When you think of models and professional photographers, the first thing that comes into mind is glamour photography. Considered as the complete opposite of candid photography, glamour photography aims to show the sex appeal of the subject. The clothing, makeup, hairstyle and background are important elements which tend to be more pronounced in glamour photos.
Some of the most popular approaches to glamour photography include: portraiture (subject is in sexy clothing, wearing a sensuous expression), swimsuit (shot with longer lenses to emphasize the model’s face and body form), boudoir (bedroom photography which usually features models in lingerie) and nude photography.
Just like formal portraiture, glamour photography relies a lot on lighting. One of the most common lighting styles used in glamour portraiture is clamshell lighting because it adds a sensual glow in the model’s face. When it comes to swimsuit photography, you can use the same lighting setup but it is best to shoot outdoors. The best swimsuit photographs are taken in the early morning hours right after sunrise.
If you have trouble waking up early, you can always work with diffusers to soften the light. Also, you can use a reflector to get light into the shadow areas. Additionally, it is best to shoot with a telephoto lens so you can give your model the distance he/she needs to feel more comfortable.
When photographing people, you will need to establish some sort of relationship with them. While some people look natural for a picture, others may find it more difficult to smile at the camera. As the photographer, you will need to take a more active role in the shoot – you’re not there just to press that shutter button. You need to put your subjects at ease so they can act as natural as possible, especially when you are taking portraits or glamour photos.
The best time to practice the various techniques in photographing people is during family gatherings. Keep in mind that it is best to get shots early when everyone is still fresh and neat. Do informal portraits and have everyone smile at the camera. Then start working on your candid shots.
Take shots of people preparing the meals. Photograph the kids as they play together. In this case, make sure you get down to their eye level so you can get the best shots. Lastly, make sure that your subjects are tightly framed to create a greater sense of intimacy.