Chantale Perron - Project 365: The BlackCAT Adventures

AIBP Featured Photographer | montreal boudoir photography

I've been a proud member of the AIBP (Association of International Boudoir Photographers) for 5 months now. It's an incredible resource for boudoir photographers; full of inspiration and amazing insight on how to run a successful business. In all honesty, I've been sitting in the wings watching the developments in the association, keeping quiet and to myself, with not much involvement or interaction within the group. Not because I'm shy or afraid, more because I've been focusing on specific projects within my own business, and haven't really had the time to participate in real-time.

So imagine my surprise when I saw yesterday's post on this month's Featured Photographer was about ME! I couldn't have been happier! You can check out the article here. A huge thank you goes out to my good friend, Ralph Petermann for writing the article. He has an unbelievable imagination and his wonderful way with words has made me feel, well, like a Super Hero! ;)

I'm also working on something new.....anouncement coming soon!

Hope you have an awesome week....I know I will!

sonya | montreal boudoir portrait photographer

When a woman makes a decision to do a Boudoir shoot with me it seems as though there's not much that can stop her from getting it done. Sonya contacted me to book her Boudoir photoshoot a few months back. She was driving in from Gatineau (about 2 hours away) so we agreed to play it by ear weather wise. The day finally came for her shoot....but then Murphy stepped in; he definitely had other plans for us that day! 

The morning of her boudoir photoshoot a huge snow storm hit the area. Ottawa and Montreal were affected. I called Sonya to see if she wanted to reschedule - the radio was telling everyone to stay off the roads unless you really needed to be out there. But regardless of the warnings, Sonya hit the road super early as she knew her 2 hour drive would be far longer than that. Meanwhile, much closer to home, Daly H (my fabulous makeup artist) also hit the road to run errands before her appointment. It wasn't long before the road conditions got the best of her and she had a car accident; she spun out on the highway, did a few 360s hitting the guardrail a few times along the way. Her car was a total right-off and needless to say, she was a total wreck. But in true awesomeness, Daly settled up with the police officer and tow-truck, and made her way to Tim's to get herself a coffee and wait for me to pick her up. Sonya arrived at the studio not long after. Now THAT is determination.....laced with a half a cup of silliness! Ladies, I think you may have taken the old saying, "you have to suffer to be beautiful" just a little toooooo far. ;) But I'm happy to have spent the cold, snowy day with you both! Thank you for letting me use some of your photos Sonya! 

Take that Murphy! You and your silly law ain't got nothin' on us! 

Have a wonderful Friday! xoxo

#FF Figure Friday | Montreal Boudoir Photographer

I absolutely love the anonymous shots I get in each shoot. For those of you following my work, these are a bit racier than the photos I usually post here.

This time we tried a little something different and I'm loving the final result but more importantly, my client did too!

Have a wonderful Friday! xo xo

Thank You | Montreal Glamour/Boudoir Photographer

To say I'm super behind in blogging sessions would be an understatement! I actually did the count and it seems I have 74 un-blogged sessions for last year and 16 already for the New Year. Under normal circumstances I'd probably freak out and panic at the mere thought of falling so behind. I'd become completely overwhelmed and feel like I've failed somehow, but that's not the case. For some reason I can't help but smile...mostly because I know it means I've been busy - and there is no failure there!

Next month marks the official 5 year anniversary of BlackCAT Photography. So many people thought I was insane to walk away from the stability of the corporate world to become a full-time professional photographer. Maybe they were right? Since 2008, I've gone through some really amazing highs as well as some absolutely rock-bottom-scary lows, both professionally and personally. I've seen tons of photographers come out and explode on the scene only to disappear just as fast. I've read the stats - they say 60% of photographers give up their business in the first year. Of that remaining 40%, another 25% will fail within the 2nd year. The ones that make it are the remaining 15% who endure through the 3rd year (Dane Sanders Fast Track Photographer) Those are some pretty scary facts! But for some reason, I've survived 5 years and I'm going stronger than ever! 

I am so grateful and thankful to all the wonderful ladies who chose me to be their Boudoir / Glamour photographer last year and all those who have booked me for this year. Never did I think my schedule would be so full that clients would have to call 8 weeks in advance to schedule their appointments! I'm humbled and so incredibly grateful. Thank you.

I'm also very proud to announce that I was recently named to the newly formed advisory board, the Student Council of Skip Cohen University (SCU). I first met Skip Cohen when I made my way out to the New Jersey GoingPro Bootcamp in 2010. That seems like a lifetime ago and looking back at that day, I can't believe how much I've grown thanks to my association with Skip Cohen and Scott Bourne. They have both been integral parts of my career and growth as a photographer, business woman and all around cool chick. ;) So thanks to you both, as well. 

OK. OK. Enough with the love-fest, right? Alright.....because no post is complete without a photo, here are just a few of the pretty ladies I was fortunate enough to meet and photograph last year. New and more detailed posts coming soon.....I promise. 

Have a wonderful Monday. xo xo

She is....

