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.
Creating Boudoir Images | What is, what is not boudoir photography
Creating Boudoir Images...What is and what is not boudoir photography?
What comes to your mind when you think about the term Boudoir photography? If you have followed any of my previous blog postings, you know that I have been advocating for a change to how people think about glamour and boudoir photography.
I feel that a misunderstanding of what boudoir photography is keeps some women from ever considering having their portrait taken in this manner. Boudoir photography is empowering and liberating and it is my hope that a better understanding of what it is, and what it is not, will allow more women to seek out the opportunity to be photographed thusly.
Classic Boudoir
Classic Boudoir
Classic Boudoir
Elegant and evocative boudoir photography has been created for decades, and is being increasingly regarded as a art form that is worth being noticed. It is being featured with increasing frequency at internationally recognized professional photography conferences and seminars, and a considerable amount of very good to exquisite examples can be found on line in search results.
A well crafted boudoir image provides an immense opportunity for a woman to explore her beauty, grace, sexiness and glamour. No matter what your body type, a professionally produced image will bring out a side of you that you have not seen in a long time, or perhaps one that you never imagined existed.
I do feel, however, that anyone who is new to the genre may feel uncomfortable when they search on line for examples of boudoir photos. It is so easy to be confused by the variety of images that will be returned in a search for "boudoir" as to what boudoir photography really is.
Classic Boudoir
One will find a wide variety of photographs lumped into the genre of boudoir. Images of a woman in either lingerie, partially nude or nude, and taken in almost any setting will be referred to as boudoir. I find this to be confusing and potentially off-putting at worst, and inelegant at best. The "boudoir" by its very definition is a ladies' sitting room, parlor, dressing room or bedroom. As such I am discontented with an image of a woman in lingerie who is photographed out of doors as being called boudoir. Out of simplicity or expediency by both photographer and lay-public, it has become common to call the above example…boudoir. I choose to classify such an example as lingerie glamour or sexy glamour, but not boudoir.
I find it more desirable and useful to sub-classify such images for clarity and ease of helping my clients to describe and decide on what look and feel of imagery they are wishing to create. This is my breakdown and classification for the variations of boudoir photography.
Classic Boudoir: Photographs taken in the setting of the classical definition of boudoir. Featuring the subject getting ready such as doing hair, make-up etc. She may be dressing, dressed, undressing, or undressed. She may be wearing clothes or in her lingerie. Her attitude, pose and expression are not overtly sexual in its styling.
Classy Boudoir: Can be similar to the above example, but without clear reference to the boudoir as a setting (such as on a living room sofa) but is still indoors. This category has a greater number of possibilites since it is free from the limits of the definition of the boudoir, however, follows somewhat closely the idea of not being overtly sexy. Playful, however, is more often classified into this category.
Sexy Boudoir: Images taken in a setting as above but with emphasis on sexiness and playfulness as depicted by the choice of pose or body position, clothing, or communicated through the expression given by the subject. In this category, I also include the choice of locations other then the boudoir which may even add some degree of eroticism to the impression given by the image.
Heels in the Air v.3 by Von Trapp Photography 2013.Classy Boudoir
Beautiful boudoir images that are sexy, tasteful and evocative is what we at Von Trapp Photography specialize in creating. Texas boudoir and glamour photographer Richard von Trapp is a couture photo-artist who's style is fashion-magazing in its inspiration. See yourself in a whole new glamorous light. We will connect you to your beauty and glamour that will allow you to fall in love with yourself.
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Sexy Boudoir
When you consider a boudoir photographer and their work, look for a photographer who is producing a style that fits your vision and desire. If you find one who has an interesting style but who may not have examples of their work that fit into a subcategory which you desire, contact them directly to discuss your thoughts. Often a photographer's online portfolio for boudoir will be limited in the variety of examples shown because clients may not wish to be featured on line.
How the artist styles the image in terms of lighting, coloring, sharpness, and setting should also be considered. It is often the hallmark of their style and can be seen throughout their work. Some artists may have a variety of looks to their works, others will create a singular signature style. Lets look at how a style can be described in terms of lighting.
