Christy & Tim: Proof that dedication has no age limit & the spark only gets brighter!
Nineteen years together. Sixteen years married this October. And now, both stepping on stage chasing the same health goals, side by side.
Meet Christy (39) and Tim (50) — two people who’ve turned “we’re doing this together” into a genuine way of life.
A Shared Journey, Worth Documenting
Christy and Tim didn’t come to Life Portraits for a one-off transformation photo. They came to document a shared discipline — the training sessions, the early mornings, the mutual accountability that’s kept their relationship (and their results) growing stronger for nearly two decades. Both ready to step onto the bodybuilding stage, we were honoured to capture their hard work and physiques in a couple photoshoot recently in Brisbane at the beautiful luxury Errey Haus, photoshoot location.
Why Book a Couples Fitness Shoot
There’s something different about capturing a milestone as a pair rather than solo. You built the discipline together, so you get to celebrate the outcome together.
On the day, our job is to guide you step-by-step through poses that highlight your strength, your best angles, and — just as importantly — your genuine connection, so the images feel like you, not a generic fitness stock photo.
This session was a silver, 1 hour session at a luxury home. The couple brought 3 outfits - we photographed them individually and as a couple so we had a variety of images. We had a kitchen look, striking fashion on the staircase, poolside and a few intimate moments with some beautiful lighting in the home. Tips we gave them to be prepared:
Bring lots of outfit options - suggesting 3-4 each for the photoshoot so you can have some images by yourself and as a couple
Pump up before we start or between shots - push ups, bands
Don’t worry about your tans - we retouch them!
ENJOY! Let your photographer do the work and trust them!
The Experience On the Day
Working alongside Christy and Tim’s bodybuilding and posing coaches, the session was built around showcasing real, hard-won condition — not just a physique reveal, but a celebration of nearly two decades of showing up for each other. We guided them with strong poses to show off their lines and shape!
We started the session with a chat about our goals, what outfits they had, locations we’d photograph within in the house…. and got to it!
The Transformation
Digitals capture a moment. But for Christy and Tim, this session became something bigger: a milestone marker for a partnership built on shared discipline, sacrifice, and joy. As Christy put it afterward, these are memories that will last a lifetime.
Ready to Celebrate Your Own Milestone?
Whether it’s a health goal, a body transformation, or your own couple’s journey worth celebrating, we’d love to help you document it. See our fitness and health page for more information on couples sessions.
See the original feature: https://www.instagram.com/lifeportraits.photography/p/DbVL7m2Eovf/
The 5 Words our Clients use to Describe how we make Them feel….
Before every single shoot, we ask our clients how they're feeling.
Nine times out of ten, the answer involves the word "nervous."
So we went back through our reviews and asked our clients a different question: how did you feel afterwards?
We pulled five real words from across all our 85+ reviews — and not one of them said nervous.
Here's what they actually said…
Comfortable
"The best team ever! They only continue to get better, I continuously get incredible feedback from clients after group shoots about how amazing Em was & how comfortable they are. I would never choose a different photographer. They take so much care into every single photo." — Leah Thomas
Confident
"Em & the team at Life Portraits go ABOVE and BEYOND to make their clients feel comfortable, beautiful, sexy, confident & completely in their element. I have had 2 awesome experiences with them now, I will never go elsewhere for a shoot! Can't recommend them highly enough." — Jas Paterson
Beautiful
"You treat everyone with such enthusiasm & respect... something awakens within them where they realise 'I am beautiful' & they feel so special." — Tammie Sarkozy
Empowered
"Em was so lovely. The process was new to me, but she made me comfortable & empowered. I would highly recommend! Also, I'm quite awkward with poses and she helped guide me through everything so I didn't look like a robot in the photos." — Georgia Eade
Special
"Em from Life Portraits is the quintessential professional. She is very easy going & approachable & goes out of her way to make you feel comfortable & special. Em takes pride in her work & it shows with the end product. I've used their services 4 times now & will continue to do so for many years. I highly recommend the team at Life Portraits." — Nikki Griffin
That's the Life Portraits Difference
We don't wait for you to feel confident — we build it with you. It's part of why 80+ clients have given us a five-star review, and they all say some version of the same thing afterward: they felt at ease, confident, and empowered. You'll never forget how we made you feel.
Ready to experience it yourself? Browse upcoming Brisbane studio dates →
Email us to book your custom date - let us empower you!
You Don’t Need to Wait for “Ready”: Breaking the Perfect-Body Myth Before Your photoShoot
“I would love to book a shoot, but I’m just not ready yet.”
It’s one of the most common things we hear, and if it’s playing on repeat in your head right now, you are not alone. Almost every client who messages us says some version of the same thing before they book.
THE THOUGHT THAT ALMOST KEPT HER HOME
One of our recent clients almost didn’t show up. The morning of her shoot, the doubt crept in: not enough sleep, not “camera ready,” convinced everyone else in the room would look more confident than her. She nearly cancelled. She came anyway. And by the time she left, she was already asking when she could book her next one.
THE TRAP OF WAITING FOR PERFECT
Here’s the truth: there is no finish line where you suddenly feel 100% ready. Not five kilos lighter, not after a better night’s sleep, not once your skin clears up. The version of you worth photographing is the version of you right now — the one that got you this far.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS IN YOUR FIRST FIVE MINUTES
Every Life Portraits session starts the same way, no matter how nervous you arrive: we talk before we shoot.
Five to ten minutes of chatting about what you're hoping to feel in the images, what you want to avoid, and what's actually going on in your head that morning. That conversation isn't small talk — it's how we work out exactly how much direction you'll need and what kind of energy will get you there fastest. By the tenth or fifteenth frame, your body has learned the rhythm and stops waiting for permission to move naturally.
Practical Tips to Prep (Without Overthinking It)
You don't need a rehearsed plan to walk in ready. Here's what actually helps:
Bring 2–3 outfit options, even if you think you'll only wear one. Most clients end up loving a combination they nearly left at home. If you're stuck, send us inspiration images, poses you love, or even a Pinterest board before your shoot — we'll help you refine it into a look that suits your location and vibe.
An at-home tan and stick-on nails go a long way. You don't need an expensive salon trip — small finishing touches like these round out your look without adding stress or cost to your prep.
Sleep and water matter more than a last-minute workout. A good night's sleep and staying hydrated in the 24 hours before your shoot will show up in your skin and energy far more than anything you could squeeze in at the gym the morning of.
Bring a support person if it helps you relax. A friend, partner, or coach on set to help with hair, hype you up, or just keep you company is genuinely welcome — you don't need to walk in alone.
Leave the pose plan, the specific body composition goal, and the rehearsed smile at home. That part is our job, not yours. You don't need to know how to pose, and you don't need to be in "competition shape" — 95% of our clients have never stepped in front of a professional camera before.
Know our editing philosophy going in, so you're not wondering. We use professional lighting, flattering angles, and expert posing to make you look incredible in-camera. In editing, we'll polish colour, remove temporary blemishes, and clean up the little things — but we will never artificially alter or "morph" the body you've worked so hard for. What you get back is unmistakably, beautifully you.
"I cannot begin to describe how amazing and empowered Em and Mel made me feel on the day. The energy they bring, the calmness and all round positive vibes..." — Rani W
We Don't Wait for You to Feel Confident.
We Build It Into the Shoot.
This is the part most people don't expect: confidence isn't a prerequisite for booking with us, it's something we engineer into the session itself, through three specific things.
Strategic lighting that highlights your strength, not your insecurities. Where the light falls, how it's shaped, and the angle it hits you at are all deliberate choices made before you even step into frame — designed to flatter your actual body, not an idealised one.
Hands-on posing so you never have to guess. You'll never be handed a pose and told to hold it. You'll get call-and-response direction — one small adjustment at a time (chin down, weight on your back foot, exhale) — so you're never trying to hold five instructions in your head at once.
A private, high-energy space where judgment doesn't get an invite. No mirrors to second-guess yourself in, no outside eyes, no one but a team whose entire job is to see you at your best and tell you the second they do.
We don't just take photographs. We reveal power that was already there.
We Never Wait to Be Asked: The Things We Handle in your photoshoot Before You Even Notice
By the time you'd think to bring it up,
we've already handled it.
That's not a tagline — it's genuinely how a Life Portraits shoot runs.
You don't need a checklist of things to remember or worry about on the day. Here's exactly what we're doing in the background while you're focused on nothing but feeling good in front of the camera.
Most of the nerves around a first photoshoot don't actually come from the camera. They come from all the tiny "what ifs" running in the background — What if my strap's twisted and nobody tells me? What if I don't know what to do with my hands? What if there's a pimple in every single shot
Here's the thing: at Life Portraits, we never wait to be asked. We're already on it. Below are four things we quietly handle on every single shoot, so you can stop carrying the weight of them.
1. We Check Your Angles
You don't have to carry the pressure of knowing how to pose. Before you've even glanced at the camera, we've already adjusted your stance to suit your body and shifted the lighting to enhance your best angles.
Posing isn't something you need to arrive already knowing — it's something we direct you through, down to your fingertips.
2. We Fix the Little Things
A twisted strap. A tag sticking out. A flyaway hair catching the light.
