Everything that is ethereal, what is not touched, what is not extreme, or that is located between two opposite poles, are usually the most difficult subjects to photograph, because it is neither black nor black, nor can it be touched, nor squared. is it an idea, and also a subjective idea, where the message is not always obvious and clear, it is subjective and emotional?Sensuality is one of those complicated questions, because it’s not sexual but not innocent, it’s suggestive but not obvious?In short, it is neither black nor white, and sometimes it is difficult to convey this type of message without leaning towards white or black?
Although a model is not the only way to convey sensuality, it is true that the most common way to do it is through a person, through the curves of the body, the look, the pose, the clothes and the environment. you can achieve this:
And now let’s look at point by point in depth
It is essential that the person you are photographing does not feel uncomfortable, neither with you nor with himself, you need to feel relaxed and comfortable with the environment, the clothes chosen, the pose, etc. , only if this person has full confidence in the situation (and in you) you can take out his more sensual side, if there is something that bothers him, be it his own body , decoration, etc. , you should try to solve it by changing the pose, environment, etc. . Remember the importance of breaking the ice in any type of portrait, but even more so in one that is so intimate. Try connecting with the person you’re going to photograph before you start, comment, explain the session a little bit, ask them what they expect
If you photograph someone so intimately, logically that person must feel good, it is difficult to convey sensuality with a rigid grimace of disgust or nervousness in the face, body and expressions should seem relaxed and confident. Have a good time?. You can use music, with a natural environment and photographic material in general a little exaggerated (especially if the person you are photographing is not used to posing in these circumstances), the less photographic, the better. To do this, you can search for places that already have good lighting and don’t need an entire arsenal of flashes to get good images.
Your model’s pose should be suggestive but at the same time relaxed and slightly forced, remember that we talk about sensuality, we should suggest without showing, and we must work with a model that feels comfortable with itself, so you should be comfortable. for this type of sensual photographs are places where the model can lie comfortably (beds, chairs, walls, tables?)
The gaze must accompany the pose, that is, it must be just as suggestive, for this it is important that the person transmits confidence and security in himself, beyond the physicality of each one, this is what attracts us from people, personality is what makes us think that a person is attractive, and that it can be expressed physically by a simple gesture or a look.
In this type of portraits it is common to use makeup to enhance the look, lips, etc. , and cover facial imperfections if necessary.
Or diffuse, it is the one that most relates to this type of intimate photographs. Won’t we stop defending the wonders of natural light?Look for scenarios that, although they may be interior, have a natural light input like a window, and try to play with that light input. You can filter it, if necessary, through intangible barriers that act as diffusers. The power of windows in portrait photography is wonderful. If you don’t have natural light and need to use the flash, try using diffusers (umbrella or softbox) to soften and homogenize the light.
In this video, you will see what you can transmit with soft light and hard light:
Since being too invasive can be unpleasant, I recommend using them if you have long focal lengths, with such spotlights you will not only be able to approach the subject without doing it physically, but you will also be able to play with small depths of field, in order to isolate your model from the background and therefore give it greater importance. If you don’t have long focal lengths, try starting with wide shots and gradually approaching the model to give it a chance to acclimatize and avoid discomfort.
The details are also more suggestive than the set. A few lips, hip curves, torso, shoulders, back, legs, etc. can function as the very essence of sensuality. They suggest a whole, but they don’t teach it, and let the viewer’s imagination “complete” the missing information.
To add sensuality to images, you can help with accessories like lingerie, sheets, shoes, necklaces and generally objects associated with femininity if you’re photographing women. For men, can you wear underwear, shirts, jeans?Depending on the character of each person you embody, their tastes and the elements that do them good.
Similarly, you can use these “decorative” elements as a symbolic game of sensuality; strategically placed heels, underwear left in a chair, etc.
Make sure there are no objects in the background that can spoil the environment, anything we don’t fix can spoil a nice image, a sports bag in the background, a door frame coming out of your model’s head, a shopping list or a communion photo?Make sure the background is “clean” and if not, look for another scenario, vary the framing or work with small depths of field to isolate your protagonist in the scene.
If you have obtained good natural, diffuse and dim light, you have used proper makeup and good framing to avoid possible “imperfections”, surely the result of your images is very successful and you do not need further retouching in the image. Images breathe naturally and do not abuse treatment.
Sensuality suggests elegantly, make sure that your images do not lose that elegance that characterizes it, since it is the line that separates sensual photographs from other types of photographs is sometimes good?
Do you dare a session full of sensuality?If that’s the case, I hope you’ll benefit from some of the tips I’ve left you throughout the article, if you found it helpful to share it. Thank you and soon