forgot to add, myself and a hairstylist were shirtless the first 15-20 minutes of my first boudoir shoot. added some comic relief, and i don't think its very fair to request someones comfort and cooperation in their skivvies and to not show with some comedy that it can be done (and we might as well be at the swimming pool).
It takes a long time for the marks from undergarments to go away -- I don't think many 1st timers realize this and can waste a lot of time at the start of the shoot waiting for these marks to go away.... you could as "not a dude", suggest she comes to your studio dressed "commando-style".
It takes a long time for the marks from undergarments to go away -- I don't think many 1st timers realize this and can waste a lot of time at the start of the shoot waiting for these marks to go away.... you could as "not a dude", suggest she comes to your studio dressed "commando-style".
... this reminds me of a baby bump session I shot. She asked me for any suggestions in terms of what to wear before the session and I told her that loosely fitting sweatpants would be best, and if she was comfortable with that she might as well not wear any panties.
There was a long silence
And then with the straightest of faces she said "I'm not really sure I want to do any in the nude, is that something you require?"
I had never felt as powerful in my life
I really should have led her on for a few more seconds but instead chose to laugh and explain that I was not expecting to shoot anything in the buff... the no panties thing was simply to allow her to expose as much of her belly as she wanted without the red pressure lines.
I did my first solo boudoir recently and I was unsure too but knowing that she did not want another photographer meant I had no choice. She is my daughter's best friend and said she could only be comfortable with me, double yikes to have my daughter see me shoot for the first time.
We started off with fully clothed body after a 'skinny girl' margarita for the girls, none for me Music of her choice was playing (after Je T'aime, that one was for me too). We were sure to tell her how wonderful she looked, which was true, she was so happy but a little nervous. She was excited and so obviously in love that we had a fun time, teasing until she relaxed, more so towards the end of course
We talked about posing etc as I was up and down the ladder, on the floor etc, soon she didn't care about the clothes too much and I made sure nothing that she did not want to be seen was in the images. Often I would tell her I just had to show her how beautiful she looked in an image, and let her see the back of camera, so her confidence came back and she forgot to be nervous
My daughter attended the bachelorette party this weekend and the future bride was happily showing off her untouched photos to her bridesmaids who loved the images, so maybe there is hope for me
I think a friend there helped a lot to make her comfortable and I feel you can do it. If you are still unsure, check model mayhem models for practice, as suggested earlier.
Had to tell you, just when she was ready to shoot, I decided to adjust a large softbox on a boom, yep, it collapsed right then, I was wearing a softbox hat, hmmmm, so much for using light from above and neat shadows, I had to put that aside and make do with the other stuff, all with a smile as if it really didn't matter, when I was really mad
I do a lot of boudoir.
If you approach it as just another portrait shoot you will be fine.
Boudoir should have a light mood and be fun, they get to play dress up and be sexy.
Go ahead and give it a try it is a lot of fun for all involved.
Having said that it may take a couple before you will be comfortable with it.
Example of what not to do:
Start giggling like a school boy and tell them "I can't believe you are paying me for this, I should so give you your money back!".
It helps a lot to have a female assistant there who can help them to get in poses and to adust things.
I've started to do boudoir photography in the last couple months and enjoy doing it. I have a few more bookings and it's definitely a different world/mindset. It's something that I've always wanted to try but I wanted to make sure my portrait photography was strong enough so I could use the experience, style and ideas to execute what boudoir meant to me. I'm pretty please with my first go at it and it helps to have a great fiancee and her friend to help me with modeling.
Anyhow, I think quite a few people have already chimed in with their feedback and experience. I would only add is what helped me was collecting images and ideas of what I considered provocative, sexy and elegant. Then all I had to do is execute (easier said than done of course) :P
Boudoir photography is a best way to explore the woman beauty and I guess all my friends have already take sexy boudoir services by professionals for their wife photography sessions. I guess this job should be done within 2 year of marriage when your love is on extreme point.
Didn't do much boudoir, but from my experience with portrait photography- when another people are on the scene (esp. friends) models (clients) don't act naturally. If you (I assume man photographer) need a third party involved, I'd choose someone neutral (hairdresser or make up girl).
If you do the shoot, make sure you get it right because the bride will judge you based on that session. Boudoir is a very personal, intimate style of portraiture and women all want to look beautiful. Your lighting, backgrounds, settings, "style" all determine the outcome.
It's not like just setting up for a high school senior portrait. If it's your first, getting as much info and having a mentor help you is the way to go, along with discussing what the BRIDE is looking for in the way of sex appeal. Victoria Secrets style, Playboy style, Sports Illustrated Style, it's so personal and what she is imagining could be different than what you are going to provide.
After doing a little experimentation with nudes very recently with my girlfriend, I have realized that #1 I don't have the eye or knowledge for nudes OR boudoir, #2 I would probably have to touch to try to get angles the way I might like them, and #3 I would get too turned on to be fully professional, even if my ultimate intent is the photos.
Completely different animal...
Then there are the props, color schemes, etc., all very important as well.
Plus the makeup artist...
Plus, you should have some understanding of conventional attractiveness. I am not all that conventional in my own preferences, so that comes across in what I like in photos.
I love shooting boudoirs. I do about 25 - 30 sessions a year and wish it was more. I like the one on one interaction and the creative shots you can accomplish when you are not restricted to time.
Thanks y'all. I ended up doing this shoot. The bride wasn't into anything totally nude. I was fairly comfortable by the end. I honestly don't think she would have done it with any other photographer because she knew me from her sister's wedding and she already felt comfortable with me. It was just us three girls (the bride her sister and me). I certainly didn't do anything ground breaking and I forgot to try a heap of ideas. The bride has steel rods in her back from surgery so I couldn't get her to curve her body but we worked around that ok.
It takes a long time for the marks from undergarments to go away -- I don't think many 1st timers realize this and can waste a lot of time at the start of the shoot waiting for these marks to go away.... you could as "not a dude", suggest she comes to your studio dressed "commando-style".
... this reminds me of a baby bump session I shot. She asked me for any suggestions in terms of what to wear before the session and I told her that loosely fitting sweatpants would be best, and if she was comfortable with that she might as well not wear any panties.
