Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Cooper.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Catherine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have been married for 18 years and mother to 5 beautiful children. I started out as a hairstylist with a camera in hand at all times. Although, I have always had a camera in my hand I could never figure out what genre of photography I loved. At that time, nothing really sparked for me. Well, one day I told my husband that I wanted some sexy photos of myself to celebrate how comfortable I was with my body. I was not the perfect weight or size by any means but I loved me and I wanted to document it. Also, as much as I love my husband and children I needed something for me. At the time, I had no idea that this genre of photography was called “boudoir”. I scheduled a photo shoot with a friend and went off to have it done. The day of my session I was not prepared because honestly, I had no idea how to prepare. I grabbed a few lingerie outfits and walked into the photography studio. It was dark and I was really scared. I knew what the end result looked like but no idea how to get there. Well, the session didn’t turn out so well either. The majority of my images looked as if I was scared.
A week after my session, I started to look at my images and became really excited. I figured that I could not be the only woman that wants to celebrate how she feels, take the time out to look sexy, or just be able to say ” I still got it”. So that is when I fell in love with the boudoir genre of photography. I sat down and constructed a plan to walk women through the entire process. What to wear, doing their hair and makeup, and showing them exactly how to pose.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been an easy road. In the beginning, I needed images to show potential clients and did not have anything. I would ask friends to pose for me but some of them felt very self-conscious about their bodies and did not want to trust that I would pose them properly. Also, I needed somewhere to photograph. The only option that was available to me was my home garage. I would spend long hours making my garage into the perfect boudoir studio. Not to mention I have five children. We had a lot of family meetings about behavior when mom has a client (laugh). Last, I would have to say time away from family was the biggest struggle of it all. I built pretty much 98 percent of Catherine Cooper Photography myself from logo and website design to the famous wood wall that my clients love being photographed on and as a result I missed a lot of basketball games, family laughs etc. But it was totally worth it to see how proud my husband and children are of me today.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Catherine Cooper Photography for Women – what should we know?
Catherine Cooper Photography for Women is a boudoir portrait studio located in Arlington, TX. I specialize in bringing out the sass, sexy and confidence in women through photographs. I am known for my relaxing personality that plays a big part in how comfortable clients feel when they are standing in front of me trusting that I will capture them in the most flattering way ever. I am so proud of my ability to pose and photograph any shape, size and color woman. What sets me apart from others is the personal experience women receive when they book a session. I only book one session a day (unless she wanted to hang out with her friend and make it a double session) because I want that day to be all about her. I make sure everything is customized for her from hair and makeup to the images she wants to show off. Women who book a boudoir session with me can relax in knowing that I am fully aware of the end results they want to achieve. And that I am able to walk them every step of the way in creating the most beautiful images of themselves.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have to first give credit to my number one fans, my husband Willie Smith and my children Cherell and Shauntell Cooper, Ahmar’ja, Willie Jr. and Nathan Smith. From the very beginning of my business I have always felt so guilty when I miss a game or can’t cook dinner that night. But they are always reassuring me that everything is okay and to keep going. Without them pushing me, I probably would have given up a long time ago. Also, my wonderful photography friends in DC. I know you think D.C is a long way for a mentor. But, yes one in particular is my best boudoir photography friend ever that stays on my butt Ms. Bonita Elias. When the rest of the world thinks I am absolutely insane with all of this boudoir photography talk. We are on the phone for hours so excited about a new image or marketing idea.
Contact Info:
- Address: 110 West Randol Mill Rd. Ste. 222 Arlington, TX 76011
- Website: www.catherinecooperphotography.com
- Phone: (469) 254-1014
- Email: cathy@catherinecooperphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_cooper_photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherinecooperphotography
Image Credit:
Catherine Cooper Photography
Derrick Dallas Best Photographer
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