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What is the Secret to Good Boudoir Photos?
What is the Secret to Good Boudoir Photos?
Answer: It depends on your goal!
NSFW
If you are reading this blog, you've probably seen a lot of boudoir photos. You may be a photographer yourself. How do you know which images achieve their desired goal and which ones don't? Unfortunately, you can't really tell until you realize that there are two different goals in boudoir photography and therefore, two quite different styles. Let's call them types A and B.
TYPE A: Please see the image above for an example of the most commonly seen type of boudoir photos. Traditionally, the client is posed in a bedroom-like setting, but in recent years, some photographers have taken the brave step of using the living room as well. They are created to improve the self-confidence and self-image of the subject. Most women have a poor body image and a skillful photographer can show her how beautiful she really is. It is the photographer's job to pick out her best features and highlight them. So basically, the images are his interpretation of her beauty as he thinks she wants to see it.
A good Type A photo will make the subject look as thin as possible and hide her physical flaws. A great professional makeup artist and a nice collection of expensive lingerie top it off.
Eroticism is really not the goal of these photos. We just want the client to feel good about herself when she views the images and when she shows them to her girlfriends, which generates a lot of referral business for commercial boudoir studios.
One way to identify this style of boudoir photo is that the lingerie is the star of the show. There is nothing that could technically be called nudity and nothing really sexual. Often the woman has heavy makeup, false eyelashes and is heavily photoshopped to remove most of the texture from her skin. You have seen similar photos in lingerie catalogs and you may notice some similarities to wedding photos, since many boudoir photographers also shoot weddings.
It makes perfect sense that this kind of photo is what you usually see on boudoir photography websites. They won't scare away potential clients and they appeal to the women who are booking the shoots and paying the fees. This is standard American-style, commercial, boudoir photography.
Unfortunately, lots of women think this is what their husbands and boyfriends want to see. They think it will remind him of why he is in a relationship with her or why he's planning to marry her. Sure, he will exclaim how beautiful they are, what else can he say? But unless he has a fetish for lingerie or false eyelashes, he doesn't really care and may not even understand why his lady has gone to so much trouble.
These photos sometimes end up on the wall where they won't offend Aunt Mildred when she drops in, but mostly they just end up in the closet with the other old photos. Now, let's talk about Type B.
TYPE B: The other type of boudoir photography is what I call erotic portraiture. It's primarily intended to cause a feeling of sexual desire in the lover of the woman posing. This is what many photographers have trouble with. The reason this is so difficult is that you must get into the mind of her man, the intended audience for the photos. In most cases, he is not present at the shoot and has never spoken to the photographer.
Each man has his own unique concept of what he finds sexy in his partner. It could be certain parts of the body. It could be a particular look she gives him when she's in the mood or a particular fetish they share. Since the man is not available to question, you can only try to get this from the woman. Most women will automatically deny having this knowledge. Most boudoir photographers don't even ask, because they aren't comfortable discussing intimate sexual issues and because time is money. The less time spent on a photoshoot the better.
It takes an unusually sensitive and committed photographer to elicit this very personal information from a client. She may have a lot of puritanical inhibitions or may simply be afraid of rejection if she reveals her sexual secrets. It's really common for both parties to avoid this conversation entirely and concentrate on which pieces of lingerie the client wants to wear next. This results in the stereotypical, Type A photos.
There are ways to gently breach the barriers and create hot images that will be erotic for her partner. First, the photographer needs to let the client know that he will not be judgmental about what she reveals. Second, the client and the photographer need to spend some time talking, even if just by email, about what erotic elements will be most appreciated by the intended audience. An erotic portraiture photshoot is a team effort. Once in the studio, the photographer must be respectful, yet complimentary. A woman who is posing in a sexual manner wants to know that she is attractive. It is said that there should be a bit of sexual tension between the two collaborators in the studio. I believe this leads to the best erotic portrait photos, but it must exist in an atmosphere of trust and safety.
If the photographer is really good, the client will also receive a nice boost to her self image, even more than she would get from Type A photos. There will also be a greater sense of liberation. This is what sets a good erotic portrait artist apart from the typical commercial formula, boudoir shooter.
Erotic portraits can be taken almost anywhere that the client and the photographer can find a little privacy. Get out of the studio if you can. Use the forest, a hotel room, a friend's cool apartment or whatever venue presents itself. This will set your photos farther apart from those boring Type A images. My style is influenced by glamour, pinup, cheesecake and yes, Hugh Hefner's style from fifty years ago.
