It wasn’t all play at PictageU… I actually did some hard work, teaching 5 separate shooting workshops… lol! Shooting boudoir with a gaggle of workshop enthusiasts is the most fun part, albeit exhausting. To recap and keep the momentum going, here are just a few pics that demonstrate some of the tips I covered in my portion of the shooting workshops.
We talked about how when you arrive on location how to first maximize the light in your shooting area (all of these shots are natural light only), move furniture around so it best suits your subject and the story you’re telling, clearing the set (and thus your frame) of any unwanted distractions, and when there’s stuff on the wall you can’t move… Make it work! and incorporate it into the shot…
I also demo’d how to capture one of my Money Shots™ “Landscape of the Body” making sure to really emphasize curves with “extreeeeeme” posture and kicking those hips up to create a nice little triangle of awesomeness between your girls hips and the sheets :)
We talked about shooting those sexy details. I really love her hands here. Seriously.
I also discussed a few of the simple essentials I love to bring on location: a black muslin to set up a studio anywhere, a fan to help create a feeling of sensuality and movement, and some fun props. These shots are taken in the same hotel room just a few feet from the bed, the black muslin (in this case, a hotel table cloth) covering some seriously bad hotel art, and is naturally lit from the balcony just about a foot to the model’s right.
I also talked about creating variety both on set and in post, how to create movement by slowing your shutter speed, and how to direct a model by giving her actions instead of “poses.” This is another Money Shot™ “The Hair Toss.”
Gotta love the fan!
One thing I stress to newer photographers is to be mindful of composition – are you centering everything? Try experimenting with negative space – it really helps direct the viewer’s eye, tell the story, and has such visual impact.
Once again, I had a total blast at PictageU. I loved meeting you all, geeking out, and shooting up some boudoir together :) Here’s to more workshop fabulousness in the near future!
ps. Make sure to leave more of your Boudoir & Lighting questions in the comments below for an FAQ post in the near future…
Christa :)
I love the lighting and composition of your work. What type of lens are you using?
Gorgeous shots Meola. Thank you for sharing your passion for photography and helping women feel sexy! We alll benefit from that. My only question is: when are you doing a shoot in front of the camera?? ~V
Christa, These are fabulous and all incorporate your teachings and clearly do show that they are money shots. the curves really are better with the extreeeeme posture ;)
S.
I love your use of negative space & the way you create “fields” of color & texture for the eye. I also loved the last shot & the way the pillows mimic the lines of her buttocks (made me smile.) In your “about” page you state that in a digital age, you love the feel of a print in your hand. What type of darkroom processing & film do you prefer?
Those shots are very beautiful, and it depicts how the woman is a delicate, yet sexy creature.
Awesome gorgeous stuff, Christa!! You were such a great teacher too. Can’t wait to share some images with you from my shots too :) XOXO
Christa, you rock! Thanks for generously sharing how you do what you do.
GORGEOUS! Amazing how you notice the smallest of details and include them, in the subtlest way —but it makes such a huge impact. Your pp is the cherry on top of already excellent images – finishing the mood with softness and sensuality. Thank you for the awesome tips and for a supremely educational two days!
(and hey, where do we post the images from the workshop?)
The way the natural light is used is amazing…really impressed.
wow how beautiful! thank u for sharing your tips
The photos are Gorgeous and Classy
Dear Christa, one of your pictures reminds me about a funny road signboard- “Do not bend too much on the curves” :)
I loved the curves. Nice shots!
Love that vintage look – elegant and gorgeous shots!
Gorgeous photos! The way you have captured the curves are amazing and the play with focus adds so much!
The angles really work well to accentuate the parts of the body that the artist intentionally left in clear focus, while obscuring other areas of the phots by leaving them out of focus. Your work is beautiful.
I particularly like the image with the red photo frame because that limited color pallet (red,black,white-cream) work so well together. However the only thing that I could possibly dislike is how pale the model looks in the first image compared to the other images…is this a lighting issue? Overall wonderfully tasteful yet sexy…keep up the great work!
I love the picture with the mask its so mysterious.
I love these! so clean and classy! You are truly amazing at what you do. I’m so bummed I didn’t get to go to the pictage U :(
Love the second to last one, where you demonstrate negative space. Also loving the mask.
You’re a real artist Meola! Kudos!!!