These are the things that quietly wreck a shot — and exactly what we're watching for constantly, sorted before you even realise it was a problem. We call it real-time retouching: keeping every frame clean and elite as we go, not just in post-production.
3. We Hype You Up
Confidence needs a soundtrack, and we bring it.
Every single click gets a reaction — "yes, that's it," "queen," "who is she?!" It's not performative. It's how we keep the energy high enough that camera nerves genuinely melt away within the first few minutes, until you're directing your own poses without even realising it.
4. We Edit That Too
Pimple flare-up the morning of your shoot? Random bruise from leg day? A patchy tan line, a stray hair, someone's bag in the background? We've got you.
Professional skin editing and cleanup is already built into your final images — it's not an upsell, and it's not something you'll ever need to bring up. It's simply part of how we work. (Our line in the sand: we'll polish, we'll clean up, we'll colour-grade — but we'll never artificially morph the body you've worked so hard for.)
That's the Life Portraits Difference
We don't wait to be asked — we make sure it's already handled. It's part of why over 85 clients have given us a five-star review, and why they all say some version of the same thing afterward: they felt at ease, confident and empowered. You'll never forget how we made you feel.
Curious what the full journey looks like, from booking your date to gallery day? Read our step-by-step guide to planning your photoshoot (link once published).
Ready to experience it for yourself? Browse upcoming Brisbane studio dates →
Or DM us on Instagram and we'll talk you through exactly what to expect.
5 Ways We Make You Feel Unstoppable: A Guide to the Life Portraits Photography Experience
We don't just take pictures. We create experiences that make you feel unstoppable — however you're celebrating your journey.
Chances are, if you're reading this, you've felt the same flicker of nerves every single one of our clients has felt before booking.
Will I know how to pose? What do I even wear? Do I deserve imagery like this?
Here's the truth: over 85 five-star reviews in, it's rarely about the camera settings.
It's about the experience around the camera — the guidance, the hype, the feeling of being genuinely seen.
So whether you're chasing a fitness milestone, celebrating your own skin, telling your love story, building a brand, or rewarding a team that's worked their hearts out, here are the five ways we turn "nervous energy" into "I can't believe this is me."
1. Fitness & Health — Document Your Dedication
You tracked the macros. You worked hard in the gym. You pushed your limits. Whether you're stepping off a bodybuilding competition stage, celebrating a weight-loss milestone, or simply documenting your strength, you deserve imagery that matches your dedication — not a stiff, forced smile that doesn't reflect the work you put in.
And if you're worried about feeling awkward? Don't be. When you shoot with Life Portraits, you're not just getting a photographer — you're getting a posing coach, an expert director, and a personal hype woman rolled into one.
We guide you through every single movement, down to your fingertips, so you can step in front of the lens with absolute, unapologetic confidence. You don't need to be in "competition shape" to book — 95% of our clients have never stood in front of a professional camera before.
"Em made me feel so comfortable & confident, guiding me on how to best showcase my physique while still keeping it feminine. Her direction was so professional yet warm." — Jacinta
Fitness & Health section → lifeportraits.photography/healthfitness
2. Boudoir — Feel Confident and Seen
A safe, supportive space to celebrate self-love, personal milestones, pre-bridal moments, or connection through sensual, beautiful imagery. Nervous? That's completely normal — our posing guidance means you'll feel like a supermodel within the first five minutes.
This isn't about the lingerie or the lighting. It's about the moment you remember you're allowed to feel beautiful, exactly as you are, right now. We welcome every body type, every age, every background, because everyone deserves to be seen and celebrated exactly as they are today.
Your privacy is guaranteed — we will never share your images without your explicit, written permission.
"I'm quite awkward with poses & she helped guide me through everything so I didn't look like a robot in the photos." — Georgia
Boudoir section → lifeportraits.photography/boudoir-glamour-photography
3. Teams & Groups — Celebrate Your Community
An empowering group experience for coaches to celebrate their clients' progress and build real community — photographed at a stunning location for up to 6, 10, or 15 people. Clients consistently tell us it's the most fun they've had at a photoshoot, leaving with a confidence they've never felt before.
We handle the location, the lighting, the posing, and the hype, so you can just be the VIP host while your team feels like an absolute supermodel squad. Every package includes both epic group shots and individual portraits your clients will treasure — plus a fully licensed image library you can use to market your next challenge.
"You treat everyone with such enthusiasm & respect… something awakens within them where they realise 'I am beautiful' & they feel so special." — Tammie Sarkozy, Coach & 12× Team Shoot Client
Teams section → lifeportraits.photography/team-group-photoshoots
4. Couples — Capture Your Love
The ultimate, boundary-pushing fun experience. We expertly direct you through natural, intimate posing that celebrates your connection — steamy, soft, or romantic, we make you feel completely at ease.
At Life Portraits, we don't do awkward. Whether you're a fitness power couple who trains together, a pair wanting an intimate studio session, or you'd rather keep it soft and lifestyle-driven on a beach at golden hour, we act as your directors — guiding you through natural movements and prompts so you can stop stressing about where to put your hands and start focusing on each other. Within ten minutes, the nerves disappear and it just feels like a fun date that happens to be professionally photographed.
Couples section → lifeportraits.photography/couples
5. Commercial, Branding & Lifestyle —
Build Your Vision. Your Brand.
Growing a brand? We create a strategic library of commercial, branding and lifestyle imagery designed to build trust with your audience and elevate your marketing. This is where craft meets strategy.
Whether it's headshots, product imagery, architecture, or a full lifestyle library for your social media and website, this is about walking away with more than "just photos" — it's a visual asset library that works as hard for your business as you do. (This is the home of our sister account, @lifeportraits.branding, for anyone building a brand instead of a body of work.)
"The gold standard of commercial photography!!!" — Julian D'Souza
Branding section → lifeportraits.photography/commercial-branding
Ready to Feel Iconic?
With 85+ five-star reviews and clients returning for their 10th shoot and beyond, we've built a legacy on making you look and feel iconic — whatever your journey. Our work speaks for itself, but our clients say it best.
"I had the best experience with Em for my first photoshoot, ever! She was amazing at guiding me throughout the process and what to expect. I loved the process but am even more in love with the photos!" — Suraya
Which one's calling your name?
Browse upcoming Brisbane studio dates and book your session →
Building a brand rather than a body of work? Head to @lifeportraits.branding or explore our Commercial & Branding services.
Why Professional Hair & Makeup is a MUST have for your Photoshoot
We hear this question a lot….
Is professional hair and makeup really worth booking before a photoshoot, or is it just a nice-to-have?
After 15 years and thousands of sessions, our answer hasn’t changed.
YES.
It’s not vanity — it’s a strategic part of how the whole day works.
Camera Optimisation.
Professional makeup for photography is engineered completely differently to your everyday routine. It’s formulated to balance high-intensity studio lighting, prevent flash-back shine, and stay flawless under high-resolution lenses for hours at a time — not the ten minutes your bathroom mirror needs to survive.
Confidence Insurance.
The bigger shift happens before the camera even comes out. When you look in the mirror and see your features beautifully elevated, your posture changes. The nerves that walked in the door with you start to melt away, and you step onto set already owning the room.
Our Trusted Squad.
You never have to guess who to trust with your face on shoot day. We only work with elite, trusted hair and makeup artists across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast who understand our lighting styles and our pace.
What This Means for
Photoshoot Day.
Clients who arrive styled and camera-ready consistently walk away with stronger images — not because they look more “done”, but because they feel more like themselves, faster. That confidence shows up in every single frame.
If you’re booking a fitness, boudoir or branding session with us and want our trusted HMU recommendations, just ask — we’re always happy to point you in the right direction.
Ready to book your Life Portraits session? Get in touch via the Contact page or DM us on Instagram @lifeportraits.photography.
Em x
Our trusted suppliers.
Brisbane: Shique Beauty, Lira Bahtiri, Lydia Hilton
Gold Coast: Xsentuate, Lenise Pattini, Katarina Makeup Artist
Sunshine Coast: Hannah Mills, Rikki Rose, Madeliene J Makeup
How to Plan Your Dream Photoshoot: A Step-by-Step Guide (Without the Nerves)
You've thought about it more than once.
Maybe it's a fitness milestone you want to document, a weight-loss journey you're proud of, a milestone birthday, a sensual boudoir session, documenting your relationship, a group or team celebration or a personal brand that's finally ready to look as good as the work you're putting into it.
And every time the thought crosses your mind, something quietly talks you out of it — I'll book when I'm fitter. I'll book when I feel more confident. I'll book... one day…
Here's what fifteen years and over a thousand shoots has taught me:"one day" never shows up on its own. Readiness was never about your body. It's a decision — and the moment you make it, everything else falls into place.
That's exactly why we built the Life Portraits booking process the way we did. Not to test you, not to demand perfection before you even walk in the door, but to take every ounce of overthinking off your plate so all you have to do is show up. Below is the exact roadmap — from that first flicker of "maybe" to holding a gallery of images you'll treasure for life.
Step 1:
Define Your Goal
Before you book anything, get clear on what you're actually celebrating.
Are you marking a hard-won fitness milestone?
A body transformation you've earned the right to be proud of?
