Midwest photo is super excited to be hosting the 8 Points of Posing for Boudoir and Beyond workshop by Jen Rozenbaum, on September 10th, 2015. This workshop is all about posing techniques and workflow tricks to make boudoir photography profitable and inspiring. Jen will show us her techniques for posing and how the order of poses helps streamline the workflow to maximize the efficiency of your shoot to maximize your time and profits!
Boudoir photography is not about professional models in expensive lingerie. It’s about being comfortable in your own skin and feeling beautiful, and Westcott Top Pro Jen Rozenbaum is coming to town to show us what her secret is to successful boudoir photography! (Hint: it’s the light and the posing!)
Jen is based out of Long Island City, Queens and primarily shoots boudoir photography. She is a specialist, and if you’re considering photographing boudoir, check out Jen’s blog. After reading some of her posts, I felt empowered as a woman. I asked myself, “Why not celebrate your body?” Who cares if you’re not a size zero? What she’s done through her photography work is truly amazing.
She started using the hashtag #shamelesslyfeminine to empower women to be confident about their femininity. That sounds obvious, I know, but sometimes it is easier said than done. Much has changed since the start of the era of mass media, and it is easy to get lost in the sea of heavily photoshopped, over-idealized images of celebrities and models.
From Jen’s blog:
I believe every woman can celebrate her unique femininity, shamelessly. This is what I live for. It’s why I am a photographer. It’s how I live my own life. It influences how I parent my daughter.
When you come to me and shed your clothing and I photograph you, it’s part of the process of living shamlessly. I offer a safe and wonderful place that allows you to express your unique femininity without any judgements. In fact, just the opposite. With many praises. It is an experience that I have seen be life changing over and over again.
That is what boudoir is to Jen, and that has made her one of the most recognizable, and successful boudoir photographers in the industry. She is very connected to the photographic community through her blog, social media, and workshops and she is always on the go spreading the shameless message, all while teaching photography, too!
Jen took some time from her busy travel and work schedule to answer a few questions for us about her work!
Megan: What brought you to shoot boudoir photography?
Jen: I was a hobbyist photographer and a friend asked me to join her on a boudoir shoot she booked (She was also fairly new and afraid to tackle the session herself). From the moment I started shooting I KNEW it was for me. I focused on making that my specialty and career ever since.
You talk a lot about how to make your clients at ease with the process of shooting boudoir. How do you help women who have body insecurities feel more comfortable on set?
To feel confident, it all starts with wardrobe. I help prepare my clients from the start. They better they look, the better they feel and the better they shoot! For me, boudoir photography is about women celebrating their unique femininity, shamelessly!
What is your biggest challenge when shooting boudoir?
I would say the stigma that people think boudoir is dirty or only about sex. Once they see my work and understand my philosophy though, typically their attitude changes.
Do you prefer on location shoots or in studio?
The studio is safe and comfortable and is great when clients are a little nervous or unsure. I love shooting on location though because it’s more challenging and forces me to think more.
How do you empower women through your work?
I empower women by giving them a safe place to express themselves. It’s really as simple as that. Women don’t have many places like that in their lives. I give them an amazing experience they will never forget. (The photos are the souvenir!)
What is your favorite thing about your job?
Of course my favorite thing about my job is that I get to change women’s lives! Well, let me rephrase that. I give them the CONFIDENCE to change their own lives!! What I also love about my job is the flexibility and that I can still be home for my kids at 3:30!
Lastly, what’s one piece of advice that you have for someone who wants to shoot boudoir?
DO IT! Stepping out of your comfort zone is where all the wonderful things happen in life!!
Men, don’t worry, Jen doesn’t leave you out! There is a place for male photographers in boudoir. Here are some tips for the guys from a great post on her blog:
1. Don’t be a pervert. Duh! Sounds obvious but you would be surprised what I hear from men in workshops I teach. Use proper words (Try bum or tush instead of ass.) Give appropriate compliments, and keep your hands off. Be respectful and gentlemanly – with a little edge. You are the photographer – she wants to hear a compliment from you, just make sure you aren’t “that guy”.
2. You have a gift women photographers DON’T have. You can see women through the eye of a man. I can’t. It sucks. I have tried over and over again but I just can’t. Use it to your advantage.
3. If a client has booked you, she already trusts you. Don’t let being a man get in the way of that trust. It’s no longer a hurdle.
4. Think about having a female assistant. You may like this idea, you may not… but just think about it. Also, I probably wouldn’t serve alcohol if it is just the two of you (but I don’t like serving alcohol anyway).
5. Have clients sign a consent agreement that says they are over 18 and they consent to having their photo taken. (Please see a lawyer in your area for this paperwork.)
6. Men are some of the best photographers I know. Keep proving the doubters wrong.
Make sure you check out Jen’s website, blog and follow her on facebook! She recently posted some boudoir shots in celebration of her 40th birthday… of herself! Click on the images to go to the post on her blog!
Check out the video below to see how Jen approaches boudoir photography!
You can sign up for this workshop at our Learning Studio website, and see what other classes, workshops, and events we have planned!
