A Showgirl Glamour Photo Shoot in Montreal
We Didn’t Plan a Taylor Swift Showgirl Photo Shoot…
But looking at these photos now? Come on.
I’ve known Jacq for years, and she’s actually been told forever that she looks like Taylor Swift. So this wasn’t something we planned around Taylor or her showgirl era. It just kind of happened. And the timing is pretty fabulous.
She’s a former showgirl and stripper, an actress and a comedian, so being a little over the top is not exactly foreign territory for her.
And I LOVE photographing people like this.
Once a Showgirl, Always a Showgirl
There is something different about photographing someone who has danced or performed. They move differently.
You put on music, give them something fabulous to wear and suddenly they’re performing again.
For this shoot we did crystals, feathers, a gorgeous showgirl look, a ridiculous amount of tulle and, because apparently that wasn't enough, both my white angel wings and my black wings.
Basically, we covered all the personalities.
And somehow, somewhere in the middle of it, we accidentally entered the Taylor Swift showgirl era… I'm not complaining.
I Want to Photograph More Former Dancers
This shoot also made me realize how much I want to do more of these.
Maybe you were a dancer when you were younger. Maybe you did burlesque. Maybe you were a stripper. Maybe you performed professionally.
Or maybe you just really, really love to dance. You don't have to still be doing it.
You also don't need to be able to move the way you did 10 or 20 years ago. That's not the point.
The point is getting that part of you back in front of the camera. And if that involves feathers, sequins and an enormous dress flying through the air, even better.
Showgirl, Angel… and a Little Bit Demon
Of course, we couldn’t just do one thing.
Along with the showgirl photographs, we photographed her with my white angel wings, then completely changed the mood with the black wings and lingerie.
And then there was the tulle.
Those ended up being some of my favourites because we could really play with movement. Rather than holding a perfect pose, she could move through the fabric, throw it, fall into the furniture and let it take up space.
The photographs feel feminine and soft, but still theatrical.
That combination is exactly what I love about glamour photography.
You can be the showgirl, the angel, the demon or all three in the same afternoon.
And Yes, We Can Absolutely Do a Taylor Swift-Inspired Shoot
Now, would I recreate these photos exactly? No.
But if you love Taylor Swift's showgirl era and want to use that as inspiration for your own glamour photo shoot, absolutely.
Bring me the images you love. Tell me what you're obsessed with. We can take the feathers, crystals, corsets, old-school showgirl glamour (whatever you're drawn to) and create our own version of it.
That's actually one of my favourite parts of what I do.
You bring me the idea (or I can give you suggestions) and then we figure out how to make it yours.
Your Montreal Glamour Photo Shoot Doesn't Have to Be Serious
I think sometimes people hear "glamour photography" or "boudoir photography" and imagine that they're supposed to arrive and suddenly know how to be sexy in front of a camera. Nope.
Some of my favourite photographs happen when we're playing around.
You can be sexy. You can be glamorous. You can dance. You can laugh. You can be a little ridiculous. And five minutes later, we can create something completely beautiful and serious.
You don't have to choose one version of yourself.
So if you're a former dancer, performer, showgirl—or just someone who has always secretly wanted an excuse to cover herself in crystals and feathers—I am very into this idea.
And apparently, if you've spent your whole life being told you look like Taylor Swift, I have some ideas for that too.
