I aplogize ahead of time if this is in the wrong area. I have a bride, actually two, who want to do the FHEO shots for their husbands. Having not done one of these before, I thought I would turn to my peers for advice on shooting this. I know what I think looks good and probably most grooms would as well but any other ideas or even a sample emailed to me directly would be great. Thanks so much in advance everyone.

You'll go to hell directly if you do these shoots. Just an advance warning..

Lee, did you just ask people to send you FHEO shots?!

Sorry, you asked for that one!

Could I get my name on that mailing list too please??




just for . . . . uh . . . information-ish-stic purposes . . . . . . . .

I have to agree with this statement.

well yeah, he will, but he'll have fun while he's on his way down!

I am pretty upfront with the couple that I dont do these kind of shots. The reason for me is I am happily married and dont even want to go down that road of temptation and I am pretty sure that I would not want some guy taking photos of my wife on my wedding day with her in next to nothing even if the photos were for me. I feel that photos like this are for his eyes only and I dont want my eyes to cause a problem in their marriage down the road. To many possibilities to mess with. I have done a ton of weddings and ran into this quite a bit and I just stick to my guns and hopefully (and they dont always do) they will respect my morals. But if you want to shoot them and all you need is posing help, come on you are male right. What would you want for your eyes only. Sexy and classy. something that leaves just enough to the imagination. Good Luck
Shaun

LOL...........

... here we go again...

Okay, sorry to stir the pot but I can't resist a comment like this.
Uh, I'm pretty sure that taking good FHEO shots has nothing to do with being male. It always cracks me up how people who have a problem with nudes think that shooting nudes is the easiest thing in the world. Just stick a pretty naked girl in front of the camera and you will get great shots, right? Wrong. Just like every other kind of photography it takes practice, experience and talent. I love mountain biking, does that mean that because I am a mountain biker that I automatically take great mtn. bike pics?
Unless by being male you mean that free lifetime subscription we all get to FHM and Maxim magazines Oops, I spilled the beans!

*edit- Sorry, I have been sick and stuck in bed for 4 days now so I am a bit ornery.

Click to view attachment

Do waht you think looks good! You are the photographer after all. I don't know - you do know what looks good, but on the other end I would suggest things like not staring at her while she's 'adjusting' or changing or whatever. I guess just be a gentleman. Make her comfortable and you'll both have a lovely time.

WOW... I would assume that he is a photographer and that is why I put it that way with a little humor attached but if you want to be literal then by being male I do feel that I would use that side of my brain to get that sexy pose. I could put on my 50 1.4 and use a window and get smokin images and I dont believe that is because I am male, but I do know how I would like to see her because I am male and that is another part of my brain to get creative/sexy shots. I am a little defensive because I assumed he was looking for posing, not technique.
Shaun

These can be done VERY tastfully and artistically.

If you feel like YOU will be personally effected by this ---DO NOT DO
THIS!!!

If you feel like this is an artistic approach to lighting your subject in the most beautiful light to show her own body as it is...a beautiful machine made by GOD...then go for it!! **Guess I have traveled a bit too much to Europe to not be *as* effected by the human body...plus I am an E.R. nurse and really everyones parts in that department end up looking like.....PARTS!!!

Look at Jessica Claires work...and I bet you can view some others if you do a search.

Jessica's Boudoir Post

Shaun- Looks like he is posting a pretty general question, as if he is lost for ideas. You said how you believe it is morally wrong to shoot this but if he is going to do it anyways then he should just figure it out because he is a male. Sorry if I felt that insulting his morals then telling him to figure it out because he is male was not the best response for his question. Sure, some joking around has been going on, but you came off as pretty insulting.
Feel free to ignore me, like I said, I am sick and not in a good mood.


And I haven't given my advice...Lee, talk to the brides. Do they want classic b+w's, do they want Maxim mag style? Playboy? Shots like Becker's nudes? Maybe a softer but edgy sexy like Jessica Claire does? Find out what their goals are, study those types of images and be insipred.

I've seen way better boudoir shots taken by women (of course, this statement is wholly subjective). Women know what makes other women comfortable pretty much without having to be told, we understand each other's insecurities, and women tend to be much more comfortable around other women, which generally makes for better photos.

I think Jenny hit the nail on the head. Getting the person comfortable is one of the most important aspects of a any photo shoot.

Lee,
As my first B-session is Monday, I'm in the same boat. ...several thoughts.
1) I know light. I've looked at samples (a lot of amazing ones right here) but I plan on following my own insticts and do my thing and not someone elses.
2) I have the luxury of having my wife assist, so that relieves some pressure and/or awkwardness, as she'll be there to adjust and help pose, etc.
3) No matter what folks think, I will not be lusting after her. I'll be sweating the details and thinking at a 100mph trying to come up with the next killer shot.
4) I will probably go to hell, but not for shooting B-pics.
5) We've established a wonderful rapport with our bride(s) and by pre-meeting and talking with her, I believe we've helped alleviate some stress on her part. She actually seems very excited now.
6) If I were you, I would NOT tell her you're nervous. I would tackle the shoot like a seasoned pro. She'll pick up that you're a professional and probably be perfectly at ease.
7) I don't think the sex of the photographer (assuming she/he's a legitimate, skilled professional) has ANY bearing on how stunning the images will be.
8) Lists are quite boring, aren't they?
9) If you do a good job, and WOW your clients, I understand that the intimate sessions can be quite lucrative. All that has to happen is the word get's out that your nothing but professional and your images are amazing, and you'll have people knocking down your door.
....Nuff of that....above all else HAVE FUN WITH IT!!!!
There are several other recent threads with specific suggestions for techniques, equipment, and such. A quick search should find them.