Natural Light: This refers to the light created in nature, i.e. sun, moon and stars. This light can produce beautiful results, but is extremely limiting. It has to be there at the time of shooting, and it is constantly changing. When available in the right location (light from a north facing window is the best), or at the best time of the day (sunrise to mid morning and late afternoon to sunset), incredible results can be obtained. The image above is an example of the use of natural light.
North light will produce soft evenly lit images. It is often used to produce a romantic look to the photograph. Morning light too is soft and cool in its color which is not the case with the warm color to late afternoon light. Generally afternoon light is not as soft as north or morning light, but allows for the creation of warm etherial images as the photographer shoots into the light coming from behind the subject. The glow of the light coming from behind the model and into the lens creates a flair of light which reduces the sharpness of the subject, creating the etherial feeling.
Availible Light: This is any and all light that is available at a location, but which is not provided by the photographer. This too can afford the artist unique and interesting opportunities to create beautiful images. It is also limiting in several ways. A suitable location has to be found with the right available lighting. If shooting in color, the various "temperatures" of the lights on location must be considered and possibility balanced. All light has its own color temperature resulting in a range of tones from warm to cold. Combining different color temperatures can be used for artistic effect, but can also create a displeasing mishmash to the look of the image. The ability to control the light, although slightly better than natural light, is still limited to what is present and how it can be turned on and off.
Studio Strobes and Speedlights: This is the choice for most commercial photographic work. It gives the artist significant to total control over the light. The color temperature, intensity, and direction of the light can be finely tuned and by this method, the artist is said to be able to shape the light.
See the following three posts for examples how light can be shaped using these tools.
Light's Beautiful Curves…Using light and shadows to create glamour.
Creating Glamour…Using the elements of glamour to create striking images.
Classy Boudoir
In the image above two strobes were used to create this boudoir image. One was used along with a soft box as the main light to light the subject. A second strobe with a gobo (material of some kind which is placed between a light and the subject) of foil with irregular shaped holes was used to create the light and shadows on the wall which add interest to the photograph.
Images of a woman wearing lingerie, are taken outdoors, or that are nude, sexy, or evocative and don't meet the definition of boudoir as above, I classify in other ways, such as lingerie glamour, sexy glamour, glamour nude etc.
By breaking down the images into these categories I feel that it is easer to communicate with clients about styling, mood, pose, setting, expression, message, clothing, etc.
Lingerie Glamour
Lingerie Glamour
Sexy Glamour
Lingerie Glamour
Lingerie Glamour
If are thinking about having a boudoir or glamour session, let us at Von Trapp Photography create a work of art with you as the subject. We will put you in touch with your beauty and glamour. Contact us today.
Houston Austin Glamour | Sexy Glamour Shoot in Europe
Texas Photographer Creates Glamour in Europe…Fashion-Glamour Shoot in the Medieval town of Rothenburg, Germany.
The town of Rothenburg Germany is located in the northwestern part of Bavaria in the Franconia region. It dates from the year 1170 and is the home of just under 11,000 residents. It is a walled town with watch towers, defensive positions and, in places, a mote.
This picturesque treasure survived several brushes with destruction over the centuries, including WWII when a peaceful solution was reached between American and German soldiers, in contradiction to Hitler's orders, and the town was spared extensive damage.
We traveled to this and other locations to create glamour, fashion-editorial, and boudoir images in the beauty and charm of Italy and Germany. This behind the scenes photo was taken durning the initial lighting set-up and is within the wall of the city in one of its defensive positions.
Texas photo-artist Richard von Trapp and model setting up for a fashion-glamour editorial shoot.
Here I am taking a light meter reading of my primary strobe, fitted with a 2x3 foot soft box. To my rear is a second strobe being used to create a rim light on the model in order to separate her from the darker background. I will ultimately balance the light output from these two strobes with the natural light coming in from the outside to create my final look.
Von Trapp Photography creates beautifully evocative images that connect you to your glamour, and allow you to fall in love with yourself. Contact me today and let me excite you with how you can be the captured in a way that few photographers can.
Visit this link to see public domaine images of Rothenburg: https://www.google.com/search?q=rothenburg&sa=X&biw=1269&bih=921&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=Ss4YVJrEC9fsoASPtILgAg&ved=0CDcQ7Ak
Austin Glamour | Desert Photo Shoot
Desert Glamour and Elegance…Photo shoot in Las Vegas by Texas photographer.
