The Boudoir Photography Cookbook

Jen Rozenbaum presents sixty essential skills that will help you to fine-turn every aspect of your boudoir shoot. She begins with a look into what qualifies as boudoir, identifies the subgenres of boudoir portraiture, and then launches into a targeted look at various posing strategies that will really amp up your subject's gorgeous curves for a sexy, sultry look. You'll also find a host of image concepts that you might want to incorporate into your repertoire, plus lighting sources and setups Jen favors for creating sizzling shots, and even tips for selecting a wardrobe that downplays perceived flaws and celebrates your subject's assets. Of course, Rozenbaum doesn't stop there. There are even sections on changing up lenses for portrait variety, working with a Lensbaby (a specialty lens that offers a 'sweet spot' of focus), and pulling out all of the stops with today's must-have light source: the Westcott Ice Light.

Offers tips and techniques for setting up and executing a boudoir photography shoot, covering topics ranging from preparing a subject and arranging lighting to post-processing, as well as providing advice for male photographers.

“Boudoir” photographs are intimate images created of a woman in a private (read intimate) space. The term “boudoir,” in translation, means “bedroom,” and images created in the boudoir style—whether they are indeed created in a woman’s boudoir or in a makeshift bedroom within the walls of a photographic studio—are strictly feminine. The subjects may be adorned in fine lingerie, or perhaps may be shown in the act of dressing—or undressing. The images are sensual, flirty, and always beautiful. Clients book boudoir sessions to celebrate their sensuality and femininity. For some, the goal is to document a special phase in life or simply to find a new way to see herself. Other women seek to book a boudoir session with the goal of providing a significant other with a highly personal and perhaps playful gift. Regardless of her motivation, her expectation is that her photographer will be able to amplify her assets, minimize any perceived figure flaws, and create a beautiful, evocative work of art. In order to meet—and exceed—her clients’ expectations, photographers must have a wealth of technical knowledge (just which camera angles, exposure settings, lens selections, and lighting patterns will create the desired look?) and a facility with coaxing form-flattering poses that lengthen legs, whittle waistlines, enhance the bust, and somehow look and feel natural, not contrived. The expression that is elicited must suit the mood of the image, too. And, of course, there are fragile egos at play. Yes, working with a scantily clad subject under the scrutiny of a lens is a tall order. Sadly, each of those concerns can seem magnified when working with the plus-sized boudoir subject. In this book, Tammy Warnock presents a tangible, easy-to-follow recipe for creating va-va-voom images of plus-size clients that celebrate every sexy curve. She introduces readers to 60 real-life subjects and investigates the intricate details of conceptualizing and crafting a sensational plus-size boudoir session. For each session presented for review, readers will learn about the client’s objectives (Why did she book the shoot? What was the mood or feeling or theme she had in mind?). Tammy will share the strategies she used to create rapport with the client, boost her confidence, and ensure a positive, praise- (and referral!) worthy experience. The artistic elements of the shot (backdrops, props, and styling) and corrective posing and lighting strategies are detailed as well, culminating in an inspiring and instructional framework that readers will rely on whenever any boudoir subject calls for services.

Boudoir has emerged from being a trend to being firmly established in the photographic mainstream. Its roots lie with many modern brides? desire to give a special, intimate album to their intended, but has snowballed with more and more women commissioning photographers (or photography enthusiast partners) to create personal portrait shots. Unlike glamour photography, boudoir is driven by the model?s own concept and vision, and this book provides anyone who wants to explore their creative side with a complete guide to every aspect of the craft, from calming your model?s stage fright to post-producing for that magazine look. This is a complete reference guide, with poses to suit all body types, arming photographers of any experience level with all they need to get visually arresting, and very flattering, results every time.

