Boudoir and Glamour Photography – Keys to Success

How to get the images that will impress the client. Without great photographs, you will not be able to give your clients a product that will bring them and their friends back.

Probably the most important thing a photographer can do to get great photographs is to make the client relax. She needs to look comfortable and not self conscious about being photographed in her lingerie. The look in her eyes will be key to whether the photograph is amazing or just a picture.

Expect the client to be nervous, as most of them have never done a boudoir shoot before, let alone been seen in their lingerie or less by a stranger. I go through the wardrobe and never allow them to shoot in the favorites to start. I know that the first set will often be the most difficult for them. I want them to be relaxed and ready when we shoot their favorite outfits.

Getting them to relax is a talent and a skill. Treat the client with respect. Provide them privacy during changes. Discuss their concerns about how they look and how they want to make sure is covered. I shoot with a longer lens so I can provide some distance during the shoot. Personal space gets a bit larger when a person is dressed in less, so by not violating this space you can keep them more comfortable.

Some of the nervousness comes from the fear that they won’t be able to do what you need or look bad. Make sure to provide plenty of positive feedback during the photography session. Keep your comments positive, but not sexual. “That’s beautiful” is much better than “You’re making me hot”. The latter will quickly make most clients very uncomfortable. Explain that being nervous is expected and they will be able to create the photographs they want with your help.

Find out who the photographs are being made for and talk about them during the shoot. Ask how they like to see the client. What they like most about the client. If the photographer tones their shoot towards pleasing the future recipient of the photographs, the client will see them as a professional who is working towards creating what is wanted by the client. Thinking about who is getting the photographs also help the client get into the proper mood which will show in their facial expression.

Once the client has become more relaxed you will see the photographs start to take on a whole new look. Your photographs will be better and your client will love you for it. Win-win.

Orcatek Boudoir Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Boudoir and Glamour Photography – Keys to Success

How to get the images that will impress the client. Without great photographs, you will not be able to give your clients a product that will bring them and their friends back.

Probably the most important thing a photographer can do to get great photographs is to make the client relax. She needs to look comfortable and not self conscious about being photographed in her lingerie. The look in her eyes will be key to whether the photograph is amazing or just a picture.

Expect the client to be nervous, as most of them have never done a boudoir shoot before, let alone been seen in their lingerie or less by a stranger. I go through the wardrobe and never allow them to shoot in the favorites to start. I know that the first set will often be the most difficult for them. I want them to be relaxed and ready when we shoot their favorite outfits.

Getting them to relax is a talent and a skill. Treat the client with respect. Provide them privacy during changes. Discuss their concerns about how they look and how they want to make sure is covered. I shoot with a longer lens so I can provide some distance during the shoot. Personal space gets a bit larger when a person is dressed in less, so by not violating this space you can keep them more comfortable.

Some of the nervousness comes from the fear that they won’t be able to do what you need or look bad. Make sure to provide plenty of positive feedback during the photography session. Keep your comments positive, but not sexual. “That’s beautiful” is much better than “You’re making me hot”. The latter will quickly make most clients very uncomfortable. Explain that being nervous is expected and they will be able to create the photographs they want with your help.

Find out who the photographs are being made for and talk about them during the shoot. Ask how they like to see the client. What they like most about the client. If the photographer tones their shoot towards pleasing the future recipient of the photographs, the client will see them as a professional who is working towards creating what is wanted by the client. Thinking about who is getting the photographs also help the client get into the proper mood which will show in their facial expression.

Once the client has become more relaxed you will see the photographs start to take on a whole new look. Your photographs will be better and your client will love you for it. Win-win.

Orcatek Boudoir Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Locations for Boudoir and Glamour Photography

A boudoir is a woman’s bedroom or private sitting area and a great location for boudoir photography. However this is no longer the only location where great boudoir images can be created by your photographer. Today’s woman can be sexy at any location, and choosing the proper location can really make a boudoir photograph.

For example, if a client wants to do a sexy shoot in various swimwears, the bedroom just will not work. A pool, beach or lake would make a much better location for this style of glamour photograph. The mind will ask why is this person here, and it needs to make sense for the shot to work. Of course there are those will say, “as long as she’s in a bikini I don’t care why,” but in reality the photograph can just seem a bit tacky.

Now today with digital processing, the studio can become a beach or any other location if needed. This takes a special talent from your photographer to properly create a photograph that can be inserted into a digital background and still look real and not photoshopped. But if possible the best solution is to shoot at the desired location.

Often the clients home can provide a number of locations that allow for a boudoir session that has a number of looks in it. The obvious bedroom location is always a good place to start. A quick walk through will give a number of other choices. Fireplaces can create a sexy mood. Swimming pools and hot tubs are often available. How about a sexy bubble bath series? A piano can be used in a number of ways. Even the kitchen has possibilities with a bit of creativity from your photographer.

