Professional Pictures

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2007
Professional Pictures
4
Thu, 04-05-2007 - 1:28pm
I was wanting to get some professional pictures (think: Playboy) taken for my sweetie. Has anyone done this and could help me with choosing a photographer and making sure that nothing ends up in the wrong hands??
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
Thu, 04-05-2007 - 1:56pm

Hi Charlotte and welcome to the board.

Here's a link to a recent message posted by one of our members:

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-rlletstalkab&msg=19840.14&x=y

I've never had any professional photos taken, but some of the other members here have. Hopefully they will be along to give you more advice.



Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting





iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2001
Mon, 04-09-2007 - 1:15am

Sorry, I can't help with a photographer - I'm not even in the same country as you.

The link posted was full of several good points - first of all a good photographer is professional about this. As you'd expect, you should be treated professionally and with respect at all times. This is not some seedy back-room affair, it's a professional photographer supplying you with the photographs that you have commissioned him for. Any hint of any improper behaviour then find another photographer. More than likely the photographer will suggest someone-else be present during the shoot. Choose a friend that can be helpful but also reserved. You want you and the photographer to be able to work together and not be interrupted too much by the friend. I would expect a shoot like this to take place in the studio because of more control over the lighting, but it's quite possible that you or the photographer may have another location in mind.

There is a good chance that you may be asked to sign a model release form or documentation - these are usually used when the photographer wants to use your images for personal/commercial gain. Read the fine print and get advice if necessary. You don't want to find that you have inadvertently signed away your rights to your photographs so treat any model release forms with caution. This is a private shoot and the photos are for private use so it's not likely that any release forms will be required.

Talk to the photographer when you first meet/interview them. Discuss the types of photos that you want and have examples in mind if possible. Ask them for examples of their own work that match what you are asking for. It'll help them understand what you want and you to decide whether or not their own style of photography matches what you want.

A good photographer will not be cheap. For glamour photos there is very likely to be digital retouching required. And that can be a substantial part of the cost. There is also hair and make-up to be considered - don't under estimate the input of a professional hair stylist and make-up artist in those Playboy pictures.

Finally, get the deal in writing. Any decent photographer should be able to supply a detailed quote/contract for you quite easily. It should specify how many photos you will get, how they are printed and mounted and the sizes and cost just for starters.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-03-2006
Mon, 04-09-2007 - 12:26pm
I am not a professional photographer but I own a nice digital camera. I have taken pictures of 5 woman for various reasons. I think I do a good job in keeping them looking sexy like playboy. I have had them provide the disk so afterwards we look at the pictures edit them and print while they are present. I then give them back the disk so they have no worries about them showing up elsewhere. You can always use a timer and do the pics yourself, but it takes time and good planing. So if there is someone you know and trust and has a good eye for photography, this may be another option.

 


 


 


 


 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2001
Wed, 04-11-2007 - 4:49am

>>So if there is someone you know and trust and has a good eye for photography, this may be another option.<<

Agreed. I'm not a professional photographer and I have a modest camera but with some planning and thought and a bit of digital retouching I can make photos that look 90% as good as Playboy can do. However, if you are using a non-professional then there are absolutely no guarantees that they aren't making copies of the photographs even if they "delete" the photos off the computer in front of you and hand you the disk. That's the nature of digital media and that's why a professional is the best choice if you absolutely can't risk the person being untrustworthy.

Having said that, a bit of research may turn up a local camera club or someone willing to trade some saucy pics that you want, in return for some tasteful non-nude pics for a portfolio or a few dollars. Of course the final results may vary.

Try asking at photo dot net. There are some forums there with professional photographers and this sort of request is not uncommon. They may be able to point you in the right direction or recommend someone in your area.