Burlesque Le’ Moustache puts a spell on Iowa

©Brigette Sullivan/Outer Focus Photos. May not be reproduced without written consent. Infringement will be prosecuted.

I have some of the most talented, amazing, lovable friends. I count my lucky stars daily for having them in my life. One such friend is the incomparable Danielle Colby a.k.a. Dannie Diesel (most known for her role on History Channel’s American Pickers). Long before she was a rockabilly television goddess, she was the gal down the street giving me dating advice and make-up tips.

Recently, the burlesque troupe she founded, Burlesque Le’ Moustache, performed at a fundraiser for me. The best way I could think to repay the favor was to lend my talents to her gig. And I just wanted to be there to support her, see her business grow and shine.

I love burlesque. Some may disagree, but I find it the ultimate form of feminist expression: Confident women in all shapes and sizes taking the stage to celebrate their curves, sass, class, and bawdiness without apology. To step in to a spotlight and dazzle strangers with all the wiggly jiggly parts of one’s body takes a great deal of fortitude, chutzpah, and humor. And lots of rhinestones. Maybe that’s the other reason I like burlesque–an over abundance of rhinestones and glitter.

Do yourself a favor. Find the local burlesque troupes near you and go to a few of the shows. If there is a talented, unique troupe like Burlesque Le’Moustache in the middle of Iowa, surely you can find one or two near your city/town. And, unlike strip clubs, burlesque performers actually love it when you cheer for their boobies. Have fun, enjoy the female body in all it’s glory!

Simple baby portraits, Outer Focus Photos style

©Brigette Sullivan/Outer Focus Photos

Infants are one of my favorite subjects to photograph. So simple, so pure, no fuss, no expectations. Their sweet cherubs faces and one or two meaningful props, simple clothing, and elated new parents are just about all I need to create unique portraits. Their cutes faces, tiny fingers and toes, and endless facial expressions practically do all the work for me!

Visiting a new family in their home requires a very special approach and a trustworthy Photographer with patience, a gentle demeanor, and a sensitive understanding of babies. It is such an honor to be part of so many growing families’ lives. I love seeing how their lives evolve with such great love and joy.

To see more family and infant portraits, visit: Outer Focus Photos

Chicago pin-up portraits, just in time for Valentine’s Day

©Brigette Sullivan/Outer Focus Photos

Make your New Year’s Resolution for 2012 the year of celebrating your unique beauty! Outer Focus Photos is here to help you showcase all that is beautiful about you, inside and out. Your private, comfortable pin-up or boudoir session includes a professional make-up artist and hair stylist, studio lighting to accent your best assets, and perhaps a little bubbly to get you in the mood. With a free-spirited, non-judgemental woman behind the camera, you’ll be at ease and ready for fun right away, no matter what you choose to wear (or NOT wear).

Do not wait another year to shed  those last few pounds or until you can afford the perfect outfit for your shoot. You are beautiful as you are, right now, in this moment: A strong, loving, funny woman with so much to offer the world. It would be nothing less than an honor for Brigette of Outer Focus Photos to collaborate with you on creating flirty, sexy, naughty (but never nasty), or simply sweet pin-up and boudoir photos that are as unique and creative as you. DO IT FOR YOU, and others will enjoy the rewards of your confidence and beauty.

You cost of $325 includes a one hour photo session at Outer Focus Photos in-home studio, professional make-up and hair, about two outfits, dozens of poses, and a $50 print credit you can use towards purchasing your own pin-up calendar, foxy 8×10 photos, and more! This package is strictly limited to one hour. Additional make-up/hair styles, outfit or background changes, etc. are $200 per hour.

Ther are only a limited number of slots available for January 29th, and 30th, just in time for Valentine’s Day gifts! Be sure to book NOW. Other dates may be possible if neither the 29th or 30th fit your busy schedule.

GIFT CERTIFICATES ALSO AVAILABLE if you’d like to surprise your Sweetie with a custom Outer Focus Photos pin-up session for a future date!

info@outerfocusphotos.com  (773) 853 – 2283

A walk in the woods: Sweet family portraits in River Forest, IL

©Brigette Sullivan / Outer Focus Photos

This fabulous mother and her two bright and creative daughters invited me to join them for a walk in the woods a few weeks ago. We were lucky enough to take advantage of one of the last few autumn days  before the leaves turned to forest mulch and we’re all forced indoors for the winter. (But I would love to do a family snowball fight photo shoot one day!)

Between one girl studiously reading excerpts from her book and the other poking a deceased bird with the curiosity of a young Charles Darwin, I managed to snap a few fun shots. Some of the most sincere, endearing pictures are simply the girls goofing around, unaware of the camera for a moment.

Family portrait photo sessions do not have to be highly contrived. Clothes do not need to be “matchy, matchy”. Families do not have to be tightly grouped or neatly lined up and staring at a camera. It is usually the “in between” moments that make for a memorable, sweet portrait. You just have to be open to a more casual approach to the photo session and trust your photographer to shoot and edit it all in a way that captures the love, joy, and good times just as you and your family really are.

I hope I get the chance to work with these three ladies again over the next few years. It will be fun to see how their personalities evolve, how the dynamic between the sisters grows, and how we capture it all.

