Category: portrait photography

On Hiatus

The Blessed Shadows Shop is Changing…

Being able to sell my art and share my inspiration with others over the years has been so amazing.

Thank you so much for the support and joy you’ve shared with me.

It has been an incredibly busy year with many life changes.

This has brought about the need to rework Blessed Shadows in a way that best fits this new stage.

For the time being, Blessed Shadows is on hiatus and the shop has been closed.

When a new shop emerges from the Shadows, you’ll all be the first to know.

Take time to enjoy the beauty in life and to rest.

Life can change in a moment.

– Ophelia

by Ophelia

Dark Fantasy Photography: Crying Gold

Moody fantasy self portrait photography featuring custom handmade jewelry by Nykira Nymph
Moody self portrait photo of a model in blue crying gold. Beautiful Custom jewelry made by Nykira Nymph
Beautiful jewelry by Nykira Nymph
Fashion is thrifted

This look is featured in the Crying Gold Makeup Tutorial on the BlessedShadows YouTube channel.

Crying Gold fantasy cosplay makeup tutorial on the Blessed Shadows YouTube channel

This is still one of my favorite dark fantasy portraits!

I love photographing dark, moody looks.

It’s a great opportunity to play with dramatic makeup and try new things.

I’m looking forward to playing around more with dark fantasy glamour!

It would be a great focus to try in the Blessed Shadows studio.

What’s your favorite theme to photograph?

Is there something you’d love to try?

by Ophelia

Neewer Speedlite External Flash| Moody Self Portrait

Sensual fantasy self-portrtait photograph with red hair and blue eyes holding flowers.
Dark fine art, fantasy boudoir portrait of a winged angel in white lingerie from behind.

How I miss shooting with my Neewer Speedlite External Flashes!

Find my Favorite Tools & Equipment in one place!

These contain affiliate links that can earn me a small commission at no cost to you!

Neewer Flashguns (Speedlite)

I miss shooting with these external flashes so much!

When paired with umbrellas, these flashguns produce such beautiful lighting and shadows.

They do take up quite a bit of space, especially when used with umbrellas, but the results are worth it!

(Using these flashes with umbrellas was my go-to lighting setup for a while!)

Fantasy boudoir portrait of a Queen

I’m currently trying to get the photo studio a bit more organized to make some extra shooting space.

Here’s hoping to getting to use these Neewer Speedlite flashes soon!

What is your favorite lighting equipment?

by Ophelia

How Boudoir & Self-Portrait Photography Have Improved My Life

Self portrait boudoir photoshoot featuring tattoos and a one-piece lingerie bodysuit
Boudoir self portrait photography featuring red lace lingerie

How Boudoir & Self-Portrait Photography has Improved My Life

Not only has becoming a self-portrait artist and boudoir photographer been so much fun over the last several years, it’s also boosted my life in other ways.

  • My Self-Confidence has Grown
    • Modeling for boudoir self-portraits has made me so much more confident and at home in my body over the years
    • I’ve learned what kinds of colors and style flatter my complexion and figure. This has saved me money and time when it comes to growing my wardrobe
  • My Sense of Community & Self-Acceptance has been Strengthened
    • Following & being inspired by photographers, models, burlesque performers, etc has made me feel part of a larger community. I feel at home being surrounded by others that celebrate the beauty & art that is being human
    • I’ve learned that sensuality & sexuality can be beautiful
  • I’ve Learned to See Myself as an Artist and a Work of Art
    • I see myself as a work of art, which I believe everyone is
    • As a photographer, I wanted to capture the beauty of femininity and create art featuring feminine characters. In being my own model for my photography, I get to embody and appreciate this in myself
    • Modeling for my own camera also means I can create portraits whenever I can/want without needing to seek out a photographer
  • My Technical & Artistic Skills Have Grown
    • Through my journey with boudoir and self-portrait photography, my skills in modeling, lighting, photography, makeup, styling and more have grown
    • By doing all these aspects myself, I’ve been inspired to research how to do these individual skills
Boudoir self-portrait featuring red lace lingerie, shot with backlighting in the Blessed Shadows photo studio

Although not definitive by any means, these are some of the ways that boudoir and self-portrait photography have improved my life!

Are you a boudoir model, photographer, and fellow self-portrait artist?

How have boudoir photography & self-portraits changed your life?

Here’s an ongoing list of Essential Tools & Equipment that I love having in the photo studio!

Favorite tools and photography equipment in the Blessed Shadows studio

The linked list above contains affiliate links that can earn me a commission at no cost to you.

by Ophelia

Happy New Year!

Fantasy and beauty self-portrait photograph in the studio featuring red hair and flowers. Makeup: CoverGirl, Maybelline, Physicians Formula

Happy New Year from the Blessed Shadows Studio!

I hope this new year brings you beautiful creations, plenty of time in the photo studio, and bursts of creativity.

What Are Your Photography Goals?

  • Do you want to learn how to use flashguns in the studio?
  • Are you wanting to learn how to create beautiful self-portraits?
  • Do you want to practice photoshoot makeup?
Let me know what your goals are as a photographer and creator this year!

Myself, I’m hoping to dedicate more time to providing reviews for my favorite tools & equipment as well as photography and photoshoot makeup tutorials.

What would you love to learn to achieve your goals?

by Ophelia

Christmas Time : Portrait Photography

Holiday portrait featuring red hair and makeup

The Holidays are the Perfect Time for a Photoshoot

Happy Holidays, my loves!

It’s the holiday season, and it’s the perfect time for a photoshoot to show off beautiful costumes, scenery, and perhaps a custom photo book of boudoir portraits for a loved one.

Self-portrait Photography for a holiday photoshoot. Featuring red hair and makeup, and a beautiful Christmas dress and bouquet

What’s Your Favorite Kind of Holiday Photoshoot?

Do you love traditional holiday portraits?

Boudoir photography?

Mpix is my favorite print shop to get custom gifts and beautiful prints.

They’re not sponsoring this post, I just truly love this printer and trust them to bring my photoshoots to life!

by Ophelia

Portrait Photography Essentials: Ring Light

This post contains an affiliate link that can earn me a small commission at no cost to you.

It’s a great way to share tools I use and love!

alternative gothic fashion portrait photography

One of my favorite investments in photography equipment has been the Neewer Ring Light!

Great Light for Photography & Video

This ring light is great for not only fill light, but serves as a wonderful key light for portraits and YouTube videos!

I have been using this ring light for years and have used it religiously for the videos on the BlessedShadows YouTube channel for makeup tutorials.

Let’s break down what makes this ring-light a great addition to any photography or video studio, and what could be improved on.

Pros:

  • Continuous Light
    • Because this light is not flash, what you see is what you get!
  • Adjustable Angle
    • This light is adjustable when fixed to a light stand.
    • Easily angle the light up or down
  • 7.5’ Cord
  • Lightweight
    • This light is under 7 lbs, however, I recommend a sturdy and heavy-duty light stand that’s weighed down to help avoid accidentally knocking it over or it otherwise falling over

Cons:

  • Light Cannot be Dimmed
    • One can buy a diffuser cover to go over this light, but I wish the ring light itself was dimmable
  • Runs Hot
    • This light is 75 watts, and when the model is standing close, it can get a bit warm as it’s a fluorescent light
    • I recommend turning off the power when not in immediate use, like when touching up makeup, changing the backdrop, etc

This Neewer Ring Light is a 8/10 in my studio, and is a great piece of equipment when you don’t want to shoot portraits with flash (exclusively or at all).

Because it’s continuous light, it’s perfect for filming YouTube videos.

What’s your favorite lighting equipment to use for portrait photography and video?

by Ophelia