Building a personal brand or business that needs imagery to match your ambition?
Rewarding a team or gym community for their hard work?
Life Portraits was built around a dual belief: that your body is worth celebrating exactly as it is today, and that your brand deserves the same level of care. That's why our packages span Fitness & Health, Boudoir & Glamour, Branding & Commercial, and Team Photoshoots— each directed to make you look and feel unstoppable, whatever season you're in.
And to be clear: you do not need to be in "competition shape," camera-ready, or a single kilo lighter than you are right now. We photograph everyday people, fitness enthusiasts, competitive athletes, wellness coaches, and ambitious founders — every body type, every stage of the journey.
SWIPE through our outfit and styling inspiration guide below!
Step 2: Claim Your Calendar Block
Once you know what you're booking, head to our Brisbane studio scheduler to browse upcoming session dates across our curated locations — think iconic gyms, architectural homes, and professional studios around Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Select the date, style and package that works for you, then secure it with a deposit.
Don't see a date that suits you? Email us directly and we'll work with you to lock in a custom time, location and package.
A word of honesty: the butterflies usually kick in the second your booking is confirmed. That's completely normal, and honestly, it's a good sign — it means this matters to you.
The moment your deposit lands, our pre-shoot planning process kicks into gear so you're never left wondering what happens next. Communication is key for us!
Step 3:
The Prep Protocol
This is where we take the guesswork out of your hands entirely. In the lead-up to your session, you'll work through:
Styling & moodboard— curating outfits that make you feel like the strongest, most "you" version of yourself. Send us inspiration images, poses you love, or a Pinterest board — whatever helps us understand your vision, we'll help you refine it.
Hair & makeup - Help with booking one of our trusted suppliers. This is all sent out in an email as part of your booking proposal. See our hair and makeup blog HERE.
Tans & nails — small finishing touches that make a big difference on camera. We typically suggest an easy at-home tan and stick-on nails to round things out, no expensive salon trip required.
Every recommendation exists for one reason: so that on the day itself, you're not managing fifty small decisions. You're just showing up.
Step 4: Step Into the Experience
From the second you walk through the door, Creative Director, Emily MacDonald and the Life Portraits team take over. This isn't a stand-still-and-smile kind of shoot — it's hands-on, high-energy direction that guides you down to your fingertips.
No stiff, mannequin poses. No wondering what to do with your hands. Just an experienced team creating an environment engineered to melt camera nerves fast, so you feel safe, seen, and — by the second outfit change — like an absolute supermodel.
This is the part clients consistently tell us they underestimated. You don't need modelling experience walking in. You need a team who knows exactly how to direct you — which is precisely what fifteen years, a Telstra Business Awards Top 5 Finalist title, and a Lord Mayor's Women in Business Grant have been built on.
Step 5:
Your Visual Legacy
After your session, you'll receive a breathtaking, high-end gallery that captures your strength, your dedication, and — most importantly — who you actually are, not a stiff, over-posed version of you.
These aren't just photos to scroll past once. They're assets: images that celebrate a milestone you'll want to look back on, and imagery that carries real authority across your personal brand, your business, or your social presence. It's the difference between images you post once and images that keep working for you.
Ready to Take the Leap?
You don't need modelling experience. You don't need the "perfect" body. You need a team you can trust — and over 80 five-star reviews from clients who walked in nervous and walked out feeling like a pro say we take that seriously.
Browse upcoming Brisbane studio dates and book your session →
Prefer to talk it through first? Email us at info@lifeportraits.photography or DM @lifeportraits.photography — we're always happy to help you find the right fit before you commit to a date.
Gym Fitness Photoshoots: How they're the best location to capture your physique
Are you a fitness enthusiast? Or maybe someone who's on a personal fitness journey, perhaps you’re even training to compete? Whatever your goals may be, Life Portraits has worked with clients like you and more. We understand that each client's needs and personality are unique, and we tailor our shoots accordingly, resulting in different looks and results each time.
Don't let the expectation that your photos will look like everyone else's, or the fear of limited options hold you back from booking a shoot at your favorite gym or fitness space. There are, after all, no limits when you approach it with a creative mind!
We've been to different gyms and fitness spaces, whether for our own health and fitness, or to document other people's journeys, and we've found that each location has a vastly different atmosphere, which is reflected in the photos. You know the vibe of your gym- that might be why you picked it in the first place!
Whether you want pictures that document you lifting your heaviest weight to date, something more posed, or an image that captures how you feel in the space you've chosen, don't discount the gym as a viable option for your photo shoot.
How to Prepare for Your Photoshoot: Tips from International Model & New Life Portraits Employee Colly!
Maybe you’re going into your first ever shoot, or maybe planning for your fifth! Either way, you’ll want to know how to really elevate your results and create images with your photographer that you’ll be proud of, to show off to friends and family… or maybe just as a gift to that special someone.
Over hundreds of photoshoots and almost a decade of modelling, I’ve refined my shoot preparations and posing to now get the best possible results each time. There’s no one-size fits all guide, as the key thing which will make a photoshoot successful is whether you are comfortable. So take whichever tips suit you most.
I’m thrilled to share these tips and tricks for a successful photoshoot with you!
Preparing for the shoot:
Moisturise your skin, but not too much that it leaves marks on furniture. Dry skin can look dull in photos, where cared-for skin will look supple and healthy, and more evenly catch the light
Having professional hair and makeup will create a beautiful finish to your skin, but not compulsory. It depends on the look you’re trying to achieve and where the shoot is taking place. For example if you’re wanting to create a boho look, you’ll want to keep it minimal and possibly outdoors in natural light. If you’re going for a fitness, glamour or studio look, lights and flash will blast through most day makeup.
Hair with texture, curled or natural, looks best. Avoid straightened hair- unless its part of the look you’re after, such as sleek or fashion styles.
Avoid taking all black outfits or large amounts of black clothing, as it can swallow light and make it hard to define your shape in photos.
Check out the photographer's social media profiles and their portfolio to get an idea of what to expect. Communicate with them what you have in mind before the photoshoot. Something to consider here is the photographers editing style too. Make it clear what you do and don’t want in the pictures now, to save time later.
If its an outdoor shoot, a longer indoor one, or you have long travel time, take water and a hat. I’ve gotten sunburnt and dehydrated on too many shoots and not only is that bad for the obvious reasons, but it will show in the photos and you won’t have a great time.
For winter photoshoots or windy locations, prepare for cold conditions, take a jacket.
On the shoot:
Most poses benefit from breathing high into your chest instead of your abdomen to accentuate your hourglass shape.
Pimples and temporary imperfections can be removed in post-production, so don't worry about them. In fact, just forget all about them! The less on your mind, the better your expression will sit. Often the most beautiful photos are caught between poses or in a moment when you’re just relaxing. On that note:
Think of things that make you happy. I know this sounds unrelated, but people have micro-expressions. Tiny tensions around the eyes and mouth or just the slightest increment of the head angle can change how an expression is perceived altogether. Thinking of your pet or your partner or something nice that has happened to you will come out in the photo. And hey, even if it doesn’t, now you’ve spent time thinking about something that makes you happy, so its a win anyway!
If you have a lot of hair, keep it on one side to avoid losing your neck or jaw in photos
Point your toes to elongate your legs.
Lips slightly parted helps to create a soft and relaxed expression. Softly exhaling through your lips helps too.
Communicate. If something is suggested that you aren’t sure about or isn’t really ‘you’, simply say it.
Aim for a handful of excellent shots instead of cramming in too many outfits or poses. Quality over quantity is key.
Remember to relax and have fun during your photoshoot!
Colly x
The Life Portraits Photoshoot Experience: The Process from Enquiry to Post Photoshoot
The Life Portraits Photoshoot Experience:
The Process from Enquiry to Post Photoshoot
The answer to all your photoshoot questions!
We're thrilled that you're considering the Life Portraits team to capture your health, fitness, or boudoir memories! Congratulations on taking those vital first steps towards your health and wellness goals and considering capturing this memorable time in your life. We're genuinely excited about the prospect of joining you on this journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
Your decision to choose Life Portraits is not just about photographs; it's an investment in a memory, a memory that will tell the story of your dedication, progress, and transformation. Let us be your visual storytellers, preserving these extraordinary moments for eternity.
See our full process and planning tips to booking your photoshoot!
BOOKING YOUR SHOOT DAY
We have a calendar full of photoshoot days at a range of locations across South East Queensland including luxury homes, gyms, the beach and the LP studio in Brisbane. You can check the availability and book these sessions online HERE.
If these dates don't align with your schedule, or if you'd like to propose a new studio or location day, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. Our extensive selection of locations can be viewed in our gallery HERE.
PRICING
We take pride in offering a diverse range of packages tailored to meet your unique requirements. Our pricing structure is organised into four distinct areas, encompassing both photography and videography services:
Portrait photoshoots - Personal use, whether it's a special celebration or simply to preserve precious memories
Branding/business photoshoots - Business, marketing or promotion use on websites, instagram. Includes licensing for web, social and editorial.
Videography - Professional videography of your photography experience
Social content packages - Monthly photo & video social content subscriptions see more HERE
NOTE: Packages below include location day costs (booking your shoot on one of our photoshoot days) & travel (Brisbane, Sunny Coast & GC areas, Australian tours may be additional).
