Doing sexy or boudoir photography outdoors can be exciting and beautiful. However, it can also be cold and rainy and might have privacy problems. In this blog posting, I talk about the advantages and disadvantages of outdoor boudoir photography.
Advantages
Model Stephanie Anne behind some grass in San Lorenzo Canyon, NMThe great outdoors can be beautiful, especially in the two states where I live: New Mexico and Hawaii. A beautiful landscape makes a better backdrop than any you will every find in a studio. Trees, tall grass, mountain streams, and wonderful vistas all await someone willing to work outside.
When we are working on private property, privacy can be assured. I have set up a simple outdoor studio on 11 acres that I own in the Sandia Mountains, near Albuquerque. The land has a lockable gate. It also has several different forest settings.
Working outside can lend a sense of adventure to the photo session. Many people in the US are rarely somewhat or completely undressed outdoors. Therefore it can be a new experience (and maybe even a nude experience; sorry, I could not help myself).
Disadvantages
Model London Andrews in the Rio Jemez, NMThe biggest possible disadvantage of doing sexy and boudoir photography outdoors is the weather. Luckily, I live in areas where good weather is common. However, I have had to cancel photo sessions or move them to the studio when the weather did not cooperate.
Also, in most states, it is too cool or even cold to work outside during part of the year. If you are cold, it will show in the photos and they will not be as good.
When working in national forests and on other public land, there is the issue of privacy. Model Stephanie Anne looking around a corner in San Lorenzo Canyon, NMWhenever I am shooting sexy or boudoir photos outdoors, I always have a lookout posted, and we are ready with a robe or other cover at a moments notice. When we were doing the photos of London (such as the one above where she is floating in a pool), a group of people intending on fishing wandered by (and kept going). We heard them approaching and she was clothed when they came by us. In general, I have noticed that even at busy locations in the mountains (such as the Sandias just outside of Albuquerque), most people are gone by a mile from the trailhead. Leave the trail by just a little bit, and you rarely will see people. I know many places just far enough off a trail to work well as photo locations.
Summary
Model Stephanie Anne in San Lorenzo Canyon, NMDoing sexy and boudoir photos outdoors gives a background and props that are impossible to recreate in a studio or other location. There can be a sense of adventure associated with going to a location and being partially or completely undressed. Unfortunately, the weather is not under control, so there can be temperature or rain issues. Private property has controlled access, but working on public lands requires having a lookout watching and listening for people wandering by.
You must be logged in to post a comment.