When the Cat's Away...

No, just no.

I am a little annoyed this morning to find out that while focused on my pregnancy concerns and newborn, my kindness has been taken advantage of and it has reflected poorly on our photography here at Akelis Studios.

Why is this such an issue?  Because I love every one of my photos for the story they tell, the success for each model as their portfolio grows, and the happy couple who can share those memories for years. This means when somebody disrespects the subject of a shoot it is a reflection of how they feel about that person, that story, or that couple.

Life is messy and imperfect at times.  We learn from making those mistakes and it makes us better people in the end.  Splashing around in a pond or a pool is the only way to really learn to swim.  Scribbling is how we start learning to draw, even our greatest artists started with just a box of crayons and some free time to color.  

Unfortunately, mistakes in business can ruin chances of working with a great client or getting recommendations for future work.  I will be emailing and calling all impacted by the recent issues personally and take this time to apologize for the behavior and comments of an unprofessional nature.

Weddings By Armando Model Search Applications

Nemo has come and gone.  We survived two days of snow that far surpassed all previous records in our area meant three days snowed in with the family.  We have dug ourselves out and dove back to Valentine's Day insanity as usual. 

Nemo's snow at our front door.

I clock in hours with my camera, at my regular part-time job at the cosmetics store, and a third batch of hours at a local florist shop handling their customer service lines for phone orders.  That means this Saturday was the first chance I had to look at my computer for myself.  Today's list of things to do starts with posting  applications for our modeling campaign that people have been waiting for...

The application is simple, but I wanted to remind everybody to go back to the previous entry and read over our categories for models and select carefully.  Remember that we only have a few spots open, and will be selecting those that best fit our needs for this round.  If you don't get chosen, we do keep people in mind when we know a fun shoot might be coming up that they would be perfect for in the future.

Once you have the required images and information, please send your application via email and we will store it until we start the selection process on the 1st of March.  

Please refer to this chart when taking measurements to submit in your application:

(Bust, Waist, Hip, Arm, Hollow to Hem,  Skirt Length)

WEDDINGS by ARMANDO Model Application

FULL NAME:

HAIR COLOR:

EYE COLOR:

SECTION(S) APPLIYING FOR:

DO YOU WEAR MAKE-UP OFTEN:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG FROM A MOVIE & WHY:

SHOULD COMIC BOOK SUPER HEROES BE REQUIRED TO REBUILD OR PAY
FOR DAMAGES DONE WHEN THEY ARE DEFEATING A VILLAIN:

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY HAIR & EYE COLOR WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE:

WHY DO YO THINK YOU WOULD ROCK AS A MODEL FOR WBA:

PLEASE INCLUDE THE MEASUREMENTS SHOWN ON THE CHART ABOVE FOR OUR REFERENCE WHEN CONNECTING A MODEL WITH THEIR CLOTHING SIZE. ALSO INCLUDE THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF REFERENCE IMAGES (2 HEADSHOTS, 2 FULL BODY IMAGES, 1 BACK VIEW) . ALL IMAGES SUBMITTED MUST BE OF THE APPLICANT ONLY AND BE CLOTHED.

Playing with Perspective.

New Hampshire's White Mountains.

Just playing with perspective and lines.  I felt this was not my best, but cannot get those wooden beams and lines out of my head.  Honestly, I like perspective images like this because they force the eye to adjust over and over to understand what it is they are witnessing.  It drives my husband crazy that i will take these over and over to feed my collection with more and more distortions and revisions.

Clarence Fahnestock State Park, Putnam County, New York.

Chuang-yen Monastery, Kent Lakes, New York

Chuang-yen Monastery, Kent Lakes, New York

Portland Headlight, Fort Williams Park & Lighthouse, Portland Maine

Some Light Landscaping

Akelis Studios Photography

I am ecstatic tonight.  For the first time in about two months I am getting requests for weddings; I had a two month break from inquiries that worried me for a while.  Not just the orders are picking up, but so is my mood.

I placed my order for a new lens this morning after much consideration and anticipation.  It should arrive by Monday evening, giving me time to play and practice before the next wedding out in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  I am itching to shoot some lovely wedding images in the brilliant autumn colors, and this will give me a new tool to expand my repertoire so clients can benefit. 

This week was taken up with a ton of studying on better panoramic techniques.  I used an older and less reliable method because it was what I had been first instructed with as a second shooter.  The woman who took the time to teach me was lovely, but I agree that the results are vastly different when using this system.  I will also get the chance to cut down the time spent on editing as it will not require so much intensive "stitching" to achieve the same look.

