EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ESCORT PHOTOGRAPHY.
And before you book your shoot!
You may be new to the industry and curious about what it takes to get some professional photos or you may already be experienced and looking to bring your advertising profile to the next level Creating captivating images that encourage a potential client to click on your profile are the key to getting traffic on your page and securing those bookings. At Sydney Glamour Photography, we have photographed 100’s of escorts over the last 10 years or so. We are the preferred photographer for the awards winning Samantha X angels and the go-to photographer for many new and established escorts in the industry.
To share share some helpful info and answer our most commonly asked questions, we have put together this comprehensive guide with our best advice, tips and tricks to create the best photos for your portfolio.
Investing in your image is the best way to get ahead.
You can create the persona you desire in your photoshoot and brand yourself the way you like by planning ahead. While we can’t speak for every photographer or escort, we share the things we have learned in over 10+ years in the boudoir photography space.
DO I NEED PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS? AFTER ALL SELFIES ARE MORE REAL.
There is definitely a place for good selfies, but on high end websites like Scarlet Blue, Private Girls, Available Angels, Tryst etc a profile with selfies only will stand out for all the wrong reasons. Let's be honest, the images are there to market your services and the quality of your images will to some degree reflect the standard of clients you attract. It’s a well known fact that men are visual creatures.
BUT MY FRIEND HAS A GREAT CAMERA.
Sure but what sets a professional photographer apart from a friend with a camera is their skill, knowledge and artistic vision. There is a certain aesthetic to photographing women.
A great escort photo will not only make you look amazing but it will draw the viewer in and stay in his mind.
It’s not just about bums and boobs, a great image sells a vision, a fantasy.
Professional photographers take photos to the next level to create sensually provocative images that are stylish and classy and enticing
An experienced photographer will quickly assess all kinds of things; your overall look and vibe, your body type, your confidence, unique features, poise etc and based on their experience they will direct you and the shoot to bring out all those things.
Rather than using the same standard poses for everyone they will pose you to suit your body type.
SHOULD I CHOOSE A FEMALE OR MALE PHOTOGRAPHER?
That’s really your personal preference. If you are hiring a photographer, the most important thing is that you love their images and their look and feel.
Every photographer will have their own unique style. If you love their work it shouldn’t matter if they male or female as long as they are a reputable photographer.
A male photographer may be able to offer a male point of view when selecting your final images.
HOW DO I FIND A GOOD PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER AND HOW DO I KNOW THEY ARE NOT A CREEP?
Be wary of photographers who only have a social media account, can’t answer your questions or ask inappropriate questions. Consider bringing a friend along if you are worried. A reputable photographer won't have an issue with it. Just let them know beforehand as a cutesy.
Listen to your gut, if there are red flags find another photographer.
Professional photographers rely on their reputation for their business so they will do the right thing by you.
Professional photographers will always respect your privacy and your anonymity. The last thing you need is some amateur sharing your images online showing your face or name.
Unfortunately there are creeps out there pretending to be professional photographers. Your best bet is to go with recommendations from other escorts or look for photographers recommended by Scarlet Blue in their photographers directory.
Look for photographers who have a professional looking website, client reviews, respond to your emails in a professional manner and can answer any questions you may have.
Do your research, check their social media and look over their portfolio of images to make sure they are relevant to what you need.
Find out where the location of the shoot is, can you get there and back by yourself? Don’t rely on the photographer having to drive you and being stuck with him. Check if there are private changing room facilities.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I PAY FOR PHOTOS?
Good photography isn’t cheap because professional photographers who make a living off photography need to earn a certain income like everyone else to stay in business.
Photographers who offer cheap or even free photo shoots are therefore not professional in the sense that they are not making their main living from photography. While this doesn’t mean that amateurs can’t be good photographers it does mean that they are not invested in their business and reputation the same way.
Unfortunately some may be driven by the idea of photographing beautiful women in lingerie more than actually providing a professional service.
Don’t be too focused on the number of images you get. You are better off with 10 or 20 amazing and well retouched images than 100 unedited images or images that don’t make you look your absolute best and you won’t be able to use.
When working out the costs of photography don’t forget to factor in hair and makeup and the cost of hiring a hotel room if necessary.