These images are rarely printed and hung on the wall. Often they remain in digital form and are sent to lovers in another state or on the other side of the planet. The fortunate man who receives these photos knows exactly what the woman is saying. She wants her man back in her bed as soon as possible!
The Art of the Erotic Engagement Photoshoot
The Art of the Erotic Engagement Photoshoot (NSFW)
Couples celebrate their union in many ways. In our culture, there is an expectation that professional wedding photos will be taken that follow a fairly rigid style. Gradually, we are seeing couples look for other ways to remember the early days of their relationship and the intense feelings they have for each other.
It is now common to have a professional photographer take engagement photos. For most, they follow the usual format and look a lot like wedding photos. But for those who follow their own path, there is the erotic engagement photoshoot. (warning, naughty photos below)
I believe there are several reasons for the increasing popularity of this style of shoot. Young people today are more comfortable with nudity and they are more comfortable being in front of a camera. They have been photographed constantly since birth, so the idea of having their own artistic nude photoshoot appeals to them more than previous generations. They are also more self-aware. They know that the years of hot passion and tight bodies aren't going to last. Memories fade, but photos are forever.
Although I refer to these shoots as engagement shoots, about a quarter of them are done after the wedding. This makes sense, since the pre-wedding months tend to be busy and stressful. They are usually done in the studio, and often processed in black and white.
The photos I create are usually very private, but one couple did agree to allow me to use their photos. I thank them for that! Take a look and see if you can feel the love.
Of course, each erotic engagement photoshoot is different. Some are done in the client's home, some are done in upscale hotel rooms and some are done outdoors when the weather permits. If you would like to find out more about scheduling your own erotic photoshoot, please Contact me by email to schedule your own photoshoot. And of course, please read the Beyond Boudoir Photo FAQ for more information and answers to your questions.
How to Create Effective Photos for Dating Sites
How do you meet people these days? Dating at work is taboo. You don't want everyone knowing your love life at church or in your business group. That's why virtually every adult who is single and looking for a partner is now using internet dating sites. It's a big time saver and you don't have to hang out in smoky bars with a lot of drunks!
The downside is that you are now competing with hundreds of other men or women in your city instead of just the dozen or so in the bar on a particular evening. And, you still have to meet at some point. If you misrepresent yourself, you could waste a lot of time going on unproductive first dates. The questions are: how do you make yourself stand out and how do you attract potential partners who will be interested in the real you?
The rules are different for men and women and they vary depending on how prudish or sexy your dating site happens to be. Let's leave out the adult dating sites for now and concentrate on mainstream sites.
Creating Effective Dating Photos for Women
If you are a woman, you need to remember that men are very visual creatures. You may think that they will read through all the profiles on the dating site before they decide who to contact, but in reality, they just browse through the pictures.
They pass right by the blurry cell phone shots, the old vacation photos and the couple's photos with the ex cropped out. They are looking for women they think are visually attractive. Then, they read the profile text!
Next time you are browsing a dating site, think about which photos catch your eye? Most likely it is the rare professional portrait. No, not the stuffy business headshots, the sexy, flirty portraits. Right?
So, you need to find a good portrait/boudoir photographer.
Don't be afraid to show a little skin, but make sure you stay within the guidelines of your particular dating site.
Show off the visual elements that define your look. Tattoos are very popular these days. Glasses are very fashionable too. If you have cool frames, go ahead and include them in some of your photos.
Show more than one side of your personality. For example, some men love dominant women.
Don't ask the photographer to do a lot retouching with Photoshop. The photos here, for example, are unretouched. It is important not to create unrealistic expectations. Do try to show your overall shape and size. If you make a man wait for the first date to know if you are short or tall, heavy or slender, old or young-looking for your age, it is not a very efficient way to meet people.
FYI: the woman in these photos is in her late forties and recently lost over 100 pounds. She also just found her perfect mate!
Creating Effective Dating Photos for Men
The rules for men are different. No surprise there. Women look for different things, like eyes, hands and facial expression. They are also looking for clues to your economic and social status. Men's photos should show them well dressed and looking squarely into the lens.
A traditional portrait may be a good choice for a man's dating profile. They can show a lot about your personality, but remember that women are very sensitive to facial expressions and will draw strong conclusions based on their intuition. Small things can make a big difference. Consider these two portraits. The first shows a man in soft, flattering lighting with a smile. The second uses more dramatic lighting and a mysterious expression. Think very carefully about what message you wish to send!
