Your Boudoir Photo Shoot - How to Prepare

As a newcomer to boudoir photography, it's important to know what to expect. You don't want to be under-prepared, without an outfit you want to wear or your favorite shade of mascara. But you also don't want to over-prepare by running out to a tanning salon and getting a brand new haircut. Each studio is specific, so it's important to confirm with them exactly what you should do. Here are some helpful tips to help you get ready for your big day.

Glamour photography is all about you and your unique beauty. That said, it's typically not recommended that you change a lot of things about yourself before the shoot. These pictures are for your significant other and he already loves you for who you are.

You don't want a series of photographs of yourself that look nothing like you. New haircuts are a bad idea. There are typically professional hairstylists on hand at any boudoir studio, so keep the hair that your significant other knows and loves.

However, if you do want to get a haircut, you'll want to have it done before the day of shooting. While your hairstylist at the photography studio will be a professional, she may not be permitted to cut or dye your hair as a part of the studio policy.

Tanning is also not recommended before the shoot, unless of course you tan regularly. Again, you want to look like you, so your skin should look how it would normally look. New tans are also a bad idea because they can leave you with multi-colored or red skin that you don't want in your final product.

Usually there will also be a professional make-up artist at the studio, so you don't want to overdo it before you leave the house. A modest amount of make-up, just some mascara, is probably all you'll need before arriving at the studio. The make-up artists will take it from there and make sure that you look exactly how you want before the shooting begins.

While professional cosmetologists are commonplace in boudoir studios, it's a good idea to get a manicure and pedicure before you arrive. Many studios do not offer this service, and you'll want to make sure that everything is just right before you begin.

Aside from these physical attributes, there is still one big issue left: clothing. Your clothing, other than you, is the most important thing to consider before your pictures are taken. You need to consider exactly how you want to look, how revealing or modest you want to be, and what kinds of photographs you want in exactly what outfit. Your ensemble will be sharing the spotlight with you, so make sure that you're happy with it.

Being prepared for your boudoir photographs will help your shoot go smoothly, and if things go smoothly you'll be more relaxed and able to focus on looking your very best. Just make sure that the style you've prepared is the style that you're most happy with, because in the end these photographs are all about you.

Craig Bennett is a freelance copywriter and former college instructor in Business Administration. For several years he was a professional freelance photographer. You may learn more about the excitement of glamour photography and how to enjoy this art form either as a photographer or as the one being photographed at his blog:http://www.LearnSexyPhotography.com

The Modern Movement of Photography

In the process of time, portrait and wedding photography has changed from the traditional approaches of formal portraiture to the less formal. The appeal of more relaxed and the natural poses are more personal and reflective of who the portrait is really about.

The movement of more casual styles may have been influenced by the current fashion photography that emphasizes untraditional poses. Fashion photography emphasizes details through techniques in lighting instead of using rigid poses. Also the digital camera has provided a high level of flexibility with nearly unlimited frames where the right shot doesn't have to be created, but rather just captured.

The modern day photographer doesn't have to be in a studio, in fact most people today don't want their picture taken in a studio. A natural and relaxed photo can be achieved anywhere.

Post processing has lead to this movement in the fact that pictures that aren't perfect can be made perfect. Natural poses will yield unexpected results. The best picture may be one where there is a tree branch in the way, or a stop sign in the back ground, or maybe even a little bit of bad posture.

All of this can be fixed in post production software. Even some free software can be used to make such corrections. And of course the all popular Photoshop seems to be the all in one tool for post production.

Does that mean the traditional way of photography is dead? Well quite the contrary. Traditional poses have been around since the beginning of time with paintings and certainly continue today in modern photography.

The concept is not as popular but the possibilities have been enhanced ten fold with modern day technology. Posed shots have shifted from the "glamour" shot of yesterday into dramatic enhanced effects of background and lighting to reveal fairy tale like effects that can seem almost magical. The possibilities are endless with todays post processing techniques.

The wonderful thing about photography today is it doesn't need sophisticated studio equipment or a huge investment. A good digital camera is very affordable and there are simple ways with a natural lighting, couple of lighting sources, and a decent post production software to make incredible and professional portraits.

No matter what equipment you use, what techniques you are interested in, the essential goal remains about portrait photography: To idealize the subject. The best pictures portray information about a person's self. This can't be achieved with words and must be achieved by the pose, the lighting, and the surrounding elements in the picture.

The best way to do this is to make sure you know your subject before you take pictures of them. Then begin taking snap shots. The beauty of digital cameras is that you can see your results right away to see if you are taking pictures that are capturing the personality of your subject.

Now that you know it is important to capture your subject's "self", you must also know that it is your job to make your subject look good. There are a few ways you can bring out the best in a subject, but the easiest way is to make sure you have a good lens.

