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Female Glamour Photography

Female glamour photography is about emphasizing female models in photographs. This art form was first pushed to the mainstream with the publication of Marilyn Monroe in December 1953 in Playboy.

Once Playboy dove into this business, many other magazines and media outlets followed through.

However, just because Playboy was the pioneer of glamour photography as we know it today, glamour doesn't necessarily equate with nude photography.

Magazines such as Maxim and FHM, popularly know and "lad mags", are popular because they feature male-oriented content without excess nudity.

As a photographer it is important to note that glamour is defined as:

noun - the quality of fascinating, alluring, or attracting, especially by a combination of charm and good looks.

Source: www.dictionary.com

And as an artist, it is up to you how to define "glamour" and to create compelling and attractive images.

Female Glamour Photography Tips

You are now probably asking yourself how you can become a glamour photographer, aren't you? It is an exciting field because you can spend time photographing beautiful people! And who doesn't want to do that!?

Female glamour photography is a style of photography which means that it is subject to a variety of interpretations. If you look around in various publications, you will find several varieties of styles of glamour.

Don't just limit yourself to a few publications such as Maxim or other similar magazines. Look at bridal magazines. Look at hairstyling magazines. Look at celebrity magazines.

Go to an art gallery, or museum, even! Regardless of where you look, you will find so many sources of images.

Browse through all that and decide which one appeal to you the most. Once you have this, then study it. It sounds like homework, doesn't it?

But if you want to do well, then you must do some research!

Look at some photos that you like and:

Study how the subject is framed.
Look at what the model is wearing.
See what kind of lighting is involved.
See what parts of the model are in the frame.
See if there are elements in the background that emphasize the model.
Notice the make-up that the model is wearing.

Most of the tips presented here are similar to the tips you will find on the female form photography page which outline the basics and foundations of glamour photography.

Framing

Female glamour photography is about emphasizing the female model in your photographs. It means that you want your viewer to be drawn to the model.

The best way to bring attention to the model is to fill as much of the frame as possible with the model. This way, you will know for sure that the viewer will see only the model.

Another way to frame a photo is to use elements from the environment to frame your model. This is probably the easiest way to compose a creative photograph.

You can have your model stand in a doorway.

Or you can have your model stand on the edge of a road, a driveway, or something that will lead your viewer's eye to your model.

Use branches, windows, keyholes etc. Anything that will surround your model and provide an authentic and natural frame.

Other ways to frame a model is to use a shallow depth of field. By using a shallow depth of field, it is possible to transform distracting environmental artifacts into pleasing backgrounds for your model.

Clothing

In a lot of female glamour photography, clothing plays a major role in the end result. Of course, if you know exactly what your intent is with your imagery, it will be easy to find a suitable wardrobe for your model to wear.

Are you trying to go for a period look? For example: do you wish to do a series on 50s hairstyles? Or on hairstyles of coffee-shop waitresses along a busy highway?

Perhaps, you may want to showcase a popular subculture in your artistic work.

Whatever your intent may be, it is best to work with your model to better create your vision.

Sometimes, however, you may have to work with a model's existing wardrobe and fashion your creative photography around it. If you are in a situation like this, where you are required to improvise, you will be surprised at how well your photography skills improve!

Makeup

In the magazines you have studied, you will note that a lot of pictures are edited and cleaned up. You can achieve this look in the post-processing phase of your work flow. You can also achieve this look by using a professional makeup artist (MUA).

In female glamour photography, you will usually find a team of makeup artists (MUAs) that are there for the shoot.

These MUAs are skilled artists that you, as a photographer, will work with to ensure that your work is created. An excellent MUA is indispensable and is well worth making a friend of.

Makeup, much like clothing, is also crucial to your final result. Makeup, when properly done, can clean up aspects of a model's skin or even provide focus to certain parts of the model's body.

Some makeup is over the top. Some makeup is subtle.

However it is done, makeup is there to ensure that your post-processing work flow is minimized.

A lot of glamour photography is to make sure that the viewer sees a certain facet, or a certain picture of the model. Good makeup provides subtle, or overt, influence on your photography.

Summary

Female glamour photography may not be as "publicly" accepted as other forms of photography but it is an interesting field and is subject to a variety of creative interpretations.

If you have the basics of portrait photography nailed down, then it is a matter of practice to become a talented glamour photographer.

Always remember to create rapport with your model. If you have any MUAs, then work with them to create some wonderful artistic imagery. Working in a studio allows you to have creative control of light.

Sometimes, though, it may not allow you to have a mood you are looking for. If this is the case, then perhaps you need to move to a different location to create a different environmental mood.

Remember, you are creating an image that compels the viewer into your world. Therefore, it is essential that all your factors of makeup, clothing, lighting, environment and model work for the entire image.

Love your camera. Love yourself. Love your photos.