Creating evocative photographs that connect you to your beauty and glamour.
Austin, San Antonio, Houston Boudoir-Glamour-Fashion Photographer
Thank you for visiting with me. This blog chronicles my journey as a professional glamour, boudoir and fashion photographer as well as my continuing adventures around the world.
A Fortnight Mission, Art Nude Shoot in the U.K. Part 2.
A Fortnight of Art Nude...Fine art shoot in Scotland,The United Kingdom. Part 2 of 4.
Deep into the Planning
In the first part of this 4 part blog I mentioned that the plan for the 1st week of this 2 week mission was to visit 5 castles, 2 beach locations, an alpine valley in Glencoe, some hydroelectric pipes in Kinlochleven, and visit a stone circle and cairns in Argyll. All of which we were able to accomplish in the given amount of time. Most of these locations were scheduled for photoshoots. But a couple were just great ones to visit.
Along Loch Awe, The Highlands, Scotland, U.K.
As with all of my photoshoots, considerable time was given to the planning of the mission, beginning 6 months earlier. A myriad of factors and considerations needed to be addressed. Such as, which of the estimated 1500 existing castles or ruins would make for the best shoot location? I assembled a list of 230 possibilities to thoroughly evaluate. They were selected based on their location within the country. I started by looking at maps and then satellite imagery of each, which progressed to online searches of those that I found interesting. Some had no online presence or only insufficient published data. Others were too much in ruin, or on private property and inaccessible, and others were in use as a residence/tourist location.
Created in the larder of Castle Carnasserie. This chamber is known today as a pantry and is adjacent
to the the kitchen area on the ground floor.
As the list grew smaller, I was now able to see where in Scotland I would need to travel to avail of the most suitable castle locations. Now, I could consider other, non-castle locations as well. Finally, once the castle list was down to 10 or so, and with several other spectacular locations now on the list of desired places to conduct a shoot, I turned to the ugly reality of it all...time and money.
What possible permutation would allow this to work? I had to consider where the shoot locations were in relation to each other. The distance between each one, travel time, where to camp, where to refuel and restock on food, water, obtain propane. Not to mention the all important emptying of the gray and black waste water tanks from the motor home?
One example of my route planning which had us traveling from the highlands in the north, to the south along the coast of Scotland with a stop along the way to replenish our food supply.
It is normally at about this point when it becomes wise to take a portion of a day to step away from it all to clear my head. Despite my love for the planning process of such a mission, being a Green Beret with over 30 years of service you understand, I know that I should "smell the reality" of the likelihood of having an overly ambitious plan.
Now, as I came up for air as it were, I once again was smacked in the face by the degree of clutter I had created in the house as a result of the planning. The 6 person dining room table and area around it was now covered with maps, areal photos, notes, and possible props and wardrobe for consideration. But let me point out that I did stop well short of taking down our sizable framed art pieces from the walls to make room for a CSI like "murder board". Although I have briefly considered doing so in the past. I must note at this point the supreme tolerance of my incredible wife and muse for all of this.
Of course there was some unwelcomed surprises. Just when it looked like I had it all figured out, I found that two of my planned RON (Remain Over Night) locations could not be used by us in the motor home. I noted on a satellite photo a shadow that turned out to be an elevated barricade to keep campers out of the parking lot. The photos below show what I found, which meant that my plan to shoot and RON at Greenan Castle had to change.
What I found when I zoomed in on the shadow.
I confirmed my suspicion with the ground view seen above. Thank you Google Earth. But also determined that I could park on the street for the day to conduct the two planned shoots here. We were able to RON a workable distance away which, also afforded me a beach shoot location...and Castle Dunure. So win-win!
The photos below are from that day's late afternoon and next morning shoot at Greenan, along with images showing our RON, beach and Dunure Castle's location with some of the images created there.
A cool morning light has been changed here to make a sunset looking creation. Captured on the beach below Greenan Castle, South Ayrshire, Scotland, U.K.
For all you Outlander fans, Dunure Castle was use as the castle on the Silkie's Isle which Jamie and Ian swam to. In the story, a reference was made to this island, a treasure, and the White Lady. This became my inspiration for this photo's title...White Witch.
Dunure Castle, as you can see is not on an island, but instead on the coast. It was filmed from seaward and morphed during post-processing to appear as it did for the TV series.
The necessary change to where we were able to RON for the Greenan Castle shoot resulted in easy access to the beach just a short walk down the hill from the lay-by.
The next two photos were taken upon the high ground (left arrow) about 40 feet above the ocean.
The forth picture was at the water's edge (right arrow).
In Thought by Von Trapp Photography 2019.(From the series: A Nude on the Bluff)
Fine art shoot on the west coast of Scotland near Greenan Castle.
Model: Kat
Sensual Feeling v.1a by Von Trapp Photography 2019.(From the series: A Nude on the Bluff)
Fine art shoot on the west coast of Scotland near Greenan Castle.
Model: Kat
I took a long look at the historical weather data over the prior 3 years and was able to confirm what month and days to shoot. By the 3rd month all the major location and logistic planning was on paper, and now I was addressing smaller details such as the time of sun and moon rise and set. Also, what was the angle and direction of the sun going to be, so that I could start visualizing and planning each shot that I wanted to create. This and more details were looked at.
Now Plan the Shot
Up to this point, my planning had little to do with the images that were made. But once I have the 80% solution of where, when, and how I will make it work, I started my detailed crafting of each and every likely image to be created. (The image below is an example of how I plan my images. This photo, however, is from a 2015 shoot in Venice. But it is representative of the process.)
