The Look
This setup captures the essence of anticipation and desire. The subject appears as if she’s imagining her lover moving in close, bracing herself against the wall. She may be alone, but the thought of him makes her feel sexy and wanted. This shot is particularly effective when you direct your subject to use her hands and expression to convey a sense of “I’m here, waiting and wanting. Don’t make me wait too long.”
The Setup
Use a single softbox or umbrella positioned about 45 degrees down, just opposite the subject. The camera will be off to one side, and a wall will serve as both the background and a posing tool.
Posing
- Direct your subject to start by placing her feet about 1 foot away from the wall.
- She will drop back so that only her shoulders (not her entire backside) touch the wall.
- One shoulder can naturally come up off the wall as she pivots and puts most of her weight on the far shoulder and/or elbows.
- To create a slim look, have the subject turn her hips only, to a near profile to the camera.
- She can bend one knee to add dimension and angle to her legs. Try one leg straight, then the other, to see which works best.
- Have her place her hands where her guy might be touching her if he were leaning in to be close to her.
- A sultry expression completes the look.
My Gear & Settings
- Flash unit modified with a 42-inch shoot-through umbrella
- 50mm lens
- f/4.0 aperture
- 1/250 shutter speed
- ISO 100
Post-Processing
Standard adjustments, with some vignetting to draw the eye to the subject. This is especially helpful when the background is light in color.
Tips for Success
- Body Type: This pose may not be suitable for every client. It generally requires a fairly slim figure.
- Expression: The subject’s expression is crucial for this shot. A sultry look can make all the difference.