PRACTICALPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 47
25 Portrait Tips
Boudoir
portrait skills
Creating a safe and welcoming environment is a
must for Jessica Pereira and her boudoir shoots.
USE LIGHT TO
YOUR ADVANTAGE
#17 Lighting
I am a natural light worker. For boudoir sessions that
take place at my studio, I use the natural light that
comes through the windows. For this reason my boudoir
sessions take place earlier during the winter months, due to
the reduced amount of natural light available. I love natural
shadow, as it helps make a moody image. Natural shadows
help me to see the natural form of the body, and I feel in
boudoir photography they help to make the appearance of the
fe male form even more flattering in the way they hug the body,
and wrap around a woman’s natural curves. Even if it’s a bright
day I can still create a moody image by increasing my shutter
speed and bringing down my ISO.
SHOWYOUR EMOTIONS
#18 Style
I love the ethereal softness of the female form
together with the presence of beautiful ambient
light – it’s what helps to make a sensual photograph.
My style is often described as soft, romantic and emotive.
I love to capture raw emotion, and I strive for my images
to have feeling and a story to tell – one of desire and
intimacy, without being explicit. To capture the type of
images I do, my clients have to be fully relaxed and trust
in me. Obviously this is a process and starts from the
initial communication stage, but nerves are normal and
will show up during a session regardless. I like to put
the kettle on, keep conversation light, and find things
in common to talk about. Ten minutes later and we are
ready to create some magic.