I can’t use my home, so now what? A nice hotel suite can provide a great number of choices. And consider a historic hotel if possible and if that fits your style. And shooting in the studio is a good solution too. A good boudoir photographer will be able to create great images at any location.

So am I limited if I shoot in a studio? A little bit, sure. After all, you probably won’t find a studio that you can shoot underwater boudoir. Even without digital tricks, your photographer will be able to create a large variety looks that will make your session amazing. Studios will create sets (fake environments) to create the illusion of shooting at a location. So no need to worry, your photographs will look great.

So what is the best location for my boudoir photographs? That’s the beauty of today’s boudoir styles. Any location can create amazing photos that reflect your personality and style, or even a fantasy. So talk with your photographer and between the two of you, you will decide on just how to create those amazing sexy glamour photographs.

Orcatek Boudoir and Glamour Photography - Tempe, Arizona

Cosmetic Surgery and Boudoir and Glamour Photography

One of the best times to get a boudoir and glamour photography session is after a cosmetic surgery procedure. The photographs will be great way to celebrate the new you.

When should I schedule my shoot with the photographer? We generally recommend you schedule it for 30-60 days post-op. Your surgeon can give you his recommendations on how long they feel your procedure takes to heal. Once your surgery is schedule, go ahead and schedule your session with your photographer. It adds to the excitement knowing that you have your session all ready to go.

Why so long after my surgery? Even after you look healed on the surface, there is often some swelling that lasts a few weeks longer. For example liposuction heals externally it about 2 weeks, but your body will still be slightly swollen for a period afterwards. Since we want your photos to look their best, we suggest the longer wait. Your surgeon will know the specifics for your surgery.

My surgery will leave some scars, how do you handle them? Depending on where the scars are and their size, there are a number of things we do. Sometimes we can hide them with make-up. Others we can conceal with the poses and lights. And of course, we can always retouch anything that is not covered any other way. We will make sure that your photographs will look as amazing as you imagine.

So how should I prepare for my post-op shoot while healing? With the new you, its time to look at some additions to add to your wardrobe. Your photographer will give you some suggestions on things that will work well during your shoot. Items that show off the changes will really help to make your photos special.

You’ve made the changes to yourself that you’ve wanted. So go out there and get some glamour and boudoir photographs to really show off just how amazing the new you has become.


Orcatek Boudoir And Glamour Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Backgrounds in Boudoir and Glamour Photography

Boudoir and Glamour photography focuses on the person in the photograph. Usually these photos are design to evoke a sensual and sexy mood. Still the selection of the background can have a huge impact on the resulting image.

The chosen background should not over power the person in it. After all, the goal is to flatter the person and make them stand out. This can be done in a number of ways, each one has its benefits.

The simplest is to choose a solid background. This can be black, white or any color in between. Key here is to keep the background muted. Neon green will most likely not be effective at keeping the focus on the person in front of it. When choosing a color, a color wheel can be your friend. It can help you select colors to contrast the clothes that are being worn, by selecting a color from the opposite side of the wheel.

Another way to keep the focus off the background is to shoot with a shallow depth of field, open that lens up - 2.8 is great I always say. The wide open lens creates that softness in the image, while allowing you to keep the key portion in focus. In general it is usually the eyes, but in glamour and boudoir it may be a hand on a strap of the lingerie. The photographer’s artistic eye will guide the selection of the focal point of a given image, and in turn guide the viewer’s eye.

And of course good boudoir and glamour photography is all about lighting. And lighting can be used very effectively to place the focus on the person and not the background. Your eye is naturally drawn to the brightest part of the image, or in very bright images the darkest part is sometimes the focal area. To see what is the focal point of an image based on light values, blur it until you can’t tell what it is. Now look at it, and your eye will be drawn to something. Sometimes I use Photoshop to do this, other times I just step back and squint my eyes.

So by controlling how an image is lit, you can drive the focus of the viewer to the proper portion of the image. Ideally you should keep your focus and light together, but rules can be broken.

So why don’t I just shoot in studio on a solid background, since we are just trying to hide it anyway? Because even a non-focal background can add value to an image. For instance, if a woman is in a swimsuit I want to know why. So I prefer there to be water to explain why she is the swimsuit. Lingerie looks great in a bedroom, but maybe not as good in a garage (ok, who am I kidding – lingerie looks great everywhere, but you get the idea).

Location boudoir and glamour provide the photographer a whole collection of choices of backgrounds. They can be used to bring out the personality of the client. How about a bubble bath, which can be shy and innocent, or sexy and sultry. I will talk more about location boudoir and glamour photography in a future entry.

Orcatek Boudoir and Glamour Photography - Phoenix, Arizona