INTRODUCING VIDEOGRAPHY: ELEVATE YOUR VISUAL STORY
Experience the magic of having our dedicated LP videographer right there with you during your photoshoot. Transform your photoshoot into an unforgettable experience by adding videography to your package. With our videography add-on packages below, you'll receive a captivating highlight reel that brings your moments to life as well as the unedited video from your session as a keepsake.
SOCIAL CONTENT PACKAGES:
Level up your social presence & attract new customers with high quality, engaging content! Plan your marketing & social strategy in advance by purchasing a bundle of photoshoot hours & use them on our photoshoot days or at your location over a 6 month period.
FAQ BOOK & BEHIND THE SCENES
Want to get an insight into the LP experience? Explore our rich collection of engaging content below, where we offer a sneak peek into behind-the-scenes moments and share valuable tips and tricks to help you prepare for your upcoming session
BLOGS - Behind the scenes, photoshoot tips & much more
YOUTUBE - Great for behind the scenes footage of our shoots
INSTAGRAM - A must visit to see our style and different locations!
FACEBOOK - See our 5 star reviews, client work and updates
PLANNING
Style of imagery: Have you got example imagery that is inspiration for your photoshoot? We are open to any of your ideas and love to see what you have in mind to make your photoshoot unique and creative. We've created a range of Pinterest boards with example imagery styles so you can see the style you like as well as sourcing inspiration from our current work on our INSTAGRAM. If you can pop your favourites into a word document and send them to me this will be a huge help with our planning. See our PINTEREST.
Hair & Makeup: While hair and makeup services may not be included in your package, we highly recommend considering this option to truly elevate your photoshoot experience. Our professional stylists have the expertise to make you look and feel like a million dollars, ensuring you shine in every shot." See our recommended suppliers by location below:
BRISBANE: Shique Beauty | Lira Bahtiri | Lydia Hilton
SUNSHINE COAST: Hannah Mills | Lacuna Beauty
GOLD COAST: Lenise Pattini | Katrina Makeup Artist | Xsentuate Makeup
Styling: If you are overwhelmed by clothing choices and outfits, we can organise styling for you! Have your outfits customised to you, jewellery, shoes and posing support! Please let us know if you'd like us to organise this for you, we can have this as an add on to your package.
HOW TO BOOK
Booking with LP is a straightforward process. Here's what you can expect:
Enquiry Stage: You would have found us either through social media, the website or recommended from a friend. We will send you the above information in an email to secure your photoshoot date/location and package.
Booking Proposal: After securing your date, location & package, we'll send you a comprehensive online booking proposal that locks in your photoshoot. This contains your dedicated photography contract and all the essential planning details for your upcoming photoshoot.
Securing Your Booking: To secure your desired date and time, we kindly request a $250 non-refundable booking fee. Following this, we offer monthly payments leading up to your photo session.
Cancellation Policy: While we understand that plans can change, we have a cancellation policy in place to ensure fair scheduling for all our clients.
Cancellation within 2 Weeks: If you cancel your photoshoot within 2 weeks of the session, a cancellation fee of $50 will be applied in addition to your chosen package. However, any fees that have been paid, we will honour this towards another shoot for up to 12 months from cancellation. If you don't want to rebook, unfortunately you lose all fees paid.
Cancellation within a Week: If you cancel within a week of the session, regrettably, all payments made will be forfeited.
AFTER YOUR PHOTOSHOOT
We hope you're eagerly anticipating your photoshoot experience with Life Portraits. We wanted to provide you with an overview of what to expect next in the process.
1. Online Proof Gallery: Up to 2 weeks post photoshoot
Following your photoshoot, you will receive an online proof gallery with the first stage of colour editing done (no retouching). This gallery will serve as your canvas for choosing your favourite images, which are included as part of your chosen package.
2. Additional Image Options
Should you desire more images than what your package includes, we offer the opportunity to expand your collection through our available upgrade options and exquisite artwork. Please feel free to email us if you wish to upgrade.
3. Editing & Finals Delivered: Up to 2 weeks from submission of finals
Once you submit your final selection of images from the proof gallery, we will begin final post production. Our packages include professional editing of your final selections, and these images will be provided to you in colour and black and white, in high resolution and a logo via an online gallery.
Now, the exciting part begins! We can't wait to embark on the creative journey of transforming your chosen images into something fun and unique, tailored specifically to your vision. Your ideas and input are highly valued, so please don't hesitate to reach out at any stage if you have any questions or if you'd like to share your thoughts.
Want to know more about LP? You can find out more about our specialisations below on our website:
Thanks from the LP Team: Andy, Em, Melanie & Colly
A Guide to a Successful Male Fitness Photoshoot Experience
Life Portraits’ mission is to empower individuals with confidence on their health and fitness journey by providing high-quality professional photography services that showcase their strength, beauty and dedication.
The LP team strives to create a safe and inclusive environment for all clients, promoting wellness, inclusivity and comfort in their body image. Fitness photography has witnessed a surge in popularity over the past few years, with both men and women striving to showcase their hard-earned physical achievements. Whether that’s to celebrate a health or wellbeing goal, a bodybuilding content or just because, we can help you!
For the LP team, capturing the perfect image in male fitness photography can be a very rewarding experience. However, it requires more than just knowing your camera settings, it’s about getting to know your client, what they want to feature about their physique and lighting the body correctly. In this guide, we'll explore the steps to create an exceptional male fitness photoshoot experience from a photographer's perspective.
Understand Your Client's Vision
The first step to a successful male fitness photoshoot is understanding your client's vision and goals. Sit down with them, discuss their fitness journey, and ask what they want to achieve with the photos. Are they looking for inspiration, promoting a brand, or simply documenting their progress? Knowing their expectations will help you tailor the shoot accordingly.Plan the Concept and Location
Once you have a clear understanding of your client's goals, collaborate to develop a concept for the photoshoot. Decide on a theme or mood that aligns with their vision and select a suitable location. Fitness photos can be captured in gyms, luxury houses, natural outdoor settings, or the studio, so choose one that complements the theme. LP have a range of photoshoot days to choose from on our website HERE for clients or they can choose from a gallery of locations.Lighting is Key
Lighting plays a crucial role in any photography genre, but it's especially important in fitness photography. For male subjects, harsh lighting can accentuate muscle definition and create striking contrasts. Experiment with different lighting setups, such as natural light, flash photography or continuous lighting, to achieve the desired effect. LP TIP: To bring out muscles and definition try to aim for a high positioned light source on an angle.Communicate and Direct
Communication is key during the photoshoot. Make sure you communicate clearly with your model, offering guidance on poses and expressions. Remember that not all fitness models are experienced in front of the camera, so provide gentle direction and positive feedback to help them feel at ease.Capture Authenticity
While it's important to aim for aesthetically pleasing shots, don't forget to capture the authenticity of the fitness journey. Candid shots of your client in action, pushing their limits, can be incredibly powerful and relatable. These shots can show the hard work and dedication that goes into maintaining a fit lifestyle.
Male fitness photography offers a unique opportunity to showcase the dedication, discipline, and hard work of individuals on their fitness journeys. As a photographer, your role is to capture these qualities and create visually stunning images that resonate with your clients and their audience. By understanding their vision, planning carefully, and executing the shoot with skill and creativity, you can provide an exceptional fitness photography experience that your clients will cherish for years to come.
By using our creativity and innovative techniques, we aim to deliver unique images that capture the essence of each client's journey. Our commitment to building trust with our clients, excellence in customer service and a high quality product is at the forefront of everything we do.
Frequently Asked Questions of Fitness, Health & Boudoir Photoshoots: Brisbane Health, Fitness & Boudoir Photography
The Team at Life Portraits are the fitness, health & boudoir specialists and we love creating unique and personalised imagery for each individual.
Whether your photoshoot is a weight transformation photoshoot, bodybuilding photoshoot, a portrait session with your family documenting your results, boudoir or more professional images for your social branding, we can help you.
After working in the health and fitness industries heavily over the past few years, we have learnt from our clients that getting a photoshoot can sometimes be one of the most daunting things you’ll do. but at the same time get you out of your comfort zone and make you feel incredibly positive about your self-esteem and body image.
That’s why we have created a comprehensive frequently asked questions e-book to help all our potential clients that explains the process of booking, payment, FAQ's, example styles of imagery and outfits, delivery of your images and planning. Feel free to download the full booklet HERE or read below to find out more. We've also created this great blog post on the 7 tips to nailing your first photoshoot which features behind the scenes vlogs and lots of tips and tricks, you can see our blog HERE.
You can see our work at www.lifeportraits.photography/fitness or all our current work on our instagram at @lifeportraits_fitnessWe will go through all of this in more detail below. Together, the LP team will make you feel comfortable, at ease and most importantly you will be so proud of the end result.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Whether this is your first photoshoot or you’ve done this before, we like to guide our clients through the Life Portraits planning and ideas process in order to create something unique with the LP WOW factor. Prepare for a run experience with the passionate LP Team.