Akelis Studios Photography

I love getting the chance to shoot something a bit different, a bit more artistic, at times.  I adore the riot of colors that comes at this time of year and love spending a little time having the chance to imagine how hose colors will appear.  There is something so alive in this time of year as winter closes in, the harvest time for the northern hemisphere.  Apples, pumpkins, and hundreds of other delicious colors and flavors of farm stand foods have taken over my kitchen and my brain.

I also love panoramic wedding images.  I simply don't shoot them as often because I feel that the method I use is prone to gaps or compression problems when prepared for printing.  This may well have to do with how I edit things, and I am sure it could be fixed buy raising the cost of my services to clients by outsourcing the digital work.  I refuse to raise costs to my clients because it will cut out how much they are receiving for their money, that is poor business behavior and a poor way to treat customers who should be your first interest.

I will share more wedding images and some of the test images in the next few days.  Hopefully you will all see what I mean in the clear difference from these images, one taken while I was in college and learning more skills to put to work in my art.  While I do not want to insult my teacher or my old work... one can only improve or become obsolete.  I plan to improve!

Time to Do Some Fixing

You might have noticed my recent absence.  I am sorry for the radio silence, life has been a tad unkind to my business interests lately.  The studio has been closed while I focus on dealing with some issues that have seriously limited my ability make it a success.  I am limiting work to on location boudoir and weddings while my family and I work on making the best of a less than ideal situation.

Trying to think that things are looking up!

To try and keep this dream of mine from falling into oblivion, I will be forcing myself to do some serious work on the blog, website, and marketing through any channel I can find.  I ask that you all send positive energy while this revamp of business and life occurs so we can present you with the beautiful rebirth of a wonderful dream.

Finsh What You Started

I have spoken at length about doing limited post work on images to maintain the quality of the photo.  I have also spoken about making sure to share only what you love and what most fit's the client's desire.  While I believe in doing limited "fixing", there is something to be said for making sure the best quality of image is supplied.  I rarely give clients a truly unedited look into an session or shoot. 

Normally I will remove blurry, under-lit, or otherwise poor images and crop some when there is something out of place.  I believe in deleting without mercy when it comes to making the call on what should stay after a shoot with a model.  Their portfolio is what will get them work, and anything that is in the portfolio is a reflection of my thoughts and process.

This is a perfect before and after of images done with a lovely model just last month.  She sat with me after the shoot and we selected out favorites while removing those that did not make the grade. Out of 73 images shot, we had just 23 that made the final selection to see what would be done in editing.  From those 23, 17 made a final debut on the CD emailed to her for adding to the portfolio she worked to compile, and I believe five are currently on display.

I wanted to talk about this because of the recent release of images or the American Olympic Team.  These were taken at an event with a limited amount of time to work with each subject, but I feel that much more could be achieved if simple technique and a little editing was applied.  This is the article from Solstice Visuals that I first viewed when a fellow photographer posted it on a forum for industry professionals and hobbyists.

Outrage Over The Photographs Of The United States Olympic Team

 This "outrage" from the photography industry came from the awkward posing, off putting cropping, poor backdrop choice, and just blogging choices made in posing and details.  When viewing the first collection I believed perhaps this was taken by a student or amateur photographer and displayed without time for editing.  At this time, I believe that there was inexperience and a lack of post work.  There are signs of a dirty lens, poor alignment, poor lighting, and very little care for the backdrop that could have been solved by just pulling down more of the paper roll after ripping became evident.

For comparison I wanted to include this second link, with images from the same person (image #6) other photographers taken at the very same event.  While obviously not all fit the same aesthetic, a huge difference is visible in the lighting quality and time taken to create a finished product.  Even the final image, one that is in a very unfinished format, shows some real promise as a "behind the scenes" moment.

Olympic Portraits, Part I: American Athletes

From this second group I see images that have been polished and finished without an overload of retouching  to remove the quality of the image.  I try to keep a similar quality, but understand the desire to prove that post work is not always needed.  What needs to be focused on is keeping images pleasing and avoiding sloppy work.

Photography as an Art

Hiking purgatory chasm in 2007 while at JWU - taken with my pocket camera by a friend.

I remember being a teen, well some of it.  I remember thinking my parents knew nothing about the world, and that I was always going to be as cool as I was in high school.  And then I grew a brain and moved on.  I was told I could not march with my class at graduation because I had taken too many alternative courses for home schooling and did not meet the number of requirements for a diploma from the high school that had once told my parents I had no hope of ever going to college.

Macro Photography of college landscaping post rainstorm - my "artistic" period in 2005/06.

Three months later I started college and held a 4.0 GPA and a part time job in a huge city.  I relaxed by taking photos with a little P&S (point and shoot) at the school stable.  I excelled in business classes and learned skills that make running the studio much easier, but never really thought much about photography beyond taking some fun images.  I remember thinking that the exhibits in the art school across the street where a joke at times - I still have no idea how a toilet seat with a sledge hammer wedged in it is supposed to make me "feel" something or than confused.

