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Available light: Boudoir photography & Feminine portraiture

July 8, 2018 Neil vN 6 Comments

Available light: Boudoir photography & Feminine portraiture

The direction of light is an elemental part of portrait photography. We can control how we pose and position our subject in relation to the light - and we might be able even control the direction of light, as we did with this sequence of photos of our model,  Adrienne.  To start off this personal workshop on Lighting for Feminine Portraiture and Boudoir Photography, we used only the available light that was streaming through the large windows in my studio. This painted canvas backdrop is on a roller stand.  Read more inside...

Dramatic portraits: Hollywood Portrait Lighting

November 30, 2017 Neil vN 4 Comments

Dramatic portraits: Hollywood Portrait Lighting

Shooting for my portfolio in the studio with a model, Kimberly Jay, I wanted to create sets of feminine portraits that looked dramatic, and straddled the boudoir photography genre and had a Film Noir look to them. The classic look of Hollywood portrait lighting has long drawn me, and with a set of  Litepanels Sola 4 LED Fresnel Lights  (B&H / Amazon), it is a look that I am still trying to finesse. Other photo sessions where I have drawn on the Hollywood look: Lighting a vintage styled boudoir photo session  (model:  Read more inside...

video: Intimate male portraiture – two perspectives

January 30, 2017 Neil vN 8 Comments

Intimate male portraiture - two perspectives

This video clip and photo shoot are the results of a discussion with a friend, Cate Scaglione, one of New Jersey's best boudoir photographers. At a photography convention, the topic came up whether male and female photographers approach their subjects differently (whether male or female). My take on this is that there is such a diverse range in styles and skill levels, that it would be impossible to make any clear grouping on styles depending on the photographer’s gender. Cate believes this does have an influence. And from that, the idea  Read more inside...

Photo session – Intimate male portraiture

January 29, 2017 Neil vN 1 Comment

Photo session - Intimate male portraiture

The motive behind this photo session with Nick Mathews, is explained in the intro of the behind-the-scenes video clip of the photo session. One subject, one studio, two photographers and two different styles. We shot this in Cate's studio - she used available light, and I ended up using two Profoto B1 flashes (affiliate), and gridded stripboxes to control the light. The video clip shows some of how we directed Nick during the shoot, and as a professional model and actor, he was supremely easy to work with. With this article, I'd like to  Read more inside...

Themes & context in Boudoir Photography

June 26, 2015 Neil vN 7 Comments

urban boudoir photography, NYC

Themes & context in Boudoir Photography - on the streets of NYC

The model in this striking image is my friend, Jessica, a boudoir photographer. Her pose is intentionally this strong and assertive. The concept here is part of an on-going project she had planned for a long while now. She had asked me to collaborate with her in taking the photos. The main idea behind the project (and these are my words and interpretation of what we had discussed) - women are objectified in society, but there is a disconnect in how people respond (or don't) to provocative posters and images of  Read more inside...

Boudoir Photography tutorial: Top-selling images & quick posing tips

November 30, 2014 Neil vN 11 Comments

Boudoir Photography tutorial: top-selling images

Boudoir Photography tutorial: Top-selling images & quick posing tips

Posing women in boudoir portraits is both an art form and a learned skill. Women are by nature sensitive about perceived body flaws. Expert posing aimed at highlighting her favorite features (and downplaying others) can make or break her experience and love of her photos—and ultimately your sale. Petra Herrmann, an exceptional boudoir photographer, based in Kansas City, has the guest spot here with a few of her top-selling poses with some quick posing tips you can try out during your next boudoir  Read more inside...

Boudoir photography: Couples boudoir – gesture and connection

August 28, 2014 Neil vN 13 Comments

Boudoir photography: Couples boudoir - gesture and connection

With portraits of a couple, the way they connect with each other is often the main factor whether the image is compelling. It could be through gesture and touch. The gesture might even be subtle - if a couple snuggles in, they don't have to look at each other - it's entirely possible to give that sense of connectedness, even with a downward glance. As long a it looks like they are concentrating on each other or responding to each other, it works. With the image at the top, Olena and Austin are directly looking at each  Read more inside...

Details and sequences – Increase your sales in boudoir photography

August 23, 2013 Neil vN 12 Comments

Petra Herrmann, of Bella Boudoir, runs a successful boudoir photography business based in Kansas City. In my opinion, she’s one of the best boudoir photographers around. Her work is sexy in its simplicity, which I find quite appealing. Her use of interesting angles and composition first drew me in when I saw her work awhile back. The theme of Petra’s workshop is Shoot smart, shoot sexy, shoot to sell.  I’m happy to feature Petra as a guest writer with advice on how to increase your sales in boudoir photography.

Shoot details and sequences - Increase  Read more inside...

Boudoir photo session w/ Westcott Spiderlites

March 18, 2013 Neil vN 8 Comments

Boudoir photo session w/ Westcott Spiderlites TD6 and TD5

When Morgan contacted me, I knew I wanted her tattoos to feature. (Check her Model Mayhem portfolio.) We met up in my studio for the shoot to try several ideas. First, I tried ring-flash, but as usual, disliked the look of ring-flash. I just can't get into it.  A funny thing about style - I like soft light - so I went Westcott Spiderlites (continuous lights) and a large softbox on Morgan, and a Profoto flash head to light up the white paper backdrop. It looked pretty cool. Then, for the final part of the photo session, I  Read more inside...

Lighting a boudoir photo session

January 28, 2013 Neil vN 9 Comments

Lighting a boudoir photo session

"We want it to look Fashion-y and Retro. And a little glamorous." "But I don't want it to be like a bridal hairdo!" No wonder the hair-dresser was confused by these vague instructions from myself and the model, Carla. The hair-dresser really looked like she was under pressure, wondering if she'd be able to come up with something fabulous enough to be all of that. Fashion-y and Retro and Glamorous. Carla is a friend (and previous bride), and we've been trying to get it together for a photo session for a few years now. But life, work and  Read more inside...

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