glamour, boudoir photography & pinup model ideas

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painless methods to achieve true beauty with intimate boudoir photography

Everyone is beautiful (in the right light of course). A boudoir photography session is a sexy but tasteful photo shoot for women. I photograph women of all ages, shapes and sizes. I also do retro modern pin-up photography. My clientel are not professional models but by following these simple techniques anyone can be transformed into a hot & sexy number.

The women that call me want photos of themselves for many reasons. Some want to give a personable treat to their significant other to spice up their relationship. Others are in search of a unique gift for special occasions. Women in their 40's often tell me they want sexy photos done before its too late! No matter the reason, all of them, after looking at their photos are proud to discover that they too look like the women they see in magazines. Thats the rewarding part!

Guys with cameras (GWC's) beware. Some women are only comfortable with other women photographing them, so it may be helpful to have a female assistant on hand or suggest to the model that she bring a girlfriend along.

Please note all the photos in this lens were taken by me.

Attention ladies, budding photographers and seasoned professionals

Ladies, bring these ideas to your photographer or use as a fun activity to do with your lover!

Beginners, learn photography tips and techniques while adding portfolio content.

Professionals, offer this as a theme shoot for your clientel. This works on every body type! All your clients will love the results.

It doesn't matter your age; sex appeal is a state of mind.

One is never to old to be a pin-up girl or do boudoir pictures .Ruth is in her 70's! These shots were done for a Women of Rotary calendar. She also gave them as a unique gift to her boyfriend.

The non-nude nude.

Doing it in the bath!

This is one of my favorite techniques. The best part is that it works for all women and it is still very sexy!

It is a nude photo session that shows no body parts. How sexy is that?! I call it the non-nude nude. Suggestive is waaay more sexy than giving it all away. It ignites the imagination and leaves the viewer with a sense of mystery and wonder while wanting to see more. The exact response us ladies want from our man. Also, the sexy but classy images, are something even the most conservative lady can be proud of.

For this shoot we are keeping it clean. Squeaky clean! So draw the bathtub and let your model enjoy one the most relaxing photo shoots ever. That's right we are doing it in the bath!

Boudoir and glamour photography books that are very helpful on Amazon.com

These books are great and filled with more ideas for a simple yet compelling photoshoot. What I like is that they contain ideas that can be shot anywhere with materials you most likely already own. They show that you don't need to travel to exotic or remote locations to achieve succesful images.

In addition to the creative artistic part, they teach exposure and technical techniques.
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Materials you'll need.

One sexy model and...

  • SETTING:

    bubble bath
    bubble machine with extra bubbles
    white towel
    sheer white fabric (such as old curtains or tulle for draping windows or wall

    OPTIONAL PROPS:

    champagne bottle
    champagne glass
    strawberries
    candles
    sexy strappy high heel shoes
    roses

    MAKEUP:

    preferably a hair and make up artist
    false eylashes
    hair clip
    sparkle or shimmer lotion

    CAMERA EQUIPMENT:

    silver or gold reflector or a piece of white foamcore to light the model's face
    lens that is atleast 50mm in length

Be a movie star or just look like one.

Beauty supplies that pamper and enhance

The smallest details make a difference. To look your very best and to make your boudoir images stand out from the rest; you have to pay attention to the details.

Ladies, these products will make you look and feel stunning. Your added confidence alone will make a huge difference in your attitude and thus the finished images will look better. You will begin and end feeling that your boudoir photography session was a success.

Photographers, these are great products to have on hand to help pamper your client and show you are prepared in all areas. Many times models have shown up without lotion, lipgloss and small necessities. My clients are usually thrilled to see that I have additional supplies on hand for them to use.
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Step 1: Lets get started

Not all baths are created equal

Since all bath tubs vary you will have to use your judgement here. Ideally you will be using a larger corner type of tub in a bathroom with a lot of window light flooding in. You may even be lucky enough to find an old-fashioned claw foot tub! Any bath can work! Just be creative and get multiple angles. If you are using the smaller hotel type of bathtubs with glass doors there is still hope. I have ideas for that too!

If you are using a bath tub against a wall or windows, drape the wall or window with the sheer fabric. You can hang it with duct tape or use anything to clip it up. The top will not show in the finished product. Let it gather onto the edge. This is to soften the light coming in, break up any hard lines, and add a touch of romance.

Step 2: The first 10 shots are like foreplay.

Getting warmed up.

Some like it hot! So let the model decide the best temperature. Don't forget the bubble bath, lots and lots of bubble bath. Remember this is the camouflage and main wardrobe. Plus it is excellent tecture (so be careful not to overexpose the bubbles)

Tell the model she may keep on her panties if it makes her more comfortable and give her a white towel to wrap herself in.

You can start the photoshoot here with the white towel. It makes a great shot and tells a story. It also puts the model at ease. She can sit or stand by the sink, mirror, doorway or bath. You can wrap it around her torso or around her waist and get a backview shot.

Now close your eyes and tell the model she can get in the bath.

Step 3: Action

Don't forget to cover all angles

Once the model is in the tub, try to have her place her feet and as much leg as you can out of the water. If her feet are hideous put bubbles on top of them with only small parts peeking out! Same with the arms. All you should see is her arms and legs; everything else, or any imperfections of the skin is covered with bubbles!

There are many camera angles you can get. First of all, have a ladder handy so you can get a high angle. Also, get a portrait type of shot of her leaning on the edge of the tub.Just keep moving around.

After you take a few shots, perhaps try adding some props. You can place candles around or the champagne with strawberries. Then after you know you got some great work try turning on the bubble machine.

The bubble machine is crazy cool! It adds energy and excitement to the shoot and makes your photos instantly more professional. The model has a blast here so you will be sure to get some fun and natural smiles. Be patient though the bubbles can be difficult to work with. It's all about timing. Perhaps try aiming it behind the subject a bit so they don't fall in front of her face (and get in her eyes). Ideally you want a clear view of her face with bubbles falling all around her!

A photo shoot necessity to bring your photographs to the next level.

Bubble machines!

A great bubble machine is hard to find. The ones I got at the toy store were unreliable. They would fall apart, the bubble output was inconsistent and they would over heat and turn off! grrrr

I have the Chauvet series. I like them because they are very durable and meet my expectations on commercial jobs. I even brought one to wedding once. It was sooo much fun and enhanced the photos greatly during the first dance.

I also use them for home entertaining. It's nice ambiance to add to cocktail parties and festivities. My kids love it soo much that I got them their own. Its still a nice one but not really expensive ( I didn't want them playing with my equipment). It was worth it because it provides them with endless entertainment . In the warm light of summer, I let it run and sit back with a cocktail and a zoom lens while the children chase the bubbles. You can get the best candid photos of children that way, but thats a whole other topic.
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Here is an example of a shoot with the bubble machine!

Maybe her lover is a sushi chef! (lol) You can substitute the knife with a beautiful rose though. However, if you like it more edgy, that works too.

P.S.

After the photoshoot, only minor skin retouching should be necessary. Make some of the images black & white and make some a warm saturated color. Soft focus and blurring of the edge is a special effect that most women love.

For the finished product you can offer a slideshow, a small and personable album with about 16 images, a wall portrait of her absolute favorite image, and definately a wallet size image for him.

Reader Feedback

  • andreasphotos Mar 19, 2009 @ 3:35 pm | delete
    Very nice Heather!!! It makes me want to get naked!!! Lol ;o)

Get a peep of these terrific lenses.

To help you prepare for your boudoir photography session.

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fauxtography

Hello people. I'm a photographer by heart and trade. The world is my studio. I will shoot anywhere. There are amazing images lurking in every corner,... more »

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