As part of our pre-photoshoot planning approach, we will help you through the following steps:
Locations - we supply a full location gallery of suburbs of Brisbane to assist in your planning
Outfits - how to coordinate this with your location and we provide Pinterest boards to help you
Style of imagery - we help guide your style - boudoir, fitness, glamour, fashion which is now all detailed in our e-book with example imagery
We pride ourselves on a seamless experience, creating the most striking, beautiful and high quality imagery that matches your vision and style.
OUR PROCESS
Preparing for a photoshoot can be daunting so Life Portraits want to ensure that you are aware of the process from pre-photoshoot planning, to your photoshoot day to post photoshoot with the delivery of your images. Our priority is to ensure you enjoy the experience, have fun, with no stress involved.
INITIAL CONTACT: At the initial stages of all enquiries we provide our packages & pricing, planning information & possible dates for your photoshoot. From here, if you wish to book with us, we will email you a detailed email & a booking proposal.
BOOKING PROPOSAL - A booking proposal is emailed to you detailing the services that LP will be providing, your package options, a questionnaire to assist planning, an online legal portrait contract & payment portal for the selected package. Once this booking proposal is signed by you, the final stage of the proposal is to pay a 50% non-refundable booking fee* to secure the session, with the remainder 50% being paid the week of your photoshoot. After the booking proposal is signed & payment has been made, you will be sent an email with login details to access your own Life Portraits portal. This features your details, contracts, galleries & invoices. The proposal is signed by both parties electronically via our online database and becomes a legal binding document. *Booking fee can be transferred to another photoshoot if cancelled.
PAYMENT OPTIONS - Payment can be made via the booking proposal portal by Paypal, credit card or bank transfer. We also offer Interest free payment plans and this information is sent at the initial stages of booking. We require $150 upfront then regular payments leading up to your photoshoot. If you have any issues with the payment terms, we can discuss this in the initial stages of booking to create a payment option that works for you.
HAIR, MAKEUP, TAN & STYLING - For all our sessions we recommend you get professional hair, makeup & tan done so you look & feel your best. We have teamed up with the best in the industry to provide these services, we recommend using Shique Beauty shiquebeauty.com.au
And if you’re wanting to have your photoshoot styled with clothing to look your best, Clique Styling are your ladies!PREPARING FOR YOUR PHOTOSHOOT - The LP team will keep in regular contact with you leading up to your session, in particular the week before your photoshoot. To be prepared for the session, we suggest ensuring the following things are done:
Hair/make-up/tan booked
Outfits organised
Aware of locations & timings
Have your photographers details
AFTER YOUR PHOTOSHOOT - Within 2 weeks of your photoshoot, Life Portraits will send you a full online proof gallery with basic editing on your images to give you an idea of the style and colour tones of the end result. From this gallery there is a favouriting system where you choose your final images as part of your package to be edited. Once you have submitted your final images, LP will professionally edit these images and have them delivered to you within 2 weeks. An online gallery will be sent via email with a logo & non logo version of all your images. If you wish to purchase additional images to your package, you have the option to purchase in bundles after your shoot. We also have artwork available such as albums, wall art & coffee table art that would make beautiful pieces in your home. We will provide a full pricebook of artwork with your gallery.
SOCIAL MEDIA - We ask that when posting images to social media, that you use the logo versions of your images and tag Life Portraits. When posting on instagram please tag @lifeportraits_fitness LP will use your imagery in social media and the website unless you have stated otherwise in your questionnaire.
FREQUENCY ASKED QUESTIONS - FITNESS, HEALTH & BOUDOIR PHOTOSHOOTS BRISBANE
PREPARING FOR YOUR PHOTOSHOOT
Do I worry about getting professional hair, makeup & tan done or can I do it myself?
INVEST IN THE PROFESSIONALS! If there’s any advice we can give our clients, invest in getting our hair & makeup done professionally as it looks a million dollars in your final photos. We also suggest a home or professional tan which is great for making the skin look more seamless in photos. Go darker than you normally would as this comes up great in the images & we can play with the colour of the tan/darkness in post production.
Don’t’ forget the little details, nails & toes. You can get them done professionally or just buy some & put them on. As per our process page, we suggest Shique Beauty in Brisbane for all our photoshoots. They are the dream team!
I’m unsure about what style of photoshoot I should do?
The first step to planning a photoshoot is to determine the style of imagery you want. Once you have secured this style we can then guide you in choosing your location, outfits and types of posing. We provide a pinterest gallery of examples to help you decide what you’d like to do. These styles include:
Boudoir - lingerie, bedroom, topless, sexy
Fitness gym - fitness wear in the gym, workout style images
Fitness fashion - fashion clothing showing off your fit body with some fitness style poses, urban street settings, coloured walls
Beach - bikini or fashion on the beach, tree areas, boardwalk
Lifestyle - Business imagery, portraits, ‘candid’ imagery,
We will show examples of this in the following pages from our own client photoshoots.
Have you got any examples of behind the scenes on photoshoots?
Yes we do! These Vlogs feature how to prepare, tips on posing, outfits and behind the scenes fun. This will give you a good idea of how we work.
How do I choose a location?
You’re in luck! At Life Portraits we provide our clients with a full suburb breakdown of locations around Brisbane as well as houses, studios & gyms. Once you have the style of imagery that you want, we can then match a location to this style. Common locations include; gym, beach, graffiti walls, coloured walls, street style, lifestyle greenery open spaces, apartments/houses for boudoir. You can see lots of great examples on our instagram page.
Have you got any ideas for where I can get outfits for my photoshoot?
The style of your photoshoot will dictate the outfits you will wear. We outline some ideas below, however there are numerous places you can go online and instore to purchase:
Local designers
Online: Zaful, Shein, Peddal & Pup, Pretty Little Thing, Runway the Label, Fashion Nova, Beginning Boutique
Kmart/Target/Big W/Best & Less - You would be surprised the finds!
Ryderwear, Muscle Nation, Echt, Gymshark, Lorna Jane, Lululemon
OR get Clique Styling to style your outfits for you - they come to the photoshoot with your outfits and help you on the day
Common ideas include bikinis, one pieces leotards or bodysuits, booty pants, fashion wear, fishnets, lingerie, sports wear, leather jackets & boots, body crystals etc. Narrow down your outfits depending if it’s a silver or old package, Have them all ready in a bag for your photoshoot day, dressed in outfit 1 to start the session.
THE DAY OF THE PHOTOSHOOT
How do I prepare for the photoshoot day? What do I need to know?
You’ve done all the hard work to get to this point, now you want to look a million dollars for your photos!
1. Make sure you have a bag packed the night before so you’re not rushed for the photoshoot, you’re calm & ready for the day. The bag should have your outfits, shoes, a towel to wipe off oil if we spray you for sheen, a sheet for getting changed on location, pump up bands, snacks, water & MUSIC! We usually bring a speaker, so have your favourite spotify list ready to go to help you get into the groove in your shoot.
2. We always suggest that you get your hair, makeup & tan done professionally so that you are looking 10/10 for your photoshoot. Having this done reflects in your photos, looks a million dollars & boosts your confidence. Have this done a few hours before your photoshoot so you can come straight from the appointment to your photoshoot. Allow 2-3 hours for hair/makeup & travel.
3. Text your photographer when you leave hair/makeup & give them an update on how you’re going. We suggest you arrive 10 mins or so early to your photoshoot location so you can relax & pump up if necessary.
I don’t know how to pose, help!?
Don’t worry at all about posing, we always hop in & show you some poses first, give you some ideas & then let you run with it. We put on music to get you in the groove to help you with motion & feeling relaxed.
AFTER YOUR PHOTOSHOOT
What happens after the photoshoot? How do I get the photos? Do I choose or do you choose the finals?
After your photoshoot, please allow up to a week or so for us to create & email your online proof gallery. This gallery is all your images from the shoot (minus blinks & the BTS mess up shots haha) with our colour tones on them with no final post production done. Then the fun part comes, choosing your final images based on your package! We have a simple gallery favouriting system, for the images you want, click the love heart below the images.
Once you’ve picked all your final images, go to the top right hand corner & ‘submit to photographer’. It’s always nice to follow us up with an email to say you’ve submitted & let us know what you thought of the photoshoot. If you want more images than what your package includes, as mentioned previously, we allow single image purchases, 10 image upgrades or the full package (50 images). This is all detailed with pricing and options in your proof gallery email. Once you’ve picked your finals and submitted to us, we then get to work on those finals. Please allow up to 2-3 weeks for the final images to be edited and delivered back to you as an online gallery ready for download.
Can I purchase artwork on top of my digital package? What do you have on offer?
Yes we do! We have a range of wall art, albums, prints and coffee table art on offer. We send this information through with a pricebook on delivery of your final images.
OTHER QUESTIONS
Can I do some fitness imagery, some boudoir and maybe a couple of more professional ones for my business or LinkedIn?
In your session, we allow you to do any look you like. Even if you want to get a couple of photographs with your partner, we are happy to accommodate this also. We just remind clients of timing and if you’re wanting to get a bit more variety with different looks, we suggest the 2 hour Gold Package.
Can I brings someone along to the photoshoot for support?
YES OF COURSE!
What if I want to book a session, but can’t pay the 50% up-front straight away? Have you got other options?
