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Sensuous Sadie
Your Fabulous Fetish Photo Shoot Part
2; Getting the most out of your shoot
By Sensuous Sadie
SensuousSadie@aol.com
www.sensuoussadie.com
A Four Part Series
1. Choosing an amateur or
professional photographer
2. Getting the most out of your shoot (this article)
3. Expressing your dominant
or submissive side in your photographs
4. Tips for the Plus Size & Proud!
Having photographs taken of yourself can be a scary thing. But you've
taken the plunge, so make the best of it! Fetish photographer David
Southwick says, "The first thing about a shoot is to not be afraid:
don't be afraid of being cheesy or silly. Express yourself, be dramatic,
try many different expressions and poses. Remember that you can
always throw out the shots you don't like." Whether using real film
or a digital camera, I usually only expect to use one out of ten shots.
But getting that one great shot is worth all the work.
Show your Feelings
While a blank look might make you feel like a cover model, it's dull
going for a fetish photograph. Helen Von Mott, model and founder of
Virago Wrestling, says, "I absolutely detest the blank, bored,
'Vogue model' face that so many women seem to believe equates with
sexiness. When I'm feeling sexy myself, I sure as hell don't look bored!
Look evil, or angry, or joyous, or predatory, passionate, insane,
scared....but look like you're feeling something for God's sake. The
fact that you're human is what allows you to be sexy in the first place
so don't lie there looking like an inflatable fuck doll, incapable of
having any emotions."
Plan your Wardrobe
I've often thought I looked totally rad in an outfit, and it turned out
that I looked somewhat less than rad in the resulting pictures, so plan
to bring a number of different outfits to the photo shoot. The focus of
the photograph is you, not your clothes. Everything you wear should be a
solid color. Patterns tend to distract the eye from what's really
important... you! In photos, the brighter the color the more exciting
the photo. They do not have to be exotic or expensive (see references at
end for creating a fetish wardrobe on a budget). Be creative and ask
your friends for suggestions and accessories you can borrow. Most
importantly, try to pick clothing that expresses your inner self.
Mistress Heart, a professional model and Dominant adds: "Our models
brought wonderful clothes to convey their roles and which invoked
invoke internal feelings that they were not aware of." On the
other hand stay away from excessive role play, or as Stacey puts it:
"don't try to be the WenchieSub, BrattySub, or
MirroredSunglassesDominant. It's cliché and uninspired."
Play up your Attributes
Do you have fabulous cleavage? If so, wear that low cut gown. Amazing
legs? Great pecs? Then a tank top is for you. The idea is to let the
photographer and the camera work with the parts of which you are most
proud. Even though you might think your tush is too round, there are
many who will love your soft and sexy curves. Helen Von Mott adds,
"The most important thing was that every part of my body needed to
be animated with energy. In other words, no slumped, relaxed shoulders;
no limp, dangling hands or feet; the torso itself should also be engaged
by twisting, arching, or bending at the waist and by not forgetting to
find various ways of moving the shoulders around."
Makeup & Accessories
Cosmetics can do some really amazing things. I always wear bright
lipstick and lots of gloss which makes my lips look fuller. Fake
eyelashes make my eyes look gigantic and sexy, and fake fingernails make
my hands look slender and glamorous. Of course all these things get
tossed in the trash bin the minute the photo shoot is over, but the
results last forever. If makeup isn't your thing, ask a friend to help
you out or go to a mall and have one of the product professionals there
help you pick out some colors. For photos, lipstick should be brighter
and redder than what you would generally wear. Mascara and eyeliner are
also very important when taking photos, but don't wear mascara for video
work or sessions as it has a tendency to run into your eyes and give you
dark circles.
Men – take note! You may not want to wear makeup per se, but a little
eyeliner around your eyes will really make them stand out, a little
mascara will give you "bedroom eyes," and a little foundation
will cover up those wrinkles. It will NOT look like you are wearing
makeup, but rather like you had a really good night's sleep. One of my
dedicated readers Persi told me that, "Recently I made an appt at a
department store for a makeover with a Channel makeup artist. He taught
me something I never knew before how to do which was to use French
eyeliner the eyelids, not just on lower lids but to the upper lids too.