I take my photography seriously only in how it is something that can always be improved upon.  I don't claim it needs to be an expression of the world, just that it should capture something worth a second look.  I certainly don't feel the need to go ruining perfectly good toilets just to make a pretty picture.  

I say this because I think there are some pieces of "art" that are not always worth sharing.  I don't think it is fair to go charging a person hundreds of dollars for images of their family taken with a pocket camera that you claim makes you a professional.  I also feel that there is something to be said for trying to hone your craft before going to charge.  I may not used the most advanced camera out on the market, but I do use advanced lens attachments and take the time to practice with them before using them on paid shoots.

Macro Photography from the New York Botanical Gardens in 2010.
This was taken as part of the test images for my back-up camera.

I enjoy taking photography of the natural world to relax.  On occasion I even sell prints of the rare shots that I am comfortable sharing with others.  I take portraits seriously though.  If I am paying a model, or being paid to make something that a client will hang on their wall, it had better look like it was worth the money they are paying for my time and services. 

I write this today as part of a a warm up to my next post concerning the photography of the American Olympic team that has been covered on Reddit and other major sites.  I will post an analysis that I have been working on later, but this is partially based on those images, and partially on a comment from a friend on her social media about how it seems becoming a "photographer" is the new thing to do.

Directions In Photography

I do not claim to be the world's best photographer. I have spent years learning and teaching others, but I will never claim to know everything about my craft. I shared a blog recently about being humbled and shaken when a peer gave a scathing comment on my request for advice, and I still find myself looking at work sometimes saying “I should have moved just a smidgen to the right” or “I wish I waited just a second longer so his eyes would be slightly more relaxed from the last flash”. These are the worries and thoughts of a typical photographer, and may have been distilled perfectly in a quote a fellow photographer made in a forum I was once reading:

A GOOD DAY FOR ME IS REMEMBERING TO POINT THE CAMERA IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

This is a man who has his work in Vogue, Elle, and a million other places I can just hope to achieve in my lifetime. But his words have more meaning when you think about how a photographer is actually doing their client a service by freezing a moment in time.

Expression is huge, but only lasts a second. Shock and joy on the groom's face as his bride comes into view, or that warm candid moment when the Mother-of-the-Groom gives her son a kiss with tears rolling down her cheeks because he is all grown up; these are all something you can only capture just as they happen. These are true moments of candid photography. I need to be on my toes every moment at a a shoot so that I can capture the perfect image.

Perhaps even more so than weddings, working with children requires almost inhuman speed and attention to detail. I am talking about this because it will be a vital part of my shooting tomorrow and is weighing on my mind. Tomorrow is my son's cake smash sitting. Cake smash photography is a quickly growing avenue for child centered studios because of the honesty and silliness it embodies. To make it simple, a toddler is placed on a bare backdrop with a cake or cupcake in front of them and the photographer documents the following chaos.

I was introduced to the idea while working for a chain studio that absolutely forbid it because they kept a strict policy against food in the camera room. When I moved on the the studio chain, where I was responsible for training newer photographers, it was something very warmly welcomed. Now that my own studio is open, I am more than open to doing this kind of work and will soon begin looking for a local bakery to coordinate our efforts.

My son is a perfect test subject for the studio. He is constantly in my advertising and I have begun to market him out to infant and toddler talent agents because his aptitude for brilliance in the camera room could honestly make him a good deal of money to put aside for college. I also use him to test out new concepts and techniques, something I do often in an attempt to grow as an artist... but as a mother I am facing some worry that I will dislike the results.

What I want to do is really intensify the images tomorrow by choosing a stark white backdrop and a bold shade of blue-green for his cake. Next is where I am reaching my point of tension, because it is a huge risk as well. What I want to do is use a very tight depth of field and play with a slight distortion in focus. My goal is to change how we see the moment and bring out the “dirty” part of the experience.

Unfortunately, cake-smash is the kind of photography where one cannot simply “reset and try again”. The child's reaction will inherently be different because they understand that they have absolute freedom in that moment. As a mother, I want these images to be something my family can cherish just as much as myself. As an artist, I want to take advantage of this ideal opportunity to advance my skills as a photographer.

I will make the executive decision tomorrow as my husband places our boy on the subject mark. Once I can review the images I will post a selection and allow the results to be seen. But for tonight all I can do is take the advice of my photography hero and just hope that “my camera is pointed in the right direction”.