Yes we do. We have a payment plan option which is detailed in your email, or we can setup a weekly/fortnightly payment system in our database to help you pay the photoshoot off over time. We are very open to helping our clients as this is an investment you will cherish for a lifetime.
What if I have a preference for a female/male photographer?
Life Portraits has both male and female photographers, so just let us know your preference.
If I want to do my photoshoot in the studio, how does that work?
We offer studio photography as one of our options in our locations gallery, however they are an additional cost to your photoshoot package as we hire the studio for your session. If you’re interested in doing the studio session, let us know when booking and we can add the additional cost to your total package.
Can I get black and white images in my package?
We sometimes do a black and white version of your images if it looks great. Let us know if you love black and white images and we can do this.
Brisbane Health & Fitness Photography | Brisbane Boudoir Photography | Brisbane Commercial Photography
4 Stunning Couples Photography Themes: Gym, Studio, Nude, Lifestyle & Storytelling
Needing help planning your couples photoshoot? Here are some beautiful themes to document the love between you and your partner
When planning a couples photoshoot one of the main thing to think about is…
What do you and your partner love doing together?
This can play a big part in what style of photoshoot you do. If you love health and fitness, a gym or beach photoshoot might be for you, if you both love nature and relaxing more, maybe an outdoor couples session would be best. Here are some ideas below for 6 themes that we love!
Gym/Fitness: If you both have a passion for health and fitness or are ready to compete in a bodybuilding competition, the gym might be a great location for your photoshoot. We can do single sessions and images together to document your strength individuality and together. We guide with posing and help you along the way. You can suggest your own gym or we have a couple of great gyms in our LOCATIONS GALLERY
Studio/Nude: If you want to capture a more sexy studio session with black and whites, emphasising the lines and shapes of the body then this is the theme for you! In the studio you can have a mix of fitness and sexy. We can create beautiful nude style imagery with glimpses of light or a more bright white look. We have some great examples in the gallery below of some nude, fitness and jeans and Calvin Kleins theme.
Lifestyle/Outdoor: If you and your partner are more relaxed and want the photoshoot to be more about the two of you, then an outdoor or lifestyle session might be best for you. We regularly hire luxury homes across South East Queensland that make for incredible backdrops for these photoshoots. Great examples are poolside, sexy kitchen and white shirt style shots, or more flowing outfits embracing nature.
Storytelling: Do you like the idea of creating an album? Try a more story telling approach, for example a bit of role play. The man in his suit, partner in her lingerie, taking off his shirt, and the story that goes with that. It’s fun and we will guide you along the way! Or maybe you’re wanting to POP THE QUESTION and would love us to capture this moment and after with a little engagement session, we do this too!
Create Beautiful Artwork with your Images: Brisbane Health & Fitness, Boudoir, Family & Wedding Photography
Turn your beautiful photoshoot images into lasting memories with Life Portraits Artwork Range
Ever considered purchasing artwork after a photography session, but didn't know where to start!?
All too often these beautiful moments stay hidden on a computer and we're wanting to educate our clients on the beauty and value of artwork. It's time to bring them out into the light and into your homes as beautifully hand crafted artwork.
Let us take the stress away and take you on a visual journey of all of our products, their features, sizes and some example client prints as beautiful lasting memories as artwork. We've created a video below that showcases our our beautiful artwork range and all their features.
Life Portraits have a huge range of artwork available such as albums, coffee table art, prints and wall art which you view and see prices for HERE. Artwork is a beautiful way to preserve and cherish these memories for years to come.
WANT TO ORDER FROM YOUR GALLERY?
It’s easy - submit your favourites to us through your proof gallery and let us know your order or you can order directly on your finals gallery by clicking the “prints” button below each image. If you have lost your proof gallery send us an email and we can help you out!
Example Client Collage Designs for artwork or Albums
A big thank you to client's in order of being displayed Sophie Forkgen, Lynn Maguire, Veronica Morlotti and Jess Dickson.
The Lumi Tile: Mini 4x4” $45, Small 4x6” $90, Medium 8x12” $180
Little Prints Pack: 10 flush mount 4x6” pro grade prints mounted on 1-inch thick substrate presented in a cute little black box - 10 4x6" prints $90
20 Page Little Black Book - 6x6" or 8x8": Flat-Lay book, 24 rigid pages, 1 image per page, simple & beautiful
6x6” $135, 8x8” $225
20 Page Hard Cover Album 8x8" or 10x10": A beautiful, strong, durable album with rigid pages, multi image page designs 8x8” $315, 10x10" $405
Fine Art Framed Prints: Beautiful feature pieces or multi image designs in a framed statement artwork finished with double wash glass & stainless steal handing wire. Many sizes available with the option for a 1, 3, 6 or 9 image design.
Floating Framed Canvas: Modern take on the canvas, sleek frame design, oak, black, white. Many size options available for one feature image.
Ladies, Feel Empowered, Beautiful and Sexy with a Boudoir Photography Session: Brisbane Boudoir & Glamour Photography
Celebrate your body and the beauty of the female figure with a Boudoir Photography Session.
BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY IS AN INTIMATE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE THAT CELEBRATES YOU, THE FEMALE BODY AND IS A BEAUTIFUL ART FORM. AT LIFE PORTRAITS WE LOVE TO CAPTURE THESE SENSUAL MOMENTS TO EMPOWER WOMEN TO FEEL BEAUTIFUL, SEXY AND CONFIDENT.
The Life Portraits team are passionate about inspiring women to love their bodies and see themselves in a new light, through our eyes. We will guide you with posing, making you feel comfortable and at ease and most of all confident and sexy. A boudoir photoshoot is a great way to reconnect with your inner self and makes for a beautiful gift for yourself or your partner.
We recently had a boudoir photography location day at Brisbane’s Smoked Garage, creating some breathtaking imagery in this old warehouse that has been transformed into a wedding venue. With it’s high ceilings, vintage windows, drop curtains, open rooftop, Harley Davidson bikes…. It was the perfect location to create some beautiful boudoir imagery. We had such an incredible day with all the ladies that attended.
Are you looking to get out of your comfort zone and wanting to celebrate your body with a boudoir photoshoot? Do you want to feel confident, sexy and beautiful, be guided with posing to create striking imagery of yourself to cherish for a lifetime or as a gift for your partner? See more about our boudoir photography sessions on our website HERE.
See some of the breathtaking results of our boudoir photography day at Smoked Garage below! Congrats to Jodi, Kelli, Carly and Mandy for trusting us to capture these moments and make you feel incredible!
Behind the Scenes on a Fitness & Branding Studio Day: Brisbane Fitness Photography | Brisbane Health, Fitness, Boudoir & Branding Photography
Yesterday was a lot of FUN! After giving up our studio some time ago due to doing a lot of our client work on location, we booked a full day of client work and hired the Fox Street Studio to create some magic.
We had client’s with some fun ideas that we wanted to make a reality and the studio was the perfect place to make it happen. We had fitness competitors, nutritionists for branding and health influencers and created a great array of imagery!
Check out some of the fun below. Andy and I also jumped in for a few fun shots of us too! haha
A big thanks to our helpers on the day - Bella and Dex and Fox Street Studio for a great space. Amazing job to our clients Sam, Gerard, Taylor, Tara and Teanna.
Em x
Empowering woman to love their bodies! BTS Vlog on tips & tricks for your first fitness photoshoot...
I am so lucky in my job that I get to work with unbelievable women that are inspirational, driven and have undergone emotional journeys to reach their goals. I get to be a big part of this journey, helping them plan their photoshoot, creating a vision to capture this moment in their life, documenting it for a lifetime, bringing their ideas to reality while also becoming a friend!
One of the most common things I hear is "Is that me?". So many women have no idea how beautiful they are and how unbelievable they look in the skin their in. Yes I photograph males and females at the peak of their conditioning for competitions, but I also photography body transformations, weight loss journeys and boudoir photography, embracing the body in its everyday state. Everyone is on their own journey.... and we pride ourselves on creating a fun and personalised experience, offering very specific styling, posing and planning guidance easing the nerves and stresses of planning a photoshoot.
A photoshoot is not always about looking lean and 'shredded', it's about capturing your beauty and creating an end result that you're proud of!
I recently got to work with the stunning Sophie, guiding her through the process of how to plan and prepare for a photoshoot including supplying location galleries, Pinterest boards for styling, outfit planning and creating a visual of what her end result would be.
This was Sophie's first photoshoot and to capture this experience, we created a behind the scenes vlog of what is involved in a fitness/boudoir photoshoot. We give you an insight into a 'day in the life of Life Portraits' showcasing our gold package (1-2 hour portrait package) with Sophie and what happens on a fitness photoshoot.
See some of our favourite images from the shoot below as well as the vlog. Sophie is such a beautiful woman who priorities a healthy lifestyle (not competing) and embraces her everyday gorgeous body!
Em x
Brisbane Fitness & Fashion Photography
www.lifeportraits.photography/fitness
info@lifeportraits.photography
7 tips to Nailing your First Fitness Photoshoot - Brisbane Health, Fitness & Boudoir Photography
So you’ve achieved a weight loss goal, you’ve just competed or you’ve reached a health milestone and you want to capture your efforts and physiques with a photoshoot…… GREAT DECISION!
