them and showthem throughout the whole thing.
Yeah, and then usually too,like I'll have a favorite
picture pop up and I'll show itto them on the back of my camera
, and that always boosts theirconfidence too, because they'll
(06:26):
be in a pose and they'll be likethis isn't gonna look good.
And then they see the pictureand they're like that's me.
Yeah, that's how it usuallygoes, that's fun.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
So, like for me, I am a bigger girl and I'm, like you
know, 50 pounds heavier than Iwas a few years ago and have
insecurities.
How would you make me feelcomfortable and confident in a
session?
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Honestly, like a majority of the women I
photograph are all differentbody types, so just showing
people throughout the shoot likeways to pose, so you feel good.
Also, showing the photos on theback of the camera, too, helps.
I think, though, that a lot ofit is just how my personality is
(07:17):
, and you, just as soon as weget together, people have said I
just felt comfortable instantly.
And I don't.
Yeah, I don't know it just.
Whenever anybody, I always tryto let them know how amazing
they look and yeah, it's just,it's fun.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
She has a very calming vibe Amber does, and so,
yes, I can agree with like justbeing in her presence.
It's a very soothing type ofenergy, so, which I think is
actually very important for thework that you do, because, my
goodness, I can see how it wouldbe very intimidating for women
(07:57):
to come in and start posing inlingerie they probably never
would have thought they wouldwear before there has been, let
alone being photographed bysomeone else.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
And one of the funniest things is, too, is that
it happens every single time.
Somebody will come in andthey'll say okay, you can change
into your first outfit.
There's a bathroom right there.
If you want to go in there,they'll go in there, change into
their first outfit.
We'll go through the poses andthen we decide to change outfits
and they come back and they'relike I'll just change right here
(08:26):
, I'm fine, I don't need to goin the bathroom, you've seen
enough.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
You've seen enough Makes me laugh every day.
So when your clients walk awayafter these amazing sessions,
they have just got to be oncloud nine.
I can imagine the boost inconfidence and being in their
own skin.
Have you had like just?
I feel like I would be in tearswhen I was done, because I just
(08:56):
I don't.
You know, we all work on ourinsecurities and loving
ourselves in our skin, where weare at every moment in our lives
, and it's tough at times,especially with the social media
out there and telling us whatwe should look like Exactly.
Do you have any stories ofclients just overwhelmed?
(09:20):
Or they walked away and yourjust heart was full because you
knew you did something magicalfor them?
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yes, there's one that sticks out immediately and I
love.
She's come back to me a coupletimes and I've loved all of her
shoots.
I use lots of her photos on mywebsite and for advertising and
things like that, because it isexactly that story.
She was in a tough place.
Not Her body had changed.
(09:46):
She wasn't comfortable in itand didn't really know who she
was again after having kids andgetting out of the military and
just so many different things.
So she came and she did a shootand I remember showing her one
of the pictures after we did thepose and she couldn't speak.
She just broke down in tearsBecause she was surprised to see
(10:10):
herself in that way and sheloved it.
So there's that one, and I'vealso heard afterwards just how
the confidence boost justcarries on throughout into every
other aspect of their life.
So they feel so much betterabout themselves and excited
(10:31):
that it just spreads.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
And Lane.
I remember in our pre-interviewand I think this is pretty
important to share as wellMarlene had asked about your
editing afterwards.
Are you cropping and cinching?
Go ahead, Marlene.
Yeah, because.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
I think that that's important.
There's a lot of Photoshop thatgoes around and, talking about
social media, you have certaincelebrities or whatever, making
themselves look thinner andelongating things.
Again about me I have stretchmarks, I have my tiger scars.
Do you Photoshop those out oranything?
Speaker 2 (11:11):
No, and you'll see, one of my big messages and
you'll see it on my website toois that your stretch marks, your
scars, everything that makesyou you proves that you've lived
your life and laughed and loved.
So my whole message is toembrace those things and because
they make you who you are.
So, no, I don't ever edit themout.
(11:33):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
I think, yeah, that was a very valid and important
question in our pre-interviewand I think that was very
important to share because it isloving your body the way it is
and for you to reinforce thatand empower women to embrace the
scars, the stretch marks, theroles, if you will.
