props

[notmydog]

Hi, I'm new to this forum so I hope this hasn't already been asked and answered.

I’ve started doing some nude and boudoir shoots and I was wondering about clothing and props for the shoots. For those of you who’ve been doing this for a while, do you keep a standard stash of props and clothing around, or is it pretty much acquired for each shoot?

I’ve put together a small collection of stuff (long satin gloves, beads, scarves, etc) but am looking for suggestions on other things to get.

Thanks in advance.
B.

[harroz]

Well, this is how I look at it... everything is a prop from a fork to your lawnmower.

[notmydog]

Well, this is how I look at it... everything is a prop from a fork to your lawnmower.

Interesting. The last model I worked with got pissed when I stuck a fork in her. :rolleyes:

Thanks.

[Dennis_Hammer]

I use two guest rooms with different color schemes. Also have different sheets, drapes, etc etc for changing depending on the outfit and coloring of the subject. Prop wise common items can be used sensually. Don't use sex toys or anything like that, and I don't supply lingerie. I usually tell them to go buy a few outfits that they like, one trashy, one sexy/casual, and classy,sexy. I also tell them buy nice stuff you can always return it. But honestly half of my shoots are in the subjects bedrooms. Depending on the type of boudoir props can range from pearl necklace, wine glass with wine, a book a pair of glasses etc etc.

[FlyingPhotog]

Interesting. The last model I worked with got pissed when I stuck a fork in her. :rolleyes:

Thanks.

But how'd the lawn turn out? ;)

[Coastwatch203]

Well, this is how I look at it... everything is a prop from a fork to your lawnmower.

Too true harroz!

I do quite a bit of glam these days. Get some great corsets & bits n pieces from the Op shops in your area.
Keep them all washed and clean, and make up a bag you can call "BOB"
(Bras or Bikinis!)
LOL Really, this will come in handy when you have a shoot on and the model just doesn't have the costumes. Look out when there are great specials on for bras n bits, stockings and things can be brought cheap on ebay, and make a willing model look sensational. USe "pegs " to tighten a loose fit from behind.

Another "must" to have in your glamour kit is quality satin sheets.
Colors like black and red are great, once again - ebay!

Another great prop to get is a "fogger" smoke machine, - great effects with coloured gel lighting shot into it. And cheap, $60 or so is all for one.
(Make sure it's water based fogging liquid, the greasy cheaper stuff will "film up everything, including your lens!)

But the biggest hint i can give you if your shooting glam, is to get a good "BOB" bag together...
Cheers, Mark

[notmydog]

But how'd the lawn turn out? ;)

She let me trim her grass, but not her .... :oops:

Sorry...way cruder than I usually am...

[notmydog]

Too true harroz!

I do quite a bit of glam these days. Get some great corsets & bits n pieces from the Op shops in your area.
Keep them all washed and clean, and make up a bag you can call "BOB"
(Bras or Bikinis!)
LOL Really, this will come in handy when you have a shoot on and the model just doesn't have the costumes. Look out when there are great specials on for bras n bits, stockings and things can be brought cheap on ebay, and make a willing model look sensational. USe "pegs " to tighten a loose fit from behind.

Another "must" to have in your glamour kit is quality satin sheets.
Colors like black and red are great, once again - ebay!

Another great prop to get is a "fogger" smoke machine, - great effects with coloured gel lighting shot into it. And cheap, $60 or so is all for one.
(Make sure it's water based fogging liquid, the greasy cheaper stuff will "film up everything, including your lens!)

But the biggest hint i can give you if your shooting glam, is to get a good "BOB" bag together...
Cheers, Mark

Thanks for the suggestions.

Do models ever balk at wearing previously worn bikinis, even if washed? It's a little intimate.

I'll look into your other suggestions. I may need to buy a van for all the stuff I need to haul around.

Thanks again.

