Five Glamour Photography Tips

Words and images by Holly Knowles who has recently launched her new website - www.hollyrotica.com

I’d say once or twice a week, I get an email from a follower of my work asking for my help. The main issues I come across are: ‘how do you find willing models to photograph?’ and ‘I have no confidence in directing nude models, can you help me?’ So here are my top five glamour photography tips to help inspiring glamour photographers.

Top Five glamour Photography Tips:

Where do you stand morally?

Sex and nudity is much more open to the public eye these days. It's laced in T.V, films, music videos and magazines but you need to decide what you see yourself venturing into, glamour, artistic nude etc. and know where your own line's drawn. By doing so, you'll be able to maintain your virtues and really focus on the sorts of images you want to achieve.

Know your model's boundaries.

You may know about you but what about the model you are about to photograph? Always discuss before the photo shoot how far (nudity wise) they are willing to go. You don't want to get to the shoot and find you've made your model uncomfortable or embarrassed them because you didn't ask the question before.

Be confident

The key is to be assuring and confident towards your model and try to act as naturally as possible. My first ever glamour shoot was with a friend and I was so shocked to have a naked women walking around my studio I couldn’t concentrate. Trust me, gawking is not a good look!

Strike a pose

One of the most common things I find that fellow photographers have problems with is giving direction so their model knows what pose they're looking for. My advice would be to study fashion and glamour magazines, create a tear book of your favourite images and take it on shoot. Show the model how you want her to pose. You'll also find that most good models will be confident with posing so you can always ask them for suggestions and shoot as they move. Third and finally, take a leaf out of my book and demonstrate the pose you want them to do. You may feel silly but trust me it works every time and it can also help lighten the mood, making your model more relaxed in the process.

The power of suggestion

I’d say 70% of my models aren’t comfortable with nudity but that doesn't mean images can't be sexy. It’s not all about the boobs and bums! Try and create interesting and sexy images with clothes on!


My final message to all female and male photographers out there, keep at it, keep persisting and never give up! Good luck and remember to have fun!

Words and images by Holly Knowles who has recently launched her new website - www.hollyrotica.com