Photo advice

gerrynylon

Really Experienced
Joined
Dec 11, 2013
Posts
214
Hi, I am going to be taking photographs for a good friend. She wants photos of her wearing pantyhose and naked/ glamour. I could do with some advice as to dealing with nerves ( my nerves) she seems to be totally confident!! I will use a small tripod as well, to counteract shake, due to my excitement.
As you can tell, I am a novice at this sort of photography, but she trusts me and knows that I am a keen amateur. Please, ANY advice would be appreciated.
Many thanks.
 
Here's some photo advice: Having a dick pic for an avatar is creepy.
 
Hi, I am going to be taking photographs for a good friend. She wants photos of her wearing pantyhose and naked/ glamour. I could do with some advice as to dealing with nerves ( my nerves) she seems to be totally confident!! I will use a small tripod as well, to counteract shake, due to my excitement.
As you can tell, I am a novice at this sort of photography, but she trusts me and knows that I am a keen amateur. Please, ANY advice would be appreciated.
Many thanks.

Hey there,

Best advice, focus on what you are doing and enjoy yourself.

If your friend is not nervous your nervousness will make her uncomfortable and possibly less likely to want to continue the shoot.

If you are expecting sex because of the erotic work really do not count on it that only happens in movies.



Other advice,

Concentrate on what you are doing even a few days or weeks before start prepping:

1. Work out what photos you both want - scour the net and magazines and come up with at least 8 poses you can try other poses will come from that.
2. Check and re-check equipment - this will get your mind back onto the job which it is at the end of the day.
3. Have fun - if she is not nervous there is no reason you need to be. It is pointless doing the shoot if you are not going to shake the nerves your pictures will be bad and you will make yourself even more nervous, a terrible vicious circle.
4. Loose the tripod!
5. Lenses and light - get a couple of good lenses espcially a 50mm lens with a low f stop of about 2.5. Light wise a directional flash or if using natural light make sure there is plenty or keep her close to a window.
 
Hey there,

Best advice, focus on what you are doing and enjoy yourself.

If your friend is not nervous your nervousness will make her uncomfortable and possibly less likely to want to continue the shoot.

If you are expecting sex because of the erotic work really do not count on it that only happens in movies.



Other advice,

Concentrate on what you are doing even a few days or weeks before start prepping:

1. Work out what photos you both want - scour the net and magazines and come up with at least 8 poses you can try other poses will come from that.
2. Check and re-check equipment - this will get your mind back onto the job which it is at the end of the day.
3. Have fun - if she is not nervous there is no reason you need to be. It is pointless doing the shoot if you are not going to shake the nerves your pictures will be bad and you will make yourself even more nervous, a terrible vicious circle.
4. Loose the tripod!
5. Lenses and light - get a couple of good lenses espcially a 50mm lens with a low f stop of about 2.5. Light wise a directional flash or if using natural light make sure there is plenty or keep her close to a window.
Thank you very much, for the advice and the reply to the previous dude. Your advice is just what I was hoping to get... Concise, detailed and very helpful. Many thanks again, and I will let you know just how it went. I have been stalling, but due to your reply, it will happen next week.
 
Just a thought or two...

My kid brother is a professional photographer, but I know next to nothing about what he does or why.

Instead as a enthusiast, I'll point out what I like seeing and noticed other photographers doing.

I would do the first half with a set number of captures on your tripod:
  • Plan your set ups and discuss what poses you'd like her to do.
  • Focus on balance within each frame.
  • Don't feel ill at ease and pantomime the poses you want her to do.
  • Don't just show her a picture you liked and ask her to do the same pose. Try to make each capture unique. Have you ever seen how women act when they wear the same clothes? Now imagine where they pose the same. They want to be seen and remembered for what they are: unique beauty.

Now, here's the other half and harder part - freestyle:
Throw away the tripod (metaphorically) think Mike Myers in Austin Powers think of it as making love through the camera just tell her to pose in different ways, don't be stiff, let her interpretation be your inspiration take numerous shots, then take numerous more don't stop taking photos and be intense, have fun let each emotion she displays be your elixir of life don't fuss on balance and borders, draw outside the lines be Gumby and crouch down then move nimble to stand on her right side, then move to her left and crouch on one knee be all over the place be assertive and intoxicated let yourself out and draw out her inner wildchild fun is infectious place some objects in the room for her to focus on don't just have her stare at the camera each time if she laughs speed capture each facial contortion make jokes if she can't laugh if she looks at you pathetically because your jokes are horrid then capture those facial traits and tell her she looks MARVELOUS (anything to make her smile or laugh naturally) ever try to laugh for 10 minutes straight it is a bear don't force her laughing and vary her expressions/emotions to give her face a minute to relax

Most photographers take many many more captures than they actually sell. in the old days of rolls of film, photographers would use at least 10 rolls x 32 exposures = 320 shots and maybe only keep 3 or four of them. Even then, my sister used to do (professional) retouching of a lot of those pictures.

