Carmen Salazar Photography — Local services in Rancho Cordova

Wow, just WOW!!! Let me first say that this was one of the best experiences of MY LIFE!! I’m a little embarrassed to admit it’s taken me over a month to finally write a review, but only because there are almost no words which can truly express the delightfully fabulous and incredible day I spent with Carmen and Nicole. I had always wanted to have boudoir photos taken, but like many others I’m sure, I was self conscious and didn’t think I could afford it, so I never even really looked into it. Then comes the day when I see a model call posting for a “Fabulous over 40” boudoir session and special and I thought, what have I got to lose?! I’m not getting any younger, and honestly I didn’t even think that I would get a message or call back so I went through and filled out the form. Within a week, and much to my surprise, I heard back and they wanted to set up a phone interview! Still uncertain but starting to get excited, I set up my appointment and waited. After the phone call I felt like there was no way I could pass this opportunity up! Nicole answered all of my questions, addressed all of my fears and assured me they would be there every step of the way, which they absolutely were! Even answering my emails and calls on her day off!

Now, by the day of the shoot I was nervous and anxious again, but all of my fears and anxiety’s were washed away the second I walked in the door. It was like walking into a spa!!! Nicole immediately helped me in with all of my things and took me straight back to the beautiful bathroom and dressing room where I could dry off (it was storming that day), and gave me fuzzy slippers and a robe to put on. Then I was brought a nice, hot beverage to warm me up, and was totally pampered while my hair and makeup was done. I was AMAZED when they were done!

Now it was time to put on the first outfit and get started! The whole day was so much fun and it was so easy! Carmen really knows how to make a girl feel great about herself and it was obvious from the start that she really knows what she’s doing! From the lighting and the angles, to the posing and movements, Carmen moved through the shoot with such professionalism, ease and grace, all while making me feel like the most important and beautiful lady in the world!

Seeing all of the photos right after the shoot was great, and they looked so awesome then, without any editing! I would have been perfectly happy with the way they were right then and there. I didn’t think the finished product could get much better than that but, WOWZA was I wrong!! The final artwork was simply, perfection!! And I don’t even believe in perfection ;-) Truly so much better and so much more than I could have ever hoped for. The experience, the artwork, the day, it was all just perfect. So thank you again, Carmen and Nicole (and the outstanding hair/makeup artist whose name escapes me). Thank you, thank...

OH MY GAWD. I ADORE the team. I have never taken photos like these before and the only photoshoot experiences I’ve had were for my engagement and wedding sessions. But if you had told me I’d come out of a boudoir session with some of the sexiest photos I’ve ever seen of myself, I’d have laughed it off and said that’s impossible.

From the informative phone call to the moment I walked out of the studio, I felt well taken care of. I was a nervous wreck going in and thought about cancelling but I’m so happy I didn’t!

The studio coordinator Maria had a very welcoming demeanor without it feeling pushy or overwhelming to someone as nervous as I was. She gave me space for my shyness but was caring in her answers to my questions and walking me through how the session that day would go.

My HMUA Summer did me SO GOOD. She perfectly captured the look I wanted and it fit perfectly with both the lighter, innocent part of the session and the bolder, riskier parts of the session! She was patient with me because I’m not used to eye make up and I can get scared and sensitive when someone is working near my eyes but she did not once make me feel embarrassed about it.

My photographer Rachel. LOVE HER TO PIECES. Oh my gosh she was FABULOUS. She helped settle my nerves by asking about myself and my morning before the session. She directed everything from when to smile, not smile, where to part my hair, how to spread my fingers. She has a VISION and she COOKS with it. Our session was full of hyping up and laughter and still the photos came out like they belong in a lingerie magazine. She’s awesome and would want to book her again in a heartbeat.

Nicole my art director was SO PATIENT with me. I did not expect to see my photos on a huge tv and I was so shy seeing how riskayy I could look/be. She was wonderful and we even had a beautiful moment where the photos brought my to tears (as someone who never felt beautiful and was joked as the family’s “ugly duckling” growing up). She let me sit with my emotions, offered me tissues, and gave me a very validating hug. I’m tearing up just writing this review.

Carmen was such a hype woman!! Once I got out the studio she made me feel gorgeous! I can tell she is so intentional with their purpose and the team she created. A lovely team of the most beautiful ladies who strive to make their clients feel just as beautiful. Thank...

Carmen is truly THAT nice and THAT good

The first thing you learn about Carmen, is that Carmen loves love. She is over the moon about how you found each other and how wonderful it is that you are making this next step.

Initially, I thought she might be too nice. I have some obscene groomsmen. Could she hang with my boys while we got ready? Or would we feel like we had to act proper? That question got answered at the engagement photo session. Carmen can hang.

Engagement photos - In general it is a good idea to have an engagement photo session. Think of it as a practice session to build a relationship with your photographer. You don’t want to find out she says “now give me a smile superman” on your wedding day (Carmen doesn’t). We learned that Carmen is extremely patient and very good at describing to you what she is looking for in the shot. We also learned that Carmen has a fun side.

One of Carmen’s best traits is that she has amazing people skills. We decided to take our family photos before the ceremony. In general, the act of taking photos makes people nervous and tense. Now add in the stress of a countdown until the actual ceremony and you have a ticking time bomb. This is where Carmen excels. She took command of the 30 people milling around waiting for their turn. This meant she code switched from respectful, patient tone with the slow grandparents, to a “teacher voice” for dumb groomsmen goofing off, and to a baby voice to get the crying flower girls to smile. That was impressive.

Once the photos were ready, Carmen planed a beautiful reveal party at her studio. She provided wine, cheese, snack food and we watched a slide show of the top photos. We then spent a couple hours designing our wedding album. She took so many amazing photos! The whole time we traded stories about how magical our wedding night was. Not only were her photos amazing but the reveal experience was...