Thursday, August 28, 2014

How to Prepare for a Boudoir Photo Shoot

Are you ready for one on your birthday?

More and more women are getting into this genre of photography. Their reasons varies from wanting a liberating experience or just simply wanting to feel good about themselves or wanting their sexiness be captured on camera.

A celebration is always a good reason to have a boudoir photo shoot, whether you are getting married or having a milestone birthday is a great way to celebrate, but a lot of women are actually doing this for themselves. Two months from now, I will be celebrating my 40th birthday and I would like to have something to look back years from now. 


What is a Boudoir Photography?
The term "boudoir" may also be ascribed to a genre of photography.Typically shot in a photographer's studio or luxury hotel suites, it has become fashionable to create a set of sensual or sexually suggestive images of women (and occasionally men and couples) in "boudoir style". The most common manifestation of contemporary boudoir photography is to take variations of candid and posed photographs of the subject partly clothed or in lingerie. Nudity is more often implied than explicit.  - Wikipedia


Photography by : Kathy Cuadrante of KSnaps Productions

I can already see your eyebrows raising right now and I can hear some of you saying "but I'm fat, or too big, or shy, or can't do it. Yes, I am not that big, but I don't have that model figure also. But you see, being sexy is not all about nudity, being sexy is just a state of mind.

Thinking of having one? Here are some tips and tricks that will help you prepare for your boudoir session.


1. Conceptualize
What concept do you have in mind? Do you want it to be cute, sweet, or classy? Try to research on the web on what particular style that suits your personality. You don't need to bare it all if you can't. Some times, just the right amount of sexiness is all it takes to achieve that "classy look".

Discuss the concept with your photographer and brainstorm on  how to achieve that "look". You may also prepare a story board to guide you during the session.


Photography by : Kathy Cuadrante of KSnaps Productions


2. Hire a Professional Photographer
Let me ask you again on why are you doing this? If you are young and sexy and a "model-wanna-be", chances are you will be invited to  an ex-deal open photo shoot. An "open shoot" means you have other photographers around you that will be taking photos of you. You don't have to pay for the photographers and you will not be paid as a model also. That kind of agreement will benefit both the model and photographers because that leads to the expansion of your portfolios.

I have nothing against an ex-deal open photo shoot, but I want you all to be careful, be very careful in joining one. Bear in mind that the photos are owned by the photographers and that they have the authority over it, they can use and release the photos in any manner or for what ever purpose they intend to. I am not generalizing, but  a lot of "newbie photographers" out there joining open shoots have other intentions (read as gusto lang mang bastos or maka-isa!). Remember  there is a thin line between "porn" and "art" and not all people with a high powered DSLR can be called a photographer.

If you really want to do this for yourself, I strongly suggest to hire a female photographer whom you can trust (read as, delikado na ngayon uso ang rape!). Again, I have nothing against male photographers, but I think you can express better  with a female one.


Photo Credit : Mark Gana
See! I'm wearing a mini dress :-)

3. Hire a  Professional Hair and Make Up Artist
Although "skin smoothing" can be done digitally (read as photoshopped), I still suggest to work with a HMUA to help you complete the look based on your concept.The shoot can take as long as 3 hours and you will surely need assistance with your outfit and accessories. Oh and don't forget to use fake eyelashes to achieve that "sexy look". 


Photo Credit : Mark Gana

4.  Select the outfit and accessories that you will need
Look good by wearing something that makes you feel good. Even if you have something really super nice but you don't feel comfortable, you will have a hard time when the camera is pointed at you. 

Don't wear lingerie if you are not used to, you can wear a corset, white shirt /  polo , mini dress, bandeau or a boy leg instead of usual under wears.


Photography by : Kathy Cuadrante of KSnaps Productions

5.  Choose a perfect venue
Historically, the boudoir formed part of the private suite of rooms of a "lady" or upper-class woman, for bathing and dressing, adjacent to her bedchamber, being the female equivalent of the male cabinet. 

The session is usually done on a studio or a hotel room. In choosing the venue, I suggest you do it in the comfort of a private hotel room.


Photo Credit : Mark Gana


6.  Prepare physically.
For this type of photography, you will be in many different poses that you may not be used to. You might experience some bone-craking and muscle tensions during the session. Drink lots of water and take a light breakfast only to avoid being bloated. Avoid also wearing tight fitting clothes if possible and avoid wearing a tight bra on your way session as it leaves elastic pressure line on your skin.


Photography by : Kathy Cuadrante of KSnaps Productions


Photographer : Kathy Cuadrante of KSnaps Production

Behind the Scene Photographer : Mark Gana (my husband)
Venue : Marco Polo Hotel Manila
Outfit : from JLo's closet

What are your thoughts? Are you ready for one?

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