When you think of the word “Speakeasy” you think of the 1920’s and the prohibition. Speakeasys were a place to go to let loose, have a drink and be yourself when it was illegal to do so. Today, photographer Brooke Mendenhall has turned her studio into a different kind of Speakeasy just for women. To let them let loose, feel beautiful and have gorgeous photos to take home to remember the feeling.
Brooke, along with her make-up and hair extraordinaire, Blanca Lopez, create an experience for women that takes them out of their everyday life taking care of others and turns them into a goddess. This unique photo shoot begins by meeting Brooke and Blanca at Shear Heaven, Blanca’s salon. These two women make you feel powerful, like you could be anything you want as they discuss all the possibilities of the photo shoot. Blanca sits you down in her chair and begins your make-up, she makes your skin look flawless and your lashes look perfect! She then curls and pins your hair up in just the right way to make you feel amazing about yourself. After Blanca gets you relaxed and feeling sexy, Brooke takes you to her studio where the fun begins.
Brooke is an amazingly creative photographer. You can immediately tell when you enter her work space how much she loves her job. Brooke’s work is out of the ordinary and she loves to challenge herself to get even more creative with each session. One of her clients says it perfectly… “I was so impressed by Brooke’s positive attitude, energy, and gorgeous studio. I already knew how enterprising and talented she is, but once I stepped into her studio, I really got to see how much love and investment she pours into her work. The session was creative, fun, and challenging for myself, Brooke, and her student. I balanced myself on boxes that were later to be edited out to give the illusion that I was floating. Things were lit on fire and I ended up getting painted! The session was unlike any shoot I’ve ever done, and I really liked that aspect of the session.”
The first thing most women think when they see a Speakeasy session of other women is that they could never do something like that and then start mentally listing all the flaws they see in themselves. They think of their rolls or cellulite and all the things they hate seeing in the mirror. Brooke created these sessions to help women gain confidence and see themselves in a different light, as sexy, classy women, and she is very good at making these ladies feel comfortable and relaxed enough to create amazing photos. Building confidence was one of Brooke’s goals when offering her Speakeasy sessions and she has done an amazing job empowering woman. All of her clients have different reasons for wanting to book a Speakeasy session. Some want to give their significant others the photos as a gift, and others just want the experience of feeling like a goddess. “I love these sessions. I have actually done multiple sessions with Brooke now. They have done absolute wonders for me. I no longer see myself as the overweight girl who just stayed in the background. I have embraced myself and who I am. I’ve become confident in myself again which has led to so many other positive things happening for me. I can say I definitely hold my head a little higher than I use too.”
After your shoot Brooke sets up a reveal session with you. She goes through your edited photos with you and lets you choose your favorites to keep. The reveal session is the most interesting part of the experience. Brooke tells us that most all of the ladies cannot believe the sexy woman in the photo is themselves. They have a hard time associating the woman in the mirror with the woman in the pictures. Most women have a hard time not seeing their flaws and Brooke does an amazing job of making you look and feel as if you are flawless. Having done one of these sessions with Brooke I can tell you from experience that the confidence and empowerment I walked away from this session with will last a very long time, especially when I have the proof in my hands that I can be magazine worthy.
Every woman deserves to feel beautiful. Every woman deserves to be pampered and feel priceless. Brooke does an amazing job making women of all shapes and sizes feel amazing and full of self-confidence. If you are even thinking about doing one of these sessions, just do it and take the leap, I promise you will not regret it.
Brooke is also available for any photography needs you and your family may have. You can see more of her work and contact her through her website at www.brookemendenhall.com