(11:58):
You know, or lack thereof, butyou know, let's be honest,
there's a lot of women out therewho struggle with their bodies,
who are super thin, and we justwe have to embrace them.
So I think it's beautiful toknow that you're not here to
make up an image.
You're here to show the beautythat you're in right now.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Right, yeah, and Jamie, that's one of the big
things I remember you and Iconnected on and like, became
friends and built a friendshipon, is that first conversation
we had was about exactly that.
I remember so, mm-hmm.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
And Amber, prior to her moving,we were talking about your Ula
classes, right?
So?
And I had never heard of Ula.
It's like Zumba, but on adifferent level.
Yeah, I don't know how toexplain it, but I went to one of
her Ula classes because shetaught them and it was very
(12:52):
again, women empowerment, feelgood, um, dance, have fun, you
know, burn some energy and burnsome calories, and it was always
a very empowering session ofexercise.
So you've always been on thispath and what you do for women
and and their confidence does alot for the world.
(13:13):
So you know, it's beautiful tosee what it's really what.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
It's great.
I feel like I've always been ahelper, like I just really love
helping people feel better aboutthemselves, feel good, feel
empowered, whatever it is.
So the Ula kind of helped Idon't know, it infused the
photography a lot too what?
Speaker 1 (13:32):
is Ula.
Yeah, like can you explain it?
I think I'm still confused.
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
It's a dance fitness class.
Basically, it came out ofMissoula Montana, so the woman
who created it called it Ulayeah.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
And it's fun, but it was.
It was like I would come out ofthere sometimes during a
session like in tears Becausethe music she chose and the
movements that we did andeverything it was a lot of fun.
Then there were, you know, thefun party nights that we would
like do a shot before we startedclass.
So I mean it was, and she wouldhave the, the neons going on
and everything.
So it was a lot of fun.
Speaker 4 (14:11):
It was a lot of fun, but yeah, so I have a question
for Kristy and Jamie.
Have either of you done aBoudoir photography session?
Speaker 1 (14:20):
I have done Boudoir adjacent.
I don't know I've done.
Yeah, I mean I haven't gotten.
Yeah, I guess you could say,yes, I have.
When I was a lot younger.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
Um things we learned, yeah, but you know I keep
telling Amber I need to, but Ihaven't yet.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
It's interesting because, for me, doing it when I
was a lot younger obviouslyyour body's a lot younger Like
it's a lot firmer.
I've never been that firm, but,like you know, and so I've
thought about it many times, Ishould do it again because it
really did empower, right, like,even if there were photos that
I didn't like, right, that cameout of the shoot, there were
(15:02):
photos that I did and that Istill cherish today, I still
look at.
I'm like I really like thatphoto, like that's me, you know.
So I really do think like Ishould do it again, um, because
my body has changed so much,right, we've I've had kids, I've
, like, you know, I'm 40 yearsold, all these things have
happened and I've lived, youknow, probably another 20 years
(15:24):
since that photo session, um,and I wonder, like, would I feel
the same?
I'm fairly certain I would, youknow, walking out of there
finally, you know, but, um, Ihave the same hesitations for
the same insecurities, right,like, I don't know, I want to
see that.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
I don't know, you know, uh, you're not so happy
that you have those.
Now I am To look back on yeah,I am, and I, you know I
criticize them because I'm likeoh, what were you doing with
your face?
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Like, what were you doing?
Like, what were you doing?
That's weird.
Like you know, I like criticism, like nitpick a little bit, but
overall when I look at themit's just a sense of like, wow,
you did that and you were very,you were a very shy person, you
know, and like that wasn'tnecessarily you, um, on the
outside, you know.
And so I'm glad that I havethem to look back on and say I
did that and I have fun and itwas empowering, it was nerve
(16:12):
wracking, it was so out of mycomfort zone, but I have these
to commemorate it and so yeah,yeah, definitely Okay.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
So question for Marlena would you ever consider
doing this?
Would you ever consider doingit?
