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.

Don’t wait until the last minute to get your intimate photos done for the one you love! The holidays are right around the corner and it’s time to start planning! Naughty or Nice – We shoot it all! We can schedule sessions for evenings if that helps.

Casual Elegance Photography ® has been providing professional and experienced intimate photography since 2000. We know how to capture the shot you and your loved one will love for years to come. We are the finest in Boudoir, Glamour, Fine Art, Maternity, and Erotic Nude photography. Come to our comfortable private studio or we can come to you with our portable studio.

Visit our website where you can read client testimonials, view our sample images, and read about the services we provide. MEN – WOMEN – COUPLES!!!!!

Again, We are PROFESSIONAL, DISCRETE, and EXPERIENCED.

Today I worked with a local model who wanted to create some artistic images with me. What we ended up deciding on were BodyScapes. A bodyscape is like a landscape in a sense, but the “land” being photographed is the body – selected areas. These can be truly beautiful expressions of sensuality as well as artistic expressions.

I love to light these in a sensual way, one light with very tight lighting. I try to light the selected area so that it creates a mood for the viewer. The shots typically look good in B&W, but there are some that look great in color. Below you will see one of my bodyscapes that I really love. The inspiration for this came to me on a flight to Paris a couple of years ago. I could see the moon, stars and the shine on the Atlantic below. I thought it would be awesome to create something like that using a body and the shots of the moon I had taken several years back. The shoot only took an hour or so, but the post processing took a few hours to get just the right look to the shot.

Bodyscapes – a way to express nudity and art in a single form.

Mother Earth

I have put together this short blog to help introduce my clients to what they can expect at their artistic nude/glamour/boudoir nude photo shoot. Many people feel a little nervous at the prospect. It is natural to be a bit shy, and I fully appreciate your feelings! Remember that although it is a new experience for you, I have shot hundreds of nude women and men. You will be in a completely professional environment and treated with the utmost respect. And you’ll be surprised at how fast the “butterflies” disappear once we start shooting and you see the artistic images we are creating.

First, you are always welcome to bring someone with you to the shoot. When you arrive I will show you samples of my work, the studio facilities, and introduce you to your makeup artist if you have elected to use one. We normally sit together and go over the different images that you would like to have, and any last minute ideas for poses.

Then it is time for makeup. While you are doing your makeup or having it applied for you, I will be finalizing the studio setup. I will check on the makeup process and give any input on what might work best with the lighting I will be using. Makeup takes about 30 minutes.

Now it is time to take a test shot. Normally you will go to the restroom and change into the robe that will be waiting for you. After the test shots we are ready to begin.

When we complete a series of shots you will put your robe back on and we will review the images on the computer in the studio. If there are things we want to change, we will make corrections to the poses and shoot them again. If we are happy with the images, you will go back into the dressing/makeup area and change your outfit or just relax while I change the set. Then we start all over on the second “look”, or series of shots. By this time I guarantee you will be perfectly comfortable with your photographic experience!

When we are finished and you are getting dressed, I back up the images onto an archive CD and we may even go over a few shots to see how they will look on post production. That’s about all there is to it.

We will have fun, get beautiful images, and enjoy the shoot!

]]> http://casualelegancephotography.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/the-boudoirnude-photo-shoot-process/feed/ 0 casualelegancephotography http://casualelegancephotography.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/what-to-bring-to-your-boudoir-photo-session/ http://casualelegancephotography.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/what-to-bring-to-your-boudoir-photo-session/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:22:48 +0000 casualelegancephotography http://casualelegancephotography.wordpress.com/?p=845 ]]>

I had an interesting situation today at one of our photoshoots. The client didn’t realize that they needed to bring lingerie and clothing to the shoot. I blame myself for not being really specific in my note as to the fact that Lingerie and clothing are very personal items and the variety of sizes/styles would be prohibitive for us to have on hand. The key to a good shoot is comfort. I have a few items at the studio, but I don’t have every size or color. I suggest that the client bring several outfits with them so that we can choose the right ones for the shoot. I also suggest that the items be ones that they are comfortable wearing. If they buy new ones for the shoot, be sure that they fit well and that they are comfortable to wear.

When I got home this evening Ruth and I decided to have a few garments available at the studio “just in case”, but I have revised our “preparation note” to discuss what the client should bring with them. I take these things personally and want to be sure that we have satisfied clients at every shoot.

Visit our website

A while back we wrote about Couples Erotic Photography. We have since done several sessions for couples who want to express their sensuality and eroticism while getting high quality images in a safe comfortable environment. Once the couples relax and forget that the camera is there, they enter their own world of love and beauty. We have also done quite a few really beautiful Couples Artistic Nude sessions. I love to see the way the light plays off the two forms and creates a melting of them into one. My favorite lighting set up is a single light source with a 24×36 inch softbox with grids. It give the directionality that, in my opinion, creates a romantic yet sensual mood to the image. We have a few couples artistic nude samples on our website in Portfolio 1 – be sure to check them out. The images are of models since we never use client images unless they sign a release for us to do so.

When you decide to book your Couples Nude Photography session give us a call. I’m sure we can capture images that you will love forever.

When you think about being a model what do you really think about? Looking pretty on camera, being a supermodel, fame, glory, stardom??? Or do you think of the work it takes, the dedication to the career, the hard hours of being on set, or the commitment to yourself?

Modeling isn’t just showing up to a photoshoot and looking pretty. You have to have the same disciplines as an athlete, a body builder, a corporate executive, or just about anyone who has to be at the top of their game all day every day. You need to know how you look in any given pose. You need to know how to give a certain look to the camera that expresses the idea that the client wants expressed. You need to practice – not just practice, but perfect practice. It’s not just a few hours of modeling and then back to fun. You have only one product to sell – YOU! If the product you sell is only a part time product, the word will soon get out and your doors of opportunity will close. You need to be at the top of your game all the time.

Does what I just wrote scare you? Does it offend you? Well then, maybe you need to really step back and assess the whole modeling career. Yes, modeling for fun can be something that is cool to do and you can really feel good about it, but when you want to step into the paying world of modeling you need to ask yourself the question “is this what I want to devote my career to, and am I willing to sacrifice other things to get it?”

Hopefully this “reality check” will get you to think.

Please visit our website to see samples of our work.

We did a fantastic Bridal Boudoir session on Saturday. It was a surprise for the Bride from all of the bridesmaids. SHE LOVED IT!!!! She was so excited and she lit up the camera. We started with artistic nudes and then went to boudoir and “Playboy” style nudes. One of the bridesmaids came with her and she too was super excited at the images we were capturing!!!! Lisa, the MUA, was excited too!!! This was one of those sessions where it all came together to get some really great stuff that’s sure to excite her fiance!! She’s going to have her wedding photographer take shots of him looking at them for the first time! I can’t wait to see them!