Oh boudoir photography! Many people have a love/hate with this word. You see, I always call myself a portrait photographer because I do so much more than just boudoir and I don't want to be pigeonholed. And yet when a woman is looking for a shoot that will make her feel sexy in her skin, she usually googles for "boudoir" (I've also seen some spelling errors like boudior or budoir or bodoir or buodior! ha!).... you get the picture. The word is damn hard to say, spell and even harder to define.SO let me define it for MY SHOOTS

1. It's an empowering photoshoot all about celebrating the beauty of the female form. It's about celebrating your beautiful body and all it's done for you thus far.
2. It's about showing a bit more skin than most of my other shoots. Though you don't have to go full nude as you can see above. You might wear a robe, or a slip, or a tank or a bodysuit or some combo... or you might just lay in the sheets
3. It's about being classy, tasteful and fashion inspired (I never photograph anything that's raunchy or vulgar! ugh!). And don't worry I pose and style you with this in mind so we never accidentally swerve into territory that's too racy! I always like leaving a little something to the imagination as mystery a huge part of sexiness.
4. It's for you not for your partner. Though yes your partner may share in and enjoy the benefits of these photographs, I want you to do this for you!
5. It's all female all the time. My shoots are a safe space so I use an all female team and it's no boys allowed!

 Thinking this experience sounds fun? You can see more and contact me here

 When I shoot a boudoir shoot I like to capture all the different sides to a woman. Her soft side, her bold side, her relaxed side, her carefree side. I find a woman’s different moods and expressions to all be sexy in their own unique way. Not every look has to be about strapping on the garters and stilettos… But then again, we shouldn’t let a whole shoot go by without really being brave with one super sexy look should we?I love this shoot because there are so many moods captured the bold and daring to the soft and intimate. And dang if my client doesn’t just have LEGS FOR DAYS!Are you interested in having me capture all the sides that make up your sexiness? If so shoot me an email, I’d love to chat!

There is nothing I love more than capturing Mother-Daughter Portraits. These portraits are extra special because not only do I get to fufill my passion of making women feel beautiful and confident in front of the camera, but I also know that the work I am creating is so deeply meaningful. Your mom is your first female role model, she carried you in her womb and I now know, being a mom myself, that she continued to sacrifice her body for you for many years after you were born. Your mom teaches you so much and protects you and loves you fiercely. Seriously she is irreplaceable right? But the bittersweet thing is moms aren’t around to care for us forever, and one day a portrait with you and your mom looking amazing will literally be one of the most priceless possessions you have. The fact that I can freeze time for mothers and daughters, to snap their bond, to give them both confidence, and to make them look and feel fabulous and create a fun day they will always remember… That is epic to me! I love it with all my heart! So yeah… Mother Daughter shoots are my favorite!And they are the PERFECT gift too! So check out this recent shoot and then send me an email… I’d love to create the most unique and priceless gift you’ve ever given your mom in the new year! 

Boudoir is sexy. Boudoir is fun. Boudoir is confidence. Boudoir is power. Boudoir is feminine. Boudoir is grace. Boudoir is courage. Boudoir is bold. Boudoir is daring. Boudoir is shameless. Boudoir is strong. Boudoir is fierce and boudoir is fabulous. Boudoir is dashing and daring and not caring what others think. It’s courage and strength and effervescence.And I see all those things and more in this shoot. This shoot is one of my all-time favorites. It’s so celebratory, so full of confidence, so full of loving yourself 100%. And that’s why I do what I do.My shoots are for women first and foremost. Sure, I realize my clients might give these photos to a man in their life… but more than anything I want you do to this shoot for you. To love yourself. To say to yourself I am reason enough and I am fabulous and I rock what I got. 

One of my favorite things about shooting a boudoir session is watching a client come alive in front of the camera. Every client starts out so shy— I mean, it’s not every day you have some taking your photo…while you are dressed in your skivvies!!! I have yet to have a client walk in 100% confident and ready to be seen in her undies! But sure enough we start with hair and make up and then the first look and the nerves melt away and a goddess shines through! Every woman seriously ends the session by prancing around half naked (or hey full naked if they want) without a care in the world. So if you’ve ever wanted to feel really good about yourself naked you totally need to come in for a session with me because that confidence in your skin will be there when the shoot ends!!Check out this amazing session to see what I mean!  

It’s always an honor to photograph a fellow photographer, and that was especially the case with Lucia. I took some stunning glamour portraits of her solo and we finished the session with her husband and little son James joining in on the fun! I always like to ask my clients if they’d to bring any family in at the end of the session— it just makes perfect sense if you are already dolled up and feeling fabulous to get some photos with your loved ones as well. And while I am known for mother-daughter shoots, I definitely can photograph you with your hubby or son too! Hey, some of us (ME) only have sons not daughters and we should be left out of the fun should we?! Definitely not!Lucia’s session is the perfect example of how a personal glamour shoot can be about celebrating yourself and also about getting some lovely photos with your family too!And this is just the perfect time of year for that with the holidays approaching! Definitely drop me a note to see how we can get you some stunning new images and some great family shots for your holiday cards!! 