Planning The Venice Shoot by Von Trapp Photography 2015What Goes Into Planning a Photo Shoot
Fashion/Glamour Photographer Richard von Trapp planning for a 2015 Venice Italy glamour/fashion photo shoot.
Archive photo of me planning two photos from my 2015 Venice shoot. Which you can read about here.
For me, my detailed method of planning works with my temperament. But it also better insures that I will be able to create the greatest number images in the given allotted amount of time. I have had a fellow photographer or two consider this kind of planning stifling to their creative mojo. But it comes natural to me.
Also, when one considers the total monetary cost of conducting a shoot like this, it only makes sense to me to be as efficient as possible. In fact, I calculated the cost to image ratio to see if the project even makes sense to begin with. This is done by estimating the possibility of getting one great capture from each planned set up, and dividing that by the total cost of the project. I define a set-up as one location, wardrobe/prop look, and lighting set up. But do not include the pose or poses that I ask the model to strike, or the ones that she created on her own.
During my film shooting days, I used a planning factor of "2 in 36" to do something similar. In that example, I would assume (hope, really) to get 2 good or better images from a roll of 36. I found it was a very reliable planning factor.
I endeavor to create a "flow" during the shooting as much as possible. Just like an experienced model will flow from one pose to the next, so to do, I wish to flow from one pose to another. From one wardrobe or props, and one lighting setup or location to another. Most of the time I'm able to succeed. To the degree that I do, it was greatly aided by the degree of planning that was done prior.
I knew that an October shoot in the U.K. would possibly offer more potential overcast or cloudy days than not. Which for me is less of a real problem since I almost always have a studio strobe available to augment the natural or available light. Even so, I did take the time to research and consider what the available light could be. Below is a case where this came into play.
The above capture, entitled Bhean bòidhchead v.1 (Lady of Beauty in Scots Gaelic) was taken at 08:25hrs (8:25AM). It was planned for this approximate location soon after sunrise after considering the light data which indicated that at 08:30hrs the sun would be at 5 degrees above the horizon and would be shining from the east south-east from 113 degrees.
timeanddate.com
This information indicated to me that some sunlight would be shining on the beach to the east of the castle, and be visible on the castle and well as a model positioned there...if I was lucky, that is! After all, I was planning for a shoot in the U.K. in October. Sun could be at a premium.
As you see, great planning can be greatly assisted by great luck! We not only had sun, but some great early morning clouds to add to the image. It is better to be well-prepared than not, but...even more so is to have good luck thrown into the equation.
I planned to light the model with a studio strobe and balance its strength to compliment the natural sunlight. Once on location, I chose to set up the strobe at about chest level to highlight the model's wardrobe. It was feathered (not pointed directly at the subject) to try not to add additional light to the ground. Although I was not able to predict well in advance what the wind direction would be. As you see it was perfect, blowing briskly from the left, which allowed me to face the model into the rising sun whilst having the wind blow her shift to the right. A perfect example of the quote, "When it clicks".
Come back to see my next installment which will have more of our work at castle Dunure and the fabulous castle Carnasserie as we make our way towards England.
Thank you to everyone who did their part to make this project possible.
RvT
Model: Kat
Photo Production Assistants: Steve and Mina Smith
A Fortnight Mission. Art Nude Shoot in the U.K. Part 1.
A Fortnight of Art Nude...Fine art shoot in Scotland, The United Kingdom.
Part 1 of 4.
In mid-October 2019, Von Trapp Photography traveled to the United Kingdom for two weeks of planned shooting to create fine art images on location in the Scottish Highlands and Lake District of England.
During this grand trip, I was grateful to once again work with the U.S. based model Kat, who I worked with in Venice in 2017. She along with Photo Production Assistant Mina Smith accompanied me to Edinburgh, Scotland, with each of us flying from different locations in the states. There we were met by English Photo Production Assistant Steve, who drove up from England to Scotland.
We spent the next week living in a motor home, traveling partway up into the Highlands and then down the west coast of Scotland. The red dots on the map below indicate my planned photoshoot and overnight locations, along with 3 yellow dots which were possible food shopping locations.
2019 U.K. shoot locationsPhotoshoot locations (red dots) for Von Trapp Photography in the Scottish Highlands, and English Lake District.
Von Trapp Photography's planned locations in the Scottish Highlands, and Lake District of England. Here the blue dot shows our location at the end of the first week in Scotland as we made our way to the Lake District in England.
Our shooting and travel schedule was very ambitious, and in the first week it took us to 5 castles, 2 beach locations, high into an alpine valley in the Glencoe area, to some hydroelectric pipes in Kinlochleven, and a stone circle and cairns in Argyll. All of which was in Scotland.
Each day was long as most of them involved an early and chilly morning shoot followed by a several hour drive to the next location for an afternoon shoot. Then to a nearby location where we would spend the night, along the roadside, in a campground or at a picturesque location with a parking area. I was able to plan it so that the aforementioned picturesque locations were also the next morning's shoot location.
Here are some of the captures we created during this first week.
Loch Awe and Kilchurm Castle, The Highlands, Scotland, U.K.
Along Loch Awe, The Highlands, Scotland, U.K.
Fine art nude created after sunrise at Kilchurm Castle, Scottish Highlands, U.K.
Kat makes for a stunning addition to this centuries old castle doorway in the Scottish Highlands.
I planned this day as a hiking/sightseeing day when I guided the group up from the Glencoe Valley and into the "Hidden Valley" where I had visited twice before. It was made famous in the time of the Clans as a place where they took refuge and could hide their cows from the English Army.
