KirstenM
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This image was captured in Edinburgh, Scotland, at home in my bedroom.Time
I was actually trying to get as much shooting in as possible while my kids were at school, so - with no heed to the light - I just set up and started shooting with the little mid morning light that I had available.Lighting
The room was too small to set up my soft box - this was a fill in that surprised even me. There was only one window in the room, so I had to angle everything to catch the little bit available.Equipment
This was taken with my Canon 7D, using a tripod as it was on a timer release doing a self portrait. I usually use my 24-70mm workhorse lens for pretty much everything portrait related these days.Inspiration
Having just relocated to Scotland and trying to set up my photography business - specialising in boudoir - I needed some images for my portfolio, but was not having any luck in getting anyone to sit for me in exchange for free images, so I ended up having to actually take photos of myself using a timer release (hence not getting all of me in). I just clicked away and hoped that something decent would turn up in the 'Lightroom' so to speak.... The self-conscious pose turned out in my favour, looking like a pro-boudoir model image.Editing
I always shoot in RAW so I can bring out contrast and change to black and white, using Lightroom. With this shot I used one of the sepia presets to change to an antique kind of feel.In my camera bag
When starting out I used to lug everything with me - 2 bodies, at least 4 lenses, a tripod, extra batteries, a flash, a hundred cards or so....and then if on a paid shoot I would take along the soft box and backdrop too. Now I have learned to ask the client beforehand exactly what it is they are looking for and take only what is needed, usually using my Canon 7D and the 24-70mm unless requirements change.Feedback
Taking boudoir images is tricky, because great images are totally reliant on your client being at ease, which isn't normally the case. You have to be light and loose yourself, talking all the time, telling them how good they look, how well they are doing, trying to make them laugh in a natural way, and if you can get goofy yourself, they will normally relax a bit and you can get some great candid shots.