Flashing Is Impolite

I am an odd-duck in the photography community.  I use very strong bright blubs in my camera gear set to flood the room with light but not as a flash.  I use an additional flash when needed, but in general my studio does not require that extra factor.  I do this for two reasons, one personal and one medical, and neither really has baring on the outcome of the images.  I also tend to shoot in my studio with a specific preset group of settings and use auto focus to remove that factor of human error unless is have an experienced model willing to hold the pose carefully.

Showing off a new diffuser I received for the holidays.

I bring this up because recently I asked for feedback from fellow photographers for thoughts on some images while in the selection and editing process.  While most were kind enough to state where they could think of tips for improvement, a few comments were less than kind.  Only one could be really categorized as "trolling" as it told me to give up photography because I knew nothing.  

At first I thought about what he said and wondered if I should put down the camera and go back to working a day job.  At that point I took the time to look through the person's own collections on his website and found nothing much in common in our shooting styles, though he has a wonderful eye for color combinations. So it got me thinking that perhaps the issue was how we do not use the same style of camera, equipment, or shoot at all similarly.

A selection from the shoot in question.

 I took time to get other responses and listen to what was suggested, and find that in general his reaction was a rare moment of trolling even in the eyes of those who were not raving fans of my work.  So I thought about how it was said, and this is where my topic seemed to hang... the person was not offering advice of any kind, just going for a low blow.  There was no effort to advance the skills and this is where I think any answer to a request for a "critique" should be aimed.

I spent several years of my professional life as studio and district trainer.  I would spend hours looking over the portfolios of students and working with them on how to improve their work.  Not every image was a winner, and I had some people who just seemed to let things go in one ear and out the other even when their job was on the line.  But I made a conscious effort to never insult or belittle those that came to me for advice.

The comment I received was based on my asking if I should follow through with a suggestion to buy an additional reflector.  I will share it here, and I have not edited the comment in any way other than taking off the name because it would be unfair to insult a fellow photographer.  

"You don't need to spend more money on gear but rather put down the camera until you learn to use it better plus a better understanding of light would be a bonus & cost nothing" 

Actually, I am not mad that this person answered as they did.  I found it a teachable moment for my blog because people of all art forms and business types should know what to say and what not to say.  Perhaps I can best rephrase this with an edge to increase the useful information.  That should always be the goal, and so I can think that with what little information he gave me, I would have said something like this:

"Rather than worry about new gear right away, save some money in the long run by doing some research on how  to work with the lights you have.  You might also focus on learning the specific controls on your camera for different settings.  If you are going to make an investment, do it through education in place of gear.  Take an advanced class and you will get more out of what you already have."

While I don't have the time to fix every mistake in a photo, or the energy to feed every troll to their heart's content... I am more than happy to spend my time making others stronger in their skills, even if it is through learning that those of us who intend good things get insulted too.

Colorful Thoughts

Sorry for the long break in posting. No excuses, I was simply too busy with other things to sit down and write out anything that would be worth reading, and I don't believe in doing something if you are not going to give it a full try. I will be sharing some of the work I have done over this period of silence, as well as a story that can help newer photographers based on my own simple mistakes.

Today we will be discussing color theory. I understand that this has been mentioned many times previously; but today I will be breaking down what exactly it means and how to use this knowledge. All of this is in an effort to help you with your color choices for clothing or accessories before a photography session and when thinking about how to edit an image in your post-work.

This is the color wheel. I know it appears to be just a bunch of colored wedges, but this diagram is actually one of the best tools ever invented for artists, designers, and fashionable dressers the world over. It is also one of the few “non-photographs” I have hanging in my studio. A clear teaching/working print hangs over my desk along with post-it notes stuck all over the place giving insight on using the colors in some dyes, editing programs, and how to white balance to best take advantage of a color if it will appear often in a session. Actually, the one I use is a bit more complex, but just as effective:

If you think back to primary school, we learn there are three primary colors. We remember that red, blue, and yellow are the basics and from those all other shades and combinations are born. Now, look at the wheel. Do you see only thee colors? Do you see just six colors? No. Even in school we learn that there are at least three more colors we can make by using the primary three; from red and blue we get purple, blue and yellow give us green, and yellow with red brings us orange. Those are joined by white - the sum of all colors, black – the absence of color, and brown – the muddled combination of three primary shades in unequal parts.

Here is what we don't learn in kindergarten... some colors make others appear brighter or stronger just by being near them. Now that I've dropped that bombshell on you, I would like to refer you back to the color wheel image above. Notice what colors are opposing on the wheel. If you draw a direct line across the wheel you will find the polar-opposite is based on that theory.

Fantastic, there are opposite colors... now why do you need to know this? Well, I am getting to that part. But first I'll give you a task: Draw a line from GREEN, across the wheel to the color it most “sets off”. What do you find there? You should be looking at RED. Yes, red and green are opposites here too. Actually, that is exactly why they are used on traffic lights in that way. Now run you finger or eye around the wheel counter-clockwise and find the “mid-point”. Now does it make sense why we use YELLOW as the “slow down” signal?