Hydro pipes leading down to Kinlochleven
I found this location in 2018 whilst on a 100-mile hike along the famous West Highland Way. They lead down from a reservoir to the town of Kenlochleven. I was pleased to be back only a year later to create this image. I schedule it for the early morning, not only to have the rising sun behind the camera, but also for the model's comfort of having a less likely chance of being seen. In the satellite image below, you can see the trail (Old Military Road) running alongside of the pipes. As well as where I anticipated to park the "Beast" (motor home)
Created along the west coast of Scotland on the beach below Greenan Castle.
Bhean bòidhchead v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2019.(Title: Lady of Beauty in Scots Gaelic).
Our lovely model graces a beach in Scotland below Greenan Castle on a cold October day to create this image. Von Trapp Photography traveled to the Highlands of Scotland and Lake Distric of England for two weeks of shooting which yielded numerous wonderful captures of fine art.
Model/HMU: Kristy. Photo Production Assistants: Steve, Mina Smith
With Greenan Castle behind her and adorned in her period correct shift our model creates a lovely early morning vision.
For the 2nd week we turned in our motor home and were the guests of our local host now in the English Lake District.
During this time we conducted further fine art shoots in a forest, river, Alpine lake, and a glen. Please return to read part 2, 3, and 4 of this grand photo adventure.
Thank you to everyone who did their part to make this project possible.
RvT
Model: Kat
Photo Production Assistants: Steve and Mina Smith
Enchanting Budapest, Beauty, Grace and Glamour Part 2.
Enchanting Budapest, Beauty, Grace and Glamour Part 2.
After a successful first day shoot with Adrienn Dubay, I prepared for today's session by first moving from my hotel, across from the Matthias Church, to a lovely apartment a short but challenging ¼ mile walk away.
The late November weather had turned colder, which added considerable discomfort to the walk with my 3 bags of photographic equipment, wardrobe, and props. Since I was staying on the high ground west of the Dana River (commonly known as the Danube), just about any change of location involved going downhill. So, after a slog along, what was otherwise, a lovely cobbled-pathway and stairs...lots of stairs, I arrived at the "Glamloft" apartment and was soon met by model Wivy. We then set about using the interesting two story space to create the following images. Model/HMU: Wivy Model Mayhem #3102023
Mysterious Woman-Vivien v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2016Fashion glamour image of model Vivien taken in Budapest.
Outline v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2016.Fashion shoot in Budapest with model Vivi by Von Trapp Photography, Texas fashion/glamour photographer.
Stark Beauty v.2a by Von Trapp Photography 2016The lovely Hungarian model Vivi photographed in Budapest.
Model/HMU: Wivy
Putting My Feet Up v.1a by Von Trapp Photography 2016Sexy Fashion Glamour shoot with Hungarian model Vivi in Budapest.
Point In Profile by Von Trapp Photography 2016.Sexy Hungarian model Vivi posing for our glamour shoot in Budapest.
Model/HMU: Wivi
Some Wine? v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2016Glamour shoot in Budapest with model Wivy. Hair and makeup by model.
Vivien Nude v.2 by Von Trapp Photography 2016Fashion nude of Hungarian model Vivien.
Vivi in Black Lace v.1a by Von Trapp Photography 2016Glamour nude of Vivien created by Von Trapp Photography in Budapest.
Black Lace and a Pop of Red v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2016Hungarian model Vivi strikes a fashion pose on a stairway during our fashion shoot in Budapest.
Caress (Wivy) v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2016Hungarian model Wivy during a fashion-glamour shoot in Budapest.
So, another shoot completed I got ready for my last day. That 3rd and final shoot was planned at yet another location which had me walking back up and then down the high ground upon which the Buda Castle sits. Return to see that final shoot with the fantastic Katey.
Follow this link to see a video of Budapest on You Tube.
Open your mind and heart, travel and know the joy of becoming a citizen of the world.
One's life can be comprised of many things...perhaps the most important of which is learning and growing.
RvT
Glamour In Venice, Fashion Shoot At Palazzo Ca Zen Part 1
Return To Venice...Our second visit to the enchanting La Serenissima.
After our successful 2015 shoot, Von Trapp Photography planned and scheduled a return to the enchanting city of Venice Italy. As in 2015 we choose to use the Palazzo Ca Zen as our set location and accommodation, this time taking two models and shooting at additional outdoor locations around the city as well as in the palazzo.
Models/HMU: Kat Alexis Model Mayhem #246496 & Classic Kim Model Mayhem #791448
Arousing Reflection v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2017A sexy moment at the kitchen window. Venice fashion shoot at the Palazzo Ca Zen.
As with all of our photo shoots extensive planning was involved. We found two wonderful west coast based models, one in Portland the other in Tacoma who accompanied us to Venice for the week long stay at the palazzo. Once there we shot each model for three days using every room of the palazzo, and at several locations around Venice during both daytime and at night.
This trip was scheduled for mid-March which allowed for a different light and less visitors to the city over what we had in September 2015. But it also required our models to work in the colder nighttime temperatures and sprinkles of rain during the daytime. None the less their professionalism saw them through it all and we created wonderful art.
Tazza di caffè? v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2017Morning coffee with model Classic Kim, a beauty that captures the Italian feel for this fashion image in palazzo Ca Zen. Fashion Glamour photo shoot in Venice.
As I blogged about in our 2015 shoot here I noted that this centuries old palazzo belonged to a noble family, and now has been subdivided into several huge apartments.
The Ladies of Palazzo Ca Zen by Von Trapp Photography 2017Kat and Kim in the main bedroom of Ca Zen prior to their shoot.
The above behind the scenes video of Kim and Kat is created in the grand bedroom with its French-Doored balcony and 2 sets of huge windows overlooking the Rio de Santa Caterina.