+1

Definately agree. That is why I always shoot with a female 2nd (at least at weddings)




I see that you cant get past the one thing I said that wasnt even the serious part of the post. Let me take some naked nudie photos of you this weekend and we can send them to help this guy.

I don't think we need to scare him, he is nervous enough as is!

And yet, most of the high-end fashion photographers, racy magazine photographers, vic secret photographers are all men. I'm not saying a woman can't take amazing boudoir shots, but to say that women are inherently better at it doesn't scan for me. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand anyone's (male or female) insecurities in a photo shoot; especially when there aren't many clothes involved. I will agree that women (especially non-models without experience: i.e., our clients) are likely to be more comfortable around other women; but they may also feel less embarrassed being seductive in photos if it's a man shooting.

All in all, it will vary per customer (of course)--and it will vary per photographer. Some people have a knack for making others feel comfortable--it's not necessarily a man/woman thing. If the subject trusts the photographer, you're going to get rockin' photos.

$.02

I wanted to ad my thoughts to this topic.
I think this can be a double edge sword of sorts.
Yes- I feel like the women might feel more comfortable with another women.
But!!!
A man knows what is sexy to a man.
We all know what is beautiful!! That is universal in gender.
But men- They are visual creatures by nature.
I think if I were to want to learn poses for these type images I would refer to a male photographer with this experience.

: )
Oh and I loved the post about going to hell.. That was freaking funny!

Hugs to all!
Linda

I thought twice about asking this question. I should’ve listened to myself as I thought I could ask a question like this without getting replies and PM’s insinuating it was wrong to ask this type of question. A few have you have been gracious in your replies and I appreciate you being professional in your response.

I simply wanted to learn what I could so I could represent myself in the best way possible, both professionally and technically. I apologize if I have offended any of you, it was not my intent!!

Hmmm, that was the only thing I took you to mean from your question Lee. I think you were clear enough.

Lee, this is a photography forum, and you asked a photography related question. Truly, you should not be the one apologizing. It's sad that people have felt the need to PM you insinuating that it was wrong to ask this type of question as well.

I read through the replies here with interest, as I have a client who is interested in having some classy FHEO shots done just for herself. I can detach myself from the sexuality of the shoot, and as someone else here suggested, will most likely have my mind racing at 100mph, thinking about settings, poses, does this look good, and the like.

So, THANK YOU for posting this question, as I would have been doing the same thing in the next little while.

you were very clear, and i wish you the best. (i didn't reply cause i've never done one, so i have no advice, and i've promised myself not to make any more smart-a$$ comments to the ultra-conservatives. i wish jon stewart were here....he'd have GREAT comments to make)

but i just want to say it would be a TRAGEDY if this loud minority of crusaders actually caused people to stop asking honest questions that are related to the photography business. i think your question was perfectly acceptable, and don't you dare apologize.

I hope I'm not included in the loud minority, but even if I am... I don't think _anyone_ has tried to stop conversation from flowing. That's the whole point of all of these threads... open communication. Some folks have a little harsher way of expressing their opinion, but it's all good. It's about dialogue. I've certainly learned things from the people I'm in disagreement with.

I certainly agree with you that Lee shouldn't apologize!

+999999999999999999999

next time someone IMs you that your photography-related question wasn't appropriate to the photography forum just lemme know.

OH and if you meant Swan's reply, re-read it, add 10 grains of salt.

for those of you that dont know matt, this comment should put the fear of God in you.
























































I slay me

lol I'm glad you have such faith!

i ABSOLUTEY did NOT mean swan. kevin's posts have been a delight to read. as have most of the people in the discussion. when i say "minority" i really mean it.

Hey Swannie...I literally laughed out loud when I read your first response. Your sense of humour shows through to those of us who know ya. But, for some newer folks that haven't had the full "Swan experience", it might not come off like that. Like Matt said. re-read it and add 10 grains salt. haha.

The thing is, that Lee was not requesting a dialogue on the merits of shooting it, which some people took upon themselves to voice. He was asking for help with some ideas, and that was for the most part not offered.

For everyone else who reads here, this has been said before, but perhaps it bears repeating. OSP is a photography forum. There is no reason any photography related question shouldn't be offered up here, is there?

Lee,

Just to echo a few comments:

You're question was absolutely fine.

Kevin, your comment was hilarious!!!!!!! (as were the other "here we go again" type posts!!)


Lee, to try and give you _my_ answer to your question - have you asked the brides themselves what they want? Maybe they could do some tear sheets for you from either mens or womens magazines of the type of images they'd like. That's what I'd do to give me an idea of where to begin.




Matt Antonino - he's da boss!!!! Don't mess with him!!!!

+1. Show them Becker's site, Jessica's site, and a couple of others and see what way they are leaning. Then apply your own style to their desired shots, and you should be fine dude.

Ok - - I'm chiming in.

Having done a shoot like this here's my take:
1- They hired you because they like your style and feel comfortable with you - they hired YOU for a reason, so feel that confidence and relax - you'll get more inspiration this way.
2- Visit the photographer's sites that have been listed here for more inspiration and then use your own style and creativity - just like you would for ANY OTHER shoot.
3- Absolutely talk to your clients to get a sense of what they envision - - this will be a great guide for you. There is the chance that they will want you to create everything and not really have an idea about what they want. If that's the case, remember that they hired an artist to do this for them.



P.S. Women are visual creatures too - every bit as much as a man. I don't know how this has become or is accepted as more of a "male trait".