How to Take Sensual Pictures
Photography in itself comes with a unique set of skills, challenges and parameters -- but add the sensual factor and several additional needs crop up. With the advent of digital photography and imaging software, some sensual elements can be simplified through adjustments by the skilled photographer. But even the amateur will benefit by knowing a few simple steps. Subjects do not have to be limited to people -- the classic still life and nature, for example, yield beautiful, sometimes stunning sensuality. Anything that that ignites the senses can be deemed sensual. Most importantly, remember it's all about the light.
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Instructions
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Gather your camera and lighting equipment and think about your goal. Whether you are you taking glamorous, classy boudoir photographs or doing a shoot for a high-end restaurant, you'll want to have some idea of the photographs you hope to capture. Make a rough shot list. This will also help you in visualizing and preparing for the location, props and accessories you'll need.
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Talk with your model to help her feel comfortable, relaxed and safe. Ideally, meet ahead of the photo session to discuss your ideas and hear her thoughts. At the shoot, get her laughing to loosen up and express herself with confidence.
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Choose a location. If indoors, find the area with the best natural lighting; early morning and late afternoon light is very different than that at high noon. Your additional lighting equipment can help reduce harsh shadows. If outdoors, make sure you don't have invasive backgrounds such as telephone poles or thorn bushes. Whatever the location, ensure you and your model have privacy.
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Set up the shots according to your shot list. If you are shooting faces, use gentle lighting and try a few filters that help reduce glare or soften the edges of the image frame. Full body shots need to be done tastefully by draping the models to cover anything they are not comfortable revealing. When arranging models, be attentive, gentle and sensitive to their needs.
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Photograph your list by trying various poses, different lighting and playing with props such as long feathers, scarves, hat, satin sheets and silk pillows. Smoky backgrounds can be created by burning incense. Candlelight can make images very soft. Over-the-shoulder shots and close-ups of draped stomachs, arms and legs are basics to capture. Get creative with women who have long hair -- it, too, can be used for draping or in different hair styles.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are a male photographing females, it's a good idea to have a trustworthy woman to assist you with more intimate set-ups.
Water is fun to experiment with -- whether a model is swimming or stirring a toe into a pond.
Enhance boudoir shots by asking models to think about sensual moments in their lives.
If you are going to use images for publication or the Internet, get model releases.
Never force models to pose in any manner which makes them uncomfortable.
Don't take your model to a public area where she'll be partially clad and expect to get relaxed photos.
Resources
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