Last year, in the midst of morning sickness a pregnancy, I shot this fabulous mother daughter glamour shoot but never got around to sharing it! So I thought better late than never right?!I love the story behind this shoot. I donated a $500 credit toward a boudoir shoot to the American Heart Association's Heart Beach Ball here in Santa Barbara. The Heart Beach Ball happens annually and is a big fundraiser from AHA! Sarah is on the board and attended the event, and bid on the shoot... AND WON! Woohoo! So this shoot we got to celebrate her and her journey and her charitable work for AHA. I had so much fun photographing her daughter Madison! Too cute!Sarah was floored by the photos and bought quite a few wall portraits to give as gifts to her husband and her daughter for Christmas. I love knowing that a huge canvas hangs in their house, as well as as some smaller shots on her husband's desk. I also love that she got Madison some images for her room-- how great is that for a young girl's self esteem to have gorgeous portraits of herself of the wall of her room! LOVE!Sarah loved everything so much she asked me to donate to Heart Beach Ball again... And I did! Can't wait to meet this year's lucky winner! :)

BOOK A SHOOT: Contact Ashleigh | View More Of Her Online Portfolio | Join The Mailing List 

Melanie is a beautiful, beautiful person. She is actually my yoga coach and she has helped me grow so much stronger (both physically and emotionally/mentally) in the past 1.5 years. She has profoundly changed my life and helped me move past many of my own fears, insecurities and supported me in going after my dreams in many ways. I could not be more grateful for her presence in my life.Melanie has been so generous to share her gifts with me, so I was really excited to have the opportunity to share my talents with her! It was really cool for me to do this glamour session for her too because I am so used to only seeing her in lululemon clothes, ready to work out! So it was really awesome to see this softer, super girly side to her. I was also super honored that she was generous enough to let me film and share her story in video format. So below please watch the behind the scenes video of her shoot and then check out some of my fave shots from the session!Melanie's Glamour Shoot from Ashleigh Henning on Vimeo.

BOOK A SHOOT: Contact Ashleigh | View More Of Her Online Portfolio | Join The Mailing List 

Lauren is a beautiful woman inside and out. She is a daughter, sister, chef, nutritionist, holistic expert and inspiring young business woman. She hired me to take photos for her ahhhh-mazing new website and we just had so much fun taking them! It was seriously an all out girly fest full of sequins, silk, color and jewels! What could be better? Seriously, no one deserves this shoot more as Lauren does so much to empower and inspire women to live happier & healthier lives. This shoot celebrates all her beauty, gifts and talents and I was happy to give to her some of the same feelings of confidence and beauty that she brings to her clients.I also made a little behind the scenes film of Lauren's shoot! Please check it out and then see some of my favorite images from the shoot below!

BOOK A SHOOT: Contact Ashleigh | View More Of Her Online Portfolio | Join The Mailing List 

Last week I blogged about Rita & Marilyn's Mother-Daughter Glamour Session.  That day was so special to my heart because it was so fun to help two amazing women feel beautiful, sexy, confident and empowered. It was also quite meaningful to document their bond and relationship and I know the photographs will be something they will cherish for the rest of their lives, especially as their family grows.And while the joint pictures were so beautiful and sentimental, I think the solo shots are really special and meaningful as well. Because seriously, how amazing is it to have a beautiful photo of yourself you can be proud of every time you see it?!A lot of the moms in my mother daughter shoots feel particularly self conscious. They worry they won't look young, beautiful, or skinny. They love watching their daughters shine and they secretly want to shine as well. But they are afraid. Afraid they just can't look good.But that's where they are wrong. I look at moms and see a beautiful woman, with a gorgeous inner light, and an elegant sophistication and sensuality only time and life experience can bring! I love helping to style and pose moms to bring all this out and make them shine so bright it.Marilyn was so fun to photograph because she has such style and sophistication and the most beautiful, warm, genuine soul. She's a mom, a business owner, a super creative person and a single gal looking for fun! We laughed, and just had such a blast during the shoot! And as the shoot went on I saw her nerves fade and her have so much fun-- maybe more fun than Rita was having if that's possible! I am pretty sure she could have shot two more hours, if getting hungry for lunch wasn't an issue for all of us! LOL! I just adore these photos of Marilyn. She has such a glow and beauty that can't be matched. Look below and you will see what I mean!

BOOK A SHOOT: Contact Ashleigh | View More Of Her Online Portfolio | Join The Mailing List 

A few days ago I blogged about Rita & Marilyn's Mother-Daughter Glamour Session. It was a gorgeous and fun filled day of bonding, love, and feminine energy! Today I am excited to share Rita's solo images for the shoot! I've photographed Rita several times before, but WOW, girl keeps getting more and more beautiful! It was funny because at the shoot she was tired and said I was giving her a pilates-esque work out with all the poses. But when she saw the pictures she was blown away and admitted all the contorting was totally worth it! hehehe!Rita had an amazing wardrobe and set of accessories to play with and each outfit was so fun to shoot too! Sequins, tulle, lace and more sequins... YES she is a girl after my own heart! Check out all her beauty below!