By now you are sick of me talking about traffic lights and want to know what, if anything, this has to do with your photography. Well, think about hair and eye color. Blue eyes look wonderful when the skin around them as a slightly bronzed look. Make-up companies have been using this fact to sell “color kits” for years, so why not make the same connection in your work?

One benefit of photography as a medium is that color theory can actually be applied very simply. We can coordinate with a model, make-up artist, wardrobe director, or any other person who will have input in the shoot based on a simple formula. Think of it as color algebra. You take the two colors from the wheel and select the actual unique tone that will make the highest impact to create exactly the image you seek.

( RED + GREEN ) = BEAUTY
TONE

For now I will leave you this real-life example, flaws an all. The model in this photo from over my recent break has a lovely tan and it is set off even better when posed against the rolling waves on the beach. We both felt that the chilly water and my soaked jeans were well worth the beauty of this natural and emotive atmosphere, and the colors agree perfectly with a little tweaking. In fact, I am still in the process of choosing my final modifications.

Boutique Beauty in the Boudoir

This weekend is a big event for Akelis Studios. I am excited to see how things go, but also wanted to help out some of those who are new to boudoir photography by suggesting some ideas for choosing the perfect outfit. I'm to here to tell you what to wear every day, how to find the perfect bra based on your cup size, or any of the thousands of things that fashion bloggers have made a living doing. However... I can tell you what I know works for those not familiar with, or comfortable in lingerie beyond a simple bra & panties. 

 

At the risk of letting you all into more of my person life than needed, I will share this fact with you now; until Thursday of last week, I had not owned “sexy” lingerie of my own since about 2004. I help women feel beautiful in it every day. I am an avid fan of many companies and watch fashion shows and hungrily await new collections to be announced every season. If this is all true, why would I not own anything for my personal life... well, you can assume it has to do with my personal shopping choices and spending priorities. Having shoes that would be comfortable for walking and wearing at shoots and good quality jeans to take the abuse of kneeling or crawling in any number of muddy and nasty conditions for the perfect shot just ranked higher.

I am not going to say you should only shop at the stores mentioned here, or that you absolutely have to buy the exact items I mention; that never works out for everybody because each woman's personality and figure is a little different.  I  do not own any part of and am not getting paid to advertise these items/designers.  What I will suggest are the places (and they may surprise you) where I have found some of the most flattering things in my own collection or that my clients have brought with them for our shoots. I often will stop a client before they leave and ask where they found a piece if it is something truly striking, and that is how I built this list.

Frederick's of Hollywood:

Back before I was even out of high school I was a huge fan of Frederick's. I love that they are always willing to try something daring in their designs and color choices. Right now, I think that they have some of my favorite pieces for a fuller figured model. These are items that are great for women who might not feel secure about their stomach and hips.

Full figured ladies might want to look at these great options:

 Hollywood Heartbreaker Chemise Audrina Chemise

Hollywood Satin Pajama Set

Victoria's Secret:

I watch their yearly fashion show like an addict waiting for her next hit. It is true my favorite part is always getting a chance to see the beautiful wings they dream up for each collection. It is also true that I find their designs more flattering for smaller busted women. They have some wonderful designs for bra and panty sets that make people gasp when they get to see the full impact in the mirror or photos.

Confident Brides might want to look at some of these cute ideas:

VS Logo Lace Halter Babydoll

Floral Babydoll

VS Satin Gown  - this only comes in one color, but if you look good in red, you can get a real "Jessica Rabbit" look.

Fashion Bug:

I know, you're now thinking I have lost my grasp on reality. In all honesty, this is exactly where I found some of my favorite items over the years. They cater to a wide range of sizes and their bra selection has a fantastic choice of patterns and colors. I also suggest them for hair accessories and unique jewelry. A good boudoir look should consider all elements of beauty and fashion, and being able to find a fantastic necklace or pair of earrings will add real flair to a simple set of under-things. 

 

Much of their collection is bra & panties, so I'll share a successful look that can come from their store:
Pink Satin & Embroidered Set

Octagon Onyx Jewelry Set

Peep Toe Heels 

Pin-up Girl Clothing:

This is one of the few companies I have never bought anything from, but that will change shortly since I have selected my new bathing suit from their collections for this summer. They have a great selection for all parts of vintage styling, and the photography on the site reflects the popular photography styles of the era. I would almost classify this as “costume” wardrobe, save that I have a good number of models who are party of the modern revival of rock-a-billy fashion.