It might help inspire you to think in terms of this, think: you are PAYING her for every minute she is on set, so in other words: Time is money. It will boost your energy level to not stand and pose for minutes at a time while trying to make each capture perfect. A model can get paid from about $100/hour to... well, the skies the limit.

Have plenty of extra lights on hand (it doesn't have to be "professional lights"). Also, if you can, have some filters to put in front of the lights. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just some semi-opaque material stretched over a frame. DON'T put them too close to the lights!

Sometimes shadows work against you. Sometimes they help emphasize shape and contours. I remember one porno where one of the girls had the shadows of blinds showing over her naked body. The added lines, emphasized her curves deliciously. That may be a little more advanced than what you're looking to do though.

I will say don't be afraid to experiment. The worst feeling is after the shoot, after she is gone, you looking at the pictures and saying "Damn! I wish I had thought of (whatever) before!" hindsight is perfect 20/20 vision.

Figure to take numerous breaks, maybe every fifteen minutes. Try holding a pose for a length of time and not moving. Your muscles tire easily, allow her the same respect to rest. Between "sets", let her look at what you have done. Don't be judgmental and say "this looks horrible" Say instead "I like this one, but could you try to do THAT instead?" also see what she likes out of them and show interest in her likes. Photography is a partnership. She wants the same as you do, great captures.

You might also find out what wine she likes and let her have a glass or two. Then have a couple of belts yourself for your nerves.

Photographers only have sex with their models in the movies, professional models avoid touchy-feely photographers and spread the word quickly about guys that are that way.

Think this not that
 
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Hi, I am going to be taking photographs for a good friend. She wants photos of her wearing pantyhose and naked/ glamour. I could do with some advice as to dealing with nerves ( my nerves) she seems to be totally confident!! I will use a small tripod as well, to counteract shake, due to my excitement.
As you can tell, I am a novice at this sort of photography, but she trusts me and knows that I am a keen amateur. Please, ANY advice would be appreciated.
Many thanks.

Don't know what gear you use ...

Use the fastest lenses you can find/have;

Use the tripod if not using lots of flash, as room lighting will force you into long exposures (don't push your ISO too far to get higher speeds and end up with too much noise);

Shoot raw, post in something like Lightroom;

Use flash, otherwise be careful of your WB;

Underwear can leave marks that take a long time to disappear, otherwise they will have to be removed in post;

Privacy and comfort for your model - make sure it is warm enough and she doesn't get goosebumps.

Good luck!
 
Also make sure your subject eats a light meal and is hydrated. Sounds inconsequential but makes a big difference in both mind set and stamina.

Try for interesting "frames". Not too far away and do not center your subject if you can help it. A lot can be done in processing afterwards so keep a few ideas in mind and make sure you both have fun! Some of the best boudoir type photos I have taken have been the ones that were in between the shots I thought I wanted to take!!

BB
 
Best photography advice to give is take more photos. Many more photos than you think you'll need, we're talking hundreds. A small change in positioning can be the difference between a nice photo and an amazing one.

Posing can be a real challenge, and some amateurs have a hard time doing them without looking stiff or unnatural. With that in mind, let her move around, play and "explore the space". Step away from the tripod, and take shots from every angle, take shots from above, below, the side, and the back, zoom in, zoom out, take shots where her body takes up the whole frame even ones where her body is barely in the shot. Have fun with it. If you're not having fun it'll show in the final pictures.
 
Have fun, be professional

I agree with Driftwood,
Its about her feeling secure in front of the camera. Your "job" is to make her stay at ease. enjoy and let her play you capture the moments. It wont be perfect the first time, but you will both learn and then it gets better.




Concentrate on what you are doing even a few days or weeks before start prepping:

1. Work out what photos you both want - scour the net and magazines and come up with at least 8 poses you can try other poses will come from that.
2. Check and re-check equipment - this will get your mind back onto the job which it is at the end of the day.
3. Have fun - if she is not nervous there is no reason you need to be. It is pointless doing the shoot if you are not going to shake the nerves your pictures will be bad and you will make yourself even more nervous, a terrible vicious circle.
4. Loose the tripod!
5. Lenses and light - get a couple of good lenses espcially a 50mm lens with a low f stop of about 2.5. Light wise a directional flash or if using natural light make sure there is plenty or keep her close to a window.
 
Since so much time has passed since this thread was started, I'm assuming the shoot has already taken place. In case it hasn't (or if someone else is thinking of doing this), read this thread: Photography 101. It doesn't deal directly with a boudoir/nude photo shoot, but it does have just about everything you'll need to know to make better photos.
 
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