When you think of the desert do you think of it as a glamorous setting for a photo shoot? We traveled from Austin to Las Vegas recently and were able to do several locations shoots there. During this particular fashion-glamour shoot we had the great opportunity to work with the fantastic light that is often available at sunrise and, in this case, near sunset.
We used two studio strobes, powered by a portable power source, a beauty dish and soft box with a grid. These light modifiers added the extra punch of light and sculpting capability needed to create this fashion glamour image. In order to make images that have a commercial magazine look, lighting of this type is required.
Desert Siren in Blue by Von Trapp Photography 2015 | Las Vegas Glamour ShootConcept Shoot in the Las Vegas Desert with Samiha. My concept was to create an image showing a mermaid like woman on a dry lake bed, having "lost her realm".
This is but one of the images from that shoot which is less about her dread over her "loss".
Image crated by Texas glamour, wedding, and boudoir photographer Richard von Trapp.
Creating glamour is made more easy when this degree of control is available to the photographer. Images that are transcendent of the everyday is what glamour photography is all about, and the creation of light that is not seen in normal life adds to that possibility.
For this shot the model was placed in the full shade of a hill that is behind the camera and lit with the strobes. I balanced the exposure with the background and sky to take advantage of the warmth and long shadows being created by the setting sun. The quality of the light from the lighting modifiers used created a soft and glamorous glow to the skin.
Contact me today to discuss how you can be connected to your glamour and beauty.
Enchanted Rock Shoot | Texas Glamour-Boudoir Photo Shoot
Glamour and enchantment at Enchanted Rock | Von Trapp Photography
Ladies, I don't know how you do it! I'm continually amazed at your ability to glisten when we males can't help but expect to be drenched from perspiration. On this glamour shoot at Enchanted Rock State Park, Texas, my male assistant and I were covered in perspiration, while the women hardly even glistened dispite the 95 degree temperatures. Of course, I would never wish my model to be shiny for her shoot. But I am still left to wonder…how do you do it?
This shoot was styled with a country theme at 4 locations with 5 clothing changes, using different props. We packed in all of our camera equipment, lighting and grip gear, wardrobe, makeup, props, shelter for the model to change behind, DC battery power, and water. We used a two-light with soft box setup for the woodland shots, and a single head with soft box for the other two locations.
Despite the humidity and high temperature, everyone did great and we created some fine work. Two separate woodland sets were used, this one and another with a small stream. For our third location, the crew climbed 3/4th of the way up the 425 foot high pink granite pluton rock formation that is Enchanted Rock. Finally after a short break from our hike back down and some change of lighting gear, we concluded shooting on the road outside of the park entrance.
This was yet another fine day of shooting which yielded numerous great captures. I will post some images soon after completing the post-processing and styling.
Go online to find out more about this fabulous day or overnight camping treasure. Click on the following links.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/enchanted-rock
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchanted_Rock
My name is Richard von Trapp and I an a glamour, boudoir and wedding photographer in Texas. My passion is to create uniquely beautiful images of every woman that are evocative and moving. My images connect women to their glamour and beauty, allowing them to fall in love with themselves.
Call me so that I can excite you with how we can create a work of art with you as its subject. Click here to see my portfolio.
Crafting the Light | Austin Glamour-Boudoir-Wedding-Photo
Making a Difference with Strobes…How strobes and light modifiers can aid in creating extraordinary glamour and boudoir photographs.
Whether I am shooting in a studio, on location in central Texas, or elsewhere in the world, I will always strongly consider using some form of strobe and lighting modifiers. Natural and ambient light are great, often providing a regionally unique look that is found only in that part of the world. (This is a perfect excuse for any photographer or painter to travel.) Anyone who has traveled widely can attest to how different the light is at one given location over another. The warm golden colors of Rome, the intense spring colors of Europe, or vibrant colors of the Caribbean are but a few examples.
The overriding problem with available light, however, is that there is always an uncertainty of what you will have at the time of the photograph. Even then, it will be changing from moment to moment. Photographers know well the concept of chasing the light, or may be heard muttering that they are losing the light.