Yes, yes, I assume your answers.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
You haven't done it yet?
I have not.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
You asked me and, chris, I have not.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
I mean, I consider it , but at the same time, like I
said, I'm like 50 pounds heavier, and you know.
So I have those thoughts of,well, if I drop 20 pounds or 30
pounds or you know whatever itis, that my goal is, you know
it's like, oh, maybe I'll do itthen, but um with that, like you
know, someone does aconsultation is like, oh well,
I'm going to wait until I'm like30 pounds lighter.
(16:53):
What would you, um, what wouldyou say to them?
Speaker 2 (16:57):
I would probably tell them that it's so much more
than the photos.
Like it's great to have thephotos, um, to look back on,
like we were talking about, butthe experience itself is like
every woman should do it and youdon't.
I always tell people likeyou're beautiful how you are
right now and you don't need tolose any amount of weight, you
(17:18):
don't need to change anything,you don't even need to go buy
new outfits, I'll take care ofthat for you.
But just, um, experiencing itand then being able to say that
you did that and having thatexperience to look back on and
then the photos are like thoseare a bonus and throughout the
(17:38):
experience, too, it can help youstart to see like you might
feel like, oh, I need to lose 50pounds, like you said, or
whatever it was, um, but lookingat the photos, you a lot of
people see them and they go, oh,I'm, I'm fine, just how I am,
like I don't need to loseanything.
Just experiencing that and thenseeing how they actually look,
(18:01):
yeah, yeah, that's always great.
So that's probably what I'd say.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
That really hits because we don't see ourselves
like others do.
Exactly so that that makes me alittle emotional because it's
um, yeah, with our worst critics, exactly so.
When you get to see it throughothers' eyes, when you have
those photos, it's a wholenother experience and it's very
(18:30):
hard for us to not criticizeourselves.
But then you have amazingpeople like our family or
friends I had last weekend.
We went out to lunch at LazyDog with the kids and I'm just
sitting there and this ladywalks by and she goes.
I had to stop and tell you howbeautiful your hair is.
I just saw you take it down andput it back up in a bun and I
(18:52):
can't tell you what that did forme.
Like I just it's you never, wenever get to experience how
people see us in that lightuntil we step outside of
ourselves.
And I think these sessions,these photos, can do that for
women.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
That's exactly it.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
It's a beautiful sentiment, Sentiment sentiment.
Sentiment, I can't say the word.
So I love that and I love whatyou do for women.
Thanks.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
I get emotional about it too.
It's pretty powerful thing Ifyou think about it.
That whole transformation fromthe inside out is my favorite
part.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
Do you have music playing when you're doing the
shoe?
Okay, I do, yeah, okay, is itcompletely silent?
I'm like, is it really quiet?
And you're like it's.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
it's just quiet, stillness and her camera
clicking, that's all.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
You're staring at them.
That's not weird?
Speaker 3 (19:48):
It's not weird at all .
Yeah, I would need musicblasting or something like boom.
I can't think about it, whatI'm doing, just let me do it and
that's then they'll get.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
They kind of get lost in the music and then like my
directed and showing them whatto do and everything, but it
just helps them get in the mooda little bit more.
I bet it's funny too, because Ido.
I do couples, so a lot of thetimes you'll have like the
husband or the boyfriend is likethis makes me really
(20:19):
uncomfortable and I always tellthem like you just give it a few
minutes and then it'll be likeI'm not even there, it's just
you and your partner justreconnecting, reigniting that
flame, whatever the reason is,and they just kind of get lost
in it too.
So does it get spicy?
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Yep Sometimes.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
She's on no comment Confidentiality, I'm not
photographing that yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
Sometimes I'm like, okay, you guys can we go to
different places.
Speaker 1 (20:53):
No, you're a glass of water.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
And I do want to mention too, your studio.
She's done the beautifulbeaches and waterfalls in
Washington it looks like.
So water type sessions as well.
I mean, they're just stunning.
And there's a lot of peopleprobably out there too.
They're like oh, lingerie, LikeI'm not, it's not even like a
(21:16):
body thing, I'm just not alingerie person.
So you know, it doesn't have tobe lingerie.
