Barbies of Dream Boudoir Toronto

The other day when I was scrolling through social media, I came across this beautiful write up which I am sharing with you here with permission from the woman who wrote it:

“I’ve seen a few men on this platform (social media) criticize the Barbie craze or admit they’re ready for it to go away.  So, let me tell you a story.

In my early 30s, I went to the apartment (for the first time) of a man I was dating.  He had a giant Death Star replica, a Luke Skywalker and a Darth Vader figurine. He was an adult man with toys visible and on display in his home. He wasn’t ashamed or apologetic. His friends thought it was cool.  I thought it was odd but didn’t question it (imagine if a new guy/love interest showed up to a 30, 40 or 50-something woman’s home to find Barbie, Ken, Growing Up Skipper and Midge displayed on a shelf). That’s because it’s acceptable for men to acknowledge their childhood.  It’s acceptable for men to have toys.

Heck, right now, my 70-something dad has a man cave full of model airplanes, a life-sized Batman and a Darth Vader. I think there is a Superman, too.

Girls and women, however, are societally expected to outgrow and move on from our toys. We’re expected to shift our focus from baby dolls to human babies and from Barbie dolls to being real-life Barbies for our boyfriends and husbands. We are expected to mother baby humans and become the dolls we once dressed up while managing critiques of our body sizes, shapes, careers, makeup and wardrobe choices.

I loved Barbie.  I mean, I loved Barbie! But by my teenage years, my collection of Barbies was gathered up and passed on to a younger cousin simply because it was time for me to move on from childish things. But I never stopped loving Barbie.

In fact, I still get excited to see and even visit at stores the Holiday Barbie and all her finery when she comes out each year. I’d have a house full of Barbies if I could.

And why can’t I?

Well…

Women are expected to leave behind our childhoods, that essence of who we were, that time of innocence, imagination and wonder. We are expected to leave behind play and playtime.

We’re not really even allowed hobbies except for those that center around home and family.

This is not the case for men. It’s acceptable to hang on to everything from video games to action figures to bike riding. I feel like every guy I ever dated in Austin would spend hours getting muddy on a mountain bike each week.

For so many of us, Barbie is the toy we had to give up along with our girlhood, our childhood. We not only miss her, we miss the girl inside each of us who still loves her and all she represented to us.  Barbie could be anything and there was a time we believed we could be, too, before life, societal pressures, reality and patriarchy stepped in, hit us over the head with a pink 2X4, took away our toys, made us grow up and told us it was all our fault anyway.”   ~Rachel E.

 

In the enchanting world of photography, there’s a studio, YOUR studio, that celebrates femininity like no other in the bustling heart of Toronto: Dream Boudoir Photography has become synonymous with redefining boudoir and women’s portrait photography. My team and I are dedicated to creating a safe and supportive space for women to explore their femininity, bask in their beauty, and celebrate their uniqueness. We believe that every woman deserves to feel empowered, and our photography sessions aim to do just that!

I’m Alishba, the owner and photographer at Dream Boudoir Photography, where I affectionately call my clients as “DreamGirls.”I n this blog post, I will take you on a captivating journey, showcasing a collection of dreamy photos that fit the flirty and the girl inside us all that we have been reminded of by the latest Barbie movie, a symbol of empowerment, and ever-changing feminine strength.

Unveiling DreamGirls: Redefining Boudoir Photography

At Dream Boudoir Photography, each Dream Girl is treated like a work of art, capturing your elegance and grace through the lens of the camera. The studio has earned a stellar reputation for creating a comfortable, safe, and supportive environment where women can explore and express their femininity freely.

The term “DreamGirls” affectionately refers to the clients of the studio, as you embark on a transformative experience. The photography sessions are much more than just pictures; they are an ode to self-love and self-expression. DreamGirls often opt for themes that resonate with their innermost desires, and even before the Barbie movie came about, the studio has witnessed a trend of clients embracing the magic of PINK! in boudoir photography.

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Barbie: From male fantasy to the Icon of Empowerment

Barbie, the iconic doll from Mattel, has been more than just a toy. She’s a symbol of empowerment, resilience, and limitless possibilities. But that was not always the case — Barbie was always a certain body and skin type that played on the male fantasy and the Western male view of “perfection.” And then things changed — for decades, Barbie has been inspiring girls and women worldwide to dream big and break through societal stereotypes. The recent Barbie movie beautifully captured the essence of this message, reigniting the spark of imagination in DreamGirls.

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Embracing Barbie-Inspired Boudoir Photography

The fable of Barbie has always been seen the Dream Boudoir Photography studios subconsciously. My DreamGirls have been the muse to celebrate the essence of femininity. In feminine and flirty sets and colors, what looks like Barbie-inspired boudoir photography, they have always embarked on a journey to embrace the vibrant colors of life, the sense of adventure, and the empowerment of having been through the journey of womanhood.

Let’s take a look at this unique boudoir and women’s portrait photography I’ve created in studios in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area!