This patina rich and stately apartment is located in the Cannaregio neighborhood on the North side of the island. It offers an American photographer numerous, unique and interesting elements not easily found nor accessed in the states.
The crowning jewel is undoubtedly the frescoed living room with its grand windows that overlook a small piazza. The following two images showcase this room and its windows.
When we prepare for a shoot our per-production planning is extensive. Location(s), model(s), styling and wardrobe, and possible poses will be considered in great detail. This preparation will often be started 4 to 6 months prior to a possible shoot date being picked. All in the hope of being the most efficient once on set and to be better prepared to react to possible unexpected events and still "get the shot"!
Follow this link to see an impressive work of video artwork on You Tube.
Open your mind and heart, travel and know the joy of becoming a citizen of the world.
One's life can be comprised of many things...perhaps the most important of which is learning and growing.
RvT
Budapest Adventure | Fashion shoot in one Europe's most beautiful cities.
Enchanting Budapest, Beauty, Grace and Glamour Part 1.
The first time I traveled to Budapest Hungary was almost 21 years ago as a member of the lead elements of the 1st Armor Division enroute to the war-torn Balkins to implement the Dayton Peace Accords. That was mid-December of 1995 while on a military train ladened with our gear, vehicles and troops starting a year long mission in Bosnia. My experience of the city then was only that of a glimpse from the train. This time I had the memorable chance to experience this lovely and elegant city under very different circumstances.
Traveling from San Antonio to Budapest via Munich, I arrivied refreshed and ready to start confirming my planned locations with the scouting of what I selected from map and satellite images. The shoot was planned in great detail over the prior 6 months; now I was finally there and excited to see and shoot in this most enchanting place.
What a gem of a city! Budapest has a charm and elegance that is seen everywhere. The architecture in the city center is superb and the people are lovely.
I chose to stay is three different locations, which would allow me to easily access different parts of Buda, and give me two different indoor shoot locations. The first area was in and around Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya), Matthias Church (Mátyás Templom) and Vienna Gate (Bécsi kapu).
I met with my first model Adrienn in front of the Burg Hotel, where I was staying, and we strode off to shoot in the streets.
Adrienn Dubay Model/HMU: #2172368
Our hour and a half together now over, I bid Adrienn goodby as she went off to warm up. It was now time for breakfast and more location scouting.
Return here to see part two featuring Vivian during our glamour/fashion shooing in the lovely Budapest.
Open your mind and heart, travel and know the joy of becoming a citizen of the world.
One's life can be comprised of many things...perhaps the most important of which is learning and growing.
RvT
Prague Fashion Shoot Part 2 | San Antonio Photographer Shoots on Location
Five Fabulous Days in Prague Part 2...A crazy full day of shooting.
Shoot Day #2
In part 1 you visited with us as we photographed our first Playboy model Diana. Here in part 2, which took place the next day, we shot two more models at two different locations. The weather caused our nighttime city lingerie shoot with TerryZ, originally scheduled for two nights prior, to be delayed due to the threat of rain. So our planned activities for day #1 and #3 were combined into this day for one marathon-long shooting day lasting over 16 hours for the crew.
It started with a hotel change from the Old City Center to the Franciscan Garden area. Strolling the 1.5Km to our new location was easy, dispite the nearly 230lbs of photo gear in 5 bags, and made for a very lovely morning tour of the area.
After meeting with the property manger and a trip to a nearby local market for some food and drink to have on set for the crew, we welcomed our hair and make up artist (HMUA) Linda and our first of two models to set.
HMUA: Linda Chudomelová Model Mayhem #2841941
Model: Coxy Dominika Model Mayhem #1932887
Model: TerryZ Model Mayhem #3765368
Homage to Ellen & Elle v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2016Recreating Ellen von Unwerth's image of Elle Macpherson. Model: Dominika Jandlova (Coxy)HMUA: Linda Chudomelová.
BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTO
Terry & Coxy take #1 by Von Trapp Photography 2016We shot this image from two levels starting with this downward looking position. This and the next image has not been processed fully and are "out of camera" captures. Note the highly polished and artistic styling to the prior final image.
Terry & Coxy take #2 by Von Trapp Photography 2016After trying this high angel position, we shot it from about the model's eye level which became the final image capture decided upon seen above.
The Conclave by Von Trapp Photography 2016Prague Fashion/Glamour ShootReviewing an image capture with HMUA Linda, models TerryZ and Coxy at the Franciscan Garden Apartments, Prague Czech Republic.
Your Drink Mademoiselle by Von Trapp Photography 2016.Fashion Photo in PragueTerryZ is tended to by Coxy in this Prague fashion shoot image.
HMUA: Linda Chudomelová.
Open your mind and heart, travel and know the joy of becoming a citizen of the world.
One's life can be comprised of many things...perhaps the most important of which is learning and growing.
RvT
Venice Fashion Shoot Final Segment | San Antonio Glamour
Fashion and Glamour in Venice....San Antonio photographer shoots on location. Final Segment
We traveled to Venice Italy to a palazzo located in the eastern part of the Cannaregio district. This palazzo, now subdivided into several grand apartments, was once the nobel palace of the Gradenigo family which produced several leaders of Venice known as the Doge.
In this last installment to our series about shooting fashion and glamour in Venice, you will see many of the final images from our 4 days of living and working in one of the world's most incredible cities.
To see more about our incredible time there see the following links to my other blogs about our travel from San Antonio Texas to the iconicity romantic city of Venice.
Venice Ally by Von Trapp Photogrphy 2015Fashion Image taken in Venice Italy.