Creating passionate boudoir portraits is a many-layered process. If done effectively, you are not only taking a picture but you are telling a story. The finest boudoir photography creates an intimate moment that the subject can share with someone special. In this book, Jessica Lark details how she created her award-winning style and successful boudoir studio. For Lark, a boudoir shoot is more than just posing and lighting, it is an experience. A big part of that boudoir experience is the studio. The entirety of the intimate experience you are crafting for your clients is built on the foundation of authenticity they feel your space has. The comfort and inspiration that the subject feels from the space comes through in the photographs. Lark believes that the photographer and the experience inspire the women to create something beautiful to photograph. In order to master the art of seduction and create the boudoir experience it’s necessary to provide this intimate space. In an age where uninspired men’s magazine photo spreads and salacious social media pictures are what are considered sensual, Lark strives to create something alluring, inspired and seductive. This book has been created with the professional boudoir photographer in mind, those with the passion to create seductive portraits. She shares the secrets of her successful business, tips and strategies for creating both an environment for capturing beautiful photos and building a comfort level and relationship with clients that keeps them coming back for more. The intricacies of lighting, posing, hair, make-up, wardrobe, props and sets are covered. Separate chapters are devoted to her simple yet effective lighting and posing styles. When done well, artful posing not only flatters a woman’s features and diminishes any flaws, but it also looks natural, as if she is not posing at all. Lark uses lighting to add dramatic nuances to her shoots, creating shadows, depth or accenting specific details. You can be as creative with lighting as you are with hair, make-up, posing or set design. The concept of seduction is presented by Lark not just in her work but across everything she does with her business: website, social media, studio, products & services, personal interactions. Creating a cohesive experience from introduction, through the shoot, to selecting the final portraits is a cornerstone of Lark’s vibrant business. This book presents many gorgeous and sensual portraits capturing many moods and styles within boudoir: delicate, sensual, provocative, glamorous, vintage, pregnancy, erotic, bridal and avant-garde to name a few. Presented in a lush and easy to follow format, this book provides the instruction and inspiration to create stunning portraits that any woman would want. Master the basics concepts presented and execute them flawlessly for stunning boudoir photos every time.

Body and Soul presents a unique and emotionally intelligent approach to building a sustainable boudoir photography business. The higher-level strategies within these pages will enable photographers to move beyond the task of simply making pretty pictures to greater goals, such as understanding the emotional journey of the boudoir process, building meaningful, long-term relationships with clients, and creating a referral engine to sustain your business. Susan Eckert combines her professional experience as an internationally published photographer with her advanced degree in Psychology to deconstruct the boudoir experience. Each chapter is complemented by interviews with her clients, and illustrates how photographers can partner with their clients throughout the boudoir process in the development of meaningful work. Highlights of this book include: Self-assessment questionnaires to help you develop your brand and identify your market Best practices for developing positive client relationships before, during, and after the photoshoot Helpful advice for how to work with the sensitive aspects of boudoir photography, such as body image Succinct and thorough guidance for behind-the-camera techniques that will bring your client's emotional story to life Personal interviews with clients who openly discuss their photoshoot goals, comfort levels, and boudoir photography journeys An interview with a clinical psychologist on the role and value of the emotionally-intelligent boudoir photographer

Body and Soul presents a unique and emotionally intelligent approach to building a sustainable boudoir photography business. The higher-level strategies within these pages will enable photographers to move beyond the task of simply making pretty pictures to greater goals, such as understanding the emotional journey of the boudoir process, building meaningful, long-term relationships with clients, and creating a referral engine to sustain your business. Susan Eckert combines her professional experience as an internationally published photographer with her advanced degree in Psychology to deconstruct the boudoir experience. Each chapter is complemented by interviews with her clients, and illustrates how photographers can partner with their clients throughout the boudoir process in the development of meaningful work. Highlights of this book include: Self-assessment questionnaires to help you develop your brand and identify your market Best practices for developing positive client relationships before, during, and after the photoshoot Helpful advice for how to work with the sensitive aspects of boudoir photography, such as body image Succinct and thorough guidance for behind-the-camera techniques that will bring your client’s emotional story to life Personal interviews with clients who openly discuss their photoshoot goals, comfort levels, and boudoir photography journeys An interview with a clinical psychologist on the role and value of the emotionally-intelligent boudoir photographer

When photographing people, you can have a great composition, perfect light, and the right camera settings, but if your subject doesn’t look right—if the pose is off—the shot will not be a keeper. Posing is truly a crucial skill that photographers need to have in order to create great photographs. If you’re looking to improve your ability to pose your subjects—whether they’re men, women, couples, or groups—best-selling author and photographer Lindsay Adler’s The Photographer’s Guide to Posing: Techniques to Flatter Everyone is the perfect resource for you. In the first half of The Photographer’s Guide to Posing, Lindsay discusses how the camera sees, and thus how camera angle, lens choice, and perspective all affect the appearance of your subject. Lindsay then covers things that ruin a pose—such as placement of the hands, and your subject’s expression and posture. Next, Lindsay dives into “posing essentials,” outlining her approach to start with a “base pose,” then build on that to create endless posing opportunities. She also discusses posing the face—with specific sections dedicated to the chin, jaw, eyes, and forehead—as well as posing hands. In the second half of the book, Lindsay dedicates entire chapters to posing specific subject matter: women, men, couples, curvy women, families and small groups, and large groups. In each chapter, Lindsay addresses that subject matter’s specific challenges, provides “go-to poses” you can always use, and covers how to train the eye to determine the best pose for your subject(s). Lindsay also teaches you how to analyze a pose so that you can create endless posing opportunities and continuously improve your work.