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AND GET A $200 GIFT CERTIFICATE

BECOME A LIFE AS FINE ART VIP!

There are so many incredible things happening this summer and I am fully prepared to blow your mind. If you have been interested in a boudoir photo session or follow my work, some unbelievable surprises await you. They'll all be announced in my email VIP Newsletter first.

This newsletter will provide you with special offers, gallery openings, special events, boudoir tips and advice, and amazing feel-good soul candy on a regular basis (no spam, I promise.)

BUT... you have to be on the VIP list to receive all this wonderful goodness.

FOR A VERY LIMITED TIME while supplies last, Email Newsletter recipients will receive a $200 Gift Certificate which can be used towards the purchase on any Boudoir Collection during your Viewing Premiere (a post-session scheduled appointment). Gift certificates will be emailed in early August 2015, and your VIP session can be booked weekdays between August and November. See bottom of the page for complete terms and conditions.

Subscribe between June 18-August 5, 2015. A $200 Gift certificate will be issued to eligible VIP Newsletter email subscribers that successfully subscribe to during the offer period. Offer valid towards the purchase of any Life As Fine Art Boudoir Collection following your boudoir or Beauty/Glamour session. May be redeemed during in-person viewing appointments only. We are not responsible for errors and omissions if your subscription is not valid, approved or activated. We reserve the right to decline subscribers. This offer is not eligible for boudoir-and / or non-boudoir photographers who may be clients or prospective clients. Offer cannot be combined or substituted with other offers presented by Life As Fine Art, LLC. Non transferable. VIP Boudoir Gift Certificate Must be redeemed by December 1, 2015.   

RED BANK + NYC BOUDOIR | A SECRET BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY CONFESSION

SIGH. Excuses. Excuses.

As a New Jersey Boudoir Photographer, I hear them all. I hear them all the way across the bridge from NYC, too. Women want to do a session. They want it badly. But they won't allow themselves. 

BUT Not until… (fill in the blank)

"I figure out how to lose 10 pounds".

"I feel sexy again"

"I have a boyfriend"

"I'm getting divorced"

"I'm getting married"

"I get plastic surgery"

The list goes on and on and on. I have heard them all. It's not that I want to "corrupt the world" into thinking that everyone needs to do a  (although I wish I could). It's really not for everyone. (Like complete Type-A control freaks, for example.) But it IS for everyone else. 

What I want to encourage is to let go. Let yourself be photographed. Allow yourself the honor and celebration to be at one with yourself. For once. 

There are a lot of fears and misconceptions about photo shoots, and I shatter them here.

You can help me shatter a few more of your own.  Want to discuss? Contact me today!

BODY POSITIVE MOVEMENT: TREND OR FOE? | NJ AND NYC BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHER

NEW JERSEY AND NYC BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHER CATE SCAGLIONE SHARES SOME PERSONAL VIEWS ON THE BODY POSITIVE MOVEMENT 

I have never been a trendsetter, nor a trend follower. Growing up in the 1980's, when neon day-glow clothes and those jelly slippers were all the rage, I was sporting the earth tones and leather penny loafers. You'd never see me macking that satiny pro-team jacket, a boy band button, or even the Anniston cut of the 1990's. Why? Am I horribly unstylish? Gothically defiant? NO. 

I just hate being a cog in short-lived movements that go away.  

As a boudoir photographer in style and brand-conscious NYC area, I tend to notice more trends related to women than the average consumer. This means I am currently inundated with the "body-positive" campaigns. At first, I LOVVVVED it... I even launched a curvy girl boudoir photo gallery on my website, because... 

I wanted to let curvy girls know that my BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE IS FOR EVERYONE, regardless of size shape, OR EVEN AGE. It was not a strategy, but rather an invitation.

There were fears and misconceptions out there that prevented me from working with amazing, interesting women.

So many commented that they thought that my clients are all model-types. (and some ARE and some are not). But guess what? Regardless of size, about 85% suffer from body snark. You know, the self deprecating comments about one's own body, with cleverly disguised self-loathing jokes. It is not reserved for plus sized ladies. It is something I witness among ALL ladies.

