{low down, throw down with desiree hayes}

super excited about today's low down!
i'm not familiar with the boudoir world (i've only done one), but i find it so beautiful, so fun and such amazing photos come from boudoir sessions.
desiree hayes specializes in boudoir and there is no doubt out there that she is one of the best!! not only is her photography amazing, she is one of those people you know you want to be best friends with. she is funny, she says it like it is...she's awesome :)

sooooo.....today i am super duper happy to share desiree hayes and her amazing photos with you all!!


{photos of desiree taken by denise kramer)

Name: Desiree Hayes

Business name: Desiree Hayes Photography

Location: San Diego, CA

Website/blog:
http://desireehayesphotography.com/
http://www.desireehayesphotography.com/blog

Tell us one sentence to describe your photography:

Romantic style boudoir with a hint of spice. ;)

What's one thing everyone should know about you?:

That you can find me at "Happy Hour" at least two times a week. HAHA

How long have you been doing photography and how did you get started: I've been doing photography for about 3 years. I was one of those naive people who thought "being a photographer would be easy!" NOT! HAHA My magic camera wasnt so magic and it ended up taking longer than I thought it would to "get it." I practiced everyday on friends and family until I got consistency and then I started portfolio building with strangers.

How did you get started In boudoir and how/when did you decide to specialize in it? Actually my sister-in-law wanted some pictures so I did a few of her and her friends and was instantly hooked. Boudoir sessions were always exciting to me. I started dreading other sessions so I knew it was time to specialize because I am a big believer in "doing what you love." I love the way boudoir makes women feel about themselves. They come in scared and leave wanting to skip naked down the hall.

If they made a movie about your life, what would it be titled and who would play you? Happy Desiree. Like Happy Gilmore. Minus the golf. Lots of scenes at Happy Hour. HAHA Drew Barrymore could play me, she lisps her S's and so do I.

If you could own one exotic animal as a pet, what would it be, why and what would you name it? A flamingo. They are so cute and would look good as a lawn ornament. LOL I would name it Luxe just because I love that name and I'm not having any more kids or dogs that I can use it on. LOL

What did you want to be or think you would be when you grew up?: When I was little I didnt really say anything specific about a job. I remember telling my mom I wanted to be single like my aunt because she has a lot of fun and I wanted a white z-28 camaro. LOL!!

If you were given $500 today, what would be the first thing you would do?: Order a new sample album for the studio.

Where do you go to find inspiration?: I like movie scenes, music videos, and old romantic art/painting books. I cant really pinpoint something specific but a lot of times when I am watching or see something I think "oooh, that would be a fun shoot!" (My latest thought was while watching the Carrie Underwood Cowboy Casanova video, wouldnt that be a rad themed boudoir shoot? LOL!)

What type of sessions are your favorite (children, e-sessions, weddings, newborns....) and why?: Boudoir and couples are my favorite. I love love and spice.

What equipment do you use and if you had only one lens to use...what would it be?: I actually do only use one lens and I LOVE it. The 35 1.4. It's LOVELY! I use Canon 5D mark II and 5D classic.

What is your current favorite pair of shoes? A pair of Fergalicious (LOL) black peeptoe heels with studs on them. They have rubber on the bottom so I dont feel like I am going to fall and they show my hot pink toe nail polish.

What was your first paid session like? Were you nervous? Did it turn out how you wanted? My first paid session was an engagement shoot and I was so nervous. I was more nervous about collecting payment than I was to do the shoot. The "feeling worthy" of getting paid for doing what I love was (and still is) the hardest part for me.

What moment in your life makes you smile every single time you think about it?: When I first met Jon, my husband. We went to a Weezer concert in 1997 at dv8 in Seattle, WA with a group of friends and that was our first "date." I didnt know if he liked me back and when he grabbed my hand and never let go, I didnt have to wonder anymore. We just celebrated our 11 year anniversary this month.

What is at the top of your wish list right now?: 50 1.2 lens. I LOVE my 35L so much, I think I would love the 50 as well.

Tell us the best advice that you have ever received (photography related or life in general): Do what you love. I think it really shows in your work when you LOVE what you are shooting.

If you had an entire Saturday to do whatever you wanted...what would you do? Sleep in until noon, hop in the car with the fam for a random short road trip to somewhere spontaneous that the kids would not complain about, then hit a mexican food place on the way home for a margarita or three.

If we surprised you at your house today, what would be the first thing we would notice? That I dont have any kids today and its awfully quiet. They are at grandma's for the day so I can catch up on editing.



And lastly.....when we started the maternal lens, all of us filled out this questionnaire and shared our answers....now it's your turn :)

What is your favorite word? Boink.
What is your least favorite word? No. Unless I am the one saying it. HAHA
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Having lots of love and passion in my life.
What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Winter. Bad weather puts me in a funk.
What sound or noise do you love? Ice cubes falling in a cocktail glass.
What sound or noise do you hate? chalkboard!
What is your favorite thing to say when you get mad? I dont think I am allowed to say that on here. ;)
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I had a home birth with my daughter and I think being a midwife would be a really rewarding profession.

What profession would you not like to do? Pharmaceutical rep.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? I dont believe that I am going to heaven personally but for the purpose of the question I'll say "Stop jumping on the clouds. This isnt a cream cheese commercial."

a huge thank you to desiree! make sure to leave her some blog love!!