How to Shoot Glamour Photography

Soft lighting and sensual poses contribute to the feel of glamour photography

Glamour photography is a bit of a throwback to the 1940s and 1950s when models would be seductively dressed and photographed in alluring poses. Today the market for glamour photography is pretty strong, ranging from aspiring models, looking for images for their portfolio, to brides, wanting to give a special gift for their soon-to-be husbands.

Instructions

1. Interview your subject to find out the type of picture she wants or what type of message she is wanting to convey. This first meeting is a good way for you and you client to meet each other and start to feel a little more comfortable about working with each other. The information you collect at this meeting will help you in determining the type of shoot you will set up.

2. Pick a location. If you subject has indicated she wants boudoir photos for her husband, then an indoor setting is probably appropriate. However, some may want to have their pictures done outdoors, and you will need to know of some good locations in your city or town.

3. 

   Glamour photography is throw back to the 1940s photography

   Keep your session private and safe. If your shoot is outdoors, it might be a little difficult to keep it 100 percent private, but if you are working in a studio, the only people present should be you, your client and an escort or friend if she decides to bring one. Having your client bring a friend along can sometimes be a good idea, it may make you client feel more at ease and if you do a good job, her friend may also want pictures done. And finally, an extra pair of hands never hurts during a photo shoot.

4. Use different poses to accentuate your client and soft lighting to further enhance the sensuality of the pictures. There are a number of different poses you can use; a good rule is to always have her standing with shoulders rotated on an angle to the lens, with her head turned towards the camera. This creates a nice line for the eyes to follow. Adjust the power setting on your studio lights to lower settings to help create a soft light. You can also use diffusers--items that attach in front of your studio strobe, like a honeycomb diffuser, a colored gel or soft box--that will also soften the light created by the strobes.

5. Arrange for a private area for your model to make wardrobe changes if she chooses to do so, as well as having an area where she can touch up or apply her make-up, is a good thought as well.

References

• Photography.com: Glamour Photography
• Mandarich Models: Boudoir Photography
• Photofocus: Glamour Photography

Resources

• Photography.com Fashion Photography