We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Toni Varone a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Toni, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
I am primarily a boudoir photographer. I believe women should embrace who they are and learn to love the skin they’re in. From the moment I get the call or message from a woman wanting boudoir photos, our session begins. The fact is, most women have deep insecurities. About their looks, body size, age, skin and the list goes on. I have one rule in my studio. You’re not allowed to talk negatively about yourself. I will say it isn’t easy. I don’t ever ask my clients to do anything I won’t do or cannot do. So, I have done boudoir sessions and I catch myself occasionally glancing in the mirror and commenting on my looks. But, now I stop myself.
I’ll give you a little back story on myself. In 2003 I graduated from nursing school and was hired in a busy emergency room in an affluent city in Orange County. At one time people called it the “Plastic Surgery Capital of the United States”. The first thing I noticed about this emergency room was that most of the doctors were very handsome and I thought the nurses resembled Barbie dolls. To me, coming from a suburb of Los Angeles, nowhere near the beach I thought they all looked like they’d just come from the beach and thrown some scrubs on over their bikini’s. They were gorgeous. Many had breast augmentations and it was pretty apparent, I immediately felt like I needed to have mine done too. Within a few years I did and a few years after I had them in I began suffering from health issues but none were apparent enough for me to know they were related to the implants. It started with my thyroid and after about 12 years and an unfortunate series of events I put all the pieces together and figured out that they all came from the implants. Rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathy, Reynaud’s, Hypothyroidism are just a few. I had something called Breast Implant Illness (BII) which is incredibly common but not talked about often enough. I had them removed, began the “detox” process as I was overloaded with heavy metals from them and decided that I would tell every woman I came across for the rest of my life no matter what! I’ve had several friends explant now after I did. Some had been having heart problems for years, a few were diagnosed with Lupus and didn’t know where it came from, RA, Thyroid issues, generalized pain, inflammation, there’s more but you get the point. I decided I would build my daughter up and I would make sure my son was raised to build women up too. Obviously I am just one person but I felt so strongly about the fact that, had I grown up thinking I was amazing or had I not been put down by certain people or… Wherever my insecurities came from I can only do my part in helping young girls that I know and telling grown women before they make the mistake of getting implants and just really doing to work to love themselves.
I decided I would do everything I could to touch the lives of the little girls (including my daughter) who I came in contact with and try to help them with self esteem. Then one day someone asked me to take boudoir photos. I said, I’m a children’s photographer but I love a challenge! I learned everything I could about it before I did it that day (this is just what I do – I’m a bit of a perfectionist). My first, second, third boudoir shoots weren’t great, looking back, but I gave them my all. I pumped those ladies up the entire time and from day 1 my rule was “I would be honored to take your pictures if you promise me you won’t badmouth yourself during the shoot”.
I have started doing events in my home where I do several boudoir shoots in one day. Ladies don’t know this when they get here but every single person working here that day has gotten together and collaborated.
When they reach out I send a questionnaire to know more about them. At that point I begin to learn a bit about their past. We usually do a phone consultation before the big day. When they arrive one of the makeup artists greets them and they really begin the process of getting them more comfortable. Both of the ladies I work with have their own unique way of helping people and I love hearing how great they made them feel when they come upstairs. Even our chef has a way of giving a mans perspective on things as he’s making their breakfast and it really helps. Once they’re done with hair and makeup they choose their outfits and they come upstairs for photos. Usually their makeup artist comes in with them and helps. Both have done boudoir shoots for many years and are very helpful with positioning and can help when they see something I don’t. Once they’re done they get dressed, go downstairs and enjoy a yummy breakfast/brunch and I can only hope that once they see their pictures they fall in love. The one thing I can say about boudoir is you can see confidence written all over a woman’s face in those photos. If they aren’t feeling great there isn’t a thing I can do with Photoshop/Lightroom to make them look comfortable and confident. It is only a few hours of their lives but I hope the pictures make them smile when they look at them. I hope they see how powerful they are. That every stretch mark is significant because that body carried a baby or that it can do incredible things. Women are amazing beings but we need to be reminded of it at times and I want women to know that they don’t need to alter their bodies, they just need to fall in love with the bodies God gave them.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a mom of 2 beautiful children who you see featured in a lot of my work. Especially when I come up with new concepts – they’re both great at modeling and can truly transform into any role I ask them to. I have evolved from once just doing children and families to doing newborn and maternity and then started doing a lot of boudoir and I typically only do specialty type sessions for kids. I am a Registered Nurse but have worked from home in different capacities since my daughter was born in 2014.
