The time for the photo session has arrived. You, as the photographer, have a
number of responsibilities. The main one is to ensure that you deliver what
the customer wants. If the person sitting for you is paying the bill, then you've
got to show him, her or them off to their best advantage. If you're taking
pictures for sale to someone else, then you must put yourself into the mind of
the viewer and attempt to capture their fantasies. A photo shoot, especially
one involving erotica, is mentally exhausting. Your brain must shift into
overdrive to balance the technical side with the creative process. Like a chess
game, you should constantly be taking the process further in your mind,
deciding how you're going to develop each particular film, what darkroom
procedures you might be able to incorporate and so on. Every time you press
the shutter you should have a fair idea of how you want the final image to
appear.
number of responsibilities. The main one is to ensure that you deliver what
the customer wants. If the person sitting for you is paying the bill, then you've
got to show him, her or them off to their best advantage. If you're taking
pictures for sale to someone else, then you must put yourself into the mind of
the viewer and attempt to capture their fantasies. A photo shoot, especially
one involving erotica, is mentally exhausting. Your brain must shift into
overdrive to balance the technical side with the creative process. Like a chess
game, you should constantly be taking the process further in your mind,
deciding how you're going to develop each particular film, what darkroom
procedures you might be able to incorporate and so on. Every time you press
the shutter you should have a fair idea of how you want the final image to
appear.
Fotografics.org Online Magazine
| The Art of Creating Erotic Photographs (or how to deal professionally with someone who's not wearing much clothing) by Roy Wallace |
It's good practice to let the model know, from the
start, that you want feedback on how he or she's
feeling. My way of getting the message across is to
say "If you feel uncomfortable with anything, let me
know straight away. Okay?". Keep your subjects
happy by constantly looking and listening to them,
changing course if you notice that they're
becoming uncomfortable. Be careful with the jokes
though. In my first studio, which was somewhat
bare, a sitter once asked "where shall I put my
clothes?". Full of wit and in an effort to relax her I
said "In the corner, on top of mine." This really
went down like a fart in a spacesuit and it took
ages for me to win back a sense of trust. Don't
forget, the naked, or scantily clothed model might
feel a bit vulnerable and it's essential to reassure
her that you're not going to take advantage of the
situation.
start, that you want feedback on how he or she's
feeling. My way of getting the message across is to
say "If you feel uncomfortable with anything, let me
know straight away. Okay?". Keep your subjects
happy by constantly looking and listening to them,
changing course if you notice that they're
becoming uncomfortable. Be careful with the jokes
though. In my first studio, which was somewhat
bare, a sitter once asked "where shall I put my
clothes?". Full of wit and in an effort to relax her I
said "In the corner, on top of mine." This really
went down like a fart in a spacesuit and it took
ages for me to win back a sense of trust. Don't
forget, the naked, or scantily clothed model might
feel a bit vulnerable and it's essential to reassure
her that you're not going to take advantage of the
situation.
There are two types of photo sessions involving erotic photography. One, with your partner, the other with a customer, friend or acquaintance. It's
vitally important to realise the difference because the key to good erotic photography is getting the atmosphere in the studio right. What you want is to
create a situation where the model is flirting with the camera, not where he or she is afraid to flirt in case the photographer gets the wrong message. In
situations where I notice that the subject is unsure, I usually try to make it quite clear that I'm not trying to "chat up" my model. One of a successful
C.E.O's mottoes is "don't sleep with the staff". The erotic photographer's motto should be "don't try and lay the model".
vitally important to realise the difference because the key to good erotic photography is getting the atmosphere in the studio right. What you want is to
create a situation where the model is flirting with the camera, not where he or she is afraid to flirt in case the photographer gets the wrong message. In
situations where I notice that the subject is unsure, I usually try to make it quite clear that I'm not trying to "chat up" my model. One of a successful
C.E.O's mottoes is "don't sleep with the staff". The erotic photographer's motto should be "don't try and lay the model".
Before even considering working with a stranger, make
sure that you've accumulated a few sessions of erotic
photography with someone you know. Your spouse or
partner is the ideal choice because they'll let you know
immediately if you're doing something wrong.
Same-sex naked portraiture is also an excellent
training school. Get your best mate to pose in the
nude for you. It will get you used to giving instructions
on how to pose, without getting embarrassed. If this
isn't an option, there are photo clubs and studios
which have group photographic sessions. You might
not get much quality photography done but you'll get
used to having naked subjects in front of your lens.
Don't even consider going into professional erotic
photography until you're completely comfortable
working with naked and erotically clothed subjects,
otherwise it'll cost you, both financially and mentally.
To sum up then. When working with unclothed or
partially clothed subjects, be constantly aware of their
feelings. If they're uncomfortable it will show in the
pictures. Get used to working with erotica before
offering your services to others and don't even think of
using the session as a chat-up opportunity. Finally
make sure you keep a sense of fun in the studio and
the session will be an enjoyable experience for
everyone concerned.
sure that you've accumulated a few sessions of erotic
photography with someone you know. Your spouse or
partner is the ideal choice because they'll let you know
immediately if you're doing something wrong.
Same-sex naked portraiture is also an excellent
training school. Get your best mate to pose in the
nude for you. It will get you used to giving instructions
on how to pose, without getting embarrassed. If this
isn't an option, there are photo clubs and studios
which have group photographic sessions. You might
not get much quality photography done but you'll get
used to having naked subjects in front of your lens.
Don't even consider going into professional erotic
photography until you're completely comfortable
working with naked and erotically clothed subjects,
otherwise it'll cost you, both financially and mentally.
To sum up then. When working with unclothed or
partially clothed subjects, be constantly aware of their
feelings. If they're uncomfortable it will show in the
pictures. Get used to working with erotica before
offering your services to others and don't even think of
using the session as a chat-up opportunity. Finally
make sure you keep a sense of fun in the studio and
the session will be an enjoyable experience for
everyone concerned.
| Roy Wallace is a professional photographer, best known for his fetish and erotic works. Words and pictures (c) fotografics.org 2004 |
The model in this series of
photographs is Melanie.
One of my favourite models
partners we've worked
together for a while now. At
first her husband turned up
to the photo shoots and sat
in the corner reading a
book. Now, a few years
later, both of them know
that I'm serious about my
work and he doesn't bother
to turn up anymore!
Trust is something you have
to build up over a period of
time and it can be ruined in
a few seconds. Your sitter
needs to be completely at
ease in your studio to get
the best out of a photo
shoot. Word of mouth is the
best way to promote your
business and also the
quickest way to ruin it.
Roy Wallace 2004
photographs is Melanie.
One of my favourite models
partners we've worked
together for a while now. At
first her husband turned up
to the photo shoots and sat
in the corner reading a
book. Now, a few years
later, both of them know
that I'm serious about my
work and he doesn't bother
to turn up anymore!
Trust is something you have
to build up over a period of
time and it can be ruined in
a few seconds. Your sitter
needs to be completely at
ease in your studio to get
the best out of a photo
shoot. Word of mouth is the
best way to promote your
business and also the
quickest way to ruin it.
Roy Wallace 2004