Bella Sensual & Concealed

I am often asked what differentiates boudoir from glamour photography. In a nutshell, I would say glamour is where a woman is typically sexualised and objectified, whereas boudoir has a wider narrative, of which the model is part of. More significant is both parties in mutual agreement over levels and tone.  

Bella is extremely comfortable with concealed and implied nudity but nothing more overt. Concealed, in common with art nude and erotic can mean different things to different people. I suggested a few concepts which Bella wasn’t unduly comfortable with, so we shelved them. We have worked together on several occasions, which makes these themes much easier.  

I have undertaken boudoir and lingerie themes where the model has towards the end, wanted to raise the level to topless. I will always gently decline, inviting them to contemplate this further, away from “the moment”. If after ten days or so, they still want to try topless, or indeed nude themes, they can get back in touch and we’ll do a shoot plan and arrange a mutually convenient date.  

Again, this reinforces the importance of proper shoot planning and clear communication around expectations and terms of reference-all ahead of the shoot. She approached me on Thursday, and we’d thrashed out a theme, lingerie, lighting, angles and locations that morning, arranging to shoot that Sunday morning.    

Our primary focus was sensuality, interwoven with more playful themes. Bella was keen not to have her nipples on view within the shots and as can happen, there were a few we spotted when reviewing every twenty minutes or so. These were accidental captures-we hadn’t noticed the sheet slipping at certain points.  

Comfort and complete trust between model and photographer are paramount and if either party is slightly uneasy, this will bleed through in the images created. Again, there’s a fine line between capturing something intimate (where the model has invited you into their world) and voyeurism, where someone has invaded it. Given the limited space and changeable lighting, I took those with her beneath the satin sheets using my full frame A7 and 50mm 1.8 lens, those of Bella with the maracas using the A6300 and 33mm 1.4 lens.