Boudoir Portraits
By · CommentsHow To Prepare For You Boudoir Portraits Photo Shoot
Here is a quick down & dirty list of dos and don’ts when you prepare for your Boudoir Session
- When you come to the shoot wear loose clothing, like a sweatsuit. Don’t wear tight jeans, bras or any other kind of clothes that leave lines embedded in your skin.
- Shower so you are clean.
- Do NOT wear any makeup, not even a little!
- Do NOT put anything in your hair, like hairspray or gel.
- Bring more outfits and wardrobe than you think you will need. Options are a good thing.
- Bring accessories like bracelets, rings, necklaces, hats, berets or anything you wear on your head that you like.
- Bring high heels, stilettos, shoes, boots or any kind of footwear you love. Well maybe not moccasins, unless you wanting to look like Pocahontas.
- Bring an iPod or iTouch with your favorite playlist that we can play for you as we shoot.
- Expect to have fun…after all you’re not doing this to be stressed out.
- If you’re using the photos for your husband, boyfriend or maybe girlfriend, your comfort level or stress level will show up in the images. So don’t stress and have fun!
- Bring a friend if it makes you feel more at ease and helps you relax. Just make sure they don’t tell us how to shoot
. - If you choose to tan that’s fine. We suggest you stay away from spray tan because it will make your skin look blotchy in the photos.
- If you need to shave or wax, do it.
- A manicure & pedicure is a small detail but it will make a difference in the end.
- Get plenty of rest the night before the shoot so there are no bags under your eyes and you will have lots of energy.
- If you have any good suggestions that we overlooked (and I’m sure we did) when preparing for a boudoir portrait photo session please post them below and we will add them to the list.
Valentines Day Gift Ideas
By · CommentsHow About Some Classic Boudoir Photos For Him
Boudoir Photos of YOU for HIM
Wait.…didn’t we just get done with holiday gifts for him? Well, now is the time to start thinking about getting him something for Valentine’s day. He already has you, so why don’t you remind him how lucky he is by giving him beautiful, sexy, classy, images of yourself that he will treasure. Many of our clients throughout the year get this type of gift for their husbands, boyfriends or partners. Usually it’s for a birthday or anniversary, but the most popular time to give boudoir photography is on Valentine’s Day. We love to hear about our clients’ husbands reaction to this gift; most are in jaw-dropping awe! One client said their husband was going to put the photo in a frame on their desk at work, and another wanted a poster-size for his locker. The personal, private, intimate nature of a boudoir image guarantees it will be a gift he will always remember. So girls, ladies.…book your photo shoot now so we can create a plan for the style and presentation of the images you want to give. We have a special for this Valentine’s Day Gift Idea, or you can also check out our regular boudoir photo session prices.
Professional Makeup
The professional photographer utilizes a variety of tools to make his/her trade successful. Among the most important and least talked about is the definitive color and flair offered by a professional make-up artist. His work can make the difference between success and failure. Or perhaps, more accurately, professional makeup can make the difference between a stunning set of photos and a ho-hum set.
Many models apply their own makeup and feel comfortable doing so. However, the expertise and insight offered by a third person, who is also professionally trained, can make a contribution not available otherwise. For example, often a model uses an application that she developed over time, not realizing it may have become outdated and is not appropriate for the unique requirements of a photo shoot. The professional makeup artist is always current on fashion makeup and is able to use that information to lay the groundwork for a successful ‘look’.
Hair & MakeUp
Every model, whether male or female, has something unusual and unique about her/his appearance. It may be bone structure, or contour of eyes or mouth, or shape and tilt of nose… or some other eye-catching feature. The model’s hair may be unusually striking in color or texture or length or shape. Whatever features the model brings to the photo shoot can be emphasized and strengthened by a professional makeup artist. And that emphasis can then be highlighted by the photographer with light, pose and angle.
