Behind the scenes Photoshoot
Feat. Agnes Bodda & Maeva K. [Part I]
Lingerie, boudoir, glamour sessions, or whatever you call them have always been challenging for me and still are. I have my own rules and limits in terms of expressions and poses. I try not to cross that line that leads to erotic pictures and further down the road porn. So far I have organized these private sessions in places that were not that inspiring compared to where I usually work with dancers and circus artists. But as a photographer, you have to make it work, you have to make it interesting, you have to adapt to any type of situation. The challenge is to find simple poses that will suit each model whether they are experienced or not. My goal is to make every session unique and use the best way I can to the location I am in. So how do I do it? In this first part, I will show you the different images I made during morning time and share with you the thoughts behind some of the shots and how we made it possible.
The first session I had was with Agnes Bodda ( @agnes.bodda ) a french performer and pole dancer. That morning I discovered that beautiful beam of light and decided to use it as our main source. I decided quickly to add a bit of flash to fill in the shadows and to have a little bit more control over the overall contrast.
Fujifilm GFX100 + GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR Broncolor Siros L (800ws) 1/320sec f/5.6 ISO50
Something I should do a bit more often is to change my perspective. I frequently shoot in extreme low angles, and for this one, I decided to shoot from above.
Fujifilm GFX100 + GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR Broncolor Siros L (800ws) 1/320sec f/5.6 ISO50
Before the light completely changed in the room we decided to make this final shot using the couch. Using the furniture or any accessories in the room always helps. Make your model sit, lean on something it will help you when you will be out of posing ideas.
Fujifilm GFX100 + GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR Broncolor Siros L (800ws) 1/320sec f/8 ISO50
In a previous post, I talked about how I made a lot of images in bathtubs. This is one of them! Again a change of perspective and another way of using the space to your advantage. Of course, it helps when your model is a gifted dancer.
Fujifilm GFX100 + GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR Broncolor Siros L (800ws) 1/125sec f/3.5 ISO500
The classic "on the bed" shot! I tried with and without a flash and ended up not using it.
Fujifilm GFX100 + GF 63mm f/2.8 R WR 1/125sec f/2.8 ISO250
For this 2nd session made in the morning, we were a bit more prepared and knew that that beam was coming. This time I made a few images without any flash and let parts of Maeva K. ( @mkcorspri )disappear into the darkness.
Fujifilm GFX100 + GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR Broncolor Siros L (800ws) 1/320sec f/6.4 ISO50
Black & White or color?
Fujifilm GFX100 + GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR Broncolor Siros L (800ws) 1/250sec f/6.4 ISO50
That mirror was in the hallway, and I thought it would be a shame not to use it! I used once again à flash to fill in the shadows, made a few images with and without it with different poses.
Fujifilm GFX100 + GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR Broncolor Siros L (800ws) 1/320sec f/6.4 ISO50
Fujifilm GFX100 + GF 63mm f/4 R WR Broncolor Siros L (800ws) 1/320sec f/7.1 ISO50
This one is the only one I kept without the fill provided by the flash. I wanted to guide the viewer's eyes directly on her reflection.
Fujifilm GFX100 + GF 63mm f/2.8 R WR 1/320sec f/5.6 ISO50
This image is probably my favorite of this session. The one I had in mind from the very beginning. Two Broncolor lights placed left and right in HS, and my classic down low full reflection composition. Big shoutout to Maeva for being bendy and compact enough to almost completely fit in the frame.
Fujifilm GFX100 + GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR Broncolor Siros L (800ws) 1/160sec f/4 ISO160
So this is how I managed to create different looks and how I tried to adapt to the model I had in front of my lens that morning. Bringing out my model's personality and strength and doing my best to make each session unique was my main goal. In part 2, I will show you what I was able to make in the same space but with the afternoon light that changed completely my approach and consequently the resulting images.
Check out part II: 5 models 1 location Boudoir BTS Photoshoot [Part II]