Everything that is ethereal, that which is not touched, that is not extreme, or that is located between two opposite poles, are usually the most difficult subjects to photograph, because it is neither white nor black, nor can it be touched, nor is it square. nor round.
It is an idea, and also a subjective idea, where the message is not always evident and clear, it is subjective and emotional... Sensuality is one of those complicated issues, because it is not sexual but it is not innocent either, it is suggestive but not obvious... In short , it is neither black nor white, and sometimes it is difficult to transmit this type of message without leaning towards black or white ?
HOW CAN WE CONVEY SENSUALITY IN OUR IMAGES?
Although a model is not the only way to transmit sensuality in photos , it is true that the most common way to do it is through a person, through the curves of the body, the gaze, the pose, the clothes and the environment. Let's see how you can achieve it:
- Confidence
- relaxed atmosphere
- Pose
- face and gaze
- Soft light
- Focal distance
- The details
- Accessories
- The bottom
- Do not go with the processing
- keep it chic
And now let's see point by point in depth.
1. TRUST
It is essential that the person you photograph does not feel uncomfortable, neither with you nor with herself. She must feel relaxed and comfortable with the environment, the chosen clothes, the pose, etc. Only if that person feels full confidence in the situation (and in you), you will be able to bring out the most sensual side of him. If there is something that bothers her, be it her own body, the set, etc., you should try to solve it by changing the pose, the environment, etc. Remember the importance of breaking the ice in any type of portrait, but even more so in one so intimate. Try to connect with the person you are going to photograph before you start , chat, explain the session a bit, ask what he or she expects from it...
2. CREATE A GOOD ATMOSPHERE
If you photograph someone in such an intimate way, logically this person must feel good, it is difficult to convey sensuality with a rigid grimace of disgust or nervousness on the face. The body and expressions should appear relaxed and confident. In short, he must be having a good time ? . You can help yourself with music, with a natural environment and photographic equipment that is generally not exaggerated (especially if the person you are photographing is not used to posing in these circumstances), the "less photographic" the environment, the better . To do this, you can look for locations that already have good light and do not need a whole arsenal of flashes to get good images.
3. THE POSE
Your model's pose should be suggestive but at the same time relaxed and not too forced . Remember that we are talking about sensuality, we must suggest without showing, and we must work with a model who is comfortable with himself, so he must be comfortable . Recurring scenarios for this type of sensual photography are places where the model can lie down comfortably (beds, chairs, walls, tables…)
4. THE FACE AND THE LOOK
The look must accompany the pose, that is, it must be equally suggestive . For this it is important that the person transmits security and self-confidence. Beyond the physique of each one, this is what attracts us to people, personality is what pushes us to think that a person is attractive, and this can be expressed physically through simply a gesture or a look.
In this type of portrait, the use of makeup is common to enhance the look, lips, etc., and cover facial imperfections if applicable.
5. SOFT LIGHT
Or diffuse , it is the one that links the most with this type of intimate photographs. We will not stop defending the wonders of natural light ? Look for scenarios that, although they may be indoors, have natural light coming in, such as a window, and try to play with that light coming in. You can filter it, if necessary, through light curtains that act as diffusers. The power of windows in portrait photography is amazing. If you do not have natural light and you need to use the flash, try to use diffusers (umbrellas or softboxes) to soften and homogenize the light.
In this video you will see what you can transmit with soft light and with hard light:
6. FOCAL LENGTH
Since being too invasive can be unpleasant, I recommend that if you have long focal lengths, you use them. Through this type of focal length, you will not only be able to get closer to the subject without doing it physically, but you will also be able to play with small depths of field, in order to isolate your model from the background and consequently give it more prominence. If you don't have long focal lengths, try starting with long shots and gradually getting closer to the model to give it a chance to acclimatize and avoid getting uncomfortable.
7. THE DETAILS
The details are as or more suggestive than the whole. Some lips, the curves of a hip, a torso, shoulders, back, legs, etc., can function as the very essence of sensuality does. They suggest a whole but do not show it, leaving the viewer's imagination to "fill in" the missing information.
8. ADD-ONS
To add sensuality to the images, you can help yourself with accessories such as lingerie, sheets, shoes, necklaces and generally objects associated with femininity if you photograph women. For men you can use underwear, shirts, jeans... Depending on the character of each person you portray, their tastes and those elements that make them feel good.
Likewise, you can use these "decorative" elements as a symbolic game of sensuality; strategically placed high-heeled shoes, a piece of underwear abandoned on a chair, and so on.
9. WATCH OUT FOR THE BACKGROUND
Make sure there are no objects in the background that can spoil the setting. Everything that we do not pay attention to can spoil a great image. A gym bag in the background, a door frame protruding from your model's head, the shopping list or a communion photo ? Make sure the background is “clean” and if it isn't, find another one scene, vary the frame or work with small depths of field to isolate your protagonist in the scene.
10. DO NOT GO OVERBOARD WITH THE PROCESSING
If you have achieved good natural, diffused and dim light, you have used adequate makeup and good framing to avoid possible "imperfections", surely the result of your images is very successful and you do not need major retouching in the image. Ideally, the images breathe naturalness and do not abuse the processing.
11. DO NOT LOSE ELEGANCE
Sensuality suggests in an elegant way, try that your images do not lose that elegance that characterizes it, since it is the line that separates sensual photographs from other types of photographs is sometimes fine ?
In this other article you will find tips and tricks to carry out boudoir photography sessions .
How about? Do you dare with a session full of sensuality? If so, I hope you take advantage of some of the advice that I have left you throughout the article. If you found it useful, please share it. Thank you and until next time ?
100 LIGH
