Michelle Delaney of Mad Banana Photography is a long time member of Boudoir International, and this week she’s our featured photographer!
Originally from Pittsburgh, Michelle lived in Anchorage, Alaska for 12 years before moving to the beautiful Ryukyu Island of Okinawa, Japan. She’s been in Okinawa for more than six years now, and has always had a passion for photography. In elementary school she got her first camera and took it everywhere. She began to capture her own memories from that point on.
Her business name was coined in homage to her two daughters, Madelyn and Hannah (hence Mad & Banana!) Mad Banana just celebrated their twelfth anniversary this year. As a boudoir photographer, Michelle mostly photographs American women that want to remind their ‘Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine’ soldier what they have to look forward to when they get back from Iraq or Afghanistan. She says she still gets goose bumps when clients tell her that they’ve never felt so beautiful! Below, we share a few of her images and she answers some of our questions regarding her boudoir photography. Thank you so much Michelle for contributing to Boudoir International!
Why do you love boudoir?
I LOVE Boudoir because it the single most effective way I’ve found to help women regain their confidence. Too often we’re so busy taking care of everyone else, that we get lost in the shuffle and forget how fabulous we really are! Having a boudoir session helps women reconnect with the super sexy woman that’s still in there!
What is your favorite part of the shoot?
My FAVORITE part of the shoot is eating brownies when it’s over! 😉 I make brownies for each and every client! When the session is over, we eat brownies, go over the contract and I answer any questions they have. This is when I really get to know them! By that point, they’ve had a blast, their guard is down and they’re ready for some CHOCOLATE!
Do you recommend any vendors to your clients to prepare for their shoot?
Since I’m in Okinawa, there are really not any stores I recommend on island! I encourage all of my clients to order on-line from Fredericks of Hollywood, Victoria’s Secret or Hot Milk! I have a TON of women who love to shoot Maternity Boudoir and Hot Milk is the place for them!
Are there any music videos that are currently inspiring your photography or vision?
I love Beyonce’s ‘Best Thing I Never Had’ video! It’s visually inspiring!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHp2KgyQUFk
Right now, I’m listening to R.E.V.O Red Hands! I LOVE that song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bt-FHaFVH8
Do you have a playlist to get you and your clients in the groove during your shoots?
My Boudoir Playlist includes songs from ABBA (Dancing Queen), Beyonce (Single Ladies), Bruno Mars (Just the way you are), Cobra Starship (Good Girls Go Bad), Flo Rida (Low, Wild Ones), Icona Pop (I LOVE it), Jesse McCartney (Body Language), Justin Timberlake (Sexy Back), Katy Perry (Teenage Dream, Roar, Firework, California Girls), Ke$ha, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, LMFAO, Maroon 5, Pitbull, Psy, Rihanna, Robin Thicke… just to name a few! 😉
If you could shoot anywhere in the world, where would it be?
If I could shoot anywhere in the world, I would definitely go back to Paris, France, but I’d also love to go back to Portofino, Italy. Two gorgeous places that inspire me in completely different ways!
If you are looking for a boudoir photographer in Okinawa, Japan, please visit Michelle’s portfolio on Boudoir International: https://www.boudoirinternational.com/boudoir-photographers/mad-banana-photography/
You can also view the Mad Banana website here: http://www.madbananaphotography.com/#
