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STUDIO BOUDOIR - BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is the difference between Studio Boudoir and silvercanvas
2. What are the driving principles of Studio Boudoir
3. Do you only shoot boudoir style portraits?
4. Doesn't boudoir photography involve nudity? I am concerned about this.
5. How do I know you have worked with Dita Von Teese and that you are who you say you are?
6. I am not glamorous / not a glamour model so this kind of photography wouldn't suit me?
7. I like the idea of Hollywood glamour but I'm frightened of being retouched out of existance
8. I've seen high street magazine style air brush / retouch and I hate it. How much do you retouch?
9. Should I go on a crash diet for my shoot so I'm really thin and look size zero?
10. I am naturally size zero - should I stuff myself full of cream cakes before coming to the shoot?
11. What presentation options can you provide for the finished pictures?
12. How large can my pictures be printed?
13. Can you print onto a canvas?
14. Can you make a coffee table art book out of my pictures?
15. Can I bring a chaperone/friend/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend?
16. Can a friend / partner be photographed with me?
17. What clothes should I bring?
18. What shoes should I bring?
19. What else should I bring?
20. Should I bring any make-up?
21. What about make-up and hair styling?
22. A local photographer shoots for £10 and will come to my house. Will you do that?
23. Do you rent out your studio/equipment
24. Will you come and photograph me at my location?
25. How am I presented proofs from my shoot so I can make choices etc.
26. Where is the studio and how can I get there?
27. Can I just show up any old time?
1. What is the difference between Studio Boudoir and silvercanvas
Henry says:
Studio Boudoir is a seperate business unit to silvercanvas. The photos for both
are produced in exactly the same way using the same equipment, same everything. But the end
results are marketed differently and the business sought is different. silvercanvas works
with magazines, websites and professional models and is oriented towards selling to those markets. Studio Boudoir
is aimed at doing business with the general public. It may sound a bit arbitrary but the world
of magazines and personalities is quite different to personal service photography and
I felt the two needed to be presented differently in order to maximize the potential of each.
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2. What are the driving principles of Studio Boudoir
Henry says:
Quality, high class glamour and style above all but also working within non-astronomical budgets.
True high end fashion and glamour photography is practiced using budgets
that are beyond the reach of mere mortals. However, huge budgets do not always
guarantee great photography. We aim to produce the best
photography of this type you will see anywhere at this price point. But we
aim to do this at costs everyone (as
opposed to just celebrities) can afford.
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3. Do you only shoot boudoir style portraits?
Henry says:
No, not at all. Although I specialize in photography of women, within that I have shot and can shoot
all kinds of styles from formal portraiture to boudoir to straight glamour to fashion to fine art
to pin up to erotic/fetish. I specialize in what I call boudoir noir and portrait noir
in which the looks are inspired by 1940s film noir thrillers. There are examples of all these different styles in the gallery section of
this site. However, if you have something specific in mind just contact me and ask.
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4. Doesn't boudoir photography involve nudity? I am concerned about this.
Henry says:
Not necessarily. Boudoir photography primarily involves erotic suggestion. It needn't
involve any nudity at all. Sometimes a fully clothed suggestive pose can be far sexier then
showing all and my speciality with noir / shadowy lighting plays to the strengths of this approach
as anything that shouldn't be seen can be enveloped in shadows and obscured! Either way you are in
full control at all times as to exactly what we do during your session with regard to this. If you
want to remain fully clothed at all times that's absolutely fine and there is absolutely no pressure
to do otherwise. Neither are you going to be talked into any types of pose that you might find uncomfortable.
One of our greatest concerns is that our client is comfortable at all times as we know from years
of experience that this is when the best pictures are produced. We are totally committed to getting
you the best results and so your comfort is our key concern! In addition to this we often find that
as a client becomes comfortable they also become more daring themselves. Far better things happen
this way then some pushy photographer telling you to strip!
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5. How do I know you have worked with Dita Von Teese and that you are who you say you are?
Henry says:
That's actually a good question as there are many people who make all sorts of claims and so on. Well
there are a number of ways you can check. The easiest way to confirm is to email webmaster@dita.net and ask to make sure. Alternatively
another quick and easy way is to visit
http://www.dita.net/silvercanvas/ - A fake
would hardly have a page verifying themselves on Dita's own site!
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6. I am not glamorous / not a glamour model so this kind of photography wouldn't suit me?
