A little bit shy

Great boudoir photographs are about mood.  Black and white seems to set a mood very quickly, add some dramatic lighting and a classic pose and you get this.

Sexy, intimate and tasteful, which is what everyone woman wants in her boudoir photographs.

Orcatek Boudoir Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Published Again - Yippee

I had some more of my photos published in a national magazine this week. The magazine is called College Gentleman. I shot a number of very sexy boudoir style photos for the magazine. Here are a few samples.






Tasteful Boudoir Photography by Orcatek - Phoenix, Arizona

Pin-up Girl

One of the Phoenix Pin-up dolls from our group shoot this past weekend.




Pin-up By Orcatek Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Cover College Gentleman Magazine

One of my recent shoots for College Gentleman Magazine. I shot the cover and poster girl for this issue.

I give my clients the same magazine level shoots for their boudoir photography sessions as every woman should be a covergirl.

Orcatek Boudoir Photography - Phoenix

Show a little, and still be sexy

I have always said that great boudoir photgraphy is not about what you show, but what you don't. For a picture to be really sexy the imagination needs to be used. This is an example of just that.

Take a boudoir photography workshop

Orcatek Boudoir Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

More Pin-up this week

This week I had the chance to have some more fun shooting some pin-up photography.

I really find that everyone has a great time creating this images.




Take a pin-up photography workshop

Orcatek Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Telephone Pin-up

This past week I shot a lot of pin-up. This shot is one that I really liked. Classic pose with a telephone.

Take a pin-up photography workshop

Orcatek Pin-up Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Pin-up Time

Pin-up is a popular style of boudoir photography. This past week one of my favorite sessions created this photograph. Her dad a wonderful classic car which she brought to the studio for her shoot.

Take a pin-up photography workshop

Orcatek Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Fine Art Nude Shapes

I like to work with shapes and lines when I do my fine art nude photography. This is from a recent workshop.

Take a Fine Art Nude Photography Workshop

Orcatek Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Old style Glamour

Sometimes a client wants you to create an image in a certain style. This time it was an old style glamour look. She loved the final result, it was just how she wanted it to look.



Orcatek Boudoir and Glamour Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

B&W Bath

Here is a shot from a boudoir photography shoot that I did the other day. Sometimes I find that B&W white is just the way to go with a shot. It just seems a tad more sexy in B&W for this photograph.

As a photographer it is always a challenge to decide how to finish an image. I always have a pretty good idea of what I want when shooting, but sometimes I find another direction more interesting.



Orcatek Boudoir Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Bridal Boudoir - Fun with Mirrors

I always love to shoot bridal boudoir. Add some mirrors to the mix and I am a very happy photographer.

Brides to be are always glowing with excitement, making the shoot extra fun. And knowing that I am helping to create a gift for her new husband that he will remember for a very long time makes the shoot all the more important.



This shoot shot is a perfect example what fun can be had with mirrors during a bridal boudoir photography session. This one ended up as one of the key images in the album that was created as a gift for the groom.

Orcatek Boudoir Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Make it a Boudoir Valentines

When Valentines Day approaches, boudoir photographs make a popular gift. It is a gift that he will remember for a very long time. Remember it takes time to retouch and print your photographs, so be sure to book early.






Orcatek Boudoir and Glamour Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Winner gets her Photoshoot

This weekend the winner of our free boudoir photoshoot came in to collect her prize. Like almost all of our clients she had never done anything like this before and was very nervous. She brought someone along to help her out.

We started off with my basic start to see how she would work with the camera. Once I saw how to work best with her we discussed her desires for the shoot.

Throughout the shoot I would stop and show her shots and she was amazed. Even without retouching, the combination of posing and lighting made her look amazing.

She got her proofs the following day and she said she is having a very hard time reducing the list of photos down to a reasonable size as there were so many great photos.


Orcatek Boudoir Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Why people want boudoir photography

With the closing of the boudoir and glamour photography contest, the reasons giving for wanting to win were interesting and varied. There were almost as many reasons as entries.

There were the standard reasons such as gift for future groom, anniversary present and of course Christmas present.

And then those for themselves as well as their loved ones, such as capturing youth, lifting spirits and boosting confidence.

And a few men who wanted to give it to their wives to let them know they think they are sexy.

There were many, many other reasons given. Boudoir photography makes a great gift in so many ways.


Orcatek Boudoir and Glamour Photography - Phoenix, Arizona

Drawing for Free Boudoir Session

Just in time for the holidays, Orcatek Photography is having a drawing for a free boudoir photo session. Just follow the link below for all the details.

Orcatek Boudoir and Glamour Photography Holiday Drawing - Phoenix, Arizona

Couples Fine Art for the Boudoir

When a couple comes to my studio for a boudoir session, they often don’t really know exactly what they want other than they would like to pose together. So the first thing I like to show them as a photographer is some of my couple’s fine art nude work.

Very often the fine art nude style is something they hadn’t considered but are very interested in doing some. They describe these types of photographs as “classy”, something they could actually display in their home for others to see.

Creating complimenting shapes with couples does present some extra challenges. You now have two bodies which you need to protect modesty. Additionally they both may have some physical attributes which they would prefer to be managed. However with careful posing and lighting, the photographer can create photographs which anybody would be proud to display in their home.