[Coastwatch203]

NAh never, as long as they know its clean.
You don't need much, 1 set black bra, stockings corset, same in white. You could stuff this gear into your back pockets, room is no prob - but having the prop's ready when you have the model will mean the diff between good shots and GREAT shots!
I have learnt, girls these days don't EVER have this stuff! (lucky if they wear undies! LOL)

[vince396]

Interesting. The last model I worked with got pissed when I stuck a fork in her. :rolleyes:

Thanks.

ALWAYS wait to do this until you are done.

[notmydog]

ALWAYS wait to do this until you are done.

You have to pick your tine? ;)

[chrisvl]

checkout snaz75.com.
See their clearance section.
The BOB bag is a must have.

[Mark_Cohran]

I have boxes and boxes of stuff to use. It just collects over time and gets reused as I come up with new ideas.

[Kittygraphix]

I have a closet full of my own clothing that I allow the models to wear, I also hit up flea markets and thrift stores whenever possible to get good bargins on skimpy outfits and props.

One man's trash......is another's modeling prop :D

[Coastwatch203]

One Idea from Jason Coles DVD is a set of braces, - you know the over the shoulder ones that somehow clip to pants, front & back.

Jason uses these on his model in the mechanic shop shoot. The braces are just the right size to hide nipples, but look much better than boobs being hidden by arms etc. (for the right sort of shot)'

- Must be able to find a set of these at an Op shop??

- anyway, im looking to add this to the always expanding BOB bag, LOL

[Mark_Cohran]

One Idea from Jason Coles DVD is a set of braces, - you know the over the shoulder ones that somehow clip to pants, front & back.

Jason uses these on his model in the mechanic shop shoot. The braces are just the right size to hide nipples, but look much better than boobs being hidden by arms etc. (for the right sort of shot)'

- Must be able to find a set of these at an Op shop??

- anyway, im looking to add this to the always expanding BOB bag, LOL

By "braces" do you mean suspenders? I pretty sure you do, but I just want to check.

[Coastwatch203]

By "braces" do you mean suspenders? I pretty sure you do, but I just want to check.

LOL, yep suspender's (if thats what they are called lol) - Not the "teeth" sort of braces!
Mark

[Kittygraphix]

LOL, yep suspender's (if thats what they are called lol) - Not the "teeth" sort of braces!
Mark


OUCH!! Yes those kind of braces covering the nipples are NOT good!!!!!!!

[jmanser]

What I want to know is HOW to attract this type of client?
I'm advertising for Boudoir on the back of my truck, in the Yellow Pages online, and in a local online community service site. Haven't had many bookings (Ok,so NO real bookings yet, lol.. just friends)

[Kittygraphix]

What I want to know is HOW to attract this type of client?
I'm advertising for Boudoir on the back of my truck, in the Yellow Pages online, and in a local online community service site. Haven't had many bookings (Ok,so NO real bookings yet, lol.. just friends)

I've gotten alot of work from myspace actually.

Build a page, build a fan base, post bulletins advertising specials and you get something going :D

[jmanser]

Myspace huh?
I currently have Facebook.. not sure if that works the same way?

[chrisvl]

What I want to know is HOW to attract this type of client?
I'm advertising for Boudoir on the back of my truck, in the Yellow Pages online, and in a local online community service site. Haven't had many bookings (Ok,so NO real bookings yet, lol.. just friends)

My guess would be advertising on the back of a truck is not the ideal place to attract women to pose for you. Model Mayhem, Facebook and I suppose mySpace are great although I don't use that site but the most important thing is your personal rapport with women you meet. Be sincere and honest and build a connection first. Don't ask a woman to shoot nude/boudoir/sexy if you truly don't feel that she is. They will know.

Women in general want to feel beautiful and sexy and once you make that your intention if they're interested they will do it. Shoot your friends and get permission to use the sexiest classiest shots from the sessions. Show those to the women so that they know you can deliver and not some GWC masquerading as a photographer to get their clothes off.

