I am 21 years old, I am a straight man, and I have an appreciation for the artistic merit of tasteful boudoir and pin-up. It is a major career goal of mine to become revered as a photographer of this medium, and thus is something I will work steadily towards until I feel I've left an impression on the scene. That being said, I know that beyond my abilities as a photographer, many individuals have come before me who's behavior will act as a barrier for me to overcome.
Before I begin, a brief ventilation period:
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A photo shoot, even one involving someone who has dressed and prepped to look desirable, is not a date. It is not a place to assume that asking your model out for drinks afterwards is professional, or even generally acceptable, unless you have a prior personal relationship that existed before you became business associates.
As simple of a concept as that is, in my search for freelance gigs I've found that many, many "photographers" do not believe in it. People who treat their cameras, business cards, maybe even actual studio gear (strobes, reflectors, backdrops, etc) not as tools to accomplish an artistic or professional goal, but as a golden carrot to dangle before a hungry artist trying to make their name. Equally, I do not find it "quirky" or "charming" when I see someone walk over to a girl they've never met with their 5D MkIII and use the word nude within the first two sentences of introduction.
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This past Sunday was my first time working with an experienced model on a boudoir shoot. I came into the day with over a year of various studio and location portrait sessions worth of experience, classes on digital photography, thousands invested in gear purchases and rentals. I may not be ten thousand hours deep, but I'm past the point of no return. I've waited to schedule my first boudoir shoot until I felt I was able to do it well. I don't fear being out of work nearly as much as I fear putting out bad work.
I contacted my model through the free networking website ModelMayhem, we exchanged concept and compensation information, and set the date. Once those initial e-mails were exchanged, that was the extent of our contact until a confirmation the day before our shoot. By that time, my nerves and anticipation had built to levels I don't know too well. I wanted so desperately for everything to go well. The lighting, the wardrobe, the posing. the expressions created.
My model for this shoot was Rahyndee James. From her profile I could see that she often posed for full-nude sets. I opted for a lingerie session (I'm sure my mother and my bank account both agreed that was a better choice). Instead of seeing it as a challenge, or an obstacle, I see lingerie photography as a perfect opportunity to blend sensuality with intrigue. The body is accentuated by lace and lycra, not detracted by it. Beauty lies in confidence, and confidence is an expression to be told in any attire.
Rahyndee came into this shoot, unbeknownst to me, with experience in adult film. What this translated into was the easiest photo shoot of my life. After briefly going over her outfits for the day and some of the poses I wanted to hit, we got to work. Her confidence and knowledge of how to pose for specific expressions made me, the boudoir beginner, feel at ease.
I'm so happy with how our shoot came out, and I look forward to collaborating with her again when the opportunity arrises. This is the beginning of my quest to make a name for myself, as ungodly cheesy as that sounds.
-Harry
