A boudoir photo shoot is always better when there's lots of space
Boudoir Photo Shoots
Often when people contact me regarding boudoir photo shoots they either ask for the photography to be completed in one of three places: Their home, our studio or the hotel we use.
Either of these locations are fine for boudoir photography with the only concern being the space available.
I work to a very high standard and use professional equipment. Some of this equipment consists of multiple flash units, reflectors blah blah blah.
In short, a lot of stuff is used and that large bedroom soon fills up and when space is limited, compromises are made.
The images are still and always will be great but for something that is usually a one off I always suggest the Hotel we use in the centre of Sussex for Boudoir Photo Shoots.
An easy shot to do, with a big impact.
Not many people have a 16th Century Wall in their bedroom
Natalie Piper wanted natural light portrait photography as well as some studio work.
Portrait Photography
Photography is really all about recording light and as the well versed saying goes, ‘Amatuers worry about equipment, enthusiasts worry about skill, masters worry about light’.
Good portrait photography is open to interpretation, what I see when I take a picture is luckily what most people want to see also…which is nice.
Natalie popped over from Worthing to update her portfolio as she’s an actress on Casting Call Pro and Spotlight so needed some good updated portrait photography for her agency.
For the most part we mainly completed studio portrait photography but the image above was lit with nothing else but natural light reflected onto her face.
Where was she for this photo?……….. Leaning against the wall of my house.
Susan and Brian at the Warbrook House Hotel (it was very cold)
Warbrook House Hotel Weddings
One of the problems that I face in this great country of ours is the unpredictable weather we have. With Susan and Brians wedding the weather was threatening to rain and it was quite cold.
Yes, February it may of been but no sun, a light breeze and a shivering bride never helps the final output. It was really cold, even for me, someone who doesn’t feel it!
This blog post is about Warbrook House Hotel Weddings themselves.
Warbrook House Hotel Weddings – Inside
The bride has a nice sized room with which to prepare for her day. This has an adjoining conservatory that overlooks a lot of land.
The room itself is good for photos, in fact the whole place is because of the neutral wall colours. The ambient lighting is still an issue though but I covered that in my last post, (linked above).
Warbrook House Hotel Weddings are very smoothly run in the sense that everything is positioned and thought out properly. The area set aside for the bridal preperation is at the complete opposite end of the building to the reception and ceremony area.
Whilst the bride is in prep the groom has access to the bar, ceremony area and main entrance to welcome guests in. There’s a lot of space available.
The ceremony area is large with seating available for 150 people.
Warbrook House Hotel Weddings – After the ceremony
After the ceremony the guests leave through the side entrance whilst the couple go back through the hotel…. whilst whoever is in charge of the organisation on the day assembles the guest in readiness to throw the confetti.
Whilst the couple are waiting it allowed me to take a traditional shot:
Warbrook House Hotel Weddings allow for some more classical shots
Then, once ready Susan and Brian left via the main doors to confetti:
The most confetti I've ever seen thrown before
After this there was the formals, (quickly due to the cold) and then everyone went back inside for drinks and discussion.
During this time the ceremony area was transformed into the Wedding Breakfast room and everyone went in for the meal.
I was only in capacity for half the day but as the speeches were due to start prior to the meal I stuck around for those.
A great venue and recommended.
Susans wedding dress. The Warbrook House Hotel has a large bridal suite and conservatory set aside for weddings.
The ceremony area at Warbrook House Hotel
Brian, the best man (left) and the ushers at Warbrook House Hotel
One of the most popular poses in pin up photography is the traditional S Curve as shown above.
This sort of pose takes advantage of diagonals. Whereas a man can stand quite straight, tall and imposing by implementing diagonals into a pose it gives a more feminine look to any image.
Next time you see any full length image see how many diagonals there are. Not just with the person in the picture but also the background.
Diagonals make an image more interesting and it is the foundation for positioning in boudoir and pin up photography.
Family Portrait Photography is at it's best when everyone is relaxed.
Family Portrait Photography
Over the last few months the weather hasn’t been all that great. The natural light family portrait photography that everyone likes can still be done but due to the cold I can’t dedicate as much time to the general chit chat which relaxes my clients in front of the camera.
Fortunately, spring is fast approaching and you can feel it in the air. When we get to about 12 degrees there will be less teeth chattering and more playful smiles instead.
I try to shy away from studio family portrait photography
There is the studio of course, (which is heated) but I try to shy away from studio family portrait photography. It can look over saturated, plus, people like it when I come to them so I can photograph them in their natural environment, the image will mean more to them that way as well.
Whatever I do though, I always aim for a natual looking shot, sometimes the best pictures comes after everyone thinks you’ve taken it.
I can’t wait for the summer to kick in, it seems to of been too cold for too long this time around!
Plus it gives me the chance to do more great family portrait photography.