This brings me to artificial light - any source other than the sun, moon and stars. It can be available light such as street lighting, candlelight, city lights, etc. But in its most controllable form, the kind used by movie makers and skilled photographers, it can be counted upon to make the exact kind of light the artist is envisioning. There are two main forms of artificial light used in cinema and photography. They are classified as continuous lighting and strobes (commonly called flash). Two examples of strobes are studio strobe and speed light.
I presently use strobes and speed lights with a variety of devices to change and shape the light. This shaping of the light is accomplished with light modifiers. Light modifiers are any device that is used around, in front of, or on the light source to provide control such as softening, directing, or intensifying the light. When used in consort with accessories that include light stands, colored gels, battery packs and more, they afford the artist immense creative ability to construct and shape the very look of the light.
Lady In Orange v.2a by Von Trapp Photography 2014.Image capture made in San Antonio on a sunny morning at the Pearl Brewery.
Model/HMU: Simone
This image was created using two 1000 watt Profoto D1 Air studio strobes. The first is fitted with a beauty dish attached to a boom above the model and to camera left. The second strobe is placed 25 feet away and aimed up along this narrow walkway to illuminate the model's lower body, and highlight her pumps to really pop their great color. The camera is 40 feet away and fitted with a Canon 200mm f2 L IS lens on a 5D MkII body with a radio trigger. My lens choice, along with the strobes, allowed me to drop the background out of focus and into darkness, thus keeping the viewer's attention on the subject.
Using high powered strobes allow the photo-artist to overpower the ambient light such as in the image above. The strobe appears to be the only light source when in fact the photo was taken at 9am, albeit on a cloudy day. It could, however, easily be done on a brighter day by increasing the strobe's power of output and adjusting the exposure settings. The Profoto Air units can also be individually turned on and off, their power increased or decreased or a modeling light activated all from behind the camera with a radio trigger. This creative power, however, comes at a price. Top of the line units with an external power source and accessories will amount to the equivalent of 5 to 6 months of house payments in many parts of the country.
At a considerably lower price point are speed lights, which will give similar control but with much less power when compared to the studio strobes listed above. Being more portable they will be the better choice for some projects and I keep three for such jobs. It is possible to buy the necessary gear in order to pair two or more speed lights for use in one light modifier, such as a soft box or umbrella, to gain more light output for those sunny locations. You will get more light output by using multiple units in this way, the smaller components will be easier to transport, and there is no need for a large battery pack or AC power as with studio strobes. But three mid-grade speed lights for one soft box with triggers for each will start to approach the cost of one of my studio heads listed above. Thus speed lights do offer great results when used in most situations not needing to overpower the ambient light.
For the next image I used two speed lights with radio triggers. I used one speed light and trigger in a 24x24in folding soft box with the front defusing panel removed to create a crisper (harsher) light for a more edgier mood. A second unit fitted only with a colored gel and trigger is placed some 80 feet away at the end of the corridor facing the camera's position. I used a tripod to give me the control needed to make slight adjustments in the camera's position to get the light just above the model's shoulder. A star filter was not used.
Artistic lighting, like the edgy lighting seen above or the dramatic shot at the beginning, will require two and three strobe/speed light locations, sometime more to develop the look. In order to creatively place your light sources in a number of possible locations away from the camera's position you will also need a triggering system. There are two kinds of cordless triggers, Infra red (IR) and radio. The IR system has the inherent disadvantage of not working well in bright sunlight, and are line of sight only. Presuming your creative juices will on occasion have you shooting in daylight (overpowering the sun) you will not be able to always count on the IR triggering included on many upper tiered speed light units. So you will need a radio trigger for each strobe/speed light head and for the camera. Radio systems have the added value of allowing you to place units around corners, most up to 200 to 300 feet away.
So if you are a natural/available light photographer possibly looking for a new creative twist for your work, give controllable-artificial light a try. If your budget is such as to limit your lust, consider an inexpensive speed light with a guide number as close to or over 100 as possible. Several simple radio triggers are ever more affordable now. Depending on brand, an entry level investment of $230 to $450 will get you a speed light and triggering system consisting of a transmitter and receiver. Additional speed lights and receivers generally run another $160 to $350. Start with two speed lights and then add light modifiers as your budget allows.
