I know we have mentioned it before but please plan early if you want to do a photoshoot and calendar or book for a holiday gift. A calendar needs 13 edited images and a book needs 20 – 25. It will take you a while to pick the images out, then several days to edit them and provide the proofs to you, and then a few more days to lay the book or calendar out. Once that’s complete there is the time it takes the lab to print it and ship it to us. I usually say that you should allow about 20 days from the shoot to have the finished product. Calendars are a bit faster because the layout is a simpler process and can actually be done via email and a phone call or two. But the book layout is much more complex unless you want only one image on a page. Then it’s similar to a calendar time frame. Both books and calendars can have words placed with the images. On a calendar we usually recommend that you create a “tag line” that goes with the shot and represents the month. For instance, a shot in a sexy halloween outfit for October with a tag line of “Trick or TREAT!” But a book could have a poem with the photo or something that would make the person receiving the book know how much you care about them. It can get complex and time consuming. There are SO MANY options…

So plan early, have some themes in mind, get your outfits ready ahead of time, and be ready to create the most unique and sensual gift that they could ever receive. And as a reminder, Valentine’s Day is only 2 months away!!!! Hint hint…

I just had a call from one of my favorite model friends. She and her fiance want to come in for a couples artistic nude session. What will be great about this shoot is that they are both ballroom dancers. Can you imagine the images we can get as they dance and interact with the music? I’m really excited about being asked to shoot this. I envision shots that will be along the lines of “the Kiss” by Rodin, the sweeping beauty of a passionate embrace as the dancers dip at the end. I can also envision the classical dance moves captured in a romantic, sensual way. Yes, there will be nudity, but it will be the purest form of expression and the most sincere expression of emotion.

The key to a great couples nude session is to express your passion and feelings with your partner. Although it may be difficult to imagine forgetting that you are being photographed, my clients have said that once they let the feelings take over they were in another world. The first reaction is always that they think they have to pose. But I keep telling them that posing is not what they need to do – they need to be natural. Once the posing ends, the beautiful natural images begin. A kiss, a hand being held, a touch, or a hug. Natural, beautiful, expressive, and sensual. That’s what it’s all about.

I’m still getting used to the new studio and the challenge is the amount of space I have for storage. But today, just before we cleaned the studio we put up a 30″ wide storage cabinet and a 24″ wide wall cabinet. Between the two I was able to free up 4 storage shelves and 2 shelves in the kitchen area. This will allow me to store more props and things, as well as organize the storage areas a little better. We’re now thinking of removing the front reception area and building another set in it’s place. In a smaller studio everything has to serve a dual purpose!

The word Erotic congers up many different thoughts and each person has a different idea on what Erotic is to them. I’ve asked many clients about the word and their thoughts. It amazes me at how different the answers are. I have a few shots in one of my books at the studio and I use it to determine the client’s view of erotic. By understanding what “Erotic” means to them I’m able to focus my shots on those types of images. When a couple asks for an Erotic Couples shoot, I use basically the same technique to gain an insight into their thoughts on the word so we can put together a plan for our shoot. The variation in thoughts is something I would have never believed. For instance, I had a shot of a woman’s legs in Red heels and a rose draped down one leg. It’s set to a gelled red on black backdrop (see it below). I’ve had some say that it’s the most erotic shot they have seen and had others say it’s not erotic at all. I’ll bet there’s some study or psychological paper about why people perceive it differently, but I really don’t want to know that much, just what they think it should look like. I remember taking a class once called “What you are is what your were when”. The class was about how we take in the world around us and develop our personal views as we grow up. Cool class!

So, if you call me to schedule an Erotic Shoot either alone or as a couple, be prepared to discuss what erotic means to you.

