Tag Archives: beauty portraits for women

Book author headshot. Black turtleneck on black backdrop.

A welcomed return: Judy

Back in December 2015, a woman walked into my studio who I would come to think of as a sort of muse. She had recently retired from a career in physiotherapy and had just stepped into a new chapter of life as a writer and entrepreneur.

Her first fiction novel, Voices in the Wilderness, had been released in 2012, and she wanted portraits that captured this exciting transition. We experimented with a variety of looks—soft knits, elegant blouses, tailored jackets—and ended the session with a classic black dress. The final portrait, with its quiet strength and timeless grace, became one of the most iconic images to ever come out of my boutique studio. It still hangs on the studio wall today, a reminder of everything I want my work to stand for: style, timeless elegance, and fun.

Circa 2015

Nearly ten years later, I photographed her again. Still radiant. Still full of grace. This time, she was returning to update her headshots and to welcome a new book she co-authored: Anchored in Hope: Inspiring Stories of Faith That Endures. There’s something incredibly moving about photographing someone whose transformation and journey you’ve glimpsed once before. This portrait session, like the first, began with warm conversation, lots of laughter, and expert hair and makeup by the ever-talented Madison. Madison’s calm energy and skilled hands brought out the best in our client and set the tone for what turned out to be a deeply meaningful shoot.

Before the session, we had a styling consultation where we talked through what she wanted her new portraits to say. The words that came up again and again were “approachable,” “confident,” and “professional.” She wanted images that could speak to who she is today—someone who has built a second career, connected with readers, and continues to grow. We decided on a series of three-quarter-length portraits, elegant in their simplicity. With the right light and styling, the portraits told a story of a woman who knows who she is and isn’t afraid to be seen.

There’s a quiet joy in photographing someone again, years later, and realizing that while time has passed, the essence remains. She is still the muse who inspired one of my favourite images, but now she brings even more life, depth, and perspective to the frame. These sessions—then and now—remind me why I love what I do. It’s not just about creating beautiful photographs. It’s about witnessing a person’s story as it unfolds and being trusted to hold up a mirror to it.

Voices in the Wilderness

Madison H&MUA

“Ok! It has only taken 6 months, but I’ve gathered the courage to do this!”

It started with a short email inquiry.

Then, 6 months later there was another email. She was ready to make a plan. To get photographed. To be seen. To be courageous enough to be vulnerable. To do this!

“Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.” – Sophia Loren

That she found me online is incredible. That she chose to be vulnerable in front of my cameras in my cozy studio is humbling.

We covered clothes and accessories during the online consultation session. She aced that part! She brought several outfits and accessories that suited her figure and personality perfectly. I laid them out during the hair and makeup session and decided on the sequence of the various looks we would shoot.

We used natural light for most of the portrait session. We flow-posed from one outfit to the next for about 2 hours. We were both tired and exhilarated. We had created images that were authentic and timeless. This was a great team effort.

Her European elegance and flair were a delight to capture. Capturing the essence of this luminous soul was both a pleasure and an honour for us.

We needed to create headshots that had a more corporate look, but it was rewarding and thrilling to finish the shoot with some sequins.

Credits:
Makeup by Lacey of Laceface Makeup
Hair by Chloe

Fall in love with yourself: Abelle Portrait Studio

“To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.” – Oscar Wilde

Fall in love with yourself: portrait promotion for Valentine's Day by Abelle.

Many female clients put portraits of their loved ones on their wall. Some women admit they feel vain displaying a portrait of themselves. Yet, they have no difficulty having their partner’s portrait or their children’s in the home.

Think an 8 x 10 is large?!
This image is 16 inches by 20 inches and professionally framed in a 20 x 24 frame.
Every morning, this is N’s reminder of how uniquely beautiful she is.

Women clients tell me they are not photogenic, that they dislike their arms, their double-chin, their thighs, their behinds, their hooded eyelids, etc. In the last 20 years I have heard it all!

Fine art boutique portrait photography. Abelle Studio.

So I have a challenge for women, this Valentine’s Day. How about honouring your unique beauty? That inner beauty that is uniquely yours. That beauty that is earned in a life of raising children, staying in or leaving a marriage or long-term relationship, caring for aging parents, losing a loved one, going back to school, building a business, embracing retirement, etc. The beauty that comes from a life lived to its fullest.

The unique features that define your body image create an energy that is perceptible in a portrait. Energy, passion and sparkle cannot be Photoshopped into an image. Those are superpowers that you bring to the photo shoot.

9-up portrait sequence.

Hanging portraits of yourself in your home, reminds you of how uniquely beautiful you are. It lets the other members of the family know you are as important as they are. It is a great way to model self-love and acceptance to younger family members. If nothing else, you leave a legacy-portrait of yourself to those who love you. More importantly, it may change the way you see yourself.

Boutique portrait studio: Abelle Wedding and Portrait Photography. Montreal. Brockville, Canada.
Boutique portrait photography studio: Montreal, Brockville Canada.
Abelle.ca

In the beauty magazine-style photoshoot experience, we go after your sparkle. Your inner light. The styling of the photo session is customized. It can be as casual or as glamorous (or both) as you wish it to be. You decide.

Request the Magazine-style photoshoot brochure here.

Boutique portrait studio photography printed on canvas.