They have a number of lovely things, but these stand out for certain because they are classic accessories: 

Cuban Heel Stockings   -  back seam stockings are vital for vintage boudoir

Ruffle Panties  -  fantastic for women a little self conscious about their bottom line

Lolita Pump Shoes  -  go for a bright bold color or print like the one shown here, and remember you pedicure too!

As you might guess from my comments in the links, having a complete look is vital.  Models often come in with a great negligee, hair and make-up and the look is incomplete because they wore sneakers but forgot to bring heels or get do a little bit of pedicure work.  I also remind women that just like in daily life, a fantastic necklace or killer set of kitten heels is a great way to get noticed for your best features.

Color choice is also essential.  You should remember that pinks and reds don't look as fantastic on women who have a strong natural blush to their skin.  My favorite models have been the ones that choose something to complement their eyes or hair to best advantage.  I have green eyes and red hair thanks to a little helping henna; so my choice are greens and blacks because they don't clash with my very light skin and make the features I want to show off work for me.  

The two photos on this page are snapshots of some of the choices women might have when they  are going through their own dresser.  The one below is a tossed together idea that would work perfectly with a basic pair of heels and a sultry smirk.  The blue-green of the beads in the necklace might not be a perfect match in shade, but with a little skin between them, that bra and those beads will look lovely and make a cohesive picture.

I work with women of all sizes, not just the slender models in fashion magazines. I even have serious curves of my own and a little postpartum weight left to lose. For the full figured women out there dreaming of being “thin enough” to do boudoir photos, stop dreaming and find something that flatters who you are now... because you are never more beautiful than when you are wearing a smile.

Why My Answer Is No

In the last few weeks my boudoir photography has taken off and finally had some real response.  Sadly, this has brought on the matching tide of requests from those with a less than wholesome level of intent.  I work very hard to bring out the best in boudoir.  I want to help people understand how it is NOT pornography, and is not something intended to offend.



I keep some basic rules on who I work with and what I shoot because it is part of building a legitimate business.  My models have the right to requests a shot or say no to a pose.  I reserve the right to keep my images about equal with a PG 13 rating.  I agree that the human body is appealing, but also know that not everyone has the same feelings about what is appropriate for public viewing.

I am not a difficult person to work with on a professional level.  I am not a hard person to get along with when you take the time to make conversation before, at, or after a shoot.  I even have a habit of making friends with my models.  So I want it to be known that if I ever tell "you" no about a shoot, a subject, or a request to buy images from my portfolio there is a good reason.

If I choose not to answer a question about my personal life, it is because I have that right.  If you choose not to answer something I ask, I will accept that and move on.  But please don't ever assume that my silence means your suggestive behavior or comments is something I will put up with for long.  This goes for absolutely everyone; models, potential clients, escorts, other photographers, people viewing my portfolio at public events where I market my business.  I want it to be clear that I put up with much, but a lack of professionalism is something that will see you banned from my business. 

Perhaps it is just that I have a clear set of ethics that I use as my guide, but I am not in the boudoir world to cater to creeps.  I get annoyed when my models and my work are viewed as nothing but pornography.  This is not something made for "self gratification", it is a beautiful expression of how every body can be attractive and everybody has the right to enjoy who they are.

Model Behavior

Yes. I called this “model behavior” because this is geared to understanding the rights and needs of our models... even the paid kind.

I'm not shy about the fact that I was a model years ago. I feel that time on the other end of the lens has given me insight that some photographers will just never understand. I also have been uncomfortable with my surroundings, something that every woman can tell you is all too common an occurrence when any form of even mildly sexual topic is involved. It is from this perspective that the following post was written; I am posting it in the “raw and unedited form” that I want you to witness.

In the last few weeks there has been a good deal of chatter between myself and one of my favorite models about the concept of “escorts”. No, not the kind that wealthy business partners pay for while on a trip so they can have arm candy. I'm talking about the kind that are there as an assistant and a bodyguard for the model while they are on location for a shoot. And I am going to be completely clear here... I SUPPORT YOUR RIGHT TO BRING AN ESCORT 100%.

I will ask that they take a seat in my waiting room while shooting any subject 18 and over. This is because I work in a small studio space, and there is a big risk of tripping over equipment cords or distracting the model. I keep parents in the room with children, and if the model is not there for a boudoir shoot or actively changing, the door stays open so there is no feeling of a threat. I usually suggest that the escort be the same gender so they can assist with outfit changes or even hair and make-up application in some cases.

What I do not support, is an escort that is a significant other or highly distracting friend. I will ask anyone with lewd or offensive language and behavior to remove themselves from my studio. I do this because it is my right to keep a clean and welcoming atmosphere for myself, my clients, and my landlord (and fellow renters). I will not allow an escort to sit in on a boudoir shoot because that is a very personal situation that requires the model be able to stay serious in what can often be an uncomfortable situation; but I also take the time to talk to my clients about what they can expect from a session so there is never anything they feel pressured to do.

