Just finished editing a wedding we did last week. Nice couple. We over delivered, gave them more than they expected. Shot another wedding yesterday. Had an interesting vibe/brief conversation with the groom. His fiance/wife gave him a little black book filled with glamourous, sexy photos of herself, taken by my wife. He was over the moon about it. He asked me if I had anything to do with it, since she and I work together on so much. I told him no, I stay away from that side of the business. He said, "Oh, well, I just wanted to thank you, too, for doing that. It was great!" In other words, he would have had no problem with me working with his wife on sexy photos. That got me to thinking. What is it that keeps women from hiring men to take sexy photos of them? I sort of understand a certain level of discomfort with a strange man looking at you naked, or close to it. But if your photographer is a true professional, he's completely unaffected by that. He's too busy making sure the lighting's right, that the clothing looks good, that certain bits aren't showing (or are, if that's the intent), that there's no bad fold or wrinkle at the waist, that the chin isn't doubling up, the list goes on.
Some women photographers have promoted this comfort thing in order to steer business their way. I understand the desire for a competitive edge. But many women don't know what is sexy to a man. To them, it looks "cute." Or even sexy. To some men, it's "ho-hum." A male photographer understands what's going to get another man to pay attention. It doesn't have to be porn. In fact, more often than not, porn won't get the job done and may have the opposite effect, especially if it's his girlfriend or wife who's the subject. One local, long established glamour photography studio, which pushes the "all female staff" seems to think that making all girls look like everyone's preconception of a stripper is how to do it. That or trying to bring the slut out in their clients. That's not how to do it. Another seems to think that just calling something pinup is enough, even though they seemingly have no clue what true pinup is. (My wife, by the way, really has this concept down, dead to rights. Probably better than I do.) Guys want to see their ladies sexy, glamourous, beautiful, not slutty. They also want to feel that the lady is directing this only at them, with all the things they like best. Standard posing, dime a dozen costumes, things like that won't get it done either.
I may start posting the occasional image from past shoots here, or current ones, too. Have to decide if that will impact my wife's boudoir business... Ironic, eh? Just finish a b***h session about women boudoir shooters, and my wife's one of 'em. Well, we had to get the business somehow, and I certainly wasn't going to be a draw. At least she knows what I think is sexy...
Well, enough mental wanderings for one night...
be sure to use tags/labels, as that is how people will be able to search you....also, titles are really important. because you want to gain readers, and people will use that to judge if they want to read that particular blog or not, if it peaks their interest and satisfies what they area looking for. ex: your sandra/jesse blog....just sayin. i had a sit down with my friend who's a blogging guru and does very well with his blogs. also one thing he told me....black text on white is preferred, retains and attracts more readers statistically. i asked some of my readers, and they like my blog because it's "interesting looking" so he told me to leave it for now. but later i may change it. just some random advice for your consideration. (personally i like black background, it's more green and easier on the eyes...) this is awesome so far.
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