 BOOK A SHOOT: Contact Ashleigh | View More Of Her Online Portfolio | Join The Mailing List 

I seriously LOVE LOVE LOVE Mother/Daughter Glamour sessions. They are just too fun, too sweet and too beautiful.You may remember my bride, Rita. Rita saw some of my glamour work and decided she wanted to do a shoot so she could have some gorgeous photos of herself alone that weren't bridal. She also told me her mother-in-law, Marilyn, might be interested too. And I said, well YES then bring her to your shoot! That way the two of them could have some fun , girly bonding time and get some gorgeous photos together, and also cheer each other on during the individual photos. And that is exactly what happened.These two had so a blast dressing up, sharing jewelry and accessories, cheering each other on, blowing fan air in each others hair and just being carefree together.I made sure they felt pampered and each got equal individual time and some amazing photos together they can cherish forever, especially as their family grows!  In the end they each got a beautiful folio box full of magazine quality matted portraits and were so ecstatic. It was honestly a perfect shoot in every way, and I only wish all mothers-daughters would do a shoot like this!!Below check out Marilyn & Rita's joint images. Soon I will blog their individuals!

BOOK A SHOOT: Contact Ashleigh | View More Of Her Online Portfolio | Join The Mailing List 

Meet Lisa. Lisa is a mother, a business owner and a true love guru! She is the owner/matchmaker at Santa Barbara MatchMaking and has helped so many people find love, happiness and meaningful relationships! What an amazing job and contribution to the world! Lisa was so fun to photograph because she radiated joy and positive energy. Just look at her big smile. You can't help but smile back when you see it! I so loved photographing her! Now it's your turn to enjoy the images... :) 

BOOK A SHOOT: Contact Ashleigh | View More Of Her Online Portfolio | Join The Mailing List 

Meet Farideh! Farideh is an amazingly fun, sweet and crazy stylish woman!  She is a wife, mother and believe it or not a NEW GRANDMOTHER too! Can you believe it? She's the most beautiful grandma I've ever seen! She looks just like Sandra Bullock, doesn't she? Farideh had so much fun at the glam shoot because she really does love to dress up and be girly. And while the shoot was not out of her comfort zone, like it is for most of my clients, I could tell it was till an empowering and fun experience for her. You can see it in the photos-- she's having the time of her life! I know one day her little grandbaby will look at these photos and cherish them! How cool to have such beautiful portraits of your grandma! Portraits like this are such a multi-layered gift because they are for you of course, but also for all the people who love you and want to remember you. Such a special treasure! And I of course had so much fun taking these pictures too! Check them out!

BOOK A SHOOT: Contact Ashleigh | View More Of Her Online Portfolio | Join The Mailing List 

Meet Mara. Mara is a wife, a yogi, a Zumba instructor and an Austinite (someone from Austin TX). She used to live in Santa Barbara, and that's how I was lucky enough to meet and photograph her. I had so much fun getting to know Mara at our shoot and photograph her. She really loved getting all dolled up and the whole prep part of the shoot! Which just goes to show that having hair & make up done not only helps because it looks nice in photos, but it actually is a fun experience in itself and helps you relax into the shoot. She also had fun posing for me and letting her personality shine. I am so excited to share these gorgeous images of her! Enjoy!

BOOK A SHOOT: Contact Ashleigh | View More Of Her Online Portfolio | Join The Mailing List 

Nanette, beautiful Nanette. She is an amazing officiant of weddings here in Santa Barbara and an all around wonderful spirit to be around. Nanette isn't that into getting glam every day. She told me before her shoot she had no idea what to wear or what kind of hair & make up she would like. It was a whole new world for-- to do this who girly glam thing. Which actually really excited me! I knew I could take her through a transformation and help her feel beautiful in a whole new way. The whole shoot we giggled. She kept saying "Oh my god" every time she looked in the mirror! She could hardly believe that very glamorous reflection. But she was having fun and she was willing to try anything. And her eyes. Her eyes just radiated. You can see so much of her beautiful soul in these pictures. Because she just went with it, let her guard down and let me see her beauty. And I happily captured.These images were taken 6 months ago, and yet they are still some of my favorite all time favorite images. When I look at these pictures I see a beautiful woman, embracing her femininity, and baring her soul. Pictures this beautiful are something to be cherished forever.

BOOK A SHOOT: Contact Ashleigh | View More Of Her Online Portfolio | Join The Mailing List 

Kelly is such a beautiful woman inside & out. She is a mom, a business owner, and just a super sweet, caring individual. It was my pleasure to capture these gorgeous glam photos for her! We did everything from a professional look (which she could use for business purposes) to more fun casual/every day glam to a fancy gown! It was so fun to photograph the many sides of her personality! I just adore these images and think they showcase just how versatile a glam sesh can be! It doesn't have to be all fancy looks, but it doesn't have to be all business or casual either. We can get a ton of variety so you have a folio that is a true reflection of you! Fun! Check out these gorgeousssss images below!PS- doesn't Kelly look like Courtney Cox?!

BOOK A SHOOT: Contact Ashleigh | View More Of Her Online Portfolio | Join The Mailing List