There are behaviors I will not support from a model or an escort because they are unprofessional and speak to the lack of respect held by that person for the photographer and their business.

I do not support models or escorts who feel it their right to make a mess. I am not your mother. I have my own family to clean up after. If you or your escort want to bring a drink or a snack, that is fine. I just ask that you recycle your bottles and cans, toss your food wrappers in the garbage, and act just as you would on a job interview. Consider me your potential boss, and know that I do not give recommendations lightly. You will need to earn my respect if you want to receive future offers for work when I have paid shoots and need to find a model for hire.

I do not support having an escort come in and babble on their cell phone while in the room. Actually, I require that clients turn their phone to silent or completely off while we are shooting because it is a distraction. I have gone so far as to turn away sittings because a parent refused to turn off their phone or even put the device down. I know that turning away business seems counter intuitive, but I will do it because I believe in running an ethical and focused business.

I do not support models or escorts who feel the need to complain, argue, or generally cause problems when I am giving direction for a pose or an outfit. I have a rough picture in my mind before I ever walk into the studio. I will listen to requests for poses or image types. I will listen to a model who says that pose is uncomfortable or needs help with body placement to achieve the right look. I will never force a model to be nude, pose suggestively, or do something that makes them feel unsafe in some way.

What I will not support is a model that thinks they have the right to make things harder on others. I'll make it very clear right now, if you want to throw a fit and storm out because you are not being pampered, I will not be hiring you on as a model. Divas don't get rich just by behaving badly to those around them, they get rich because they have a look we can sell even if they make others miserable in the process. Models have to understand that the photographer knows what they are doing (or should if they are any good at their job). If we ask you to drop your shoulder, turn your cheek slightly, shift a hand up or down slightly... chances are it is because we see something that doesn't look right. We might need to make a few changes or moves before things come out just right; this means we are doing our job well.

If you want to be taken seriously as a model I suggest you keep the things I covered here in mind. Always ensure that there are specific terms and they are clearly hashed out before you ever agree to a session and/or any money changes hands. You have the right to say “no” when you are asked to do anything that violates your agree upon terms or makes you uncomfortable. You do have the right to bring an escort to private sessions, but in the case of large shoots with a crew you may want to skip it because they will end up being in the way of those working. Both the model and their escort must agree to behave as guests and respect their host's property both physically and verbally. There is much to be said for professional behavior in the modeling business... practice it and you will be far more successful than the self important divas that never took the time to learn the words “please” and “thank you”.

Uphold the Image

Today is yet another blog about editing. You can see I'm on a bit of a kick with this for the next few days. I'll have some mini posts here with more visuals to make up for the heavy things from last week. Right now I want to talk about how we identify unique things about our clients and what can be done to keep true to those features while we edit.


On Saturday I had a lovely sitting with a new model. It was our first time working together and we both had fun. She is a beautiful girl, and has a wonderful complexion with a face full of freckles to complement her red hair – that' right, “a ginger”. The lovely light tones under those cute freckles work perfectly for this lesson, so I'll warn you all right now that nasty comments about ginger kids are not tolerated on this blog.


Her eyes are a lovely light blue, so they catch the flash very well on their own already, meaning there is a chance for red-eye when using flash. In this case, I suggest a brighter setting on a fixed light source to limit blinking and reflection. I have managed to get plenty of practice with blue-eyed models because most babies have blue eyes at the beginning; and they are very prone to blinking under large flash blubs.


I love that she was willing to go very natural, nearly bare faced, for this shoot. Subjects should be proud of their unique characteristics, and freckles are something many women cover up with foundation that ends up looking splotchy or uneven under the bright and unforgiving light of a good flash. Freckles are difficult to keep natural in editing, often looking fake when a fix is applied to hide other flaws. This is where subjects should be coached by the photographer that a limited amount of editing may be the best compromise. Removing some of the larger trouble spots and leaving the integrity of the skin's natural pattern.

To emphasize this fact, I want to share both the original shot, and the finished product. This first image is exactly as it was uploaded from my camera after the shoot. I had the model stand by and go through an initial review of the images to get an idea of what she and I both liked best. We picked a few images that were not worth keeping due to blinking, blurring, and general poor composition. We also found the winners, and in general felt that this was a successful effort.


