Boudoir Fantasies

Boudoir photography is a great way to play out some fantasies.  Everyone has some fantasies, most of a wide variety.  With a little planning you can fulfill a fantasy or three during your boudoir photo session.  You may even create a new one.  Let’s talk about some of the classics to get you started.  

Very popular is the naughty schoolgirl.  Outfits include a short, typically red plaid skirt, a white halter top or shirt tied to a halter, and a variety of shoes.  Props include books, pens, rulers, suckers and glasses.  Movies such as “House Bunny” have kept this one popular.  The flipside is naughty teacher.

Cheerleader is another classic with the obvious outfit.  Props are of course pompoms.  Often the pompoms are all that’s needed to create the fantasy photographs.

The naughty nurse fantasy is also popular with a lot of men.  Outfits can be scrubs, a classic white nurse’s dress with stockings or a white lab coat.  Props include stethoscopes, thermometers, tongue depressors, and bandages. 

Then there is the bad secretary who just can’t seem to type.  Short skirts and tops with button fronts are typically all that’s needed.

How about cooking in the nude wearing just an apron – watch out for the bacon grease.  This of course leads to the maid who cleans more than houses.  Both are common ideas that seem to run through a man’s mind.

Of course the movie classic, wearing nothing but an overcoat to meet him.  It’s simple to create a wide variety of photographs with just an overcoat. 

Of course if he is a fan of Mardi Gras, plenty of beads and a “flasher” top is all you need.  Or add a feathered mask to go from Bourbon Street to the boudoir.  Both are a fun way to bring create a mood.

And of some reason men really like they idea of two women together.  So bring a friend who might be willing to add to your photos.  I often just bring the second woman into the shots so she can remain anonymous.  An arm across your body, a leg wrapped around yours is all it takes.  If he doesn’t know who the other woman is it adds to the fantasy as in his mind he tries to figure it out.

Librarians, biker gals, ski bunnies, sports illustrated bikini model, Victoria’s Secret Angels, TV characters, hookers, massage therapist, nudist, delivery girl, mechanic,  cowgirl, military, cigars, police, fire, construction worker, hitchhiker the list goes on and on.  The only limits are your imagination.  Think about what interests he has, and bet you can find a fantasy that fits it.

So discuss the fantasies you want to fulfill with your boudoir photographer.   And of course you can use the session to show some of your fantasies too.

Orcatek Boudoir and Glamour Photography – Phoenix

Before Baby Boudoir

A request that seems to becoming more frequent is the before baby boudoir photography session.  The desire to preserve the memory of the time before becoming a mom brings many clients into the studio.  This also leads to the wonders of a maternity session 7 to 8 months later to remember this special time.  As it turns out, there is always a time to capture the beauty of a women worth remembering, each one special for it’s own reason.

My clients give a variety of reasons for wanting a before baby boudoir photography session.  Each one unique in their own special way.   In the end it creates a memory for both him and her that will last a lifetime.  Some feel the won’t feel sexy after the baby arrives, other are concerned about body changes that can occur,  and still some just feel that is something that a mom “can’t do,” so they should do it now.

Whatever the reason, every woman deserves to feel beautiful and sexy at any time in her life.  And that is what boudoir photography is all about, capturing the wonderful beauty that resides in every woman at any time. 

In the end I have had many clients how came in before baby and returned after baby to do it again.  They found that being sexy was not limited by having a baby.   They tell me that doing the sessions before and after baby was the perfect way to celebrate themselves.

Orcatek Boudoir And Glamour Photography – Phoenix, Arizona

Power of Black and White

When color photography first came out, everyone was excited.  Now we could see things in the colors they actually are seen.   Slowly over time black and white faded out and was seldom used.   Along came digital and it started in color as we expected color from digital, just like we did from our film.

Now black and white images get noticed as they stand out from the sea of color photographs.  They add an artistic value in the eyes of many consumers of photography.  They create a feeling and look that just isn’t there in color.

Take the image show here.  It would be very different in color.  Sure it would contain more information about the tone of her skin, is she pale, tan, darker or lighter than you.  In black and white it is difficult to infer.  What becomes more important is the shapes and how light catches it.

Shadows vs light become the key to defining an image.  Creating a digital image is not as simple as choosing black and white on your camera or in Photoshop.  You need to plan ahead of time to create the textures and mood you desire.   Lighting will be planned differently to get the contrast desired.

Sure I use the B&W setting on my camera to preview the idea.  I also tweak those settings to fit my vision of the shot to aid in my set-up. 

Colored filters are often used to create to change the color relationships when converted to black and white.  In color it would throw a skin tone way off, but in black and white it can enhance or reduce features as you desire.

I like to explore black and white when create boudoir images as it brings them to another level.  I find clients all love seem to love it too.

Orcatek Boudoir And Glamour Photography – Phoenix, Arizona

The Implied Nude

The implied nude image is very popular in today’s boudoir photography.  The image by definition does not show body parts that would be considered part of a nude image.  These photographs allow the client to appear very sexy while remaining modest.  It creates a photograph they could “show their mother.”

There is a art to creating the this look, and the photographer should be aware of the variety of ways to create this look.  The primary methods are props, poses, shadows and Photoshop.  Sometimes a combination is used to create that perfect photograph.

The easiest way is through the use of props.  A perfect example was the recent issue of GQ where Jennifer Aniston used a men’s tie to cover her body.   A sheet is often used, held to cover key areas, yet exposing as much as possible.  In my studio I often use a simple wooden chair, where careful posing can hide the few key inches here and there.

Poses are where a photographer’s skill comes more into the mix.  For a great image, it really needs to look as if the pose was not trying to hide body parts, but the hiding was merely incidental.  The typical example of a “bad” image is the hands grabbing the chest to hide it.  A draped arm like is this sample covers the body, yet remains classy.

Shadows are the most difficult method for a photographer to master.  Understanding exactly how the light will fall is key to success.  I prefer to work with modeling lights when possible to allow me to more easily visualize how the shadows fall so I can fine tune the pose and the light placement.  Other times I go from experience in environments where this level of control is not possible. 

Finally I include Photoshop.  Typically this is used to remove a thong strap from a photograph for the client to create the look while allowing their modesty during the shoot.  Many women, who are comfortable being topless at a photo shoot, do not want to be totally nude.  With the use of Photoshop they can still get the photographs they want to have created and be within their comfort zone.

It is pretty easy to see how a combination of these methods can be used to create a greater variety of options for implied nude photographs.  Most of my images usually use a combination of methods, allowing me to make sure there is something unique for each client.

Boudoir clients often want to be very sexy, yet still be conservative.  Implied nudes fill that need making them a great addition to boudoir and glamour photographer’s bag of tricks.

Orcatek Boudoir and Glamour Photography – Phoenix