1. The Dreamy Pastels

You can draw inspiration from Barbie’s signature color palette and we can incorporate mesmerizing pastels into our shoots. From soft blush pinks to dreamy sky blues and elegant creamy whites, these colors accentuated the grace and charm of our DreamGirls, making each shot an enchanting masterpiece. Soft pastels exuded a delicate and dreamy aura which we can also put in a badass contrast.

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2. Confidence and Elegance

In the Barbie movie, the protagonist portrays confidence and elegance effortlessly. These qualities are beautifully captured during the boudoir sessions. Our DreamGirls are posed in graceful, poised stances that reflected the strength and resilience they carry within themselves while they’re kissed by the softest light to show off the glow of self-love and independence.

As your photographer, my goal is to make you feel like the most empowered version of herself, capturing your pride and inner strength in every frame.

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3. Embracing Diversity

Just like Barbie dolls now come in various shapes, sizes, and ethnicities, at Dream Boudoir Photography in Toronto and internationally, I celebrate diversity everyday! As being a woman of color myself, among other things, I understand the importance of representation. Every woman, regardless of her appearance, abilities, or background, deserves to feel beautiful and empowered, just like the diverse range of Barbie dolls inspire. I have photographed women who are entirely hearing impaired (we conducted the whole pre-session planning and the actual session via written words on our screen), visually impaired (a beautiful mother and business owner trusted me her vision of beautiful photographs with her prosthetic eye), all relationship statuses (I once photographed a lovely girl who had her right broken right before Valentine’s day and we decided to do the session for her on Valentine’s day to redefine the day and I have photographed women in all statuses that come between married, divorced, widowed, poly, you name it!) all shapes, and all ethnicities. It has truly been a real source of joy for me to see these women celebrate the artwork of their bodies in their homes!

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4. The Sense of Adventure

Barbie is known for her exciting adventures and limitless imagination. To emulate that sense of adventure, I have destination photography sessions as well! We can also do local special shoots as well: Be it on a motorcycle or on the beach or both! These shoots invite you all to step into a world of imagination and self-discovery, allowing you to indulge in the thrill of exploring new facets of your personalities.

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Closing Thoughts

As the proud owner of Dream Boudoir Photography, seeing my DreamGirls embrace their inner Barbie has been nothing short of magical. We have found a beautiful muse in the Barbie movie. At Dream Boudoir Photography, these remarkable women have embarked on a journey of self-discovery and self-expression. The connection between DreamGirls and the iconic Barbie reflects the strength and empowerment that come from embracing one’s uniqueness. Dream Boudoir photography goes beyond the surface, diving deep into the core of a person’s soul, and capturing the essence of who they truly are.

As the camera continues to click and the shutter captures timeless moments of grace and femininity, DreamGirls will continue to inspire countless women worldwide to embrace their inner Barbie and embark on a journey of self-love and empowerment. Through Barbie-inspired boudoir and women’s portrait photography, I aim to empower and inspire women throughout Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area to embrace their femininity, cherish their uniqueness, and celebrate their boundless dreams.

Thank you for joining me on this captivating journey, and remember, you are beautiful, powerful, and deserving of all the dreams you hold dear. Until we meet again, stay inspired and continue shining bright!

P.S. More of a darker theme woman? Well, stay tuned for the next feature on this blog 😉

$200 off your session fee if you

BOOK YOUR PHONE CONSULT TODAY!

Dream Boudoir Photography - Toronto Vancouver for Women surrealist portrait

Surrealist Portraiture — Why I do it

Dream Boudoir Photography - Toronto Vancouver for Women surrealist portrait

In art, there’s technique for creating an illusion of three-dimensions (depth and space) on a two-dimensional (flat) surface. This technique is called Perspective Art, for this is what makes a painting seem to have form, distance, and look “real.”

In Western art, the most common form of linear perspective was developed in the early 15th century. Using straight lines to plot the view, this system was used by the Renaissance artist Leon Battista Alberti and architect Filippo Brunelleschi. They are also credited with the “invention” of linear perspective. Alberti’s book “On Painting” published in 1435 has theoretical written in it. In art and architecture, we still use Alberti’s one-vanishing-point system.

When learning how to paint, perspective is possibly the most feared aspect. The mere idea of “perspective” makes many artists tremor. Though it is not the rules of perspective that are hard to learn but the consistent application to every bit of art that’s challenging and requires mastery. An accomplished artist will have the patience to check the perspective as the painting progresses, and to take the time to adjust it.

What we are talking about today is not the architectural linear perspective, but instead, perspective of the soul.

There are many ways to look at a photograph — they’re our mirrors, our inspiration, our nostalgia, our story.

Dream Boudoir Photography - Toronto Vancouver for Women surrealist portrait

When I create these powerful boudoir photos in my Mississauga studio or Vancouver studio, I am elevating women from looking at themselves from a “normal” view point to a “high” view point. Appreciating every curve: be it a smile or the body, celebrating every roll, every stretch mark, every scar, showing off the internal truth of your being is what I do best. Your story of love, life, struggle, and success.

