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!
Tips For Female Models
By · CommentsAvoiding the trap of one look
Remember the movie “Zoolander”? In that hilarious Ben Stiller comedy, male model Derek Zoolander had several trademark ‘looks’, all of which were exactly the same. As a model, you need to be able to provide a variety of different looks and expressions in order to be versatile enough to hire again and again. Here are some tips to avoid the “Magnum is Blue Steel” trap:
Derek Zoolander
• Practice in front of a mirror! Modeling is work, and part of that work is practice and preparedness. Practice full smiles, half smiles, pouts, snarls, dreamy eyes, surprised eyes, mouth open, mouth half-open, and every variety you can dream up!
• Learn how to use your hands. Practice how to elegantly place your hands in your hair, on your neck, framing your face, and so on. Wearing jewelry at a shoot? Pretend you’re shooting for a jewelry store and ‘showcase’ the items you’re wearing. Learn how to use your hands without placing the full back of your hand or your full palm directly at the camera. Those two big, flat patches of skin will always draw attention away from your face. Learn to keep your hands angled away from the camera lens.
• Remember, you don’t have to be looking into the lens in every shot. Keep variety in your images by learning how to glance away from the camera, without turning your head to a profile shot. Practice looking away without letting your eyeballs hit the corner of your eye; images look best when the viewer can see whites on both sides of your eyeballs.
• Stuck for a different look during a shoot? Practice saying the vowels, which creates different shapes in your mouth. A long, drawn-out ‘a’ creates a pretty, open-mouth smile, while a ‘u’ creates a sexy pout. Go ahead and say them out loud… it works wonders!
• Most importantly, don’t be afraid to take a bad shot. In today’s digital world, you don’t ‘waste film’ with a bad facial expression. As a professional glamour photographer, I know I much prefer dumping a few bad shots from a model who experiments with a variety of looks, to having a full set of great images from a model who only gives me ‘one look’.
Yes, most models find one look that always works for them… but once you’ve give a photographer a great shot with that expression, move on and give them more to work with!
& ZED Cards">Female Models & ZED Cards
By · CommentsA Model & Her ZED Card
Just like every model needs his or her print portfolio, every model needs a composite card. They are essential in acquiring jobs and clients.
Composite cards are also referred to as zed cards. Models, and often actors, who want to market themselves use these cards. These cards come in different shapes and sizes, so a model or actor is able to customize his or her card using their own creativity. A standard card ranges from postcard-sized up to full 8x10. Consider keeping your comp card between postcard and 5x7 size; anything smaller or larger may be discarded by an agent simply because it doesn’t fit well into their pile!
Zed Card is also known as a Comp Card
There are several ways a model can go about designing their comp card. If you have an agent, they will almost certainly have a pre-made template design for your comp card that they will help you put together. There are also software programs available for creating composite cards, and if you’re not a do-it-yourself kind of person, you can work together with a photographer to put together your composite card. There are also professional design services available online, where all you need to do is upload your images and they will take care of the design and printing.
Your composite card in a way can serve as your business card or portfolio as well. You want to design your composite card like your portfolio; you want the best pictures you have to be on your composite card. Design your comp card in a way that will reflect what you do best, but also showcase a variety of different pictures, implying that you can adapt to any kind of work. A typical card has a large head shot on the front and a variety of smaller images on the back. Also on the front of the composite card are listed basic statistics like height, weight and measurements. These stats are very important so make sure you put them on your card.
When visiting your agent, or any other agency, it’s important to look the part of a serious professional model. Having an updated, complete, professional comp card is an important aspect of ‘looking the part’. Make sure not to overlook any of these small aspects of being a pro; it could make the difference in getting the job!
80’s Fashion — 9 Steps To Acheive That 80’s Look
By · CommentsThat 80’s Make Up and Hair
It is no secret that the 80s fashion was definitely an era of loud clothing, 80s hair and make up was over the top. Madonna and Cyndi Lauper kicked off the mainstream looks of the decade and thousands of girls everywhere were frantically trying to look and dress the same. Time has indeed moved on since then and fashions have changed a lot, but what if you want to recreate that look? Here we detail all the essential steps you need to get looking authentically 80s:
80’s Hair and MakeUp
1.) Firstly, to start off the 80s makeup look, you need to gather all of your tools of the trade. You will need some eyeliner (preferably black, although other colors work too), it’s up to your taste entirely, eye shadow (preferably either a very bright colour or a very dark color as these will give the best effect), mascara, liquid foundation, powder, eyelash curler, makeup brushes and of course — lip gloss.
2.) Now you need to wash your face so that it is clean. Use a mild cleanser for this and make sure that your face is properly clean using warm water. Next, please ensure that your face is fully dry before applying the 80s makeup, it just won’t work doing it on a damp/wet face.
3.) Next, cover up any blemishes (such as under-eye circles and other dark spots) using the liquid foundation. Whatever you do, don’t try and cover up and spots and pimples by caking the foundation on them, this will look silly. For best results, apply the makeup with a proper makeup sponge. Using the cheap one that comes with the makeup or your fingers will not look as good.
4.) Take your 80s makeup brush, and apply powder all over your face. Try and make sure that you get a good even finish and that it is blended in properly.
5.) Now, using the eyeliner color of your choice, apply some eyeliner to your top and bottom eyelids and also to the area of skin directly beneath your eyes. Make sure that you put on a significant amount — because you now need to smear it. Using your fingers, gently smear the makeup to give that great 80s look. One good tip you can use to stop it dripping is to brush some black eye shadow over the liner, it works a treat.
6.) Using the eyelash curler, curl your eyelashes upwards until they stay up by themselves. Then use the mascara to brush it onto the lashes, slowly and going up until you achieve that great striking 80s makeup look.
7.) The eye shadow can be applied as you would naturally; it’s up to you how you do it as you will have your own preferences on how you go about it. Although make sure that it at least comes up to your brow line for maximum effect.
8.) Go ahead and finish the look off by applying the lip gloss, preferably it will be the glittery, frosted type that will really finish the whole look off nicely.
9.) Go wild with your hairspray and tease your hair until it looks as you want it. Then, your 80’s make up and hair is complete.