A fitness, boudoir or fashion photoshoot captures this time in your life and documents your hard work, sacrifices, motivation and time through imagery. We take a moment in time and freeze how you felt and how strong you are as a person to reach your goals. We all need to remember to celebrate our successes and reflect on our journey and investing in a photoshoot is a wonderful way to do so.
Having competed in figure bodybuilding in the past, reaching this high point in my physique and then not capturing this moment was the biggest regret I ever had! So if you’re daunted by the cost, how to be prepared, what to wear, where to shoot….. we can help you! We’ve gone into 7 tips to nail your first photoshoot below:
1. Prepare for the investment of a photoshoot it’s worth it! Budget this into your competition costs or weekly budget or opt for interest free payment plan
We find with a lot of clients that price is off-putting and people do not see the value in spending the money on capturing this moment in time. After all the hard work you’ve put in, time, sacrifices, hard hours in the gym… what are you doing to document you reaching this goal? Yes you can tick it off the list of things you’ve done and write about it on social media, but nothing outweighs the captured image and freezing this successful moment in your life. In order to prepare for the cost of a photoshoot, budget this into your costs for competing, or when you start a weight loss journey, start putting money away each week for this. At Life Portraits, we allow our clients to pay $150 upfront and then fortnightly/monthly payments, leading up to your shoot. The cost is worth the value and joy it will bring to your life looking back at these moments for years to come, and for generations to come!
Download our pricing and see our work on our fitness page HERE!
2. Watch our BTS Vlogs on tips to prepare for your fitness photoshoot
These Vlog features how to prepare, tips on posing, outfits and behind the scenes fun. This will give you a good idea of how we work at Life Portraits.
Watch them both BELOW:
1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOo6bh9XuIA
2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp0IEBlyquY&t=3s
3. Narrow down the style of imagery you want - Boudoir, fitness gym, fitness fashion, beach, lifestyle
The first step to planning a photoshoot is to determine the style of imagery you want. Once you have secured this style we can then guide you in choosing your location, outfits and types of posing. We provide a pinterest gallery of examples to help you decide what you’d like to do.
4. Find a location that suits your style and your personality
At Life Portraits we provide our clients with a full suburb breakdown of locations around Brisbane for options for their photoshoots. Sometimes, choosing a location is the hardest part of the photoshoot process as their are so many themes you can channel. Once you have the style of imagery that you want, we can then match a location to this style. Common locations include; gym, beach, graffiti walls, coloured walls, street style, lifestyle greenery open spaces, apartments/houses for boudoir. You can see lots of great examples on our instagram page
5. Narrow down your outfits to 2/3 options that matches the style of imagery you want and your location
Once you’ve nailed steps 2 & 3, we will guide you with pinterest boards and through email communication what outfits to use for your photoshoot. Common ideas include bikinis, one pieces leotards or body suits, booty pants, fashion wear, fishnets, lingerie, sports wear, leather jackets and boots, body crystals etc. We help you match your outfits to the colours of your location.
6. Preparing for the photoshoot day with hair, makeup & tan
You’ve done all the hard work to get to this point, now you want to look a million dollars for your photos! We always suggest to our clients that you get your hair, makeup and tan done professionally so that you are looking 10/10 for your photoshoot. Having this done reflects in your photos, looks a million dollars, boosts your confidence. We work with some great professionals in the industry, one of our most recommended is Shique Beauty in Brisbane - specialising in hair, makeup, tans, nails etc.
7. Photoshoot day - Have a bag packed with outfits, snacks, water and MUSIC
It’s photoshoot day! Make sure you have a bag packed the night before so you’re not rushed for the photoshoot and you’re calm and ready for the day. We always suggest that you play music on your shoot to help you relax, get into the motion of posing and enjoy the experience. We will guide you with posing, positioning your body in the best way possible to make you look your best.
Now all you need to do is relax and enjoy the experience! If you’ve been thinking about a fitness photoshoot in the Brisbane or Gold Coast area, we’d love to hear from you. Life Portraits specialises in portraiture, weddings and commercial but has a sub brand LP Fitness where we work with fitness competitors, weight loss transformations and capture people in a state of celebration of their health and wellness.
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at info@lifeportraits.photography to book your shoot. Or contact us on our website.
The Inspiring Weight Loss Transformation Stories, from REAL Women! Brisbane Fitness, Boudoir & Lifestyle Photography
Be inspired by the weight loss transformations of these amazing women! At any age you can love your body, be confident in yourself & embrace your progress….
Documenting unforgettable moments in people’s lives is one of the main reasons why I LOVE being a photographer and absolutely love what I do. I am so grateful to have captured a number of weight loss transformation photoshoots and shared these moments with women on an unreal journey in their life; making a choice to live a healthier life and prioritise their futures with their families.
Below I want to share with you some of those stories by REAL LIFE WOMEN! Women with kids, women with high level jobs, women that don’t have many hours left to spare of their days, women who lose 40kg+, women who we should look to as REAL inspiration for what’s achievable when you set your mind to a goal; be inspired, never give up on your goals and remember that your health is everything!
These stories fill me with so much emotion, I hope you can take away some great lessons from these women and be inspired to never give up on your own journey.
PRISCILLA'S STORY...
After a health scare, Priscilla embarked on this weight loss journey with the mindset of doing it for her and her family!
“I started my weight loss journey just over 12 months ago, I was severely overweight and I just became depressed and started to withdraw from weekend activities with friends.
I embarked on this journey with the mindset of I’m doing this for me and my family!
I was using this as a preventative before I became medically unwell. I was lucky enough that my blood pressure, diabetes etc were not being affected. So I saw it as a sign that it was now or never to take control of my life. Over the last 12 months I have had to battle a lot of mental issues around the stigma of being obese and what life hurdles I had In front of me to tackle. The first 10kg was amazing! I felt so good I knew I had made the best decision in my life. After the initial drop things became really hard and I truly had to work every day to change my mindset and life style. I joined a gym and had a personal trainer and started to really meal prep and take control of what is being put in my body. It is still a daily struggle for me. Exercise has become easy, but the nutrition side is still a weakness of mine. My goal over the next 12 months of my journey is to take some time aside to reflect on nutrition and really learn what my body needs to fuel its self. I love my body. I am proud of all of my stretch marks and body parts as they genuinely tell a story of my life. I was able to naturally bring a child into this world and loose a tremendous amount of weight and still stand tall at the end of each day knowing I did this! To this date I have lost 36Kg. I would love to lose another 20
To celebrate my 12 month anniversary of my journey I approached Em from Life Portraits about an in-between fitness, boudoir photo shoot to commemorate my journey thus far. I was a little hesitant to make the commitment but I was eager to understand how the process worked! I can’t tell you how many times they re assured me it was going to be fine and it will be such an amazing experience and they were 100% on board to help me celebrate!
From choosing the location to helping create the vision em was there with me every step of the way! On the actual day of the shoot I got there way earlier then expected and em was quick to rearrange her plans and meet me there which was so awesome to feel like I was the most important person that day.
I was super nervous to get these photos taken as I wanted an element of raw/ but also really wanted to celebrate how far I had come and look at them and feel good. I loved what we created together and I walked away feeling really empowered! I am just your average girl sharing her average story to people. But in fact, I am sharing a story that SO many of us walk and I want everyone to know that they are not alone in the battle of obesity! Its time for us all to break the stigma and embrace our bodies!! I am beyond excited to see what the next 12 months bring! And I hope with working on my nutrition my body shape will change!”
Priscilla Farry
AILSA’S STORY
At 40, with 3 kids and determination that smashed her goals, Ailsa won the Maxines Transformation Challenge Grand Champion in 2018!
“The phrase "stuck in a rut" is appropriate way to describe how I felt prior to undertaking the January Maxines transformation challenge. I WAS exercising but was not seeing or feeling the benefits of my endeavours. Life was busy with 3 children, days just clicked by and I could feel my physical health declining not to mention my mental well being as well.
My 4Oth Birthday was fast approaching (Eek!) it was time to take control of things for myself and I committed to jumping on board for 12 weeks of hard training and getting comfortable with feeling "uncomfortable". This was teamed with more consistent nutrition, encompassed more food and better choices than I had made previously fuelling the demanding training sessions that I did.
It was a struggle at times to get through things, tears did get shed and a lot of self doubt hung in the air but those "transformation" changes that I thought only happened to "other people" started happening to me which was amazing!
In (almost!) no time the end of 12 weeks was closing in. My husband who had supported me throughout, surprised me with a fitness photo shoot with the lovely Emily at Life Portraits. When Emily called to spring the surprise I think I must of sounded very blunt... yes I was surprised but I was actually internally freaking out about being in front of the camera like a "model"! (what have I just said yes to ??!)
My fears were very much alleviated when we met in person. Emily was very professional and extremely personable, it did not take me too long to get comfortable with the photo shoot environment. Emily helped me to relax and gave wonderful guidance as to what I should do (as I had NO IDEA!)
I had AMAZING photos and with so many favourites that it was so hard to choose which ones I would submit for my entry into the Maxines transformation challenge. The images captured those changes I was after when I started my journey and a few days later, after submitting my entry (to my surprise) I was told that I had won!