Henry says:
Unlike beauty, nobody is born with glamour. It is something that has to be carefully constructed and
brought out of yourself. I believe anyone can be glamorous given the right clothes, the right make-up, the right
pose, the right lighting, the right photographer. Yes, glamour and fashion models in the mainstream
media do tend to be of a particular type but that has nothing to do with you being glamorous.
To bring to life the glamorous side of yourself all you need is a bit of confidence and being willing
to dare... and don't get me started on body shape (see the FAQ questions about that).
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7. I like the idea of Hollywood glamour but I'm frightened of being retouched out of existance
Henry says:
Aha, the dreaded retouch question. People have some funny ideas about retouching. Here's my basic
philosophy of retouch - If you can tell that a photo has been retouched and it's not a digital artwork
but supposedly a natural photograph of you, then it's been retouched
badly. A well retouched photo will always flatter you and look astonishingly good but it should
always leave people other then yourself guessing as to whether it's been retouched or not and not be obvious (such as on the covers
of certain magazines who rather overdo it!). In addition a
well retouched photo will be instantly recognizable as the person it is supposed to be!
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8. I've seen high street magazine style air brush / retouch and I hate it. How much do you retouch?
Henry says:
More on retouch. See my answer to the other retouch question - but also keep in mind that
how much or how little retouch is done is entirely up to you. You are the boss. If you want to look
like a high street magazine cover girl that's actually very easy to achieve. However, that's not the way
I usually do retouching.
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9. Should I go on a crash diet for my shoot so I'm really thin and look size zero?
Henry says:
Please don't. Personally I would like to think that part of the confidence that goes with realizing
you can be glamorous also includes the belief that you can be glamorous no matter what shape and size
you are. A bit of exercise to tone yourself up is always a healthy good thing (don't overdo it). But
it is really not necessary to crash diet. Whatever your shape and size good photographs will flatter
your figure. However, if they don't flatter your figure enough as a last resort there is always
retouch.
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10. I am naturally size zero - should I stuff myself full of cream cakes before coming to the shoot?
Henry says:
No. See the answer to the question about crash dieting. Celebrate your innate sexiness no matter
what shape you are. Your body is part of who you are. Keep it healthy but don't try and make it
something it's not - at least not for the sake of a few photos. It is the photographers job to get
across an image you would wish. As such any flattering of your figure is best done using lighting,
clothes and pose.
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11. What presentation options can you provide for the finished pictures?
Henry says:
Almost as many options as you can think of. By default your pictures will be presented as
8x10 glossy photos sent to you in a basic folder for their protection. However, you could
have them mounted in a luxury leather bound Italian photo album. Or you could have them
printed up huge and mounted in a frame for hanging on the wall. Going the other way you
could have them made into postcards. Or you could have a gorgeous high quality coffee
table art book make out of them. When you come for your shoot I will be able to discuss
this with you and show you some options during the warm up period. A decision needn't be
made until you have seen all the proofs and get to deciding what you'd like to do with
your gorgeous imagery!
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12. How large can my pictures be printed?
Henry says:
It depends on whether you are having your photos taken using
a Digital camera or a film camera. For Digital I would say
the largest size for absolute perfect quality would be
around 20 inches by 16 inches. However, acceptable results
would probably stretch to about 30 inches by 24 inches. Results
when going larger then that would probably depend on the photograph
itself. If you are having your shoot done on film then really up to
billboard size is possible. I shoot 6x7 film which has been used
for many commercial billboard poster campaigns. Practically
speaking the largest size I can print for you without needing to make
it a special project is up to around 90 inches by 30 inches (that's
7.5 foot by 2.5 foot). Fancy a larger then life sized picture of yourself?
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13. Can you print onto a canvas?
Henry says:
Yes, and onto many other surfaces/options. Of course there are additional costs. Please
enquire if you need this kind of service.
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14. Can you make a coffee table art book out of my pictures?
Henry says:
Yes. After researching the market I settled on Japanese printers for this type of work.
The quality is superb and if you choose a glossy finish to your book there is really very
little difference between viewing the book and viewing 8x10 prints. That is, apart from the fact
that it looks and feels so much nicer and is so much more convenient. Again there are
extra costs and unfortunately book printing is not cheap. However, it definitely is
among my favourite mode of presentation short of large framed images on the wall.
You will be shown some samples during the warm up to your shoot.
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15. Can I bring a chaperone/friend/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend?
