Zumanity Glamour Shots - Doing It Right

Four years ago in 2007, I attended the Better Software Conference in Las Vegas. It was the first time I had been to Vegas, so I definitely wanted to take in all the sights and a show (as well as learn about agile software development and testing – woo hoo!).

Since I was in Vegas with no kids, I decided to see Zumanity, "The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil" (18 and older). The show was wonderful – light-hearted, sexy and fun. Beforehand, a photographer took me aside and asked whether I'd like some glamour photos taken. I was all sweaty from hoofing it over to the hotel in the late June desert heat, and was wearing a striped t-shirt, shorts and walking sandals. Um, I'm not really dressed for that?

The photographer immediately put me at ease and threw on a purple feather boa to glam me up. Since I don't know the first thing about posing for a glamour shot, she told me exactly where to put my hands and feet and how to look at the camera.





I appreciated all the tips, but it still didn't change the fact that I was sweaty and wearing a t-shirt and shorts. After the show, I asked someone to take this shot of me with one of the performers, a male stripper.

 

Star-struck and definitely not dressed for the part! I enjoyed the show so thoroughly, I vowed to Doug that we would see the show together someday. I wasn't sure how we'd be able to go as a family and ditch the kids for the show, but I was determined to share the experience with him.

Last month, we diverted our plans for our yearly getaway to Newport, RI to Las Vegas. Here was our chance to see Zumanity together and my chance to get the glamour shots right. This time, in a dress and heels, and with my man.



 

Oh yeah, now were talking! I am so glad that we went back to do the glamour portraits right. I love the close-up shot of us where the photographer asked us to say 'whiskey'. That word made for some great smiles. I didn’t get to redo the shot with the stripper, but the blue shirt man beats the sequined g-string.

I also took the opportunity to make a "Lo-Fi" version of this portrait. I love the well-worn look of a well-loved photograph. Check the Lo-Fi retro photography application here (Disclaimer: Lo-Fi provided a review copy of their software.)




So my new motto is:  If anything is worth doing, it’s worth doing twice.  Some famous examples include having kids, seeing Zumanity, and now taking BMW Performance Driving School (where I am blogging from right now from lovely South Carolina - more to come!).