Once you have chosen a main profile picture that shows your face the way you like, then you can have some fun with different facets of your personality. Women love clothes, so if you happen to enjoy dressing up, have your photographer create some images of you in your favorite fun outfit.
You may wish to create an environmental portrait that shows you with the things that are part of your life. Here is a fun image of Portland musician and photographer David Rolin with his car.
You can also use a bicycle, a boat, or whatever shows you doing the things you love. Think about having a photographer record you playing soccer, riding your bike along the river or jogging in the park. You can even have photos of you working in your garden or playing the piano. Women want to know all about you, so find a good photographer and take the time to create a portfolio of your life!
The Mysterious UFO on the Nude Beach at Sauvie Island
There are two well known nude beaches in the Portland area. One is Collins Beach on Sauvie Island. The island is a big flat area made up of farms and wildlife areas. Being very close to the city, folks flock here for recreation when the weather is nice. Some ride bikes on the two lane rural roads, some go birdwatching and some visit the beach. In the Fall, various farmers make extra money by luring tourists to corn mazes, produce stands and harvest festivals.
Collins Beach, the clothing optional section of the river front, is the location of one of Portland's weirdest sights. It's an old, derelict boat that looks like a UFO.
Its origin has been a mystery for many years. There is a post on an internet forum by a fellow who claims his father built the boat in 1971 and the family used it for recreation on the lower Columbia River. Nobody knows what happened after that, but apparently it broke loose from where it was moored and drifted ashore on the nude beach. This may have happened during the big flood of 1996, but nobody seems to be sure. The boat is now fastened to the trees with two stout cables, so it isn't going anywhere unless the county park authorities decide to remove it.
Marine enthusiasts love to speculate about how and why it was built. My guess is that it was intended to be a party boat for family fun. The boat is built of concrete over steel mesh. It's about twelve feet tall. There is no sign of any engine, so I assume it was powered by an outboard motor - most likely a couple of big ones, due to it's mass. But then a party boat doesn't need to go anywhere in a hurry, so who knows?
The interior was gutted a long time ago and everything that could be removed is long gone. If you decide to climb around on it, make sure your tetanus shot is up to date. Oh, and watch out for the wasp nest that is often found inside!
Update: here is a link to a local TV news story about the mysterious boat!
Update: Please note the comment below by someone who is familiar with the boat.
Another Portland Urban Photoshoot
I have developed a mental list of attractive spots around Portland that are suitable for photoshoots. Each spot has its own lighting peculiarities, so there should be one or two locations that are always appropriate no matter what time of day. As long as it isn't raining, I should be able to do an urban photoshoot almost any time. Here are some shots from my most recent outdoor shoot which was done on March 9th. I love the blurred background in the second shot, which photogaphers call "bokeh."
By the way, the model is M. Martinez, who is a "Dudoir" photographer, ie: she takes sexy photos of men. Her website is listed in my FAQ.
Urban Photoshoot - Portland, Oregon
An Urban Photoshoot - Portland, Oregon
I've been wanting to do more outdoor urban photoshoots and today we finally had suitable weather. Local model Rosalee Rae posed for me at several locations around downtown Portland. This spot with the interesting light was near Union Station. We were going for a candid "street photography" look, so she is not smiling or looking at the camera.
This was primarily a scouting trip to find places suitable for future urban photoshoots that I might do with paying clients. We found some spots with great potential! I came back to this spot later. See if you can find it in my galleries!
Local Portland Artist David Rolin
Portland artist and musician David Rolin posed for me with his car in a cemetery. If you use I-tunes, look up his song: "Don't Say Odette."
A Rope Bondage Photoshoot in a Barn
I often get asked to do fetish-oriented photoshoots. The hottest trend right now in the fetish community is rope bondage. The style is heavily influenced by Japanese bondage art. Suspending a person in the ropes is the pinnacle of the art. Some rope suspensions can be extremely elaborate, beautiful and artistic. Traditionally, the model is a nude or semi-nude female. Entire coffee table books have been published on this topic.
A friend of mine recently moved into a place that has a barn, which can be an ideal place for rope play and fetish photoshoots. A cute model friend with a lot of bondage experience volunteered to be the subject of this photoshoot. Fortunately, the barn owner is also an accomplished bondage rigger, that is the person who applies the ropes and watches out for the safety of the model. He says I can bring other girls over for rope photoshoots any time. Now that's a true friend!
Here is one sample from that shoot:
