NSFW Photo-Guide?

[elizpage]

I'm doing my first boudoir-ish photoshoot tomorrow.

Any tips for me? I definitely want to keep it tasteful, and I'm somewhat nervous because I am waiting on the example images to come via. email for what she wants.

She also has a snake, that she wants to use as a prop. By the way, this is a good friend of mine.

 

[runnah]

I'm doing my first boudoir-ish photoshoot tomorrow. Any tips for me? I definitely want to keep it tasteful, and I'm somewhat nervous because I am waiting on the example images to come via. email for what she wants. She also has a snake, that she wants to use as a prop. By the way, this is a good friend of mine.

Adding a snake instantly turns it from tasteful and into a tshirt you'd buy at a monster truck show.

I think the best advice is to make the model feel comfortable. Also I heard from a great boudoir photographer to not ask them to act sexy, but rather act like they have a secret or heard a funny joke that they can't share.

 

[elizpage]

I'm doing my first boudoir-ish photoshoot tomorrow. Any tips for me? I definitely want to keep it tasteful, and I'm somewhat nervous because I am waiting on the example images to come via. email for what she wants. She also has a snake, that she wants to use as a prop. By the way, this is a good friend of mine.

Adding a snake instantly turns it from tasteful and into a tshirt you'd buy at a monster truck show.

I think the best advice is to make the model feel comfortable. Also I heard from a great boudoir photographer to not ask them to act sexy, but rather act like they have a secret or heard a funny joke that they can't share.

LOL, yeah I s'pose you are right about the monster truck thing. And that advice helps.

 

[Trever1t]

tasteful takes 2. You and your style and her and hers. I try to avoid cliche's and always just have fun. Study the light. go with the flow. A friend, you both have familiarity so much of the initial nervousness shouldn't be an issue! Looking forward to seeing your results.

 

[Derrel]

Try and nail the focus. Indoors if you are shooting using available window light, use a tripod, so you get good, steady shots.

 

[JoeW]

A bunch of tips...

1. Me personally, I'm leery of shooting with animals as props. Specifically with this shoot, it moves from boudoir (which is generally a soft, romantic feel) to either edgy or fetish or very lusty (even if no skin is being exposed).

2. Depending upon what she's wearing (or not wearing) during the shoot, clothing (tight jeans), bras, panties...they all leave marks on the body. Ask to wear something loose that won't leave marks.

3. Soft light is your friend. If you're relying on ambient light, get a scrim up.

4. Personally, I'm a big fan of a limited DoF for boudoir shots. This is especially true if she's had 4 kids and is 40 and could perhaps lose 20 pounds.

5. Agree with the advice about "look sexy." Tell someone "look like you have a secret that you know and I don't." Another is "look shy". Or "give me just a hint of a smile."

6. For new models, extending hands and feet won't come naturally. She'll often ball her hands up in to a fist and flatten her feet. You want to extend both as a way of creating long, flowing, lovely lines. And give her props to hold (a rose, a champagne flute, uh...a snake). You know a potentially great prop to use (with the snake)? A shiny red apple.

7. If you're really going to go with the snake, my advice would be to go for demure/implied nudes. In other words, she's nude but between the pose and the snake, nothing is showing. That can look artistic and clever. Otherwise it's just "hey, here's someone who owns a snake!"

8. For lingerie, think lacey. And matching (i.e.: top and bottom are the same color). Have some fabric to partially cover the model. Think of a bra or camisole strap that is partially off the shoulder. If the model is going to put a thumb into the waist band of her shorts/panties don't have her exaggerate it (like "let's see how far these suckers can stretch!".

9. As a general rule, think of "hiding" the lingerie in the poses. Have the model peering around a bedroom/bathroom door. Peeking out from under some sheets. Wearing a man's dress shirt that is mostly open. So we catch only a glimpse of lace and skin. You're not shooting a lingerie catalog, you're trying to create a look and feel to the pictures...something that is romantic and a bit sexy but not too extreme. Unless of course you're using the term "boudoir" to mean "indoor glamour nudes".

10. Print out some sample poses to get you both started and provide ideas to riff on. If she has body issues, look for poses that minimize those. For instance, she's had kids (so perhaps has loose stomach muscles or stretch marks but also cleavage) than pose her on her stomach facing the camera. Large thighs...don't pose her feet to the camera (to minimize distortion) or have her holding some lace or silk fabric that drapes her bottom half or put her in heels (which visually lengthens the body). She's got tan lines, use some derma blend to minimize them. She's got a scar or two on her body...some strategically placed roses or fabric can put it in shadow.

 

[Designer]

I definitely want to keep it tasteful,

There is quite a difference between tasteful and raunchy. The snake puts it over the line, and if that is the direction your friend is going, you might as well forget about "tasteful" at this point.

 

[FITBMX]

This all seems like great information!

 

[CAP]

 

[Overread]

Few ideas:

1) If its you and your models first time consider saving the snake for a different shoot. If you're both new to it then adding a third new critter can have the potential to increase trouble (animals are notorious for not posing how you want them to do - especially as soon as you aim a camera at them). If at least one of you (esp model) is more experienced then go for it.
Also try and work out how experienced she is with snake handling in general. Sometimes people get new pets and are not all that experienced in handelling them so you have to keep that in mind during the shoot (gotta keep the snake safe and happy).

2) Sounds like the model already has some pose ideas and that you're discussing them before the shoot - great thing and keep at it. You want to go into the shoot (ideally both) already knowing what you want to get started with. Having a ground to work from will get things flowing much better between you both.

3) Taste is all about how you compose your shot and model(s) - snakes are oft used for a more raunchy/risky/kinky approach; however there is nothing that says you can't retain a more docile/tame/tasteful approach whilst having a snake present- just get creative - also study how other people use snakes in their shoots. If you see patterns of how they are used and displayed in a "raunchy" sense then that gives you options to say "no" to on the day and to take the shot in another, different or less used direction (sometimes even if the pose itself isn't any more or any less tame the fact that its not got the association with raunch might work on its own).

4) Relax - have fun and be sure to pay attention to the health and well-being of the snake; most animal people will already be doing that, but showing your own concern will help build a rapport between you and your model; plus keeping it in your mind means that you lessen the chances for potential problems.

 

[Derrel]

If you are gonna do the snake, then DEFINITELY have some red delicious or red Fuji apples on hand, and do "Eve and the serpent". Have her take a bite out of one red apple, and hold it, while the snake is coiled around her neck or head, or draped over her shoulders. And yes, I am serious.