dangermouse1 Loc: United Kingdom

Just joined the site thought I would post one or two of the boudoir shots I have taken . Am considering starting my own business as a Boudoir Photographer and turning my hobby into a business so to speak.
I have asked in the forum for anybody with knowledge of the pro's and con's to Boudoir photography.

mooseeyes Loc: Sonora, California

Mr. Danger Mouse,

Nothing personal; however, if the two images posted are what has caused you to consider starting a business doing "Boudoir Photography", I certainly wouldn't quit your day job just yet.

There are tons of books on the subject. There are many "do's" and many "don't's" with this kind of photography. If your final product doesn't make the female subject better looking than she has ever looked in her life. . .then you are missing the target. If you do this kind of work, you need to have a makeup artist and hair stylist, or learn how to do this yourself.

Your goal should be a subject who loves the result, with her husband/boy friend thanking you. Anything less is a failure.

You need to learn how to make skin look like fine bone china. You need to learn what poses work, which ones do not. What body parts/areas that you should never shoot. You need to learn how to make an otherwise ordinary face/body look like a goddess!

Wardrobe, props and settings need to be perfect for the main goal, and they need to be secondary to your subject. There is a very strict ethical code of conduct here. . .you need to learn and understand this, and never, ever break this code of conduct.

If you want to PM me with your email address and any specific questions that you might have, I will be happy to point you in the right direction, sharing my many years experience.

Mooseeyes

Trina Loc: Calgary, AB

For your second shot, I would have had her turn her head away from the camera and lift her chin to help elongate her neck. This would help with making her appear more natural and assist in helping "work with her lines".

Just a thought.

dangermouse1 Loc: United Kingdom

I thank you for your words Mooseeyes thats why I asked maybe Boudoir is not the word I should have used, what some are looking for over here is something between what I was thinking as Boudoir without being too erotic so to speak

dangermouse1 Loc: United Kingdom

Thank you Trina for your response what I have been asked in the way of photographs so far is housewives that wish to show just something of their naughty side without being classified as ( porn dare I say ) ( which I will not photograph even though I have been asked on several occassions ) . It's not for me naughty and slightly erotic is as far as it goes .

dangermouse1 Loc: United Kingdom

Just had a look at your website mooseeyes and I must say pretty good impression of Orange County Choppers Paul Senior !

Trina Loc: Calgary, AB

Absolutely, but there is a difference between sexy and erotic. A woman can look and feel sexy without the eroticism. With a few adjustments these could be very sexy pictures. Which is what I think the housewives would be looking for. It's difficult to feel beautiful after having children (believe me), these pictures are a personal choice that each woman will make.

It won't matter to them what other people will think or say if they feel beautiful.

I would recommend having consultations with the models (if you aren't already) to see what they are looking for. If they are looking for supermodel type photos, I don't think they will be happy because it's not how they look everyday. Being beautiful for one day or one picture won't make up for the rest of the year. But that doesn't mean that you can't make recommendations that will help portray their best features or poses that will help extend their natural lines. Things like that will help make them feel better about themselves because those are things that they have all the time.

Personally, I would want my photographer to make me feel comfortable and work with what I already have.

I think you are on the right track here, no extra styling or layers and layers of makeup.

dangermouse1 Loc: United Kingdom

Totally agree you seem to have hit it on the head, I do have rules when shooting these ladies :-
1 . if they have a partner I insist that they are present , if not then a close friend .
2 . My wife is always present .
3 . We discuss just what sort of shots they are thinking of.
4 . I inform them that I never do nude shots unless they are tastful and only at their request.
5 . I never do close up shots of a sexual nature .

I want the pictures to make them proud of what they already are in a beautiful way , I don't really want to make the lady to appear as something far from what she would normally be .

I wouldn't want a partner to look at the picture and think who the hell is that I would rather the partner seen the picture and could turn around and say " I told you you were sexy , thats how I see you everyday "

Cheers Trina

Trina Loc: Calgary, AB

Then I think you are totally on the right track. Just adjust some of the lines and angles and these ladies will be more than happy with the results.

dangermouse1 Loc: United Kingdom

At the moment the lady in the pictures is my wife as I have not asked for permission to publish any others yet and will not until I have done so