Flash unites at these price points do not, however, have the through the lens (TTL) capability of pricer units. The TTL function allows the flash and camera's metering system to communicate to create a "correct" exposure at the moment of taking the picture. This feature is great when working with quickly changing scenes and subjects such as sporting events, some street photography, news events etc. But when creating an image with an artfully planned concept, you are best served to set the flash power manually and calculate the settings using a hand held light meter. One that works with flash is referred to as a flash meter.
This ladies and gentlemen will be the best bit of photographic kit that will take you to a new creative level, both when shooting with strobe and any other light source. A hand held light meter is so worth the $180 to $600 price tag to get such incredible ability to "get it right". I am presently using a Sekonic L-478D flash meter and I just love it.
If, however, you wish to "do it old school" you can use a chart that gives you the f-stop for a given ISO for a given strobe's power (Guide Number) at a designated distance of flash to subject. It is quite simple and accurate. You can learn more about this method online at www.creativelive.com. Look up the segment under: Catalog, Category: Photo & Video, Topic: Lighting, and find the lesson titled "Crazy Stupid Light" with Scott Robert Lim. The cost of the course at $129 will be well worth it and can change your world. Or, you can put this money towards a flash meter - both options will yield great possibilities. All you need do is try/use them.
If you are a creative I hope you will value my essay in some small way. If, however, you are not a photographer, please read on.
If you are someone looking for a photographer, consider the look you want for your final image. You will be investing some $300 to $900 for most average good quality work. Now further consider the opportunity to have something out of the norm. Your investment just became more sound when your images are a work of art. Conduct an online image search for glamour, beauty, and boudoir photography. Look at the quantity and similarity of available light photos. With the considerable cost in terms of lighting equipment, training, and experience it is no wonder that so many professionals are shooting with available light. However, although gorgeous, you may wish to have images more unique; ones that cannot be created by just any photographer. If you want an image that is styled more like what is seen in fashion magazines, or perhaps cinematic like as seen in movies, you are going to need to find an artist who is doing that kind of work. I urge you to consider stepping away from the pack and seek something special for yourself. Now that you have some idea of what is possible, look past what is normal.
The saying amongst professional photographers is that everyone today is a photographer. With the advent of the camera phone that may seem to be true. However, I submit that a high megapixel phone camera, with its tiny sensor which is incapable of producing high quality images in the first place, does not an artist make. Only a creative mind, trained and experience with an artful eye, and yes, often a considerable amount of expensive gear, makes a photo-artist.
Don't settle for the "selfies", ladies. Invest in a quality professional photographer, be they a natural/available light shooter or otherwise. You deserve to see and feel your glamour in pictures.
Connecting you to your glamour.
Austin Boudoir | Blog: What is Glamour Photography? Part 1
Glamour and Boudoir Photography...The changing style of these misunderstood genre.
Part 1.
Depending on who you ask, the answer to the question of "what is glamour photography?" will certainly return a variety of answers and descriptions. This article in no way claims to provide an official or correct answer, but will lay out some of the impressions I get when I do an online search of photo websites on the topic. I will further offer you the reader my interpretation of glamour and boudoir and describe my style as a glamour photographer.
Genre confusion is a possibility for all of us as it certainly was for me when I first started to establish my brand. I am first a portrait photographer who specializes in the genre of glamour. I will and certainly do shoot boudoir and wedding but with the eye of the glamour photographer. I further incorporate a fashion-magazine and cinematic style to my work - at least through the eye as I define it.
Twirl by Von Trapp Photography 2014.Fashion Glamour Photography
Fashion Glamour Portrait with grace and beauty stylized with a magazine-editorial look.
[Contemporary glamour portrait with the subject making a strong connection to the camera and displaying a flattering body-language. The photo is styled with creamy highlights.]
The image above might be called a boudoir photograph by some since it contains an article of lingere. If one ignores the fact that the bustier and corset have made its way into the outerwear category of fashion, the very fact that this shot was taken against a white "V-flat" background keeps this image squarely, in my definition, in the glamour portrait realm.
The word boudoir by its very definition historically refers to a lady's parlor, sitting room or dressing area. In the past half century, this has expanded to include the bedroom or such simulated setting. Boudoir photography therefor, is a stylized form created in the boudoir. Loose definitions, however, include a wide verity of interpretations that seem to include any image of a woman in lingerie in just about any setting.