Stilettos and Red Silk by Von Trapp Photography 2015Sexy Fashion Nude. This image, taken in the grand living room of the Palazzo Ca Zen in Venice, captures the sensual light that is falling upon our model, her wardrobe, the frescoed walls and mosaic floor.
Nicole Thong Bodysuit by Von Trapp Photography 2015Nicole turns heads in Venice as she models on the allyways of Venice during Von Trapp Photography's fashion shoot.
Intensity v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2015Emotive Fashion Glamour
Model Nicole smolders in Agent Provocateur lingerie. This intensely beautiful fashion image was glamorously created at the Palazzo Ca Zeno in northern Venice. This is but one in a series of fashion images created by Von Trapp Photography durning our fashion shoot in this stunning location.
Model: uNicoleorn
Read more about our glamour shoot here. Part #1
Nude In Venice Palazzo v.1 by Von Trapp Photography 2015Fashion Nude. The dining room of a Venetian palazzo is the setting for this fashion nude. Our model is holding a handmade Venetian mask called a Colombina which covers only half of the face, and in this version is attached to a wooden baton.
Nicole At The Door by Von Trapp Photography 2015Fashion shoot at the Palazzo Ca Zen in Venice Italy. This Palazzo is the once nobel palace of one of Venice's leading families which produced several heads of state of the republic known as the Doge.
Sexy Back by Von Trapp Photography 2015Sexy fashion shot taken in Venice near the Palazzo Zen.
Living and Shooting in Splendor.
San Antonio fashion-glamour photographer on location in Italy Part 2.
Fashion Shoot in Venice...A Dream Location Part 3.
Follow this link to see a YouTube video of this lovely city.
Follow this link to see our return visit in 2017 to shoot in Venice.
Open your mind and heart, travel and become a citizen of the world.
One's life can be comprised of many things...perhaps the most important of which is learning and growing.
RvT
Glamour Shoot in Germany Part 2
Glamour Shoot in Munich Germany Part 2...Texas Fashion Photographer on location.
In Part 1 we took you to the grounds of the Schleissheim Palace outside of Munchen where Von Trapp Photography shot some lingerie fashion editorial images.
We were on our return to Texas after several days in Italy where we photographed Nicole in the Palazzo Ca Zen. This is but one of those images taken in Venice just days before. (Image below)
Fashion Completes Me by Von Trapp Photography 2015Fashion Editorial Nude. The dining room fireplace in the Palazzo Ca Zen with its grand gilded mirror is a striking backdrop for this editorial nude of Nicole.
Now, having traveled to the northwest side of Munich, to the grounds of the Lustheim and Scheissheim Palaces, we created these lingerie-glamour fashion images.
Von Trapp Photography is a couture, glamour, boudoir and fashion photo artistry service. We create fashion inspired images that are beautiful, dramatic, emotive works of art.
Love life enough to be adventurous, love your country enough to travel, grow and become a better person. Open your mind and heart, travel and know the joy of becoming a citizen of the world.
One's life can be comprised of many things...perhaps the most important of which is learning and growing.
RvT
Prague Fashion Shoot Part 1 | Austin Photographer Shoots on Location
Five Fabulous Days in Prague Part 1...Fashion Photo Shoot on Location.
Our most recent location shoot took Von Trapp Photography to the fabulous European city of Prague in the Czech Republic. Prague is an absolutely lovely city with stunning architecture and has a vibrantly young feeling.
This trip started, as every location shoot does, with considerable pre-production planning and coordination. We found 5 perfect models and a wonderful hair and makeup artist (HMUA), each talented and as we found out, fabulous to work with.
Location scouting started in advance with online resources to include satellite imagery to find possible outdoor spots to shoot, which were later confirmed once we were on the ground in Prague. We also booked a very popular 4th floor apartment next to the Franciscan Gardens which had an all glass, 180 degree view of the city.
Shoot Day #1
The plan for this day, which was to be the second day of shooting, was to start with Diana (a published Playboy model) doing a daytime fashion shoot in the castle district in clothing and lingerie. I met her at a nearby streetcar stop just 150 meters away from our first selected location (the stairs seen below). After going over the shoot and our inspiration boards with her, Diana changed into this first outfit using a robe she brought for this very reason.
The temperature was in the low 70's, nice in the sun but cool (Certainly for us coming from the mid 90's of a Texas May) in the shade. None the less this Czech beauty was undaunted moving from pose to pose and location to location; effortlessly changing from one outfit to the next, dresses to lingerie.
In the above pose, Diana makes it seem effortless as she perches upon a rough brick wall in a minidress and 4 inch Mary Jane pumps. Regardless if you are a seasoned pro, or the first time amateur to modeling, believe me it is a true workout! In Italian, Sprezzatura refers to the "art that conceals". It refers to the effort made to make something appear--effortless! She certainly did just that for every pose.
Diana at the Wall by Von Trapp Photography 2016The beautiful Diana poses at the entrance to a child's playground (sign in Czech "Playground")
Diana Standing in the Doorway by Von Trapp Photography 2016Prague Fashion Shoot.
This lovely location in the doorway of a stone and masonry wall was found in the Castle District of Prague. The sunlight was used to rim light Diana whilst the main light was provided by a Profoto D1 Strobe with battery pack. Diana's great edgy hair inspired me to style this image to have an overall sharpness to which I gave this color styling during post processing.
We moved from the above location to the cobbled back streets in a neighboring area to shoot some glamorously sexy lingerie photos.
Diana Cobbeled Street by Von Trapp Photography 2016Diana disrupts traffic with a sexy glamour pose.