In fact, the most model-esque client I ever photographed was petrified to put her body in front of a camera. SHE HAD BODY SNARK.

But suddenly, in the midst of all this PLUS SIZE hoopla in the media, I find myself wondering if I am part of a "trend". My intentions are right, but what's the message I am sending? I hate to be "The day glow jelly slipper." I wonder if the message so eloquently launched by Dove's campaign almost a decade ago has stumbled from realism + social responsibility...And into a realm of "trendy". 

Self acceptance should not JUMP THE SHARK.
It should NOT BE AN IDEA THAT goES away. 

Has the "Real Woman" pendulum swung so far as to say "REAL WOMAN = PLUS SIZE"? Are my size 2, 4, 6, 10, 14 clients NOT "REAL WOMEN", according to this movement? If Plus Size is Trendy, does a Size 8 woman become the object of Body Snark and find herself in the unacceptable "middle"? I'LL BE DAMNED.

ALL WOMEN have feelings about their body type ...and now I find myself wondering if I am part of a trend, dammit.  

SHED YOUR BODY SNARK...I WILL SHOW YOU HOW EASY.

As the Lingerie Addict blogger astutely commented, many of the commentary she sees on lingerie blogs are written by petite aspirational body-conscious types that jumped onto a sort of marketing bandwagon. They casually push self acceptance in one post, and body-fearing weight gain in other posts. Their proverbial slip is showing, and it's revealing "TRENDY". (Read more here.)   

FEELING GOOD IS NOT A TREND. "life as fine art" is NOT meant to be trendy. IT IS simply a mindset i want to enable. 

So here, on my website, on my blog, in my studio, I want to declare a snark-free body zone, Plus Size or Not. I hope you will join me. 

HOW TO HIRE THE RIGHT PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY CAN BE PRICELESS AND HERE'S WHY....

Ok Folks, this one is a bit of a tearjerker.

But it really expresses the sentiment I bring to my business so well. 

Your photographer of choice is more than (or SHOULD be more than!) than someone you hire simply to "take your pictures". Your Uncle Bob or your neighbor Mary can do that. Save the important stuff for your professional photographer. Hire us capture you, but more importantly, hire us to capture how you feel.

Not everyone is equipped to do this, and those who can, truly thrive in our industry. It's not an acquired skill, but rather an inherent quality. It is not something that comes with their new camera. It is something that comes with being both an empath and a skilled artist.

I have been a professional photographer in New Jersey for more than a decade now, and learned photography more than 20 years ago while in college. As a proud longstanding member of the Professional Photographers of America, I really wanted to share this video. 

Here, you'll find real moms who share heart-wrenching stories about their families and discuss how professional photographers helped them preserve family memories. The "pictures" are no longer pictures, but heirloom art pieces that cannot be replaced, nor cannot have a price tag. 

I shoot quite a bit of glamour and boudoir photography in New Jersey and New York City, as well as fine art, special children's photography. It doesn't matter if it's your family photos, beauty photography, or your wedding photos... There is only one TODAY.

Make sure you hire someone you can trust to preserve your present moments the way you feel.

And IF you hire the right person, they'll be a keeper. I would love to be your "keeper".

xoxo, Cate

NJ + NYC BOUDOIR | 15 YEARS OF ANNIVERSARY GIFTS THROUGH BOUDOIR PHOTOS

15 YEARS OF WEDDING ANNIVERSARY GIFTS BOUDOIR STYLE

With the height of wedding season here, it's always a gentle reminder to me that lots of my clients are celebrating and seeking wedding anniversary gift ideas.  As a New Jersey Boudoir Photographer, my stylist Miranda and I find ourselves super busy hosting clients in NJ + NYC for boudoir photo sessions as gift ideas for their anniversary.

