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.     

Ayla

 

I’d been wanting to work with Ayla for some time but opportunity, not to mention the pandemic had frustrated this.  A chance conversation in October led to us working through a shoot plan, and ultimately shooting at her home.  

Good pre-shoot communications are paramount, but rapport and trust between photographer and model usually take time to develop. For this reason and regardless of experience, I prefer models to set the pace. 

We warmed up with some flirty fashion, slowly progressing through lingerie, boudoir and art nude. I also brought some props and Ayla unleashed her creativity. Conversation flowed naturally and the two hours proved incredibly productive.  

Most of this set was taken using natural light, Viltrox 23mm 1.4 prime lens and Sony A6000 body, although I used a 50mm 1.8 counterpart and Sony A7.   

* All images copyright Stenning photographic *

Emma

 Traditionally, female editorial/fashion models should be 5’9 to 6ft tall, with a 33-inch bust 23-inch waist, and 33-inch hips. This is not the only criterion; agencies tend to recruit on a more rounded basis and the modeling industry has much broader horizons. 

I am genuinely curious when photographing people, eager to explore their ideas, lives, experiences, and backstories. Every person is unique not only in their thoughts and beliefs but in the way they move.  

Professional/established models aside, I tend to spend a good deal of the shoot just talking with the model, capturing them naturally and unaware. My shoot with Emma is a prime example of this.  

She and I discussed a two-hour boudoir/lingerie theme. I was keen to use natural light for a soft, reflective effect. Thankfully there was an abundance on the day and the majority of these were taken with my Sony A6000 and 35mm f1.4 prime. Posing the model according to their shape and size is paramount. The difference between boudoir and a straight lingerie shoot is, in my view the focus. It's more about mood and the sensual effect, rather than objectifying the model, which glamour does.  

Emma has a G cup bust, so I opted to have her sitting upright kneeling, or laying at an angle to flatter her curves. Poses that would flatter someone with an A, or B cup would be deeply unflattering, possibly demeaning to someone with a bigger bust  

Continuing the soft, reflective narrative, I encouraged her to look toward the light, slightly away from the lens. The smiles you see were not coaxed, rather spontaneous, as rapport and conversation flowed.