Dream Boudoir Photography - Toronto Vancouver for Women surrealist portrait

But when I am creating these specific surrealist portraits, I’m creating your character and your story from imagination (rather than observation). Observation has its value, as you can see in the bulk of my photography mastery, but this surrealist portraiture gives imagination a next level push to serve one purpose: To suspend the linearity of time i.e. past, present, future — and merge it all together in one classic masterpiece.

The past is who you were, what you learned, what you loved, what you changed.

The future is who you will be, what you want to be, and your dreams.

The present is where you are now: ALL of your emotions, positive or negative, all of your struggles that you did or did not overcome, all of it.

Dream Boudoir Photography - Toronto Vancouver for Women surrealist portrait

The surrealist approach unites all of it in to a TIMELESS piece of handcrafted portraiture, printed on handmade archival Italian wall art to truly convey the rawness and the realness of this unrealistic art piece. We are bending space and time, showing the gamut of a lived woman’s experience, and telling stories of freedom regained, love acclaimed, battles lost and wars that are won, all one digital brush stroke at a time.

 

Dream Boudoir Photography - Toronto Vancouver for Women surrealist portrait

This artwork is not about dualities or body image or genres, it is only about creating a beautiful chaos with rough edges because that is what all women grow up to become. Some just polish it well, while others have learned to fly barefoot.

Dream Boudoir Photography - Toronto Vancouver for Women surrealist portrait

The process is simple and complicated. This art piece or series is usually a part of your Dream Boudoir or Portrait session. This session will require a video meeting after our initial consultation and booking. Together we will create an idea and bring it to life in my studio when you come for your session. We will discuss various ways you want to display these one of a kind custom art pieces to remind you of your essence every single day and for you to tell your story without words.

I invite you into this world of perspective with me where you will see the you in all your essence.

Here’s how to handle a Valentine’s day break up

AMANDA

 

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Boudoir and Prosthetic Glass Eye

🦋When we first started Lora’s boudoir shoot in Toronto studio, this beautiful mother and business owner was concerned how her prosthetic glass eye would impact the images.

Prosthetics or not, I think her beauty is completely wholesome and absolutely illuminating! When I asked her if I could share her images, she stopped for a second and shrugged and said: “Why not?! They’re beautiful and elegant!” And I agree 💯!

Her wardrobe selection included lace teddies, camo undies, plaid sets, and corsets along with our Dream Boudoir Photography signature angel wings!

What started as an idea to create an album to her husband for their 20th wedding anniversary gift, ended up with side-effects of self-love and boosted confidence.

Thank you, Dreamgirl, for your story and your radiant presence 🙏

SCROLL BELOW TO WATCH LORA’S VIDEO ABOUT HER SESSION EXPERIENCE!

First all-female spacewalk temporarily a no-go by NASA because there aren’t enough spacesuits

This breaks my heart but I understand. The problem is that only 11% of NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration identifies as women that’s why you can’t find a “broad range” of ready-to-wear suits. We should fix it ASAP though.

This is an important feat for women’s empowerment. As a little girl, my dreams of being an astronaut were shattered by the country I was raised in. I wouldn’t allow any other young girl to go through that feeling. NASA, I’ve loved you since the day I could spell “Earth” and I really want you to fix this ASAP. ?

CNN has reported:

NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Christina Koch were set to make history Friday as the first all-female crew to conduct a spacewalk at the International Space Station. Now, Koch will instead be joined by male astronaut Nick Hague due to spacesuit fit issues.

NASA has only one spacesuit size medium available at the station, the agency announced Monday.
As part of Expedition 59, the astronauts were set for a series of three spacewalks to complete work on the ISS. On March 22, Hague and McClain conducted the first in the series. McClain and Koch were set to go out together on Friday to continue work on installing powerful lithium-ion batteries for one pair of the station’s solar arrays.

 

“However, after consulting with McClain and Hague following the first spacewalk, mission managers decided to adjust the assignments, due in part to spacesuit availability on the station,” reads a statement from NASA.
“McClain learned during her first spacewalk that a medium-size hard upper torso — essentially the shirt of the spacesuit — fits her best. Because only one medium-size torso can be made ready by Friday, March 29, Koch will wear it.”
McClain and Koch will both be making history during this mission by being the 13th and 14th women to perform a spacewalk.

As for the third spacewalk in the series, McClain is tentatively scheduled to be joined by Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques on April 8.
The NASA website shows the spacewalk will last about seven hours.
McClain and Koch were part of the 2013 astronaut class, half of which were women, and came from the second largest number of applications NASA ever has received, more than 6,100. The most recent class of flight directors was also 50% women, NASA said.

McClain was on the ISS as part of Expedition 58, while Koch blasted off into space on March 14 to reach the station for Expedition 59 and 60 along with Cmdr. Alexey Ovchinin and Hague. This is the first time in space for McClain and the first spaceflight for Koch.

Spacewalks are held for a number of reasons, according to NASA, including doing work outside a spacecraft, conducting science experiments and testing new equipment. Astronauts also conduct spacewalks to fix satellites or spacecraft that are already in space, instead of having them brought back to Earth to fix.

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