For portrait photography with 35mm format try using a 80mm lens. For medium format try using a lense between 100-120mm. The longer lenses will have a slight pinching effect that will make your subject appear slightly thinner.

With the movement in modern day photography there are opportunities for all types of photographers and the possibilities are endless. We are only seeing the beginning of the digital age and there is more to come in the near future.

Bill Cotter is an author for http://www.memoriesputtomusic.com about wedding photography phoenix Beyond just more information about phoenix wedding photography, Bill also writes about being a wedding photographer.

Boudoir Photography at Home

Boudoir photography (or glamour photography) has become increasingly popular in recent years. Either as a wedding present, an anniversary gift, or for no real reason at all, women have found that beautiful, elegant, and often seductive pictures of themselves are a real treat for the significant others in their lives.

Many studios now specialize in glamour photography, but it's also possible to take these pictures in one's very own bedroom. If you're interested in doing some amateur boudoir photography at home, here are some helpful hints.

First of all, you have to consider that in photography, lighting is everything. A lot of light is ideal, and for the best results you're going to want to use professional work lights on tripods. Of course, not everyone has professional lighting equipment, so the overhead light of a room, indirect window light, and the camera's flash are also options, although less than optimal ones.

You want a lot of light because you want to eliminate shadows that could obscure the picture. You also want absolutely to avoid light coming from behind. Backlit photographs will cause the model to appear dark and undefined in the photographs. Lighting creates the mood, so you need to get this right.

Also, a background is important in glamour photography. You don't want to set up in a bedroom with clothes on the floor and a lot of clutter lying around. The space should be organized in a way that the subject of the pictures chooses.

Namely, it should convey the kind of image and attitude that the model desires. Items of intimacy, such as pillows and other props, are a good idea. The old rule, "if it doesn't add to the scene, then it detracts from it" is useful here. Nothing is neutral in your scenes. It either helps or hurts the quality of the photos.

Before shooting, make sure the model and the room are exactly right so that the session can continue smoothly and without interruption. Also keep in mind that, even without interruption, boudoir sessions can take hours.

The pictures are meant to show the most perfect and beautiful side of the model, so a lot of photographs are necessary to ensure that the ones to make up the final collection are the absolute best. Don't be surprised if this process takes quite a bit of time.

Throughout shooting, it's important to make sure that the model feels comfortable and is happy with her session. If you're taking these pictures of yourself, then most likely this will be no obstacle. However, if you're taking pictures of someone else, especially of a customer that you're not acquainted with, this can be a delicate situation.

These pictures are extremely personal and private, and for your customer to be at her most elegant and seductive in front of a total stranger will take grace and patience on your part. Allow her to get comfortable both with you and her surroundings.

Keep her robed until shooting and allow her to put her robe back on immediately afterwards to avoid any awkwardness. Comfort is absolutely essential to a good session of glamour photography.

A professional atmosphere is a must for a boudoir session. Make sure that you follow such basic guidelines as lighting and setting to reassure your client that she is going to receive the best possible service. Also, make sure to cater to her as she sees fit. After all, these pictures are all about her.

While there is no substitute for practice, there is also much to be learned about shooting quality boudoir photographs. Don't pass up the opportunity to review some books or short courses on lighting and on posing models. Doing this can make the difference between obviously amateur photographs and those that are truly stunning.

Craig Bennett is a freelance copywriter and former college instructor in Business Administration. For several years he was a professional freelance photographer. You may learn more about the excitement of glamour photography and how to enjoy this art form either as a photographer or as the one being photographed at his blog:http://www.LearnSexyPhotography.com

Boudoir Photography - What is It?

Boudoir photography (also known as glamour photography) is a style of photography designed to create a set of sensual images of adult women of all ages, shapes and sizes. Boudoir literally means a woman's dressing room or bedroom, and so the bedroom is typically the setting of boudoir photography.

This style of photography has become popular recently as a form of a gift from a woman to her significant other. Specifically, a collection of boudoir photographs has become fashionable as a wedding gift from the bride to the groom. Boudoir photography is also popular as a Valentine's Day, birthday, anniversary or even a surprise "anytime" gift.

Boudoir photography is designed to highlight a woman's sensual side. The pictures are tasteful, fine-art portraits of the client. These photographs can be taken while the woman wears whatever she chooses, from a wedding dress to lingerie to sports jerseys. (Yes, some sites do recommend things such as jerseys or male work clothes to help bring a piece of the guy's world into the pictures.)

In many studios, nudity is allowed, but once again these are very tastefully done. In other studios nudity is off-limits, and the pictures focus more on the "suggestion" of nudity. This is to say that the woman is pictured in such a way that nudity is implied but never fully revealed.