I know the title is a bit strange but let me explain. I received a note from a wife of a serviceman who is currently serving in Iraq. He is scheduled to come home in the next few months. This couple has always wanted to have photos taken of them that express the intense love and sensuality of their relationship and have chosen me to photograph it for them. I’m honored and I will do all I can to fulfill their request. They will be flying in from half way across the country to shoot with me and I plan to make the trip a success from the photographic standpoint. I also have a deep respect for the families that serve our nation. Yes, I said “families” because I firmly believe that it’s not just the person in harms way, it’s a family that feels it all. Mom, Dad, Wife, Husband, Child, Brother, Sister, Friend, and the list goes on. We’re all a part of the process and we all feel it. I served in VietNam – my wife and I can tell you how hard it was – not just for her, but both of our families.

Bottom line – I’m going to do my finest to make this shoot go great!!!! His wife and I have some great idea for shots and I’m sure that we will get some emotional, sexy, and very personal images!!!

A little different topic today. Last night I attended a seminar called Digital WakeUp Call by David Ziser. The seminar was mostly centered around wedding photography, but it doesn’t take too much imagination to move the ideas into the Boudoir Photography business. David explained many ways to light subjects using on-camera and off-camera flash, many different ideas about using some newer software products to enhance images and workflow, and a whole bunch of ideas on how to promote a business.

Although the focus was on a business model (weddings) that I don’t participate in, I find that no matter what the overall focus of the seminar is, I always take away a few “golden nuggets” that I can use. In my notes I have at least 8 new ideas for lighting, products to offer, and ways to increase client awareness.

I highly recommend that all photographers, no matter what your experience level is, consider attending seminars and ongoing education. In today’s digital world, the basics of photography will remain, but how we apply those basics with the technology we are using, is something that’s changing at an ever increasing rate and you need to be prepared.

We’ve been doing a lot of calendars lately. There are going to be a lot of loved ones very happy this holiday season! The nice thing about a calendar is that you are on their mind each and every day of the year – from the cover to the 12 months worth of images. And each month can have a “tag line” that expresses your thoughts for the month. It’s a very personal gift that shows how much you care.

Sorry for the play on words, but more and more clients lately have started out just wanting to do Lingerie shots and end up asking to do nudes. One client explained it like this, “After seeing how sexy the shots were coming out I figured I’ve gone this far, why not take the next step and see how nudes come out.” She said “it’s like running a race, you’ve already invested in getting close to the finish line so put in the effort to finish at a strong pace.” She also mentioned how comfortable she felt in the studio and the way she was being treated professionally as the drivers to her decision to do nudes. I pride myself in being respectful and professional with my clients. Yes, we do joke around a bit and try to make it a fun shoot, but the most important aspect is treating the client with total respect and professionalism. And since “change of mind” for many clients happens, I have started making sure that the studio is prepared to do both venues of photography at each shoot.

Take a look at my website, read the client testimonials, and give me a call to schedule a session for you. Remember that intimate images can make a very memorable gift for the one you love – or even just for yourself!

Many clients ask if they have to stick to one type of shoot during their session. The answer is no, you don’t. We have two main shooting areas so we can provide a full service. If the client wants multiple types of shots we typically start with the artistic nudes. This is because we don’t want any clothing lines on the body from their lingerie or outfits. We shoot our art nudes in our main shooting room which has a variety of lighting choices. Once we complete the art nudes we can then move to our Boudoir (bedroom) set and shoot the glamour/boudoir shots. We also have a small vanity/dressing table that we use for some really cool shots. It’s amazing the amount of variety the studio can provide as far as sets and lighting are concerned.

If you would like to stop by and see our studio just give me a call. I’d be happy to show you around and help you decide how to go about planning your photoshoot.

Casual Elegance Photography ® has been providing professional and experienced intimate/glamour photography since 2000.

This week is shaping up to be a busy one. Besides the client meetings, Boudoir Shoots and Headshots, we have a couples Nude and Erotic Nude shoot on the schedule. As I said in a previous post, this is a feast or famine business, and this week it’s “feast”. And it’s also a week of reschedules. We have been moving shoots around because of things like broken feet, falls off a horse, and “monthly” issues. It’s all business as usual in the Boudoir/Nude photography business.