If my clients have taught me anything, it's that every wedding anniversary is a chance to do something special for their love. It doesn't have to be your 1st, 5, 10th or 25th wedding anniversary to need a reason to celebrate. To help you think through your own upcoming anniversary gifts, I've compiled a wonderful list of original ideas how you can celebrate your special day. 

1st ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEA: PAPER

Paper doesn't need to be unsexy. With some elegant boudoir photos as your gift, you can create a special and upscale anniversary gift that will last a lifetime. For the ultimate paper anniversary gift,  I'd suggest a boudoir session featuring my Signature Poetic Love Story book with Italian milled Tintoretto paper, made by Queensberry. Many brides are familiar with Queensberry, as the ultimate bridal album. You can personalize the vellum overlay paper with personal messages and quotes. 

Beautiful poetic storybook display by Queensberry.

2nd Anniversary GIFT IDEA -  Cotton

There's something organically beautiful about cottony styled boudoir sessions. I'd recommend a "White Sheet" session, featuring ...YOU, a cotton sheet and your God-given beauty. 

Cotton Anniversary Gift Idea - A White Sheet Boudoir Session with LifeAsFineArt.com

3RD ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEA: LEATHER 

Imported Italian leather album makes a perfect anniversary gift. LifeAsFineArt.com

4th ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEA: FLOWERS

A growing trend this year in boudoir photography is a flowery milk bath. Sure it requires a little effort, but WOW look at the results! Imagine this on your wall! 

The milk bath...a growing trend in boudoir. LifeAsFineArt.com 

5th ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEAS: WOOD

A beautiful wood carved frame from the Cate Scaglione Frame Collection.

6th ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEAS: CANDY

Nothing says sexy like chocolate. Skip the cliche gift chocolate heart... And create a chocolate themed anniversary, including a boudoir session dressed in chocolate, along with a chocolate leather album?

Haute Chocolate by aibp featuring polypropylene outdoor rugs

7th Anniversary GIFT IDEA: Wool 

Buy him a wooly sweater as a gift. But before you hand over that plain old dull thing, give him a boudoir image collage of YOU in it. Sweaters are a great way to style a session. If you really want to step things up, consider a wild and wooly fur coat!

8th ANNIVERSARY GIFT: BRONZE

This beautiful Italian imported album is both sleek and sexy, making it the perfect way to celebrate a bronze anniversary.

Bronze photo album, imported from Italy. LifeAsFineArt.com   | Image courtesy of Album Epoca

9th ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEAS: WILLOW 

I love outdoor sessions. A beautiful willowy session outside is a fun and creative way to celebrate that willow year...

A willowy outdoor sessions makes a lovely anniversary gift for the wall.  Featured here,model  Alexandra Morgan in her early years.

10th ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEAS: ALUMINUM

I bet you've never imagined ALUMINUM looking this sexy before? This is an aluminum metallic print ensconced in linen and matted in a carved mahogany frame. Perfect way to showcase your boudoir images in upscale decor. 

Aluminum Anniversary Gift idea... Aluminum print wrapped in linen. } From the Cate Scaglione Collection with Jonathan Penney.

11th ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEAS: STEEL 

This imported Italian steel-engraved album is a personal and beautiful way to express yourself on your steel anniversary!

LifeAsFineArt.com | Stainless Stell Italian Imported album, image courtesy of Album Epoca.

12th ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEA: LINEN

From my new Cate Scaglione Frame Collection, a linen-matted fine art print.

A Linen matted print is a great way to commemorate that 12th  linen anniversary. | LifeAsFineArt.com  

13th ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEA: LACE 

Lace is an easy one, and any gorgeous lingerie piece will suffice. But after 13 years, why not give him the gift he'd NEVER expect? Bring your laciest pretty things and I'll help you make a dream session for your 12th Anniversary.

On your 13th Lace Anniversary, Lace is an easy gift to give. But why not make it one he'd never expect? Lace-styled boudoir photo shoot.

14th ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEA: ANIMALS

I haven't done many sessions involving animals and boudoir YET (we do have one in the works so stay tuned...), but animal print is always a great way to go... (more housebroken, too!).