I met Lady L late last fall when I was involved with the eFashionista Bra Snob event. We started chatting and I instantly knew I was dealing with a very incredible woman. Her spirit radiates and shines brighter than any I have come across in a very long time. A few weeks later she called me and said she was getting ready to celebrate her 50th birthday and she couldn't think of a more amazing way to celebrate than by doing a shoot with me. I was completely honored and just knew I was up for the challenge!

She is a mother, a daughter, a best friend, a lover, a breast cancer survivor and more importantly, an all around amazing person! Here is just a sneak peek into her day. More to come very shortly - I been buried in shoots and editing so some much needed blog updating is definitely in order! Stay tuned!

In the meantime, have yourselves a super gorgeous Friday!

The Happiness of Now & New Beginnings

It happens every year. Whether I’m ready for it or not, December 31^st creeps in and I’m instantly flushed with the need to take stock of the previous year. Did I get to do the things I wanted to do? Did I achieve the goals I set out to achieve 365 days ago? It’s hard to measure, really. I’ve never been one of those “document everything” or "measure expectations" type of gals. I’ve never seriously held myself accountable to the success of my goals. I guess I just kinda flew by the seat of my pants. If things went well, awesome! If not, oh well there is always next year. 

But no more. This year is different. There’s a spark deep down inside of me – one I have never had before. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’ve had dreams and goals before, but none quite as strong as the ones I have now. Things have changed drastically in my life in the past 5 years; the fog has cleared and now I have vision, strength and hope. I know what I want and I’m determined to achieve it. As much as I’d like to take the easy road, stay hiding behind my fears, I feel it’s time for me to inhale my next breath that will take me into the happiness of now. I'm setting goals, measuring successes and failures of the past year, and clearly defining my future goals and expecations. I'm ready for all the new things this year will bring; new business model, new blog site, new space, new partnerships, new associations, new obstacles & opportunities. Yes, 2013 is going to be a changing year in my life and I can’t wait to live it!

With that being said, I'd like to take a minute to thank each and every single woman I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing this year. It has been so fulfilling, so inspirational, so exhilerating. I'm blessed to do what I love for a living. I am grateful for every single woman who walks through my door, trusting me to show her true beauty, inside and out.  

And because I feel no post is complete without just a bit of sexiness, here’s a sneak peek from a very recent shoot. This image is definitely on the top of my Faves list for 2012. Can’t wait to show you the entire shoot, in a later blog post (and hopefully a new blog platform!).

In the meantime, let me wish you all a very, very Happy New Year, filled with all the very best life has to offer.

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Luxe Lingerie event for Bra Snobs

I couldn't be more thrilled to have been a part of last week's Luxe Lingerie event for Bra Snobs held at Montreal's No11 Pour Elle Lingerie store on Crescent Street. 75 Montreal Fashionistas were treated to an eyegasmic platform of bra-inspired florals, gorgeous cheeky lingerie, cookie pops, and glittery moustaches - all in support of Movember. 

Amongst all the glitter and goodies were the most luxurious and beautiful lingerie pieces, not to mention two awesome models to work with! And let me say, these ladies did an awesome job getting their sexy on in front of a crowd! Here are just a few shots from the evening's event. 

The evening's signature Bra Snob cocktail featuring Sloane Tea Company Maker's Mark Les Givres

For more detail and behind the scene shots of the evening click here.

Have a super sexy day everyone!

xoxo

Luxe Event for Bra Snobs | an eFashionista Event

I'm so excited to announce that this Thursday, November 22nd I will be taking part of a super fabuous eFashionista event; Luxe Event for Bra Snobs! Montreal fashionistas will take over the beautiful No11 Pour Elle's luxury lingerie store, as they unleash their inner temptresses amongst the whimsical platform of bra-inspired florals and designer lingerie. And of course, no eFashionista event would be complete without designer cookie pops, tea-infused cocktails and other awesome goodies!

And amongst all the sexy sweetness, I will be doing a LIVE signature eFashionista boudoir shoot, as well as an atelier with Tina Karr where we'll teach you how to pose with confidence and become the ultimate temptress. In addition to No11's delicate, yet racy assotments of Parisian lingerie by Kiki de Montparnasse & Cadolle, our models will also be showing off some young, flirty pieces by La Lilouche, Sonata, Love Me Sugar, Blush Lingerie and of course eFashionista's exclusive high heel accessories, Heel Condoms, shown below. 

It's going to be super awesome event, so don't miss it! And be sure to check out my Facebook Page for your chance to win a ticket!

Date: Thursday, Nov.22nd 2012 / Location: No11 Pour Elle / Time: Doors open for media at 5:30pm / Fashionistas 7pm Attire: City Chic / Price: $35 for early-bird-istas / $55 at the doorWho? Fashionistas, Bridelistas & Bra Snobs

Sweet Fall Sunlight | Montreal Boudoir Photographer

It's official....we have finally moved into our new studio space and if this shot is any indication, I think I'm gunna LOVE it here! Move from this afternoon's shoot to come!

Have a beautiful weekend everyone! xoxo

Glam It Up | Montreal Glamour & Boudoir Photographer

I'm absolutely loving our new Glamour shoots. There's nothing more fun than dancing around in a pretty dress, looking awesome. Here's another awesome transformation from this past weekend. 

Have a beautiful day! xoxo