It's funny.
I'm sitting here thinking whatwould I wear if I did?
I mean, I keep thinking I'lljust be rolling around in like a
sheet or something, Like youknow, the sheet would be my
lingerie, I don't know.
But so there's a variety ofwardrobe options if lingerie
isn't your thing, if you don'twant that.
(21:37):
So, and scenery too, Likeyou've done the waterfalls and
the beaches, and it's beautiful.
I think it'd be freezing.
That water has got to befreezing when they're doing it.
Oh cold, I did it a little bit.
Freezing.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
They're like in it, they're in the water, oh, I did
it a little too late in the yearlast year, and so they were
quick shoots.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
Like they have got to be cold.
That is freezing water up therein Washington.
Speaker 4 (22:04):
So what is one of your favorite poses to put your
clients in?
Speaker 2 (22:11):
I love the ones like reaching ones or like where
they'll be, like reaching up thewall and then it's just from
behind and so you get just likethat curve of the body.
But then also I lovesilhouettes, like, if you can do
, my studio has really bigwindows with white curtains so
(22:35):
I'll pose them like hidinghalfway behind the curtain or
right in front of the window andit's just when you can get like
that outline, it's reallypretty.
Speaker 1 (22:44):
Awesome, I love it Are we all traveling to
Washington for our boot bar.
I love it, I keep I know Comevisit.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
Or the next time she does a Vegas stint, she'll text
me and be like I'm in Vegas anddoing a shoot.
Oh, I wish I could see you.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
Yeah, she travels for shoots too, so it's awesome we
just started doing those women'sretreats too, Like you were
talking about in 2022, that wasthe first one that I did and we
went to Hawaii and we had like aself love coach, confidence
boosting coach that would doworkshops for us and we had we
(23:26):
went to a luau, did some fungroup things, but then they also
did boot bar shoots out on thebeach and at the house.
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
It's pretty fun.
So it's all about selfconfidence and like really
working in that during thoseretreats.
Yeah, for sure, oh man.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
Self love, self acceptance, loving our beautiful
shells that we're in as we are.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (23:53):
So what do you think are some of the common
misconceptions with regards toBoudoir photography?
Speaker 2 (24:00):
The biggest ones are just that my body's not where I
want it to be right now, or I'mtoo old for that, or I don't
have anyone to give those photosto.
Yes, you do, give them toyourself, give yourself the
experience.
Yeah, you don't have to be in arelationship or anything, it's
just about the relationship withyourself really.
Speaker 3 (24:23):
I love it.
So is there anything you wantto leave with our listeners as
far as encouraging them maybe tocheck out a Boudoir session, or
even in their day-to-day withjust loving themselves?
Yeah, is there anything youwant to leave with our listeners
?
I?
Speaker 2 (24:39):
think that if it's something you're thinking about
doing, then you definitelyshould Make sure you find a
photographer who's a exclusiveBoudoir photographer, because
then they've been working inthat genre and know how to pose
you, how to do the light, how tomake you feel confident and
comfortable.
(25:00):
So that's probably one of thebiggest things I would say but
just yeah, if you're thinkingabout it, just take the leap.
You won't regret it, oh man.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
And if you want, go ahead and plug your information,
your website, the best way toget in contact with you in case
they want to reach out, okay.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Yeah, my website is just photographybyampercarlcom,
and then I'm pretty active onFacebook.
That's also.
I think that'sphotographybyampercarl as well,
and then Instagram isAmbercarlphotography.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
So and how do you find out about the retreats in
the upcoming retreats?
Speaker 2 (25:37):
There's information on my website that would
probably be the best place to go.
Okay, awesome.
Speaker 4 (25:44):
Fantastic.
Well, thank you, Amber.
Yeah Well, thank you so muchfor joining us.
Yes, Thanks Amber.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
Yes, thank you, thanks for having me, thank you
all for joining us on thisepisode of A Witchamistic and a
Feminist.
Please visit our website,wmfpodcom, for all the latest
episodes and to connect with usand then, wherever you listen to
this podcast, please like andsubscribe and we will see you
next week.
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