Glamour photography has also undergone considerable style interpretations and permutations over the years. Today when I conduct a online search for glamour photography I find a considerable number of what I would classify as boudoir or sexy-glamour photographs. I feel that glamour has a much broader and richer definition than what it seems to be perceived as. To help my further explanation, take a moment to view the following video on a discussion of the topic. Although I already felt this way, the speaker gives an excellent framework for considering the definition of what glamour is, and what is glamorous.
Virginia Postrel on the subject of glamour: 17min: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhHePLaMP_k
Using a definition of glamour where it is said to have grace, mystery and be transformative, one can imagine how photography can create a feeling of glamour in any number of photographic subjects, and not just be limited to a beautiful woman. Such an image of grace and mystery that transcends the everyday is a most elegant definition. It is this definition that I will use to further differentiate between boudoir and glamour photography.
See part 2, for a continued discussion of what is boudoir photography.
Richard von Trapp is a photographer who travels extensively seeking life's glamour.
City-Glamour | Texas Glamour-Boudoir-Wedding-Photo
Fashion-Glamour Photo Shoot….On location with London.
Photo shoots on location in cities like Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio always offer great opportunities to include elements of local flavor and style to any glamour photo session.
Beauty, Glamour and Tulle by Von Trapp Photography 2014Fashion glamour portrait created with edgy styling. This image was taken on location in San Antonio.
This beautiful glamour photograph was created using a simple lighting setup with only one strobe, fitted with a beauty dish, and positioned to camera left at about 9 feet above the ground. The narrowness of this ally allowed my model to strike this great pose with ease, and the painted wall offers a sense of depth and downward movement of the stairway into the inky blackness behind her, which also offers a degree of mystery. The natural draft of the alleyway aided in offering some movement to her hair; which would have been hard to do using manmade means in these tight conditions.
In addition creating wonderful images for our client, she had a great time feeling like a supper model as we worked the streets of San Antonio to capture these images.
Creating images of glamour is my passion. Let me create glamorous works of art with you as the subject.
Richard von Trapp is a Texas Glamour, Boudoir and Weddng Photographer.
Desert Glamour | Texas Glamour-Boudoir-Wedding-Photo
Desert Beauty…Creating Glamour in the Las Vegas Desert
In March of 2014, I traveled from Texas to Las Vegas to attend a photography conference. Like many other photographers I planned to use some of my time there to schedule some location shoots. One such shoot was in the mountains above Nellis Air Force Base.
This image below was created using two 1000w Profoto D1 strobes powered by a BatPac battery. My main light was fitted with a collapsible Chimera beauty dish and positioned to camera left and above the model's head. The second strobe is placed behind the rock at knee level to provide an accent light (rim light). To capture the city lights in the far distance, I used a shutter speed of ½ second, with an aperture setting of f8. Additionally, I balanced the power setting of the strobes to achieve the desired exposure of the model and rock.
The rim light was absolutely necessary to provide a visual separation of her body and hair from the nighttime darkness. It created some specular highlights on her killer come-fuck-me-stilettoes and right calf, along with giving a highlight to the front of her left thigh and breast, and her marvelous bum.
Desert Booty v.2c by Von Trapp Photography 2014.Hottie Simone kicks up a stilettoed heel and arches her back to create a yummy profile for us in the Las Vegas desert.
Model/HMU: Simone
For me, glamour photography is about creating images that have beauty, grace, mystery and transcendence from the everyday. Such images are set apart from most photographs created or captured by photographers shooting today. Their work can be very beautify, however, making an image that has true glamour is more difficult. Especially if they are shooting only with natural light, since they have no ability to control it no "shape it".
We at Von Trapp Photography want every woman to be connected to their glamour and beauty.
Contact us today and let us do just that.
Rainy Day Glamour in San Antonio | Texas Glamour-Boudoir-Wedding
Glamour on a rainy day…Fashion-glamour shoot in San Antonio.
The recent rain in Central Texas afforded us the chance to stylize a fashion-glamour photo shoot using the rain and an umbrella as a central theme. We created images in this gritty ally as well as on the streets of downtown San Antonio. Glamour can be created using a multitude of subjects in a wide verity of locations.