“You can have a great photographer or a cheap one but you cant have both”
Most photographers charge a session fee upfront to lock in a time. Most escorts can relate, this is to avoid no shows. Especially if the photographer has organized a makeup artist, they will still have to pay them even if the client doesn’t show up.
While we can’t speak for other photographers our clients typically spend between $750 - $2500 on their photography.
SHOULD I TELL THE PHOTOGRAPHER THAT I AM AN ESCORT?
Definitely, if you are using a photographer who works with escorts on a regular basis then it shouldn’t be an issue.
Knowing beforehand what you are after will make the whole experience a lot easier both both parties. The photographer can then adjust their style to make sure they are able to hide your face in as natural way as possible by directing you to use your hands, hair etc. and you don't have to think up with a story why you are doing a sexy photoshoot :)
Also discuss openly what style of images you are after, sweet and sexy, or provocative etc.
“Don’t forget the sexy detail shots”
I HAVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE, HOW WILL I KNOW HOW TO POSE?
You don’t need to know how to pose. It’s the photographers job to direct you. After all, they can see how the light is falling on you, what your body is doing, if there are any creases or lumps and bumps.
They will suggest poses that look great for you and compliment your looks and body type.
A good photographer will be encouraging you and giving you directions throughout the shoot.
The skill of posing a woman is probably the hardest skill to master as a photographer because it’s not something you can learn from YouTube but comes purely with experience from working with clients of all different sizes and shapes and ages
WHERE SHOULD THE PHOTOSHOOT TAKE PLACE?
That will depend on the photographer. Some options are photographers studio, your location, hotel room, AirBNB, outdoors etc.
Some photographers have large studios, some work from a converted garage while others shoot exclusively in hotels. It doesn’t really matter as long as it’s the right look you are after.
Obviously your safety is paramount, a commercial studio (like ours) with lots of people around is usually a safe bet. But take precautions and do some research if your are meeting a photographer in their home or isolated location.
Different locations types will have different looks and feel to them. If you are planning on using a hotel room have a chat to your photographer first. Photographers will know from experience which hotels work best. Some hotel rooms can be dark, especially if they are on the lower floors in a city surrounded by lots of other buildings. The time of day can also make a big difference to the amount of light available.
Smaller studios which just have a backdrop system tend to be the most restrictive ones since it’s just you in front of a plain backdrop and some props. It doesn’t give you a lot of variety and tends to have that ‘studio’ look. Most boudoir photographers usually shoot in a bedroom styled studio using natural light, giving you a very natural and real look.
Typical Boudoir studio, looks natural and has a bedroom mood
Small studio setup with plain backdrop. Lacks the bedroom feel
SHOULD I GET PROFESSIONAL HAIR AND MAKEUP, EVEN IF I AM NOT SHOWING FACE?
Unless you are very experienced in doing your own hair and makeup we always recommend using a professional hair and makeup artist.
Even if you are not showing your face your hair and lips are most likely visible in the images and they will be a focus so make sure they look the best they can. If you are showing face it’s obviously even more important.
A good makeup artist will know how to accentuate your eyes, do your eyelashes properly. There is nothing worse than a strip of lashes coming off in the middle of the shoot!They will also make sure the foundation matches your skin type properly and cover up any skin imperfections. Of course the lips need to be perfect too. The makeup artist will find just the right shade for you.
We recommend using a mobile makeup artist that comes to your shoot location. This way you can chill out while they take are of you and do any minor touch ups once you are in your lingerie.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE SHOOT?
Get your lingerie sets sorted well in advance so you can try them on beforehand. Especially if you are buying online. We had several clients unpack their lingerie for the first time at the studio only to find they accidentally bought crotchless knickers online!
Remove any tags from your lingerie
Get a tan if that's your look, but get it a few days beforehand, not on the same day as it will stain anything you sit on! Get the best professional tan you can and avoid any tan lines and white patches especially just under the bum and any other creases.
Trim, shave and moisturise any areas that need it. Or not, depending on your personal preference
Moisturise your skin, everywhere
Get your nails done
Get a good night's sleep cause no one needs bags under their eyes
Hydrate, hydrated skin glows
On the day of the shoot come with clean dry hair and a clean face. The makeup artist will take care of the rest.