One method photographers like is to intertwine the bodies of the man and women, wrapping arms and legs into a twisted puzzle. I shoot tight, often making in a challenge to identify the body part owner’s in the photograph.

Another technique it to compare or contrast the same body part. Chests, backs and rears are all great choices for this style of photograph.

Fine art nudes are not typically thought of as boudoir by many, but adding them to the styles available to boudoir photography clients provides an opportunity for couples to create photographs that are tasteful and beautiful.


Orcatek Boudoir and Glamour Photography – Phoenix, Arizona

Maternity Bodyscapes

This week one of my most enjoyable shoots was a maternity photography session. Pregnancy is such a special time that it really needs to be captured in a way that will be a lasting memory. I find that using non-traditional techniques in the maternity photography arena gives my clients something different.

Bodyscapes are an area that I find is very effective for maternity photographs. Traditionally reserved for the fine art nude community, they make an excellent way to capture the magic of pregnancy. My favorite technique is rim light to really show off the shape of the belly.

I use an elevated table for the mothers-to-be to lie on so they don’t have to face the challenge of getting up from a low bed or mattress. A single step up and they can easily lie down on the padded table.

When I mention bodyscapes to my clients they often have no idea what I mean. But once they see some sample shots they are sold.

Orcatek Maternity Photography - Phoenix

Boudoir Photography - Changing Lives

This week I have received an surprise e-mail from Ellen, a woman that had a boudoir photography session a few months ago. In it she talked about how much she her husband still loved the book we created, but she also wrote about something else the book had done for her. Something she had not expected, but it was something she could not thank me enough for.

Ellen was my typical client type, a real woman – in her late thirties who didn’t live in a gym. She only did the book as her husband had been raving about how much his friend loved the one he got from his wife.

She said that I could quote part of her very personal letter here:

“I never really saw myself as beautiful. I always felt plain or average. Whenever I would look in the mirror I would focus on what I saw as my flaws.

But now my life has changed. The boudoir photographs you took brought out all my best features and made me look more beautiful than I had ever imagined. I have found a new confidence that came from seeing myself they way Dave has seen me. He has always told me that he loved the way I looked and now I see it too.

I just didn’t know where to look for my own beauty before the session. I was blinded by my own point of view. Now when I look in the mirror I give myself a quick look and do a little turn and there I am, SEXY Ellen. It sets my mood for the entire day, confident and proud.

Thank you so much for finding the real me. Dave says thanks too!”

It made me feel good to get this letter and know that I had an impact on someone life. Good luck Ellen, you deserve the best!

Orcatek Boudoir and Glamour Photography - Scottsdale

The Girls Come to Town

This week was an extra fun week in the studio. A group of three wonderful women came to town for boudoir / glamour sessions. They were a referral from a prior client whose book that had seen and decided they all wanted to do one too. They liked how sexy yet classy the photographs looked.

The group had scheduled several weeks ago so I was able to find a time where they could all shoot on the same day. Groups like this are especially fun for everyone as they help each other with changes of outfits and encourage one another with their comments. The fun of doing the photo shoot with friends creates a party atmosphere.

The decision on who should go first is always an interesting group dynamic. This time the decision was easy as Beth was ready first. I always start by doing my “warm-up” set on the first outfit. It is a quick set to see how the woman responds in front of the camera and to let her begin to develop her comfort level. The set runs through some standing, sitting and laying poses and allows me to quickly show them how good they look.

Beth was a bit nervous at first, but after about 5 minutes Jessica was ready and began to watch and encourage her with comments on how sexy she was looking. A few minutes later Sharon was ready too. The two of them continued rooting Beth on through the warm-up. I then did Jessica’s and Beth’s warm-ups too.

The ladies were all now really getting into the grove as we progressed onto their next outfits. This time Sharon went first. As the others finished getting ready they came to watch and would often comment on how they wanted a shot just like the one I just shot. As their turns came up I made sure to get those shots they had requested.

Each girl typically gets a set of similar poses, but not the same as I like to work with the flow as I shoot each woman. I see how she moves and what looks best for her body type and adjust as needed to bring out the very best. I never want my boudoir photography to become boring or formula. Each shoot needs to be different to bring out the special something that makes each woman unique.

This group had two who wanted to do some nudes, whereas Sharon had said she didn’t think she wanted any. I prefer to shoot my nudes low-key and in black and white, but depending on the mood of the shoot will stray away from B&W and the low-key set. Today it ended up being a mix of set-ups as we moved between the different sets in the studio. Jessica saw the implied nudes which most of my nudes actually are and decided since she was actually covered in the photograph she wanted some too because they looked so sexy.

Jessica ended up being the star of the nude session. Once she started to see some of the images she really got into the mood and did an amazing job. Something just switched on and she became so relaxed and her photographs showed her new confidence.

We continued the day through various outfits and sets. Each one of them ended up with a wide variety of looks to choose from for their books. There are going to be a lot of very happy men next month when they get their books.

Orcatek Boudoir Photography - Phoenix