Although we did not make a "big footprint" durning this shoot, we did have some obvious equipment on site in the form of Profoto D1 studio strobes and a 24lb. battery with the power cables. For this shoot I chose not to use any light modifiers on the strobes, like a beauty dish, but instead just went "bare bulb" for overall ease durning the shoot.
Diana Red Facade by Von Trapp Photography 2016Diana strikes a lovely pose on a Prague street. I just love shooting in Europe! The gorgeous curves of the architecture paired with that of the lines of a woman's body...so perfect.
Leggy Doorway by Von Trapp Photography 2016The lovely and leggy Diana graces a doorway along a Prague street.
Diana by Von Trapp Photography 2016Playboy model Diana smolders in her ivory lingerie on a Prague street.
During our two hours together we created striking images at 6 locations amoung the stone facades and cobbled streets. Working with Diana Jelinkova , aka. Diane DeeDee, was such a perfect start to our day's shooting in Prague.
Come back for Part 2 to meet our incredible makeup artist and our next two lovely models during our Five Fabulous Days in Prague, Part 2.
Take a moment to view this well done video of this lovely city on Youtube.
Evocative & Glamorous Fine Art | Connecting you to your Beauty
How You Can Become a Work of Art.
Glamour is best described as anything that possesses beauty, grace, mystery and has transcendence. I use this very elegant definition to inspire and guide me in the creation of my photographic art. It can certainly also be applied to a variety of subjects and is not just limited to the imagery of women. However, I am primarily a woman's photo artist, so that is the vast majority of what I create.
Lady in a Stream by Von Trapp Photography 2014 | Texas Glamour-BoudoirFine Art Glamour image using studio strobes to create the unique lighting of this scene. Its transcndent nature is atributited to the quality of light, and by the highlights and shadows; their creation made at the time of the capture, and in post-process.
Lady In A Stream Fine art project to create a unique look to a well known location below the Canyon Lake Dam on the Guadalupe River.
The transcendent quality of the above capture is attributed to the light seen in the photo. The mid-afternoon light is being augmented by 3 powerful studio strobes, which were carefully placed to create a precise look. Then in post-production meticulous steps were taken to "paint" in each and every shadow and highlight seen in the final image.
Professional photo artists shoot in a format called RAW. A pro grade camera with high quality "glass" (the lens) will record everything in the image that can be "captured" but the capture will need to be "developed". This image will not even be able to be viewed without custom software to process the data that was recorded, and then make it viewable to the photographer on the camera's LCD screen on the back. But this is only a low resolution image for viewing at that moment. If the camera is not set or able to record anything other than JPEG, the captured image will be from the start of a lower quality compared to one in the RAW format. This form of capture (RAW) insures the very highest quality of data recording at the time of exposure.
Now that the image has been artfully planned and crafted on set, and captured to the camera's memory, it is time to continue the magic of the photo artist "developing" the image. The RAW image will now be viewed on a high grade large screen monitor that is frequently color calibrated with special soft and hardware to insure stunning results in the final print. Again, special software is used to be able to see the photo for further artistic work.
In contrast - a snapshot that is taken in the normal JPEG format can be a good looking image. But it can never match the brilliance, sharpness and quality of an artfully processed and styled creation made from a RAW capture.
The RAW image at this point looks drab and somewhat boring. It is not ready for printing or viewing as a finished photo; it must be creatively developed into its potential beauty.
Intensity (RAW "Out of Camera" image) by Von Trapp Photography
This is a RAW image file. Note the dull look to the image, this is normal for a RAW file. It is unedited, not retouched, and not corrected in any way. Nor has its look, coloring, or mood been styled in any way. It is, by most standards, a very good image as it is, professionally well crafted and lit to make the beginning of an outstanding image. The original size of this file is a whopping 52.3 MB, which was made possible by the top of the line Canon EOS 5DS.
Now aided by a graphic pen tablet, such as a Wacom, the image is skillfully and ever painstakingly made. The artist will use a pen-like device called a surface pen, to literarily "paint with light" as he manipulates the RAW image's data to show, or not, varying degrees of light, dark, highlights, shadows, contrast, color and so very much more.
Final, fully-edited and styled image from our fashion shoot at the Palazzo Ca Zen in Venice Italy. Canon EOS 5DS with 24-70 f2.8L lens. The size of this file when it was converted from RAW to a Photoshop File for editing was 845.8MB! That's a lot of data to work with to create beauty and glamour.
The great value to having invested in, as of June 2015, the world's largest megapixel SLR camera, is the ability to capture incredibly tack-sharp images that can than be enlarged to here-before unheard of sizes for a full frame 35mm SLR. Even if I am not making billboard size images, having so much data on a file capture allows me to enlarge and crop an image without loss of image quality.
Intensity III by Von Trapp PhotographyEmotive Fashion Glamour.
This intensely beautiful fashion image was glamorously created at the Palazzo Ca Zen in northern Venice. This is but one in a series of fashion images created by Von Trapp Photography durning our fashion shoot in this stunning location.
Lady In A Stream (RAW "Out of Camera" image)Here you see my RAW capture of what went on to be a stunning art piece.
The RAW capture of the above image. Note the orange power cord entering the water at left, and exiting on the right where it goes to a Profoto D1, 1000w strobe mounted on a light stand with a beauty dish (upper left corner of photo). The light stand has been weighted down with sandbags, and the power cord had been prepared/protected for its immersion into the river. Again note the dull look to the unedited image. Canon EOS 5D MkII with 24-70 f2.8L lens.
To create just one image that I will provide to a client or use in my portfolio, I will spend more than three hours crafting it. This is after the three or more hours that it took to download, catalog, cull, rate, select, and do initial editing that includes cropping, basic exposure and other early steps; just to get to the point of selecting the very best captures for the final artistic rendition.