I picked this head shot as an example because I want the extent of her freckles to be most obvious. Because her make-up was still fresh and this pose allowed her hair to fall naturally, there are only three minor corrections to be made here. Some basic blemish control is used first, I avoid the healing tool in cases like this, rather getting a sample color and using the airbrushing tool on a low opacity level to control blending the areas under the eyes and on the two small marks that are most visible. Next I corrected a small flaw in the backdrop itself where a crease was visible and my perfectionist self cannot stand unwelcome seams. Finally, I brighten the eyes and teeth just a touch and sharpened the edges there while softening the rest of the face to give most attraction to the eyes. This is not a vital edit, but part of my personal style of accentuating natural beauty in place of creating a faux-finish to make a mannequin out of a model.

What I want to point out is not how exactly to do the corrections – my personal method is actually not the most popular, or the fastest. The point here is about selecting the fewest points to edit for the maximum benefit. We want to use our time well as photographers. Shooting is more fun than editing, but we all know which one can take longer. If that can be reduced by using a pattern like the one explained above, why not go for a nearly natural look that can be the best of both worlds? After all, if I can do things like this in five minutes, imagine what can be done with the 30minutes some editors can spend on a single correcting action.

The Art of Seduction (Visual Lesson)

In the words of Jessica Rabbit, “I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way.” I believe that this could perfectly describe the reputation of boudoir work; remember that this is not pornography even though there is an influx of those images. Just as the famous burlesque dancers and performers of old vaudeville are a class above today's topless pole dancers... boudoir is not soft-core, but in a class all of it's own.

Now I will take a moment to talk to the models and brides out there who might be reading this before we go any farther...

Please, please, please... visit every one of the sites I have listed and remember to do your own research before you shoot or pose. As a client, you must be absolutely comfortable with your photographer and your settings. Expressions will not come across the same and shoots will fall apart if there is no flow between photographer and model. Never agree to a session if you feel pressured or have that “creepy” feeling. I say this with love and experience, you must put your emotional and physical safety first, and remember that this is meant to be a fun experience.

Long before I was a photographer, I worked as a model. On one occasion while I was in college, I took some paid work doing photos for a company promoting a new night club opening up near the school. Thankfully the shots were clothed and had a good group of models and assistants. But there was one particular assistant photographer that gave off that unsettling vibe. Everything was professional and perfect, but I would never have stayed to shoot if it had been a smaller crew or a private session with him.

All of the photographers I listed in this posting have a record of professionalism, and so do most of those who continue to get work. You should look for a studio or a person with good reviews and who is willing to communicate with you before the session so that you can get a feel for them and their business. And remember that you always have the right to say no.

Boudoir Photography has an undeservedly bad reputation thanks to the common mixture of explicit poses and obvious pornography that are often passed off under that label. For this reason I am going out of my normal pattern by using images found through a search on Google simply using the key words “boudoir photography poses”. Here again I state that this is an adult topic and should not be shown to those under age because of the suggestive nature of some of the images.

Each image has a credit to the photographer and a link directly to their site for those interested in their work. I am not affiliated with any of these sites or photographers, and have made all effort to credit them under the requirements of fair use. Remember that doing your own research on each of them is highly encouraged because no photographer knows everything, but we can learn much from the work of others. I have only included images that are clothed or implied nudity, but remember that this is all about seductive pose and tasteful expression.

Blinkabella

Notice the lovely lines and curves in this pose. Though the model's face is not included, the whole image just flows with seduction. This studio actually has a lovely comment about making sure that shots are not completely contrived, but rather have a bedroom feeling through the thought put into backdrop and the use of natural window light. Visit them in San Diego, I would if I could!

Persimmon Images

Here I find that color and flow are just lovely. This pose lets the eye find points of sharp focus on the beautiful blue eyes of the model even while the brilliant red draws you deep into the frame. Bravo for a lovely outfit selection on this entire set, but this red works wonderfully to get the point across even while being beyond the focus point. This studio is located in the Seattle, Washington area; look them up for weddings, portraits, and boudoir!

Simply Bloom Photography (Blog)

I adore the classy feeling of leg and shoe images and this blog is rife with them. The use of space and spread are wonderful in these shots. Again I must complement the lighting and angles, wonderfully creative while clearly done without contortion acts on the photographer's part. I suggest their services to anyone in the Savannah, Georgia area and their blog to everyone who adores beautifully shot photography. These are some masterful works.

Raw Photo Design

As I have said many times, nobody knows everything, but I wish I had even half the talent and color knowledge that appears in some of the fantastic work on this blog. If you are in the Hartford, Connecticut area, these are the people you want shooting your scintillating sessions. The image above is one of my favorites, not for color, but because it is just a perfect example of the flirty feeling that can be captured when model and photographer have that moment of perfection and coordination.

I know there are just a tiny sample of studios and poses here, but to place everything I love on this blog would take a year. Do your own searches and remember that there is no substitute for experimentation. Thanks to all of the studios listed here for having been an inspiration for some of my work, and for their contributions to the artistic world as a whole.