You place the pencil against the inside of the upper lid, close your eye
half way, and pencil back and forth along the inside of the lid. It
completely shapes and defines your eye and makes the whites look so much
whiter and brighter It's a great tip for men because it doesn't look
like wearing makeup at all."
Indoors or Out?
As an amateur photographer myself, I always do outdoor shoots. This is
partly because I prefer natural lighting and environments, and also
because I don't own a studio. There are limitations outside in terms of
costuming and season, and then there are the bugs. On the other hand it
doesn't cost a thing. When I have photographs of myself taken, I always
go with a photographer who has a studio. This is because I want to be
able to control the lighting and background at a level that's not
possible outdoors. Besides, with some of the outfits I wear, going
outside might get me arrested! Aleyna, a fetish photographer, says,
"Using side lighting is also good, natural lighting is best if
possible. I recently had to shoot hundreds of employees for photo
badges. One woman whom I shot straight on, under fluorescent lighting,
claimed that she looked like a blow fish. I re-shot her photo near a
window, with natural lighting, and had her turn her face slightly to the
side and she looked beautiful." Talk these options over with your
photographers and the choice will probably be easy. You can always do
both indoors and out.
Other Tips & Tricks from Professional Photographers
~ Make sure you drink plenty of water for the week prior to the
shoot, particularly women. This helps to irrigate the skin.
~ Everybody looks best at a 3/4 angle to the camera. It will slim their
body and is usually more flattering to the face.
~ Men tend to favor long hair because sexy hair looks 'touchable' so be
sure that your hair is clean before taking pictures. Hair worn long or
in a pony tail usually works best. If you do pull your hair back, be
sure to slick down the top and sides with gel for photos. No Scrunchies!
Scrunchies do not work for holding hair back and continual pauses in the
action while the model in question fixes her hair get really annoying
really fast. If you have light hair and dark roots, have that tended to
before you meet with the photographer. No unnatural hair colors please.
Corn-rows, dread locks, 'punk', overly intricate, or super short hair
styles, are also not terribly popular.
~ Have the backdrop of all photos be as simple as possible. If you are
taking photos in your living room, try to hang a sheet (or preferably
multiple sheets)behind you or have the pictures taken in front of a bare
wall. Sheets are better though as they diffuse the light and the
background texture is more pleasing to look at.
These tips courtesy of Dove, BDSM Model and editor of BDSM Ezine
Things to have:
Clean, matching undergarments (demi or push-up bra, garter belt,
bikini or thong)
As many of the following colors that you have: Black, white, red, pink,
etc.
Stockings, black or white.
Pantyhose
Heels or stilettos
If you have your own gag, cuffs etc bring them. (You never know what the
photographer has or doesn't have.)
Your make-up bag, brush, curling iron, hairspray, travel mirror etc.
(Anything you might need to do your hair and makeup)
Things to do in preparation:
I never thought I would have to say some of this; but I found after
working with some models it was obviously necessary to state these
requirements before they showed up for a shoot. Of course the following
suggestions can be ignored if you don't mind if your photos are
subtitled "Trailer-Trash in Bondage" or worse. I recommend you
consider the five things as very important. You don't need matching
panties and bra, stilettos or fancy latex as much as you do need to be
clean and well groomed.
Shower and shave
Apply lotion so you're not all dry and flaky
If you're going to do nude (pink) shots: At least 1 or 2 days before the
shoot, take a mirror and look at your crotch. If you see a pimple or
blemish deal with it.
Wash your hair
Fingers and toes: have them freshly polished or free of any polish, but
clean and trimmed.
This & That Tips
Never lock your knees. Try it, stand up right now and lock you knees,
look down and tell me what you see. Wrinkly squishy circles of flesh
surrounding a recessed mound that is suppose to be your knee-cap, right?
Always remember to unlock both your knees, just a little.
Apply this same rule when you are in a hands and knees position too.
Don't lock your elbows. With elbows you get an even better effect if you
bend them slightly. It tightens the arm muscles and gives them a more
defined appearance.
Cropping, Airbrushing and other Post Photo Shoot Stuff
If you don't have the skills to crop or airbrush your photo into a
glossy beauty, ask your photographer or find a friend with graphic
design experience. I most certainly do not have a perfect complexion,
but you can bet that my photographs do! This is not "lying."