The price of your investment constitutes this time and effort plus the education, training, experience, equipment, and talent of the artist when you commission a project or purchase a photograph. What you are really investing in is a work of art, crafted with precision and passion.
By choosing Von Trapp Photography, you will be teaming up with a photographer who seeks to find the glamour in the people, places, and objects that surround us. Investing in a quality piece of fine art that has you as the subject will give you immeasurable joy and satisfaction. Call us today and start your journey.
Glamour Shoot in Munich Part #1 | Austin Houston Glamour Photography
Fashion and Glamour Shoot in Germany Part #1...Texas Fashion Photographer on location.
On a recent trip to Germany I created some fashion and lingerie glamour images at the Schleissheim Palace in Northwest Munchen in the state of Bayern (Bavaria). The grounds are the site for three palaces, the Old and New Schleissheim Palace and the Lustheim Palace. Like most former royal residences in Germany, the grounds are open and free to the public to enjoy. Always serene locations and perfect for a stroll, quiet read, or jog, they are also favorite locations for photographs and photographers. On this day a bride and groom were having their formal pictures taken on the steps of the Schloss (palace) at the other end of the gardens.
We shot these images at the Northeast side of the expansive garden near the Pavillion, which was a grand horse stable in its day.
Schleissheim PalacePalace Grounds and location for Von Trapp Photography's lingerie shoot.
I always love to shoot on location in Europe, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The stately and glamorous architecture has such a draw for me and provides an incredible degree of inspiration, and I go back as often as possible.
In the spring of 2016 we will travel to Prague to work with some of the Czech Republic's wonderful models. Follow us on Facebook as we prepare for and shoot in this fantastic city. Also be sure to return here to see more from this shoot in Munich in Part 2.
Open your mind and heart, travel and know the joy of becoming a citizen of the world.
One's life can be comprised of many things...perhaps the most important of which is learning and growing.
RvT
Living a Dream in Venice Part 3 | Fashion and Glamour Photo Shoot
Fashion Photo Shoot in Venice...A Dream Location. Part 3
Who would not consider a chance to model and shoot in Venice as a extraordinary opportunity? Add to that having a grand apartment in a Palazzo as your set location and you have a dream come true. This was my dream for some time, and in September 2015 it came to pass. The marble, stone and frescos that adorned the rooms with their fine Venetian chandeliers and stately furniture created a elegant setting for a fashion photo shoot.
Amongst the Frescos is the title of this fashion image. Aptly named since every wall of this living room, with its 16 foot tall celling, was adorned with the incredible art.
Photo artist and model setting up for the shot.
Woman At The Palazzo Window Here Nicole is captured in a beautiful light that is created by the open shade of the courtyard. She is photographed from an adjacent window across the way from another room of the apartment.
A Best Foot Forward This fashion nude is of our model wearing champagne colored strappy heels and was shot in the living-dinning room doorway of the Palazzo.
Von Trapp Photography and crew traveled to Europe from Texas with all of our camera and studio lighting equipment, wardrobe, props and Las Vegas based model uNicoleorn.
Read more about the planning for this shoot and our first day (Part 1), and see more of the images created at this dream location (Part 2). And return here for the final blog segment (Part 4) and images from our Venice adventure.
Follow this link to view a lovely video of Venice on You Tube.
Open your mind and heart, travel and become a citizen of the world.
One's life can be comprised of many things...perhaps the most important of which is learning and growing.
RvT
Glamour In Venice Part 2 | Fashion Photo Shoot on Location
San Antonio fashion-glamour photographer on location in Italy. Part 2
A location shoot can be both exciting and worrisome for a photographer, especially when the location is seven time zones away from home. Alot of money and people's time are riding on getting the images, and despite all the extensive prior planning and detailed preparation, it can be very hard to shake the worry that you missed something.
As I wrote in my previous blog about this shoot, Living and Shooting in Splendor..., the amount of time spent on preparation for the shoot was the key and we created excellent work. Working with a quality group of people will always help make a project more successful and enjoyable. Here is a look at some of the image captures we were able to create.
Taken on the bedroom balcony.
We arrived at this location by water taxi the evening prior, being dropped off at our door on the canal seen here. Anyone who has visited Venice knows how everything moves around the city by boat or by foot. Choosing to ride in style right to our door was both a glamorous introduction to the city's lights and so much easier considering all of the equipment and wardrobe we had with us.
The alleyways became our set locations.
Nicole Venice Fashion Shoot by Von Trapp Photography.Shot on a canal bridge in Venice Italy.
Striking a pose on a canal bridge.
Nicole in a sexy fashion pose.
Evening sun by Von Trapp Photography 2015The setting sun created a lovely light for this fashion photograph in Venice Italy.
Evening approaches as Nicole poses on the bedroom balcony.
Please have a look at part #1 about the planning and preparation for this shoot and the start of shooting on the first day, and more images in part 3. Also follow Von Trapp Photography on Facebook as we get ready for a visit to Prague for another shoot in May 2016.
Picking Your Boudoir or Glamour Photographer | Austin Houston San Antonio
Selecting your Boudoir or Glamour Photographer...What differences should you consider.
Boudoir and Glamour are truly separate genera of photography and although boudoir can be created to have glamour or with a glamorously emotive styling, they are different from each other. I specialize in shooting both glamour and boudoir, bringing a high degree of fashion-magazine inspiration to the look of each.
Classic Boudoir
Fashion-Glamour
Fashion/Lingerie-Glamour
Fashion/Lingerie-Glamour
Implicit Delight v.2 by Von Trapp Photography 2013.Sexy glamour image of the divine Ms. Gianna.
