Wedding + Boudoir Photography

Him + Her | Part 2 | Sacramento Couples Boudoir

Tammy — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:05:12 +0000

A Hawaiian girl falls in love with her personal trainer. Sounds like a cliche, but it’s uber adorable. They are fit, hot and perfect together and this session proves just that.

Check out Part 1 | Her: http://lovenotes.tammynguyenle.com/sacramento-boudoir-photo-er-selflessness/

Cool Factor | Kolby + Nikole | Couples

Tammy — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:06:44 +0000

I’m in love with this session for several reasons. As a photographer I get to see awesome places and shoot backgrounds like the Golden Gate Bridge, but for me a field is hands down my favorite place. I just love the simplicity of the scenery. How it can be all about the subject when I shoot it and how the light during sunset just makes the field light up like gold. Secondly, I’m in love with this couple. This session really reminds me of summer time, road tripping and awesome music. I think Nikole and Kolby’s persona has a lot to do with that. They seriously have the ultimate cool factor, a little bit grungy, a splash alternative and a lot of rocknroll. I dig it….Happy Summer.

Stories of Selflessness | Her – Part 1 | Sacramento Boudoir Photography

Tammy — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:43:21 +0000

Some people see boudoir as just sexy pictures. At face value this may be the case, but every session I shoot I also hear about amazing women. To me these pictures actually document something very special: Strength, life lessons and a story. For instance, this beautiful lady in teal has a story about becoming a mother. Her motherhood story is very similar to many. She gains a lot of weight during her pregnancies and she’s been working extra hard to get her confidence back. To me, this represents more than just bringing sexy back, it’s about women rediscovering themselves after much selflessness for others. That part of the story is what is truly unique no matter how many times I hear it.

Hair and Makeup By Ashely Grinnell.
If you are interested in scheduling a boudoir shoot email xoxo@tammynguyenle for a full boudoir guide.

Electrify with HD | Sacramento Boudoir Photography

Tammy — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:29:06 +0000

A few months back Heather was brave and kind enough to join me on my vlog to talk about some modeling tips. I finally got around to editing some photos from that video, but also a really awesome video of Heather as an extra cherry on top. I remember the day we shot these photos I made her stand in a field for about an hour. It got colder and she barely was wearing anything! She is by far the most electric person I know! Enjoy!

Watch the other videos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv65tPseiT0 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVAk1ZO7ueA.

31 days of grateful | May in Review

Tammy — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:11:28 +0000

First, I can’t believe that 2013 is half way over. I turned the big 3-0 last month (I didn’t die thankfully) and am in awe of how fast life passes you by. It’s one of those things that if you really sit down and think about it you can’t help but to breathe in how precious every moment is. At the beginning of the year I was feeling a little bit bummed and uninspired. Lately, I’ve been trying to fuel my mind with positive mind food. I’m reading again, watching motivational tedtalks before I retire and getting rid of stressers. One of the books I’m reading has a chapter about being grateful. This morning I did an exercise before I got out of bed and I thought about last month.

I spent more than half the month of May up north away from my husband, but got to spent some precious moments with my mom and sisters. I got to see my littlest sister graduate high school and although living with my mom temporary stressed me out, at least now I can be grateful that I am no longer living at home. LOL.

On my birthday my best friends and I went out to eat and shop. My best friend got me my first canon (or should I say caniam) coffee cup. AHHHH! It’s something you would never buy for yourself, but it’s so very exciting when someone else gets it for you.

I am so grateful for macarons. Well, not just macarons, thai food, sushi…okay I’m just in love with food. Not just because it’s delicious, but mostly because it brings friends and conversations together.

I laughed with my DAD for about 2 hours. Although he has made many mistakes I can’t say I’m not lucky to have him in my life.

…but the one thing I have to say was the most heartwarming was spending time with some exceptional ladies during my boudoir marathon. Getting teary eyed when one of them saw their photos and being able to photograph a wonderful woman who is fighting breast cancer. I GET to document those stories for strong women!

This is one month of my life. A short 31 days, but a long list of things to be grateful for.

Bring on JUNE!

Enve + Mary are engaged! | San Francisco Engagement Photography

Tammy — Wed, 29 May 2013 07:11:49 +0000

They met 6 year ago during a car ride to a friend’s wedding. She is a nurse, 1 of 7 children and loves to wear toms. He is a pharmacist, born in Vietnam and is usually the one to keep her calm. They love their dogs, new adventures, and the city of San Francisco, which is where we spent the day. Baker Beach and Golden Gate Park was beautiful. They laugh with ease and are simply adorable together. It was wonderful day with two spectacular people and one incredible love.

