A rather unusual photoshoot tomorrow...

[SilentKnight]

Tomorrow we're doin' a photoshoot with a new client (I say client since she's not really a model - she simply wants a set of photos done for her own personal use).

This will be a rather unusual arrangement for us - since most of what we shoot is always website content...and therefore I always know exactly how I want the photos to look.

We've already met once with the client and discussed details and attempted to determine exactly what her expectations of the photoshoot are - but I must admit at this point I'm still somewhat at a loss to completely understand her intentions, motivations and purposes for doing the photos.

Basically, she describes it as wanting to do a nude shoot as a way of "coming out" from years of sexual repression (apparently she's endured a lot of abusive relationships in the past and as a result has become rather sexually repressed and inhibited). She wants photos of herself so she can self-affirm that she's still "sexy and appealing." Although she's a mature woman (in her forties, I guesstimated) - she's still somewhat attractive...although it remains to be seen how photogenic she actually is.

So for the past few weeks I've been struggling with ideas on just how to work with her on the photoshoot - trying to anticipate her expectations and fully understand what she's wanting to convey in the photos. She's basically leaving everything up to me to "make her look beautiful" (yet down-to-earth) in the pics - but she stressed "not glamorous."


We've done modeling portfolios and glamour-style shoots in the past - but its not exactly our specialty...since we're fetish/bondage oriented, and as I said we shoot photos according to how WE want them to turn out. So this is going to be somewhat of a stretch for us, attempting to figure out just what she wants and the best way of going about it all.

I've spent the day redesigning our entire photo studio in preparation for tomorrow's shoot - eliminating the BDSM props and gear and making it more non-fetish friendly. But I'm still uncertain exactly what arrangements to go with as far as 'normal' props and such are concerned. I've booked in for a 4-hour shoot to allow for a fair bit of trial-and-error along the way. I'll likely do a few test shots with the client and then show them to her on the laptop to see if we're headed in the right direction with things.

If anyone's got any interesting or constructive ideas based on what I've described above...I'd be appreciative of the input.

Thanks for readin' the rather wordy post...

[MikeyFingaz]

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MikeyFingaz:

i think you will be fine... it seems that you are putting lots of thought into it... if she is no good at posing, then direct her alot... hell, it will probably make her feel more special if ya give her lots of direction.

...also, just come straight out and ask her what type of pics and look she is wanting to go for... throw lots of ideas at her, and gauge her feedback to your suggestions, then go from there:

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by MikeyFingaz

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MikeyFingaz:

i think you will be fine... it seems that you are putting lots of thought into it... if she is no good at posing, then direct her alot... hell, it will probably make her feel more special if ya give her lots of direction.

...also, just come straight out and ask her what type of pics and look she is wanting to go for... throw lots of ideas at her, and gauge her feedback to your suggestions, then go from there:

Thanks Mike...good suggestions. I was rather thinkin' the same way myself, tossin' a lot of ideas at her and see if we hit on one she likes.

She seems like a very good person - I think she's just having a bit of difficulty communicating in words to us about exactly what she wants - which I guess is understandable. But we're willing to go the extra mile to get the pics she'll be happy with...she's payin' a hefty price for the shoot, so....

[SilentKnight]

bump for ideas 'n suggestions...

[RevSand]

I would find some samples of things you think she may and may not want to try.. From pretty girl playboy pics to spread pink to toys to a 5 guy gangbang... Present them all in a fun non-judging way to her in advance and get her reactions.

You can guess she will say no to the gangbang pics but it will allow you to judge her level of how far she wants to take it and help open the communication on it.. Since she has been represted she may not know what type of things she is able to do and showing them to her in a non-threating/fun way may open her up to it in order to see how she wants to move forward...

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by RevSand

I would find some samples of things you think she may and may not want to try.. From pretty girl playboy pics to spread pink to toys to a 5 guy gangbang... Present them all in a fun non-judging way to her in advance and get her reactions.

You can guess she will say no to the gangbang pics but it will allow you to judge her level of how far she wants to take it and help open the communication on it.. Since she has been represted she may not know what type of things she is able to do and showing them to her in a non-threating/fun way may open her up to it in order to see how she wants to move forward...

Excellent idea, thanks...perhaps I'll give that a try as well. Visual aids, heh.

She tells me she's working through a 'self-help' book and one of the chapters involves an exercise in analyzing a self-portrait of herself. She didn't elaborate further on it - and I didn't think to ask at the time what kind of 'self-help' book would require someone to go and get nude photos done of themselves by an adult photographer (lol).

But whatever floats her boat, I guess.

[SilentKnight]

Just a quick additional note to thank ya's both for the helpful feedback on this. Very much appreciated

[Red Ezra]

hey this may or may not help but I am trying to be constructive here - sounds like most people who dont have a clue about how to get a good photo - the best thing to do is ask her to find some sample pics she likes to help describe visually what she wants - if she cant find a whole picture of what she is thinking - ask her to find pics she likes and then brainstorm form there - this is the best thing in a situation like this - let them do the thinking - let them do the research - they will discover what it is they think they want and then you will have a place to begin and go forward...if pics is a dead end try clebrities and icons - people she thinks are attractive that are popular that you both can relate too - marilyn monroe, etc. - good luck and try to have fun with it - dont let it get stressful - that is key with something like this - try to make her comfortable and rememebr this as a pleasant experience

[devilspost]

Just put he through the paces. wtf does she know.

[SinisterStudios]

Wealways ask the client to bring in sample photos of the style they are looking for so we have a base to work off. This seems to work very nicely and then we tweak it as we go along.