Never did I EVER think that I would be able to call myself a Grand Champion. So not only now do I have an amazing opportunity being a ongoing challenge ambassador but I have beautiful and "OMG that's me" images to reflect back on thanks to Em and her photographic expertise.
My life has changed a LOT - I have since competed successfully on stage and fitness is now a permanent fixture which celebrates my strong body for what it can do not for what it can't.”
Ailsa Dicarlo
SABINE’S INSPIRING STORY...
At 47 years of age, Sabine is down 30kg, loving her new passion for Crossfit and living a healthier life!
“This is the photo that started it all...
This was the moment I realised I had let myself get truly unhealthy, overweight and suffering from so many allergies that a box of tissues for all the sneezing was a constant companion. The journey started with a change in lifestyle, first removing food groups to see what my body was being sensitive to, end result I'm now gluten, dairy and sugar free. Some of the unhealthy weight started dropping but I still didn't feel I had a balance of food an activity so next step was heading to the gym were I was introduced to an amazing coach who started one on one personal training Crossfit style.
I completely surprised myself by falling in love with Crossfit and more recently Power Lifting and now 4 years on, 30kgs lighter than this initial picture. I found myself wanting to mark this achievement somehow and what better way than to do a photo shoot to mark this moment where I am the healthiest, fittest and honestly the most sexy I have felt in decades. I'm 47 years old, I never thought I could reach this goal but I'm super happy that I chose to celebrate this version of me in pictures with Life Portraits.
Thank you Em you made me look as beautiful as I finally feel.”
Sabine Goeman
PEARLY’S STORY...
Pearly hasn’t let Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) get in her way of reaching her goals and letting her true self shine through!
“I’m an old hat when it comes to photo shoots. I’ve always loved getting in front of the camera - it comes very naturally to me. But I’m often told that it takes a certain kind of bravery to bare yourself in a shoot, to be totally vulnerable. I’m lucky to have this built-in bravery, but I do have a different kind of obstacle I battle against every day, which could prevent me from getting in front of that camera- but I’ll never let it- Generalised Anxiety Disorder.
I’ve had GAD since i was a child, and I’m still working today to create positive neural pathways to replace the ones that my brain has formulated growing up. Negative thoughts like ‘you’re a failure’ ‘you won’t achieve your fitness goals’ and ‘you’ll never look as good as you could’ are examples of what thoughts I may experience when prepping for a shoot. But the reason I do this, the reason I exercise is to foster endorphins and show myself that I can set a goal and reach it (even when my brain is telling me I can’t). I still get in front of that camera, in spite of the negative thoughts, in spite of the anorexia I was diagnosed with half my lifetime ago (induced by GAD)- I shine in my photographs because I am celebrating how far
I’ve come, and how much I’ve grown. It’s so important to have an established trust with my photographer- someone who knows my doubts and knows how to bring my inner shine out to banish those negative thoughts. This is why I shoot with Emily- she has an understanding of the female disposition, of the human disposition- and she has a creativity that can’t be quashed!”
Pearly Tasker
RENEE STORY...
“I was 96kg the day I gave birth, I lost 20kg then I let the 20kg creep back on again.” Renee decided to take charge of her weight and had a gastric sleeve procedure and then undertook the Maxine’s Challenge. “I am now 42kg down from the day of the gastric sleeve but now I am also fitter and stronger, mentally and physically.”
“In 2017 I decided to take charge of my weight and I had the gastric sleeve. For years I had battled my weight, yoyo with different fad diets.
Babies are what always saw me get to my highest weight. It was after the birth of our 3rd baby that I made the decision to have to procedure done.
I’d had a 5 year gap between child 2 and 3, which meant I was a bit older, and to put on all of my weight again really affected me mentally.
I was 96kg the day I gave birth, lost 20kg then I let the 20kg creep back on again.
Being 96kg and only 160cm I was as round as I was tall and you could see the angst in my eyes.
Our 3rd was a surprise to say the least as my husband had a vasectomy after the first 2 (but didn’t go back for the check up!!), our marriage was on the rocks we were eating rubbish and drinking to deal with the situation.
When Charley was nearly one we decided we couldn’t carry on this way and we knew we need to do something to save our family and I knew and I needed to do something for me. SO along with buying a caravan, I had the gastric sleeve.
This was the decision that changed my life forever.
The surgery wasn’t easy, recovery was long and tough and I had days that I’d regretted my decision but as the weight started to melt away my heart stared to lighten the chip on my shoulder was no longer there.
After loosing a considerable amount of weight I still felt there was more to my health, so I decided that my 2019 New Years resolution was to get a healthy body and healthy mind so I committed to doing the Maxine’s 12-week challenge
You can lose weight with the gastric sleeve without being healthy and whilst I wasn’t terrible I wanted to be better and a exercise and eating plan always helps me keep on track.
I have done 2 Maxine’s Challenges this year the first was to get in shape before our 10 yr wedding anniversary in Vegas and let me tell you what a celebration that was, celebrating that we made it and didn’t give up! Then when we got back from Vegas I decided to do it again but this time give it my all.
I was so happy with the challenge, which is why I decided to have a photo shoot with Em from Life Portraits. I had come such a long long way in 2 years and at the end of my challenge I was 42kg down from the day of the gastric sleeve but now I was also fitter and stronger, mentally and physically.
I feel like Em really captured this in my photos, I was smiling and felt like a woman I could be proud of. I was able to see my body in a way I never thought I could, I looked happy, strong and fierce.
I love being fit and healthy, my kids and husband love me being fit and healthy.
I’m never going back, I’m not committing to a 12 week challenge, I’m committing to the rest of my life!”
Renee Houston
MAZ’S STORY
“I decided that I wanted to be role model for my children so they can understand the power and benefits of a healthy lifestyle.” Maz smashed her goal showing her kids that Mummy can have a 6-pack!
“I started my journey towards the photo shoot by simply wanting to challenge myself and to set an example for my children. I see so much obesity and unhealthy ways and not enough time outdoors and to many excuses people need to get off there ass and do something about it. I decided that I wanted to be role model for my children so they can understand the power and benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Not only food but exercise by setting a goal and achieving it even though you might have so many things to juggle. Life can be so hectic between work, school, sporting commitments and finding the time to spend with family.
For me, it was to see how lean I could get and for my kids it was to see me have a 6 pack and achieve my goal. Believe me it wasn’t easy when I was in the gym at 4am and I was struggling I would simply focus on my children and how I tell them each and every day you set your goals and you push through it, nothings easy but it’s worth it, to show them if you put your mind to it you can simple do anything. I have a motto I live by and it’s so simple but so very true “there is no such thing as can’t it’s will or won’t”.
I choose Life Portraits to capture my hard work. I have never done anything like this and I was out of my comfort zone. Em & Andy were amazing!! My photoshoot was exactly how I wanted it to be captured. They both were so professional, accommodating and guided me through everything I had no idea how to pose Em made me so relaxed and it was an amazing experience and am looking forward to doing another one.”
Marilyn Goolagong
AAGYA’S STORY...
“I started my journey at 89.7kg and was able to lose 33kg to get me down to 56.3kg for the photoshoot” Aagya learnt how a team of a personal trainer and nutritionist can change your life, your food habits and your training.
"I started my journey on the 11th September 2017 when I approached personal trainer Ryan Short to help me with strength training. Since starting this fitness journey I was just able to lose 10kgs in a year, however there came the point where the progress stopped. Ryan asked me about my diet and at that point i was on a flexible diet and never wanted to give up on food. He suggested me to see his dietitian Adam to help me with my food regime and he worked his magic. I started my journey at 89.7kg and was able to lose 33kg to get me down to 56.3kg for the photoshoot!
Adam and Ryan together changed my life. Adam got me lean and Ryan got me stronger everyday. I have never in my life felt this healthy, strong and confident! Thanks to them and I will be forever grateful! I always wanted to look like a model and pose in front of the camera, particularly now that I was at my leanest I really wanted to capture all the hard work. I approached Em from Life Portraits to capture all the moments for me and my hubby. Thanks to Emily for making us feel so comfortable and myself, so beautiful for the day! It takes so much confidence to pose for a camera it was such an amazing experience ️and I will always keep myself fit and strong ️ Never give up, life is beautiful”
Aagya Manandhar
Capturing the Beauty & Motion of a Dancer: Brisbane Health & Fitness Photography
Capturing the Beauty & Motion of a Dancer:
Brisbane Portrait Photography
Over my years of photography, I have never had the opportunity to capture a dancer in studio, performing, dancing, letting their body guide them to music. This is something I have always wanted to capture! I was honoured when the beautiful Rachel, enquired about a photoshoot with us. This talented woman is a dancer, actor, singer, choreographer and teacher - and she’s a Brisbane Broncos cheerleader!
We had a one hour studio session where we created a number of different looks for her dancing portfolio, social media and for promotion for herself. It was mesmerising to watch Rachel just let go to the music and move…. I felt a sense of relaxation, I had goosebumps, I was moved! Here are some of her finals below that we captured!
Em x
Brisbane Portrait Photographer | Brisbane Dance Photography | Brisbane Dancer