Justin + Charleen get married! | Elk Grove Wedding Photography

Tammy — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:12:42 +0000

They met in high school and on their first date Charleen’s friends and family remembered her grinning from ear to ear. “Justin makes her so happy.” They said. A little bit over 4 years ago Justin had asked Charleen’s grandfather for her hand in marriage. This wedding was a long time in the making, but their love is true and their bond is strong. I’m so happy for them both and glad I was there to see this finally happen for them. Congrats!

As always, I absolutely adore first looks!

Hair and Make-up: Scarlett Salon
Attire: House of Fashion
2nd shooter: Leslie Callan of Green Vintage

Non Lingerie Top Ideas | Sacramento Boudoir Photography

Tammy — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:43:23 +0000

Often I like to go shopping for non-lingerie inspired outfits for boudoir shoots. Although I think some things like corsets, teddies and baby dolls are great and are specifically made for these sessions I often feel like those options can become too cliche. I feel that some coverage is not always a bad thing, sexy can be expressed in many ways and it doesn’t always mean you have to take off your clothes. Here’s some ideas of stuff you might already own in your wardrobe that are great for your boudoir session and may surprise you.

1. A sheer button up top.

2. A cool rocker jacket

3. An over the shoulder shirt

4. Simple Blank and White Tank Tops

5. Sequins!

6. Top with Sparkly embellishments

7. Lacy fabrics or overlays

8. Graphic Tees or Tanks

9. A comfy Sweater

10. A ruffled peasant top

Négligée | Sacramento Boudoir Photography

Tammy — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:15:28 +0000

This delicate silk vintage négligée was a gift from her Grandmother on her wedding day. It reminded me of old Hollywood Glam. Ruby red lips and gold shoes completed the look. She looks absolutely break taking and dazzling in it. By far my favorite set of the day, but most of all it made me smile that Grandma was just as spicy as her Granddaughter.

Essential Hair and Make-up Tips for a Smooth Wedding Day

Tammy — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:35:54 +0000

Trial and Error

Take advantage of Hair and Make-up Trials. It’s a great chance to try out a color shade that is perfect for your wedding, but maybe you are not use to wearing and is also will help to see if you may have bad reaction to a certain foundation, but most of all, if you schedule your engagement shoot on the same day, it’s a great way to to see how your make-up will look in photos.

More is Better.

Whether you want to go natural or dramatic on your big day remember that your make-up will always look darker and your hair will always look bigger in the mirror than in your photos. If you are not use to wearing tons of make-up on a day to day basis you may feel a little overwhelmed. This is where a trial will come in handy to prepare yourself and trusting your stylist is key.

Match-y Match-y

You don’t want to look too dark or too light on your wedding day. If you want dramatic eyes think about toning out your look with a more subtle lip. Dark lips and dark eyes together, just looks, well….dark. If you want a red lip maybe try more bright toned down eye shadows. Talk to your stylist about what’s the best combination for you.

Brows and Lashes

If nothing else, especially if you are doing your own make-up, don’t forget your brows. Every make-up artist I talk to says brows are the most common problem area. Also, highlight those beautiful eyes with some false lashes. They are less then $10 at most stores and are worth it!

Timing is Everything

From experience, by far the number one reason why tardiness occurs is due to not enough time scheduled for hair and make-up. I can’t stress enough that the bride is priority and should always be the first in the make-up chair. Brides should schedule at least 2 hours for hair and make-up and these 2 hours need to start 2 hours before she is scheduled to get in her dress. I know it may sound very opposite of what you may have heard. While it’s important for everyone to be ready on time, it’s essential for the bride because most of the daily events cannot happen without the bride. For instance on most weddings days I require at least an hour for the bride to get into her dress and then another 20 to 30 minutes to do detail shots of the bride alone. This allows for 1.5 hours before formal bridal pictures start. So in this example, this leaves about at least a good 1 hour for any additional bridesmaids that are not involved in the getting ready process to get ready.

Don’t skimp

Get stylists that you trust and that have experience with all types of conditions. The last thing you want is looking at your pictures and thinking about how much you hate your hair and make-up because you went with someone less inexpensive. Remember these are images that will be hanging in your home for years to come.

Time Savers

If you have a big bridal party ask your stylist about extra associates and if you can avoid it see if the stylist will travel to you.

Be you.

Last, but not least and probably the most important, sometimes the idea of trying something new sounds exciting, but it may not be exactly you. Be true yourself. Don’t be pressured to go too far outside your comfort zone, but the better message is just be a better version of who you are.