In the world of glamour photography, the emphasis is all on the client. The uniqueness of each individual woman is what is most important. While many women may worry whether boudoir is right for them, glamour photographers and studios beg to differ.

Boudoir photography is not about being a model. Many studios stress that no modeling experience is necessary at all. Furthermore, it is not necessary to tan, get a make-over, or even a haircut before the shoot. It's actually frowned upon in most cases.

The point of these photos is to celebrate the individual, to explore the natural elegance and beauty already present in a woman. As one site instructs: "Remember, your significant other loves YOU."

In this vein, it is also important to note that boudoir photographs are completely customized and tailored to the desire of the client. How much or how little is shown, how to pose and what to wear are all in the hands of the woman being photographed. This overall personalization is a cornerstone of the boudoir business.

Boudoir photography is typically conducted in a studio with a very small number of employees present. The client will have access to a hairstylist, a make-up artist, and whatever other services the studio offers, but the shoot itself is a private affair more often than not.

The idea is to create a comfortable atmosphere, one in which the woman can truly relax, be herself, and focus on how she wants her pictures to turn out.

In many cases, after the photographs are taken the client will have access to them and may be allowed to pick and choose the final proofs as she likes. The photographs will then undergo a digital retouching during which lighting will be adjusted and "trouble areas" will be eliminated.

Just as many studios insist that their clients need not be models, they also reassure their potential customers that no matter how perfect a woman's body, she may be uncomfortable with some areas such as stretch marks, cellulite or scars. In the end, the customer is left with a series of photographs that highlight her own unique and elegant beauty.

Craig Bennett is a freelance copywriter and former college instructor in Business Administration. For several years he was a professional freelance photographer. You may learn more about the excitement of glamour photography and how to enjoy this art form either as a photographer or as the one being photographed at his blog:http://www.LearnBoudoirPhotography.com

How to Pose Glamour Photography Models

No director of glamour photography models need be given a list of reasons why a head is invaluable in a picture. Some directors do, however, welcome ideas on how to bring the model's best face forward - whether it is one of beauty, character and/or expression.

Before we come to our views of the subject, however, we would like to acknowledge the presence of the controversy existing over the candid versus the controlled pose. Some directors contend they never direct their subject. 'To place a head or a mouth in a pre-determined position,' they say, 'would destroy all of the spontaneity and naturalness of the picture.'

Others, just as vehemently, contend that 'In a business that calls for consistent results, lucky mood and coincidence are not enough. They are not reliable and cannot be depended upon.'

We feel that when both director and model have a working knowledge of technique, each individual job will determine whether the pose requires controlled, candid or controlled-candid treatment.

Experienced directors practice many ways of getting a glamour photography model to act and react realistically before the camera. Each has developed ways of controlling a model without having literally to push her into position.

Adroit use of words, exemplary action, strategic suggestion and psychological motivation all bring forth expression that is dependable as well as spontaneous. At the same time most directors have found in actual practice, that with intelligent direction from behind the camera, any capable model can accept correction and rearrange parts naturally without showing strain and losing spontaneity!

In photography we lean heavily upon the model's capabilities, yes, and in many instances even upon her ability to inspire us by doing something her way from which we can select or perfect a pose.

So, part of a director's success lies in his ability to keep a model suggesting ideas within the scope of the camera's ability to record them.

Many models feel they have exhausted the possibilities for different head positions when they have turned their head slowly from the left of the camera to the right of the camera! This can be most exasperating to a director (especially if you believe that you get the fullest creative contribution from a model by allowing her to move freely instead of placing her). Try a suggestion that will take her into several other positions from which you might select a pose.

You might ask her to repeat the horizontal turn - this time with her chin up a little higher. This gives you at least six additional positions to choose from. Then ask her to lower her chin and repeat the horizontal turn - six more positions!

By repeating each of these eighteen positions with her head tilted right and then with her head tilted left, you've added another thirty-six possibilities without yet putting her in any exact position.

If your model has trouble with the tilt, which is the most difficult direction to understand, you might try this. Hold a pencil vertically in front of your model's face. Let the tip of her nose touch the pencil and divide it equally lengthwise. Ask her to put her chin on one side of the pencil and her forehead on the other as you repeat the word tilt.

With encouragement, let her try a few combined movements such as, 'Turn your head slightly to the right... that's good ... now tilt the top of your head right (or tilt your chin left).' If she loses her conception of tilt, hold the pencil before her again and she will usually remember it for the remainder of the sitting.

Work with your glamour photography model to give her confidence, and you will surely get some great pictures.

Become An Expert At Photographing The Female Model Check out my best tips and tricks guaranteed to make you a star. Visit: http://www.modelposing.net/