On the day wear loose clothing to avoid any marks on your skin. Even jeans can leave a line up your legs from their seams. A dress or baggy pants are best.
HOW MANY OUTFITS SHOULD I BRING?
It’s always better to bring more than not enough! Even though you may only use 3 sets of lingerie bring a few more so you have a choice on the day.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BRING TO THE SHOOT?
Heels! Bring heels to match your outfits if possible. Make sure they fit properly and are clean and shiny.
Lacy robes, dresses, button up shirt, casual jeans and T-shirt, bikini, jewellery, body jewellery, boots.
If in doubt bring it.
WHAT SORT OF LINGERIE SHOULD I BRING?
We suggest to bring some matching sets for a sophisticated look. You can never go wrong with the latest sets from Honey Birdette but explore some of the other brands too.
Some people really suit g string others look better with a fuller brief. So check what you think looks best on you.
Stockings and garter belt. If you are going to wear stockings with a garter belt make sure they are not stay-ups. Stay-up stockings have a thicker top to help then grip your legs but it makes it harder for the garter clip to fit through the material. Stay ups also tend to pinch your skin and create little ‘muffin tops’.
Corsets can look great but they are a bit limiting in use. When you sit down or bend in any way corsets tend to push out the tummy area between the corset and the top of the knickers. Generally we only use them for standing up shots or laying down on your back.
Baby dolls, we are not a big fan of them, they tend to be tight around the breast area but without any support and don’t enhance the breast. At the same time the bottom half is loose and shapeless and makes you look bigger than you really are because of all the material.
Body suits are great, they hide the tummy area if needed but keep your shape.
HOW REVEALING SHOULD THE IMAGES BE? DO I HAVE TO GET NAKED?
The level of nudity is totally up to you. Here are some of the usual options and some photographers lingo.
Glamour - usually dressed up, little skin showing
Lingerie - all lingerie, can be sweet and sexy or alluring
Implied topless - you are topless but not showing nipples. E.g shooting from the back or use hands/arms to cover up. i.e. sideboob or underboob shots
Topless - nipples showing
Implied nude - you are nude but the images are taken in such a way as to not show your private parts e.g from the back, laying on your tummy, legs crossed, using sheet or props strategically to cover up
Artistic nude - you are nude in various poses, frontal nudity
Explicit - typically open leg
In our experience most clients go for a combination of images ranging from lingerie to implied nude or artistic nude. But it’s really your call what you are comfortable with. Make sure you discuss your boundaries with the photographer beforehand. You can change your mind during the shoot but don’t let the photographer talk you into anything you are not comfortable with. For example, if you are not going to use any naked images in your marketing then don’t do them. Remember you are doing the shoot for you, not for the photographer.
The more you plan beforehand and communicate openly with the photographer the less awkwardness there will be during the shoot. If you have a certain type of images in mind but you are not sure how to communicate it with the photographer then show them some examples of the images.
WILL THE PHOTOGRAPHER NEED TO TOUCH ME?
Definitely not! As a male photographer I never touch my clients in any way. Everything can be done via verbal communication and if we need to explain a particular pose we just demonstrate it ourselves. Which can be hilarious :)
We have heard stories from new escorts who were too shy or uncomfortable to speak up when the photographer got too ‘hands on’, assuming that it’s normal for a photographer to move them into a certain position etc.
It’s not normal and not necessary so make sure you speak up and let them know you are not ok with it.
HOW MANY PHOTOS SHOULD I GET TO START ADVERTISING?
If you are starting out and need to get an ad up on a escort listing site, 15-20 images will be enough.
You may only display 10 images at a time but you'll have some extra images to rotate images and refresh your advert.
If you are putting together a website you may want more images so you can create a few galleries such as Lingerie images, Nude images, dressed to impress, etc.
Having different images from your ad on your website will make people want to explore your website.
Make sure you get a variety of images, different poses, different outfits and images that work as a header for your twitter account or escort listing header etc
HOW DO I REMAIN ANONYMOUS IN THE IMAGES?
There are a few different options.
Blur the whole face or part of the face
Crop the images so that only part of your face (usually the lips) show
Pose in such a way that your face is hidden, e.g looking away, hair over your face, arms blocking your face etc
Personally we prefer the last method as it looks more natural. Our preference it to show the lips and hide the rest of the face. Without the seeing eyes it’s really hard to convey emotions in an image. This where the lips become the focus and they can convey plenty of emotions and sexyness!