Primal Playthings by aibp featuring Buccellati

15th ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEA: CRYSTAL

This might seem like a hard way to surprise him... But when he pops this beautiful crystal flash drive loaded with your boudoir images into his laptop, he may just want to repeat the honeymoon!

Crystal Flash drive | LifeAsFineArt.com 

HOW TO WEAR GARTER BELTS | NJ & NYC BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHER CATE SCAGLIONE

HOW TO WEAR GARTER BELTS | A WARDROBE WEDNESDAY TUTORIAL FOR NEW JERSEY + NYC BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY CLIENTS

PHOTO CREDIT: L'Ecole Nuit

On this Wardrobe Wednesday, (which is now inconsequentially Thursday- oops!) I'm all about the garter belts, sharing excerpts with permission from Kristine Isberg, on L'Ecole Nuit Lingerie blog. 

PEEPING TOMS?  JUST ANOTHER ORDINARY DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHER... 

It's not uncommon to find me on the floor during a session, adjusting my clients' garter belts. Last week, I found myself shooting Boudoir Photography in Philadelphia. We were in a beautiful apartment with floor to ceiling windows, shooting a bride's boudoir session as her ultimate grooms gift. As I was on the floor fastening those lethal weapons...

I stood up to see her neighbor in the loft across, staring right back at us. What else could I do but WAVE and think to myself, "WOW! Someone is about to have a great day!" This is just an ordinary day in the life for me as a tasteful, classy, elegant boudoir enthusiast here in the New York City and New Jersey boudoir -land.

And I love it.  

Many women have never tried a garter belt because they do not know how to wear them. So here are some tips and tricks from the experts at L'Ecole Nuit, on how to fasten and wear garter belts for their boudoir shoot wardrobe.

PHOTO CREDIT: L'Ecole Nuit

1. What type of hosiery do I need with garter belts?

Stockings work best with garter belts. The top of the stocking has a reinforced double layer to accommodate the garter belt clasps without ripping the stocking itself. Unlike thigh highs, stockings do not have a silicone band to hold them up. They are made specifically for garter belts.

2. How do I fasten the stocking to the garter?

The garter belt typically has four straps that hook the stocking to the front and back of each leg. Once you have the garter on, pull the stocking up (it should reach about mid-thigh), place the side of the strap with the nub underneath your stockings, between your leg and the stocking itself. Next, place the nub in the wide section of the corresponding clip sliding down firmly to hold the stocking in place. As with a bra, you can adjust the length of the garter strap depending on your outfit. 

Tip: Your rear straps should be a bit longer to accommodate sitting (and other) positions!

The beautiful Miss Sharon Taylor knows how to do the garter belt ...for sure. One of my favorite styled sessions to-date.

3. Can you wear garter belts under clothing?

Garter belts that are made of a thin material like lace or silk are perfect to wear under clothing. Some styles even offer shaping and smooth the tummy area if they feature a longer front design.

4. Are garter belts comfortable?

Absolutely. They allow you to wear stockings and have your legs looking and feeling sexier than bare legs, while not being constrictive like pantyhose. 

5. Do I wear my panties over or under the garter?

You can do both. Most images show the garter worn over the panty. Unless you are wearing it for a boudoir photo shoot, I recommend putting the garter belt on first, then the panties. Why? Because it is easier to pull your panties down without having to unfasten the garter. This is practical if you are out on a date night and need to use the ladies room. The other benefit - panties slip off easily - while garter and stockings can remain on during more intimate occasions.

DID YOU KNOW THAT ALL LIFE AS FINE ART CLIENTS HAVE AN EXCLUSIVE OFFER CODE TO L'ECOLE NUIT? 

SPECIAL BOUDOIR LINGERIE OFFER FOR LIFE AS FINE ART CLIENTS. 

To find beautiful lingerie and garter belt ensembles for yourself, visit the L'Ecole Nuit Website by clicking here. It is easy to order and the quality is gorgeous.