Take today for instance. I shot a beautiful 40 year old in full nude that I met at the gym. I met her 5 months ago, asked her for a shoot, told her I wanted to shoot her in 3 looks including nude. She was taken back at first, I showed my work with other models, gave her time to get comfortable with the idea and today we finally did it. We had to reschedule a couple of times before so it could have happened 2 months ago. But get this, she shows up with her girl friend which I knew ahead of time she was bringing. She is 48 and elegantly beautiful. So I showed her a photo from the book Lighting the Nudes (great book btw) and said I want to shoot you like that. She says no but I explained what I saw in her and what I wanted to capture. An hour later while my client is getting her make up changed I'm shooting the shot and several others with her girlfriend nude, a women I had met for the first time about 2 hours earlier. These women are not models, the mothers, they are real women and I do by best to make them feel like the most beautiful women in world when talking to them and while in front of my camera.

Sorry for the long post but just wanted to get my point across. Advertising on a truck is not an intimate and personal place for that type of photography.

[Kittygraphix]

Uhm I believe the "advertising on the back of my truck" statement was a joke.


Or atleast I hope it was, I mean you don't want to promote yourself looking like a mobile strip club, right?

[jmanser]

Uhm I believe the "advertising on the back of my truck" statement was a joke.


Or atleast I hope it was, I mean you don't want to promote yourself looking like a mobile strip club, right?

No, I actually have "Boudoir By J.com" photography on my back rear window..
no pics.. just text only, in a very unique, fashionable font.

Do you think people view it as a "mobile strip club"?

I've certainly never had anything but support from my friends and family. :confused:

[jmanser]

My guess would be advertising on the back of a truck is not the ideal place to attract women to pose for you. Model Mayhem, Facebook and I suppose mySpace are great although I don't use that site but the most important thing is your personal rapport with women you meet. Be sincere and honest and build a connection first. Don't ask a woman to shoot nude/boudoir/sexy if you truly don't feel that she is. They will know.

Women in general want to feel beautiful and sexy and once you make that your intention if they're interested they will do it. Shoot your friends and get permission to use the sexiest classiest shots from the sessions. Show those to the women so that they know you can deliver and not some GWC masquerading as a photographer to get their clothes off.

Take today for instance. I shot a beautiful 40 year old in full nude that I met at the gym. I met her 5 months ago, asked her for a shoot, told her I wanted to shoot her in 3 looks including nude. She was taken back at first, I showed my work with other models, gave her time to get comfortable with the idea and today we finally did it. We had to reschedule a couple of times before so it could have happened 2 months ago. But get this, she shows up with her girl friend which I knew ahead of time she was bringing. She is 48 and elegantly beautiful. So I showed her a photo from the book Lighting the Nudes (great book btw) and said I want to shoot you like that. She says no but I explained what I saw in her and what I wanted to capture. An hour later while my client is getting her make up changed I'm shooting the shot and several others with her girlfriend nude, a women I had met for the first time about 2 hours earlier. These women are not models, the mothers, they are real women and I do by best to make them feel like the most beautiful women in world when talking to them and while in front of my camera.

Sorry for the long post but just wanted to get my point across. Advertising on a truck is not an intimate and personal place for that type of photography.

All makes sense... thanks so much for the reply! I appreciate it.

[Kittygraphix]

No, I actually have "Boudoir By J.com" photography on my back rear window..
no pics.. just text only, in a very unique, fashionable font.

Do you think people view it as a "mobile strip club"?

I've certainly never had anything but support from my friends and family. :confused:

Oh wow! You were serious?! EEKS so sorry!

Yes that is not very appropriate at all. Being a woman, I would actually find that almost to the point of offensive regardless of how fancy the lettering is. I'm sure your town has some sort of local mailing advertisement correct? Try using that if you want to drum up more business. It is a more private way of getting your business known. Again SOOOOO sorry, I thought for sure you were kidding around with that statement :oops:

[Kittygraphix]

AHHHH you are a woman too! You already have an advantage! Seriously as sexist as it sounds, woman are just more comfortable with woman photographers :D

You will do well :D

[jmanser]

AHHHH you are a woman too! You already have an advantage! Seriously as sexist as it sounds, woman are just more comfortable with woman photographers :D

You will do well :D


Well, everyone has their opinion.. thanks for sharing yours:)