Other options include wearing a lacy mask and or wigs to disguise your appearance.
Besides the face, make sure you remove any jewellery that would identify you.
Part of being a specialist escort photographer is the ability to retouch an image afterwards. Our job is to remove any identifying features such as scars, freckles etc. Small tattoos will usually be retouched out, larger ones may not be able to be removed so then we blur the tattoo.
HOW MUCH RETOUCHING CAN THE PHOTOGRAPHER DO AFTERWARDS?
The short answer is: a lot. But make sure you have seen the photographers work and you like their retouching style because retouching plays an important part in creating the final image and is just as important. If a photographer says things like “oh no we don’t retouch the images because they should be natural” it’s more likely they don’t have the skill or inclination to do so.
Retouching can be time consuming and takes a lot of practise to be proficient at. It’s ok to have a natural look to the images, but just like natural looking makeup, it takes a lot of practice to get that look right. A natural look doesn’t mean no retouching just as natural makeup doesn’t mean no makeup.
The level of retouching you want done is something you should discuss with the photographer.
As a default we will smooth out the skin and remove any skin imperfections.
Adjusting the colour temperature to make your skin glow warm or more pastel depending on your preference.
Adjust contrast, dodging and burning to make the images pop
Removing any labels on the lingerie and removing any loose threads etc
Cleaning up of shoes, the soles and any scuff marks.
Removing any random stuff in the background.
Whitening teeth and brightening eyes.
Smoothing or removing creases/rolls
Cleaning up shaving rash
Smoothing out tan lines.
Body shaping, changing the shape of your body. It’s one of the trickiest things to do well but it can make a huge difference. E.g. slimming of tummy, slimming of arms, rounding out breasts and bum, reducing double chin etc
Make sure you discuss with your photographer the level of retouching you want done and don’t assume that every photographer is able to do it. Check if there is any additional cost for retouching.
SHOULD I GET COLOUR OR B&W IMAGES?
It’s really a personal choice, black and white images can really stand out when most images used for advertising are colour. Talk to your photographer, they should know what images work better in B&W
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I DO A PHOTOSHOOT?
This really depends on your marketing strategy. Some girls do photoshoots on a regular basis like 2 or 3 times a year. Some girls do photoshoots when they change something about themselves such as hair colour or weight loss or they just went on a shopping spree at Honey Birdette :)
It’s ok to keep using your old images but we recommend changing it up on a regular basis. Clients are driven by curiosity and are more likely to ignore profiles they have already viewed several times. A new set of images will drive more traffic to your profile.
Men are very visual creatures after all :)
HOW DO I CHOOSE MY IMAGES AFTER THE PHOTOSHOOT?
HOW DO I RECEIVE THE IMAGES?
Digital delivery can be via email, dropbox, USB or digital download from a website. Ideally the photographer will resize and optimise the images for online use. This involves reducing the file size and sharpening images. This way you can upload the images directly to your website/twitter/escort directory etc. The images will load faster and look crisper.
This will vary with every photographer, some will create an online gallery where you can view and select your favourite images.
We usually sit down with our clients straight after the photoshoot and review the images. This way we can discuss the images and give you our input and discuss any retouching requirements for every image you select.
I AM A CURVY GODDESS/BBW ESCORT, SHOULD I GET PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS?
Most definitely, a professional photographer will really know how to show off your curves and make you look and feel amazing.
Photographing curves is a skill that takes practice and experience. Curves can and do look amazing but if not photographed properly can have the opposite effect.
Don’t hesitate to ask your photographer for examples of their work beforehand.
HOW LONG DOES A PHOTOSHOOT USUALLY LAST?
This will depend on the photographer. We found that 1.5 hours is ideal to get through 3 lingerie sets or 2 sets of lingerie and some implied nude images.
We found any longer and the energy level of most clients starts to fade.
An experienced photographer should be able to produce 80-100 very different images in that time
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Chris is a Sydney based beauty and boudoir photographer specialising in creating classy and sexy images of women. Chris and his wife run Sydney Glamour Photography.
Chris is a AIPP Master Photographer and has won numerous awards for his work. His work has also been published in various magazines around the world.