The professional makeup artist introduces herself to the model, creating a sense of trust and comfort with her expertise. She asks what the model likes and dislikes about her appearance, and discusses what visual effects they want to create together. The makeup artist knows he cannot accomplish his work without the cooperation of the model.
‘Looks’ are also created with makeup. Innocent, foxy, inviting, beguiling, stern and scolding, and many more, can all be generated with makeup. We’ve talked elsewhere about the role the model plays as a sales agent. Frequently, photos from a shoot will be used commercially, to sell a product. The ‘look’ resulting from the combination of physical attributes and makeup application will make a statement about the product. The makeup artist will create a look that is consistent with the product to be sold.
The photographer knows when to snap the shutter to achieve a striking photo that captures every element in a ‘just right’ place. Equally important, the makeup artist knows how to bring out striking qualities in the face and hair to make the total look ‘just right’. Color added to face and around eyes in the right way will make a feature look larger or smaller, depending on how color is applied; cheeks can be made to stand out or recede; eyes can be made to look larger or smaller; a round face can be made thinner and a thin face rounder. Outlining eyes or mouth will create emphasis, again depending on application and heaviness or thinness of lines.
He/she also knows how to minimize physical attributes that could detract from a quality photo. Makeup can camouflage all kinds of physical sins! But the makeup artist knows whether the ‘sin’ should be camouflaged or emphasized and her work is completed accordingly.
The model and photographer often cooperate with the makeup artist in decisions regarding how makeup is applied and hair is designed. The professional makeup artist isn’t a prima dona; she knows input from others is important to the total success of the photo shoot. The combination of her people skills and professional expertise contribute significantly to the success of the work.
Boudoir Glamour Photography
By · CommentsBoudoir Portraits
As photographers who shoot extensively with glamour and bikini models, we often have non-model clients who are interested in being shot in that same style. We have now created special Boudoir Photo Sessions to be able to provide these clients with both the ‘model experience’ and images of which they will be proud.
Why Boudoir Photography? Many of these clients are not model-perfect, and can’t be shot in the traditional glamour or bikini style. Offering boudoir photo sessions allows us to create beautiful, sensual, sexy images for them, without being overtly sexual or creating images that are non-flattering to the client.
Most of our Boudoir clients have never been part of a professional photo session, and are both nervous and excited at the same time. The prospect of having sensual images to share with their husband, fiancé, or boyfriend holds tremendous appeal, but they’re also extremely self-conscious and fearful of looking old, overweight, or unattractive.
As the photographer, you need to create an atmosphere that is relaxing and non-intimidating! There is a fine line, however, of which you must be extremely cautious. Playing soft music is pleasant, but if the client hears music with sexual overtones, they may begin to feel uncomfortable. If you are a male photographer doing boudoir photo sessions, a female assistant can be invaluable in helping the client stay comfortable. Also, remember that a boudoir client is not used to being treated the way you may treat a professional model; we often touch models to adjust a piece of their clothing or hair that is out of place, and they are quite used to it. However, touching or adjusting a boudoir client without asking can make the client feel extremely uncomfortable and ruin the session. Always remember, even if this client is posing in lingerie on a bed, treat them with the respect you’d give an executive client in a boardroom shot.
As far as the technical aspects of Boudoir shooting go, we recommend shooting at an open aperture for a soft, shallow depth-of-field. This allows you to create a soft, sensual feel for the client. Muted backgrounds and colors can also help create an overall soft feel for the client. For lighting, try to create a soft falloff of light from one side of the image to the other, with suggestive shadowing and a lot left to the imagination! When posing the client, offer feedback such as ‘that pose is so flattering to you!’ and ‘You look so marvelous and relaxed on this background, it really suits you well’. Avoid using phrases like ‘You look so sexy!’, or ‘That is so hot!’, which may have the unintended effect of creating tension in the client.
Expanding your business to include boudoir photography is a smart move for the glamour and bikini model photographer, as long as you always remember that your boudoir client isn’t a professional model, even if you are shooting them in the same setting and style you use for the pros you shoot!