This is standard operating procedure to help you look your best.
Obviously you don't want to go overboard and give yourself Brad Pitt or
Sarah Jessica Parker's abs, because then your online friends will really
be disappointed when they finally meet you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
REFERENCES & SOURCES
Thank you to all the photographers and models who send me suggestions! A
special thank you to Dove and Helen Von Mott for many of the photo tips.
Articles of Interest by Sensuous Sadie:
The Fetish Wardrobe, a three part series that includes:
Part 1: Can't I Just Wear My Flannel Shirt? Why Fetish Wear is De
Rigeur
Part 2: Developing a Fetish Wardrobe on a Budget
Part 3: Accessorizing for Pain & Pleasure
http://sensuoussadie.com/sadiescolumns/series/fashion.htm
Protecting your Identity in the BDSM Scene
http://sensuoussadie.com/sadiescolumns/community/protectingprivacy.htm
Weblinks of Interest:
Guest Photographers on Sadie's Website featuring many of the photographers
quoted here
http://sensuoussadie.com/guestphotographerslist.htm
Resources & Photographs for People of Size
http://sensuoussadie.com/resources/bbwresources.htm
The Rotunda
A fabulous website featuring the beauty of super large and lovely nude
women. http://www.rotunda.com/index2.html
Photos of Plus Sized Models: http://www.rotunda.com/places/shopping/models.html
BDSM for People of Size
This is a discussion group devoted to people of size in the B-D-S-M
community, especially for Big Beautiful Women (BBWs), Big Handsome Men
(BHMs) and their admirers. We welcome discussion and announcements about
any issues having to do with being a larger person in the leather
community, particularly size-positive articles, websites, and resources
that are available at no cost. This group is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,
Transgendered and Questioning (GLBTQ) friendly.
To subscribe send an e-mail to:
SM_PeopleofSize-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SM_PeopleofSize/
Photographers & Models Quoted Here with Permission (alphabetical
by first name)
AbsoluteW, Fetish Photographer & DJ for Dominate Radio
admin@bdsmrealities.com
WebMaster and Owner of:
http://bdsm-news.org/
http://bdsmrealities.com/
http://mistresswebdesign.com/
http://pro-district.com/
http://mzlisa.com/
http://mzlisas-domina-guide.com/
DJ for Dominate Radio... http://www.dominateradio.com/
Aleyna, Fetish Photographer
joie@photosbyjoie.com
http://www.innersecretsphotography.com/
Barbara Nitke, Photographer & Activist
Author of Kiss of Fire, available on www.amazon.com
barbara@barbaranitke.com
www.barbaranitke.com
David Lawrence, Fetish Photographer & Shibari Bondage Specialist
http://www.shibariartphotography.com/
davidlawrence@shibariartphotography.com
David Southwick, Fetish Photographer
Poetic Photography
poeticphoto@earthlink.net
http://www.poeticphotographyvt.com/
Dove, Retired Model & Editor of ST BDSM
DOVE@sbcglobal.net
http://www.slavedove.com/
http://www.ST-BDSM.com
Ms. Heart of San Francisco, Professional Model, Domme and
Community Activist
msheartsf@att.net
http://www.mistressheartsf.com
http://www.mistressheartsf.com/WOC.html
Helen von Mott, Model & Founder of Virago Wrestling
vonmott@gmail.com
www.dangergirlz.net
www.viragowrestling.com
Merlot,
Fetish Photographer
Scargasm@aol.com
Persiphone Hellecat (Persi)
nursiepersi@persiphonehellecat.com
www.medicaldeviatesr.us
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sensuous Sadie is the author of It's Not About the Whip: Love, Sex, and
Spirituality in the BDSM Scene. Read an excerpt at http://www.trafford.com/robots/03-0551.html
. She is the founder and leader (1999 - 2001) of Rose & Thorn,
Vermont's first BDSM group. Comments, compliments and complaints, as well
as requests for reprinting can be addressed to her at SensuousSadie@aol.com
or visit her website at www.sensuoussadie.com
. Sadie believes the universe is abundant, and that sharing information
freely is part of this abundance, so she allows reprints of her writing in
most venues.
Copyright 2004 Sadie Sez Publications
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