Melissa Yokofich opened the photography business Studio M Boudoir in January, and her mission is to inspire women to feel confident, help them celebrate milestones and to remind them that, in the midst of professional demands and / or family life, they are still hot.
"The mission of the studio is to give back a little swagger to everyday life. So many of us get lost in our careers or kids or both and we lose a little bit of the sexy, confident woman that we used to feel like," says Yokofich.
Yokofich creates sexy, fine art portraits of women. Every client has a consultation prior to the shoot, during which Yokofich gets to know the woman a little bit and makes suggestions for wardrobe.
During the photo shoot, Yokofich gives as much -- or as little -- direction as the woman desires. Most woman prefer a lot of counseling because they do not have modeling experience.
"I outline how things will go, and can pose / direct them through every shot," she says. "It is my job to make them feel comfortable, confident and relaxed and to light and pose them to flatter them and their figures."
Package pricing starts at $500, which includes the session fee and a custom album of photos. Group rates are also available if female partners or groups of friends want to be photographer together.
This month, the Oak Creek-based Boudoir Photography celebrates Bike Month, and some women are choosing to have themselves photographed on a motorcycle that’s in the studio.
Yokofich says she grew up as a "military brat" and lived in numerous cities in the United States, as well as Germany and England. She says that while living in Europe, her mother took her to many art museums which fostered her love for photography. Currently, Yokofich lives in Oak Creek with her husband and young daughters.
Yokofich says the Milwaukee photography community has been very supportive of her work. She has made a lot of friends in the art community and Allie Gadziemski, owner of Proud to Introduce Photography, mentored Yokofich since 2006.
"Her support and openness and willingness to teach has been invaluable," says Yokofich.
Studio M’s tagline is "Sexy, Sweet, Sassy." Yokofich says these three words are integral to a woman’s positive self image, and that feeling good about oneself is integral to a fulfilling life.
"Feeling confident makes us all be better people, better mothers and better partners. I want to help women celebrate milestones for themselves such as turning 30 or 40 or 50 even, getting in great shape or getting back in shape after baby," says Yokofich. "It is so rewarding when clients see their images and say "Is that ME!?"
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