In doing so, the skillful glamour photographer will craft the image to show the subject's beauty, grace, mystery and transcendence. These qualities are the very definition of glamour and what must be present for an image to be considered a glamour photograph. In this photo we juxtaposed the beauty of our model agents the gritty setting of this alleyway.
Richard von Trapp is a portrait photographer in Central Texas who uses glamour's elements of beauty-grace-mystery-and transcendence to create uniquely beautiful images. "Let me connect you to your glamour". Contact me today.
Glamour of Light/Shadows | Texas Glamour-Boudoir-Fashion-Photo
Light's Beautiful Curves…Using light and shadows to create glamour.
Light of course does not bend nor curve. But the use of light and shadow to create the perception of a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional canvas, photographic paper or drawing paper is almost as old as cave paintings. Ok! Don't hate me art history students...not really that old. But it is the very use of this light and shadow technique that takes paintings out of the cave and elevates them above kindergarten drawings.
I created this glamour image using two 1x4 Profoto soft boxes with a grid to create the rim light on each side. A third light placed above the camera, but with a beauty dish created a hint of fill. I further reduced this light's value in post production to increase the drama and heighten the photo's glamour.
In my next image I only use a single strobe and without a light modifier. I chose it and the model's placement to compliment the shadows that will be created by the banister and the curving steps, wall, and ceiling. What was challenging is visualizing where the shadows would fall relative to the model. Since this shot is taken in November in Budapest inside an unheated stairway, I did not wish to have my model in position for too long. So once I had the 80% solution I had her dash out from the apartment some feet away, put her into place, made a final test shot and made this capture along with several others.
Creation of these images are made possible through the use of off-camera lighting and could not be made using natural or available light. It is explainable why so few photographers use this capability when you consider the expense of the equipment and knowledge of the techniques.
Although fabulous and beautiful images will be created every day using available light, one can not achieve the results that we create without use of off-camera lighting.
Have a look at the fashion-inspired glamour and boudoir work in our portfolio. See the difference that we bring to a project when connecting you to your glamour
CPT. Richard von Trapp of Von Trapp Photography is a Texas glamour photographer who loves traveling the world capturing it's glamour. Contact me today and let me excite you with how I can connect you to your glamour.
Glamour in Tulle | Texas Glamour-Boudoir-Wedding-Photography
Fashion Glamour Portrait…Creating glamorous images that are fashion-based.
As a glamour and boudoir photographer I have the great joy of capturing or creating evocative glamour images in fabulously unique locations.
This glamour portrait was created with a fashion-editorial feel. The model's outfit consisted of a corset, tulle skirt and Christian Louboutin Bibi pumps. Shooting in great cities like Austin, Houston, Dallas or, as in this shot in San Antonio, it is possible to create fabulous urban influenced glamour, fashion, and high school senior images. This cool image with its rusted corrugated metal and brightly colored walls was captured on the 5th floor of a downtown parking garage.
Glamour is the term given to anything having beauty, grace, mystery, and transcendence of the every day. When a photograph combines glamour with a fashion-magazine look and style it can create a very evocative and popular look. Finding a photographer who can create the look and feel of this hot style may, however, prove a little difficult. More often then not, it comes down to the styling and lighting the photographer uses that will determine if a successful fashion-glamour photograph is created or not.
Many photographers, whether they are shooting glamour/boudoir or not, shoot exclusively natural/available light. This kind of light can be beautiful, but it is very limiting, restricting the possibility of greater creativity by the artist.
The most likely reason the majority of photographers do not use other forms of lighting, such as studio strobes, speed lights, or continuous lighting equipment, is the costly investment of doing so. This investment will range from a few hundred to several thousands of dollars. Combined with this is the necessary artistic talent of the photographer to "see" the image concept in advance, plan the details, and manage the gear. Truly, the greater the investment in the gear, the greater the options to artfully create something that clients will really treasure. However, unique images that stand out from the rest can only be created when these tools are combined with the skills of the artist to pose the client, craft the light, and capture the image.