Implied Nude Glamour/Boudoir
Most talented boudoir photographers are natural light shooters. They create lovely and often artful images that have a wonderful connection of the subject to the camera. The natural light used to create their images produces a soft look to the photos that is flattering and attractive.
In contrast to the look of most photographers, my images have a crisp fashion-magazine inspired look. Often they are also created with a cinematic styling that is more dramatic and arty as well. This look can only be achieved through the use of special lighting equipment such as strobes and continuous lighting, often in consort with lighting modifiers such as a beauty dish, umbrella, soft box, and a host of other specialty items.
Fashion-Glamour, Old Hollywood style Glamour
Behind the scenes of a glamour shoot in Las Vegas. The look that was being created for the shoot was in the old hollywood style. Here model Nicole and Make-Up Artist Samiha look at a series of image captures between sets.
The question then at this point is "how do I want to see myself?" But answer this as well - have you considered seeing yourself differently? Most people initially have a difficulty seeing themselves beyond the usual; a different person from that which has been looking back at them from the mirror daily. This quite understandable way of thinking will hold many people back from realizing the possibility of being photographed in a whole new way which is glamorous and transcends their normal.
When you look at fashion magazines, and I know you do...possibly lots of them, you see images that are beautiful and glamorous unlike anything around you or that which is part of your normal daily life. What you are likely to see are perfect examples of my favorite definition of glamour, anything that has beauty, grace, mystery and is transcendent.
To exceed the limits of our ordinary experience is to be transcendent. Having yourself photographed gives you the perfict oppertunity to become part of a work of art, and to be transcendent as well. But first you must realize the difference between a beautiful portrait and what it means to be a transcendent work of art.
Go to Pinterest and search "Glamour Photography" and you will see a verity or examples of fine photography. Some created with soft, flattering, romantic available light, others with edgy available light. While others which were crafter with studio strobe, speed lights or continuous lighting. All are very good examples of fine glamour photography, but they each have their own feeling and message.
Next search "Nautral light portrait" and you will see lovely examples of flatering light. But as you continue to look over the images, note how the quality of light is not different or unusual to what we might see at any given time during our day. They are, infact, what we have come to expect from the natural light of our world, and as such are fimular and comfortable to us.
Now lets search "Glamour Photography femme fatale". Here you will see a distinct difference to the feeling of the photographs created by the lighting, the highly quafted hair and impecable make-up not withstanding. This is the style of glamor-legends, images that are distinctly glamorous. These images have a "magazine" quality about them and are more likley to possess the transcendentance that I speak of.
Finally have a look at one of my favorite artists, Annie Leibovitz who is a master of lighting and with her cinematic style has created countless masterpieces of photographic art for Vouge, Disney, Vantiy Fair and more. She along with other talented and highly skilled artists are known for creating transcendent images that capture our attention and full our imagination.
Boudoir photograph created with the use of studio strobes and a beauty dish. The inspiration for this image was the dramatic styling used in the "Old Hollywood" style of glamour images.
When you search for your glamour or boudoir photographer, consider having yourself photographed in the similar manner that creates some of the most iconicity glamorous images. Select an artist that has the creative skill and ability to make a work of art with you as the subject. Select not just an excellent photographer, but a photo-artist.
We at Von Trapp Photography will connect you to your glamour and create a work of art for you that will thrill for you for a lifetime. Follow me on Facebook.
Becoming a Calendar Girl | Glamour Photo Shoot for Hubby
Ms. G's Glamour Calendar Shoot...Creating a glamour calendar for her husband
When Ms.G was considering what she wanted to give her loving husband for their anniversary, she decided to make it a sexy glamour calendar of thirteen fabulous images for him to look at every day. Her profession keeps her on the road several days a month and this would be a way to be with him in his office everyday.
She stated that she knew what she wanted the look and feel to be like and set off on an extensive search for the right artist to make it a reality for her and her husband. With the help of a very good friend, they came upon Von Trapp Photography and contacted us and we met to discuss her project.
I was taken by her concept and by her personality. We listened to each other's thoughts for almost two hours. I wanted to hear as much detail as possible and to give her ideas about what we could bring to the party in the way of design, concept, technique and artistry. Ms. G. had a chance to see additional examples of our work and to get all of her questions asked and concerns and fears addressed.
At the start of this project in August her anniversary was not for another seven months; however, we would need to get started quickly in order to fully design the shoot, plan the logistics, and capture the images. All would need to occur before the end of September to take advantage of the weather, since some of her desired images included a beach shoot, an outdoor cowgirl theme and a boudoir shoot. We used Pinterest to facilitate the gathering of inspiration and thoroughly collaborated with her to insure our creative vision satisfied hers for this 18x24 inch, 13-page work of art.
One of 13 image created for her glamour calendar that will be a present to her beloved husband. This one has been selected as one of the images to be used for one of the summer months.
Ms. G's project necessitated that she contract us for our commissioned shoot since it was really several different shoots which were needed to create enough variety of images for a calendar. Also, at this price point she benefited by her ability to have a great deal of planning and post-processing included in the price. As of this writing, we have completed all stages of preparation, shooting and post-processing, and have sent the images to print.
Ms. G has expressed her great joy over the results, and has shared the delighted comments of close girlfriends about her experience, and the artistic results of her experience with us at Von Trapp Photography.
Thank you to Ms. G for trusting us at Von Trapp Photography to create her dream calendar and to bring it to fruition, and for allowing us to post this image from her shoot. We really enjoyed working with her and connecting her to her glamour. Contact us today and let us connect you to yours.
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