Picture an old Hollywood portrait of an actress from the mid-century. Think of the well-defined curves, the cheekbones carved with shadows, the classic beauty. That’s glamour photography.
But glamour shots extend well beyond the traditional portraits of Hollywood stars. So where does the genre sit in modern photography?
Read on for all you need to know about glamour photography. And how to get gorgeous glamour shots.
Glamour photography focuses on the beauty of the person in the photograph. While it’s a standalone genre, that focus on beauty can inspire work in other genres as well. For example, portrait photo sessions or fashion shoots.
Glamour photography isn’t well understood. It is a genre that can celebrate sexual attraction. Because of this, it sometimes makes photographers apprehensive.
And other times it reaches extremes that no longer qualifies as glamour.
Glamour clothing covers the gamut from clothed to almost naked. A boudoir shoot is a sub-genre of glamour photography.
Boudoir also celebrates beauty, but in a more obvious sexual way. Boudoir photography subjects are often wearing lingerie. And, as the name suggests, it takes place in a bedroom or other private location.
These shoots — and glamour, for that matter — aren’t about creating a response from the viewer.
Boudoir can help women feel more confident in their own skin. For example, new brides often gift their husbands with boudoir images.
Glamour shares many of the characteristics of boudoir photography. While all boudoir is a form of glamour, all glamour isn’t boudoir. This means you can shoot glamour without using a lingerie wardrobe.
Glamour photography brings several elements together into a cohesive image. Planning is necessary for that cohesiveness.
Before you get started with props, location, clothing, and shooting – define the goals of the image.
What look are you going for? What type of beauty are you hoping to highlight? What’s the client looking for?
Once you’ve identified your goals, pick the location, lighting, posing, and props. You’ll have more to work with to create that look.
Glamour photography is not a cookie cutter formula. By defining your goals and the look you are going for from the start, you can work through the entire process.
That helps your artistic vision come through. Right alongside the beauty contained in the shot.
Glamour photography is not fashion photography. But that doesn’t mean clothes aren’t important. Clothes aren’t the focus, and the wardrobe doesn’t have to be from a name brand designer.
The clothing should help the photographer highlight the model’s beauty.
In glamour, the photographer will work with the wardrobe more than a portrait photographer would. Choosing clothing that highlights curves, rather than hiding them is important.
The wardrobe should flatter without being too loose or too snug. That’s not a hard and fast rule though. Some boudoir, for example, hides enough to tease with a loose “boyfriend” shirt.
The focus is on the person and not the clothing. The wardrobe also shouldn’t be too distracting. Solid colors are preferrerable. Any patterns need to be minimal, not busy or distracting.
High heels are also often a favorite for glamour photographers. This is because of the way the arched foot helps highlight curves in the calves and thighs.
Glamour photographers also often work with a makeup artist to achieve the right look.
Whether you are going for 50s glamour with bold red lipstick or a natural look. Well-done makeup and nails can play a big role in the final results.
From an all-white photo studio to an old abandoned building. Glamour photographers aren’t limited in location choices.
You can have your own glamour shots studio. Or you can rent a studio for local glamour shots. Even take your photo shoot outdoors.
Expert glamour photographers will ensure the location works with the clothing. Also the light and everything else to create a cohesive look.
If you are a glamour photographer working in an old warehouse, torn jeans work as part of the wardrobe.
Or, glamour photographers may work to bring out the model’s beauty by juxtaposition.
Placing a model in an elegant evening gown at that same abandoned warehouse. This an example of juxtaposing the location and the wardrobe.
With any genre of photography, lighting is important. In glamour, lighting works to highlight the beauty and hide imperfections.
Glamour lighting can be hard with deep shadows. Or soft with gradual transitions to the shadows.
For example, 1950s Hollywood glamour used hard light with spotlights. But many boudoir artists use soft window light.
The position of the light is one of the most essential aspects of glamour photography. Placed above and pointing down at the model, the light will help highlight the cheekbones. This sculpts the face.
Along with the cheekbones, the right light can highlight the chin line and elongate the neck. Light can help the model appear to pop from the scene and draw the eye to highlight beauty.
Glamour photography’s focus on beauty makes posing essential. The genre celebrates the human body and posing is the key to that focus.
Posing will help draw the eye to beauty and away from flaws.
Glamour posing often celebrates curves. A glamour pose starts by getting away from that flat-footed stance.
Shifting the weight to one foot starts that curve from the ground up. You can use several tricks for this, from popping a knee out to stepping forward.
Pay attention to the placement of the hands, shoulders and the chin. These work together to create a pose that highlights the model’s beauty. Arching the back can also highlight curves in some poses.
When working with professional models, they will already have posing experience.
But the photographer should also know how to use posing well. For one, to articulate the position of the subject to highlight that beauty.
Glamour focuses more on the body than the expression of portraiture. But the expression is still essential.
Whether that’s a coy smile, parted lips or an intense stare. Work to create a genuine expression that matches the overall feel of the shot.
Most glamour images need retouching, but not airbrushing. Glamour photography celebrates beauty. Photographers need to take care not to cross the line from beauty to plastic.
Working with a makeup artist will help keep post-processing to a minimal. When retouching skin, work to remove flaws. This is without removing the entirety of the skin’s texture.
Glamour editors also often focus on the eyes. Use editing tools to bring out the color, while burning can bring out the eyelashes.
Glamour photography emphasizes beauty — sometimes sensual, sometimes tactful.
Glamour shots may be parodied or controversial. But when done right, glamour is a style of photography that appreciates beauty. And what photographer doesn’t appreciate beauty?
If you’re interested in more portrait photography, check out these articles. We have information on taking high school senior pictures and how to handle family portraits photo shoots.
Header image by love_k_photo on Flickr
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