Meet Stephani Lofthouse | Photographer and Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephani Lofthouse and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephani, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I cover many different genres in the world of photography. One I do specialize in is Boudoir. I have many clients who select this type of session with me. They’re very nervous and unsure if they want to go through with it. They may have various reasons such as bullied about their physical appearance, they’re not confidant with their bodies due to media, prior pregnancies, etc. However, I chat with them for weeks to get to know them, know what gets them down about their bodies so we can discuss the variety of poses and wardrobe that doesn’t emphasize on the “most hated” parts. I talk about their favorite music so that I have it playing during their session. I serve snacks and give them a gift upon their arrival for comfort. I have many different packages and I guide them during their sessions. I also like to take breaks and show them what I’ve taken so far. That way these unnatural poses don’t make them feel too awkward. Get a glimpse of my POV. I’m a nerd so I will also give silly commentary and jokes to get them to laugh during their shoot. If they are cat friendly, I will have one of mine at the shoot in my studio for comfort as well. I always get misty eyed when I have great feedback on boudoir sessions. I have many returning clients for years who say I made them feel whole again. That’s the true product they’re getting right there. I offer short intimate films for content creators, couples and those who are getting one as a gift for their significant other. I am also LGBTQ+ friendly and have done work for same sex couples and make sure they as well as all of my clients whether models or not, feel 100% safe in this environment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
There are many styles of art. Some artists stick to a specific genre or style. I like to keep my work different than others in all genres of photography that I do. I like to cover all of it including dark art and nude art. I also write and direct my own indie horror films which have been sold Internationally. It often is a risk to publish said art when I also do weddings, wedding short films, family portraiture and more. I do live in an area where nude and conceptual art is not looked at as the way that artists and fans around the world look at it. With admiration for the human form and the darker side of beauty, it can often be risky to share my love for that style in area I’m in. I have been doing photography for 18 years now and it’s a constant learning curve. There are always new discoveries. It can be challenging when it’s your main/only source of income. It’s competitive unfortunately. The smaller the town, the nastier the competition. I’ve been able to become very close friends with other photographers, often in the same genre locally and nationwide!! Some are boudoir photographers, commercial, concert and automotive. We work great together in collaborations, trade work and recommend others if we cannot perform our services for clients. I’ve been publicly slandered by various photographers both amateur and professional, some of these I’ve never even met or spoke to before. Even in my darkest of times in my life I’ve had to deal with that unprofessionalism. Every day is a lesson. I want to show the world what I can do and what I will do. I have many visions in my head. Whether it’s automotive, nude, celebrities, rock concerts, boudoir or all things eerie and unsettling… I’m just trying to share these visions before my departure.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a traveling photographer and filmmaker, yet I live in a small town in Western NC. I got the travel bug! I often take friends to Asheville or even to ATL aside from my local breweries, shops and beautiful hiking spots along the Blue Ridge Parkway. However, I want to see everything! I want those closest to me to experience the same beauty I see. For this answer I’d go up north. Let’s go to the infamous Witch City otherwise known as Salem, MA. It’s a fall favorite of mine. The crisp fall breeze carrying the scents of the coffee shops and bakeries such as Jaho Coffee or Witches Brew Cafe. We are nestled in scarves and thick black peacoats as we stroll down Essex Street to see the local shops, historical museums and pubs down the cobblestone walkway. Then we’d travel down by foot to the “Witch House” belonging to the trials’ Judge Jonathan Corwin. A lone black gabled house that still stands today. I’d take my traveling companion to all the famous Hocus Pocus locations and stop for some amazing seafood at Sea Level Oyster Bar that has an upstairs level that looks over the bay and Derby Warf lighthouse. Watch the Friendship of Salem clipper ship dock and tourists take photos of the moon that lights up the foggy surfaced water. Later we’d join in at Witch City Walking Tours to feel the history and chills across our skin. Prepare to learn more about the unsettling history of this little city as we pass by Howard Street Cemetery (one of the top 10 haunted locations in USA) or even by Proctor’s Ledge on Pope Street where the innocent lives came to an end. On this week long trip we’d go as far as Maine to see Stephen King’s house and tour through SKTours. Down to Boston to go whale watching and the infamous locations to films such as Boondock Saints, Good Will Hunting and much more! New England history, food and views are something special! I’d recommend to everyone!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My inner circle. As I grow older, the truest friends remain. I can lose motivation at times. It absolutely happens to us all. I have my best friends and loved ones who keep pushing me to work harder. There’s too many to list but I adore them all and the positive feedback I receive from clients or onlookers on social media keep me going as well.

Website: www.Chromalusion.com

Instagram: @ChromalusionPhotography

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ChromalusionPix

Image Credits
Love Wins. Netflix Fastest Car S2 Winner: McLaren 720s with Bethy Ghoul. Awaiting Baby’s Arrival. Gothic Love. Ivy Hawkins Demon. Ivy Hawkins Winter. Sari not Sorry. Lonely Ghost of Astrid Kallsen.