The Last Vegas ~ Chicago’s bad boys of Rock

©Brigette Sullivan / Outer Focus Photos

Here are a few quick portraits I snapped of Chicago’s bad boys of Rock, The Last Vegas, in between takes for their new music video. Legendary action, horror, and B-movie actress Sybil Danning stars along side the band in the video for their next single, “The Other Side”.  Working on set with lighting directed by another is a challenge, since everything is set up for filming, while I am working around their available lighting and trying to stay out of their way. But that’s all part of the challenge and fun!

The Last Vegas have played with most every gritty, hard rockin’ band touring this century–including AC/DC, Motley Crue, Buckcherry, and even fathers of Glam Rock, New York Dolls.  They also headline their own tours locally and nationally. You can catch The Last Vegas this Saturday night opening for glam/punk/metal icon Michael Monroe in Chicago at Reggie’s Rock Club. And, keep your eyes peeled for more photos and the official release of their “The Other Side” video!

Pin-up session: Sweet, tough, flirty, and beautiful

©Brigette Sullivan/Outer Focus Photos

I have been dying to share this pin-up session with you all. But I had to wait until after the wedding, since it was part of a surprise gift for her new husband! I had such a blast working with this amazing woman: smart, sassy, fun-loving, and tough all at once.

Pin-up sessions do not have to be totally cheeky or sexy. While I do enjoy showing women how beautiful they are in au naturale, I also like to find creative ways to bring out parts of their personalities in pin-up/portrait sessions. In this case, she’s a DJ and loves music, so we incorporated a vintage radio and some choice vinyl in to some of the shots. I also arranged lighting, backgrounds, and props the reflect various expressions and personae.

To see more Outer Focus Photos portraits, visit: http://www.outerfocusphotos.com/Portraits/Portraits-Portfolio

Heather Terhune: one of six Chicagoans chosen for Bravo’s Top Chef

©Brigette Sullivan / Outer Focus Photos

©Brigette Sullivan/Outer Focus Photos

Chicago is a magical place for food lovers. You can find everything from down home hearty goodness to scientific sophistication on the Chicago menu. One of my favorite Chicago chefs is the talented and gracious Heather Terhune of Sable. I had the opportunity to meet her in 2010 at BaconFest. She has an undeniable love and passion for ingredients, flavors, and presentation.

Today, it was announced that six deserving chefs from Chicago have made the cut for the next season of the highly popular Bravo reality competition, Top Chef. I wish her, and all the other Chicagoans, much fun and success of the next season of Top Chef!

If you want to get a taste of Heather’s contemporary comfort food creations, visit Sable Kitchen & Bar: www.sablechicago.com

Kentucky wedding with a bit of moody skies

© 2011 Brigette Sullivan / Outer Focus Photos

This week, I drove to Kentucky to photograph an adorable, sweet couple who have been together for nearly ten years. Their love for each other and for life are palpable. The original plan was to have a quaint gathering in the couple’s beautifully groomed and tented backyard. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. Due to endless days of torrential rains, their yard flooded and no good for anyone to walk around or set up tents. Plan B turned out to work just fine, as the bride found a perfect little club house in a nearby town to host their ceremony and reception.

Mother Nature actually did granted us a reprieve just long enough to take a few bridal party and bride/groom portraits in between spurts of rain. Sometimes things work out for the best. In this case, I was able to capture some of the natural beauty of Kentucky’s lush, rolling hills in their portraits. And, personally, I think gloomy skies are absolutely beautiful in photographs.

Cheers to the happy couple, and their new family!

His Holiness the Dalai Lama visits Chicago

©Brigette Sullivan/Outer Focus Photos

A few weeks ago, I had the great honor and privilege of photographing His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his two-day stop in Chicago. He spoke at the UIC Pavilion on the topic of interfaith, all peoples and religions finding common ground upon which to connect with one another. This was by far the most challenging assignment for me so far. Fifteen photographers had less than two minutes up close with His Holiness to capture a few moments before he sat down and started speaking. After the two minutes were over, press were allowed to sit in the back of the arena to watch, listen, record. I stayed to hear his entire talk, knowing I may never again have the opportunity to hear this thoughtful spiritual leader spread words of wisdom, compassion, inner happiness, and Buddhist peace.

 

 

Chicago lightning: Mother Nature lights up the night

©Brigette Sullivan/Outer Focus Photos

©Brigette Sullivan/Outer Focus Photos

Chicago has been riddled with a plethora of severe weather lately. We’ve had several days with a humid heat index above one-hundred. We’ve had numerous severe storms–including plenty of thunder, lightning, hail, and heavy downpours. Most of them seem to come later in the day, when I’d really like to be editing photos. Even though I have surge protectors, I unplug all my computers and storage drives (I can never be too safe with my equipment and all your photo files!). Last night I had enough of sitting quietly through another stormy night, frustrated I couldn’t get work done.

I figured I may as well be productive and creative… Somehow. I hopped in the Jeep and headed toward downtown. Perched safely in the backseat, I unzipped a window and snapped these shots. The first was the only good shot I got of lightning over the city before it moved over Lake Michigan. My tripod was not quite ready so there’s a tiny bit of movement blur. The other image is at the Monroe Harbor area, just behind Soldier Field as the lightning danced over the lake. If I can’t beat Mother Nature, I may as well join her and photograph the light show!