Henry says:
Yes, of course! However, if you intend to bring a male with
you please consider him carefully. I have seen many shoots
ruined by insensitivity, sheer boredom or 'taking control
syndrome' from male companions. On the other hand our
experiences with females are exactly the opposite.
They are usually interested, encouraging and have a great
time. However, since you are paying for the shoot we leave
the final decision to you. Note you should not bring more
then one person with you without first checking with us (space
is limited).
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16. Can a friend / partner be photographed with me?
Henry says:
Yes, although there will be additional cost and there are limitations.
Please contact us to find out more if you need this option.
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17. What clothes should I bring?
Tracy says:
Some suggestions for clothes might be your favourite evening or special occasion dress,
that sexy lingerie you husband/boyfriend/(or other) really loves you wearing. For more formal portraits
a plain colour blouse or dress is good as it can be glammed-up with jewellery - a key vintage
Hollywood look. We have lots of vintage lingerie and clothes from
fur coats to sunglasses, so if you let us know your sizes I can look out items that will fit you.
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18. What shoes should I bring?
Tracy says:
Heels! Heels! Heels! For glamour photography they can't be too high.
We have a selection in most sizes but remember you can never have enough.
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19. What else should I bring?
Tracy says:
Other things to consider bringing are jewellery (your engagement ring for example).
Hair accessories, glamorous nightgowns or negligees. Small props for your photos eg: a mask or
handcuffs.
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20. Should I bring any make-up?
Henry says:
You can bring any of your favourite make-up if you feel strongly about using it. But please
keep in mind photographic make-up is not the same as street make-up. We have a full compliment
of professional make-up which Tracy uses to prepare you for photography. The application of this
make-up is quite different to street make-up.
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21. What about make-up and hair styling?
Tracy says:
make-up for photography needs to be applied quite heavily as
the photographic lights are very strong. I will use high pigment
foundations. But feel free to bring your
favourite lipstick or eyeshadow colours as these will very
probably be alright. I usually apply a classic sexy, smokey
eyes type of face so that you can look at the photos in 10,
20 or 40 years and will never be out of fashion. Hair
style is one of the main things that identifies you as you.
So you may want to keep your hair pretty much as it is. Or I
can put your hair in hot rollers to create soft curls.
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22. A local photographer shoots for £10 and will come to my house. Will you do that?
Henry says:
No. If you don't see a difference between what we do and what your guy does I would advise you hire them!
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23. Do you rent out your studio/equipment
Henry says:
No.
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24. Will you come and photograph me at my location?
Henry says:
No. There is a reason why we chose the name Studio Boudoir. That is we
love working in the studio. The studio is full of special equipment and props
and lighting equipment and is a great environment. We are studio photographers. If
you need someone to come to your place then you need a location photographer.
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25. How am I presented proofs from my shoot so I can make choices etc.
Henry says:
When you have had your shoot your photos will be placed in a
private password protected area on our website. Within that
area we have a special web application that you can use to
review all the proofs from your shoot. Typically there can
be a couple of hundred pictures or more from a shoot. It's
actually quite hard to pick the best ones since often there
can be many that seem equally good. Our application makes
this easier and works directly in your browser (so you don't
need anything special to use it - just internet access and a
browser). The application allows you to preview each picture
and rate it out of 5 as you go. You can also make notes next
to each picture. Once you are done you can get the
application to only show you photos you have marked 5 or at any
other level. You can then make a final selection from these
and mark them to be retouched. All of this is very easy to
use although we will help you should you get stuck of
course. The application also has a feature which shows you
my favourites from the shoot too (which may be helpful in
aiding your decision making). Of course if you don't want to do
this on the web we can also provide you with a download or a disc
of proofs and you can then review the shoot offline using your
own software.
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26. Where is the studio and how can I get there?
Henry says:
The studio is in a large Victorian house around half way between
the cities of York and Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire near the foot
of the Yorkshire wolds. The easiest way to get here is by
driving - there is plenty of on road parking right outside
the house (one of the joys of living outside of a city is no
problems with parking!). The East Riding is one
of the least populated areas of the UK so the roads are
mostly empty and stress free until you get near a city. We
are about 20 minutes from the Hull end of the M62. By
train/bus or taxi you would go to York and then do the rest
of the journey by road (apx. 40 mins). More information on
this and detailed instructions with maps and pictures
will be sent to you on booking.
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27. Can I just show up any old time?
Henry says:
No, you must book and make an appointment to shoot. We are shooting almost continuously
and so sessions must be booked.
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