I’m most known for my work in children’s photography, boudoir photography, and enchanting fairytale-themed kids’ photoshoots. With a passion for capturing the essence of my subjects and bringing their stories to life.
My journey as a photographer began when I discovered my love of architecture and landscapes living in Florence, Italy. The pictures are still so vivid in my mind but I wanted everyone to see what I was seeing.
I discovered my love for working with children at a young age. Drawn to their innocence and genuine expressions, I focused on creating magical moments that would be cherished for a lifetime. My early specialization in children’s photography allowed me to develop my ability to connect with the little one’s I took pictures of, making them feel comfortable and bringing out their true personalities in front of the camera. Even the times I have photographed a wedding, I end up flocking to the kids. It isn’t unusual to see me sitting on the dance floor with all the kids around me “dressing me up and doing my makeup”. Point is.. I’m too easily distracted by adorable kids. So if you want to hire me for a birthday party and need someone to hang out in the kids play area or you want the perfect gift for your fairy/unicorn loving child and want a photographer who gets down to their level to really make it fun, I’m your gal! Weddings not so much.
Over the years my skills and artistic horizons expanded, I have sought new challenges and opportunities for creative expression. Intrigued by the delicate beauty of boudoir photography, I delved into this captivating genre, seeking to capture the sensuality and vulnerability of my adult subjects. Through my lens, I feel like I reveal the inner strength and confidence of my clients, celebrating their unique beauty and empowering them to embrace their individuality.
In addition to my passion for boudoir photography, my imagination and whimsical spirit has led me to explore the realm of fairytale-themed kids’ photoshoots. Inspired by magical tales of enchantment and wonder, I create spellbinding scenes where children can immerse themselves in the world of make-believe. From fairy wings and sparkling tiaras to unicorn rides and mystical forests, my creative works transport little ones into a realm of pure imagination, capturing the essence of childhood magic.
One of my most notable skills is my self-taught proficiency in Photoshop and special effects. With a keen eye for detail and an intuitive understanding of digital manipulation, I skillfully enhance my photographs, adding an extra layer of enchantment and wonder. From whimsical color palettes to surreal backgrounds and fantastical elements, my post-processing expertise allows me to transform my images into extraordinary works of art.
With my innate ability to connect with my diverse range of clients, from children and families to adults seeking boudoir experiences, have entrusted me to capture their most precious moments.
Driven by my passion for photography and a relentless pursuit of creative excellence, I continue to push boundaries and explore new avenues of artistic expression. Through my lens, I strive to create lasting memories that evoke emotions, inspire imagination, and celebrate the beauty of the human spirit.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Referrals and nurturing the relationships with current clients so they keep coming back but also continue to refer. This comes natural to me. I am not a great salesperson but I LOVE people and they can absolutely feel that. When I check back in with an old client they know I really want to know how they are and not when they’re coming in next. People can feel your energy!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Seeing tears of joy, getting a huge hug and a thank you, having people recommend me or come back for more pictures. These all mean so much to me. Whether its a one year old’s cake smash session, great grandpa happens to be there and I put baby on his lap and get some of the most incredible pictures that would bring tears to anyone’s eyes or I take boudoir photos of someone who has struggled all their life with body image issues and they feel really great about themselves when they see them, it’s the same feeling. Getting to spend that extra time one on one with a boudoir client where we can talk about their life and the things that have changed them as a person which have gotten them to this point, I LOVE that time. But, in the same respect, when I have a child who I’m having trouble getting to smile or who I can tell is timid and we start using our imagination to pretend we’re in the jungle (or anywhere else) and I see their face light up… That’s what gets me going. My goal for every photo is for it to tell a story. I always hope that people can see what I’m trying to portray or state and when its obvious that means I’ve done my job.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tonivaronephotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonivaronephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonivaronephotography
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/toni-varone-photography-alta-loma-3