If you are wanting a beautifully glamorous photograph of yourself, one that will connect you to your glamour in a way that a "selfie" never will, hire a professional glamour photographer. Look carefully at their web site and compare one to another to see who has the most unique and interesting artistic style. The $500 to $1900 average you can expect to invest will be completely worth the experience of feeling like as glamorous supper model, and the unimaginable joy of seeing yourself in a way that you may never have…when you are connected to your beauty and glamour.
Richard von Trapp of Von Trapp Photography in central Texas is a glamour, boudoir and wedding photographer using the techniques and equipment that create that fashion magazine look and mood.
Fashion-Glamour | Texas Glamour-Boudoir-Wedding-Photo
Fashion-Editorial Based Glamour
This portrait was inspired by images seen in fashion magazines and is created by having my model assume a similar style of pose. It has also been made more dramatic by the color styling that was added during post-processing.
What is Glamour Photography Part 2 | Texas Glamour-Boudoir
Glamour Photography…It's so much more then a pretty face. The misunderstood genre.
Part 2
When I do an online search for glamour images, so many of the photos I see are what I would describe as lingerie-glamour, sexy-glamour or boudoir. This is in no way wrong. But I do worry that only these images will be associated with the words glamour photography or glamour photographs.
I prefer the historical definition of glamour (see this youTube video link which I also listed in my Part 1 blog on this subject: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhHePLaMP_k ) that is described in the cited video. This defines glamour as a condition or state of mind, in which anything having grace, mystery and is transcendent of the everyday, qualifies as glamour or is considered glamorous.
Using this definition of glamour photography is applicable to images in a multitude of subjects. It's not just about a pretty face. Lets explore the creation of a glamour photograph in its more pure state of the definition. A well-crafted glamour image, regardless of the subject, will have been carfully planned, meticulously photographed and artfuly post processed to create the glamour. In the days of camera film, what we call post-processing today was done by hand, utilizing specialized skills and techniques both in the darkroom and retouching the final print afterward. Today we also do the same kind of work by hand, but use a high-grade computer with specialized softwear, a graphic pen tablet and viewed on a precisely color-calibrated monitor.
The Power to be Transformative.
As mentioned, glamour has the power to be transformative--to allow the viewer to escape the everyday. It is the idealization, glorification, and dramatization of a subject, concept or scene that is the cornerstone to glamour and of glamour photography.
As a glamour photographer I desire to capture the world's glamour where I find it or can create it. When photographing a woman, I strive to create an image that allows her to love herself. The photograph should transcend her everyday and idealize, glorify and dramatize her beauty. I believe every woman deserves to be photographed in this glamorous fashion.
Everyday I view beautiful works of photographic art online; gorgeous images with lots of feeling that are classified as glamour. But often I feel they are not examples of glamour as I have described it here, despite the beauty of the photograph. I feel that there is a prevailing oversimplification of what glamour photography is, and it is associated in the minds of many viewers as only the boudoir or sexy style of photography of young women.
It is my hope to advocate successfully for a broader view of what is the definition of glamour photography--one that holds the classical definition as the primary understanding of what it could be.
In my next part I will break down how I have attempted to classify the many possible subcategories of glamour photography.
Richard von Trapp is a Texas glamour and boudoir photographer who uses the classical definition of glamour to see the world that he photographs.
Austin-San Antonio-Houston-Dallas Glamour and Boudoir. Blog | Inspiration "Italian Peasant"
Stylized Glamour Shoot.
Sticking with Italian films as inspiration and Sophia Loren in particular, we created this peasant look set amongst two olive trees.
Austin-San Antonio-Houston-Dallas Glamour and Boudoir. Blog | "Italian-Style Inspired Shoot"
Glamour Shoot. Using fashion to inspire.
When one thinks of Italy often an ideal of fashion-style quickly comes to mind. During the twelve years I lived in Europe I always loved driving to Italy, be it for the day or longer, where I would marvel at the glamour of life there. The stylish women of Roma and Milano were particually special for me.
It was my love of those experiences that inspired me to create these photos which we shot in San Antonio.
Italian Inspiration by Von Trapp Fashion Photography 2013Glamour photograph that has been fashion-inspired.
Richard von Trapp is a glamour photographer creating evocative images, serving Austin-San Antonio-Houston-Dallas. #Austin Glamour Photography
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