The Look
This look is ethereal and magical, making it perfect for maternity shots or any boudoir style that aims for a clean, glowing, and light-filled appearance. The level of “sexy” is determined by the subject’s pose, expression, and attire. Whether your client is aiming for an angelic or sultry vibe, this look is a surefire winner.
The Setup
- Backdrop: I use Savage brand white seamless paper in a 53”x12 yard roll. A white wall will also work.
- Lighting: One strong and broad shot of light is aimed at the wall at an angle to achieve maximum coverage. There is no key light; room bounce serves to help add some illumination to the camera side of the subject.
Posing
- I like using a sheer piece of fabric for the subject to hold or wrap around herself. This creates an “x-ray vision” effect, allowing her to pose nude without revealing too much, or to use her hands and arms to cover certain areas.
- The subject can try various poses, from profile to straight-ahead, to find the one that best suits her.
- The sheer fabric can also be used for looks with more coverage, as shown in the example to the right.
My Gear & Settings
- Flash unit modified with a 42” shoot-through umbrella
- 50mm lens
- f/4.0 aperture
- 1/250 shutter speed
- ISO 100
Post-Processing
I always adjust the wrap-around lighting in post-production. For these images, I increase the exposure and bring out the shadows using Lightroom.
Tips for Success
- Backdrop: Use a white seamless paper backdrop or white wall for a clean, high-key look.
- Lighting: Aim for strong, broad lighting to achieve the wrap-around effect.
- Sheer Fabric: Utilize a sheer fabric to give your subject something to interact with, adding depth and texture to the shot.
- Post-Processing: Don’t hesitate to adjust the lighting in post to achieve the desired ethereal effect.