Christa Meola - The Art of Boudoir Photography How to Create Stunning Photographs of Women

How to Create Stunning Photographs of Women

Christa Meola

THE ART OF BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY:
HOW TO CREATE STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHS OF WOMEN
CHRISTA MEOLA

New Riders
www.newriders.com

To report errors, please send a note to
New Riders is an imprint of Peachpit, a division of Pearson Education.

Copyright 2013 by Christa Meola

ACQUISITIONS EDITOR: Ted Waitt
PROJECT EDITOR: Susan Rimerman
PRODUCTION EDITOR: Lisa Brazieal
DEVELOPMENT/COPY EDITOR: Peggy Nauts
PROOFREADER: Liz Welch
INDEXER: Karin Arrigoni
COMPOSITION: Kim Scott, Bumpy Design
COVER AND INTERIOR DESIGN: Mimi Heft
COVER PHOTOGRAPHS: Christa Meola

Notice of Rights

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. For information on getting permission for reprints and excerpts, contact .

Notice of Liability

The information in this book is distributed on an As Is basis, without warranty. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of the book, neither the author nor Peachpit shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained in this book or by the computer software and hardware products described in it.

Trademarks

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book, and Peachpit was aware of a trademark claim, the designations appear as requested by the owner of the trademark. All other product names and services identified throughout this book are used in editorial fashion only and for the benefit of such companies with no intention of infringement of the trademark. No such use, or the use of any trade name, is intended to convey endorsement or other affiliation with this book.

ISBN-10: 0-321-86270-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-321-86270-9

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Printed and bound in the United States of America

For every woman, with the courage to be vulnerable: You inspire me.

For all artists, who expose and celebrate beauty: You strengthen me.

And for our lovers, who adore and appreciate us: You free us to be real.

Heres to feeling great naked!

I am fortunate enough to be blessed with so many people to be thankful for, who love me, who support the work I do, who make my life and job easier, whom Im better off for having known, who directly or indirectly contributed significantly to this book. Words cannot express the measure of my gratitude for the following people in my life, and I cant possibly cover everyone here who helped birth this book baby.

To the Peachpit family: Ted Waitt, for being the books big daddy and early supporter. I decided to say yes to this book-writing journey because of you. Um, thank you?

Editor extraordinaire Susan Rimerman, whose helpful insight was so key in shaping this books content. I am so grateful for your guidance, determination, and patience.

Marketing mastermind Scott Cowlin, whose enthusiasm for photography and this book made me giddy. Thank you for the continuing support, Scott.

Copy editor Peggy Nauts, whos as quick with words as she is adept at using them, and proofreader Liz Welch. Thank you for making me sound polished.

Production editor Lisa Brazieal, who kept the book on track and whose smile I could feel in every email. Thank you, Lisa!

Designer Mimi Heft, thank you for putting such lovely attention to detail into the book design, letting me fuss about more negative space, and for sexing up a photography manual.

Thanks to Keely Hild, whose perception and PR efforts really reflected the core message of my goals for this book.

And the books other contributors: supermodel, muse, and my dear friend Larva. Thanks for your honest insight into a pro models intentions and desires. Tons more gratitude for your above-and-beyond ability to shine in front of my camera. You make me look good.

Brilliant photographers and generous friends Robert and Katherine of Johnson Sarkissian, who made , possible with their enthusiastic assistance with the equipment and behind-the-scenes work. I thank you, and my back thanks you.

The best makeup artist I know and close friend Rachel Lund Olsen, you are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. Thank you for making the world a prettier place and for offering your makeup tips to .

Phenomenal designer and great friend Natasha Lakos, you keep my brand looking good, and the diagrams in this book are no exception. Thank you for giving so generously of yourself and your talent.

Supercool stylist Grasie Mercedes. Thanks for lending your valuable advice to women on how to dress for their shape. I appreciate your efforts in helping us all look stunning as we are.

Treasured friend and encyclopedia of equipment information John Cornicello. Thank you for sharing your insight during the books early stages. I value your friendship and kindness as much as your stellar advice.

Those who make my work better and life brighter: My sponsors and partners, whose generosity and service have not only improved my work, life, and business, but also my community. Tons of gratitude to Paul Friedman and the Lensprotogo team, Doug Boutwell and his Totally Rad Actions, Leon Sandoval and the team of retouchers at Colorati, and Nate Grahek, founder of Sticky Albums.

50mm lens, ISO 400, f/2, 160 sec.

The best studio manager a photographer could hope for, Phil Ackley, keeps the Christa Meola Pictures ship sailing smoothly and keeps our team organized and our clients happy. You have been invaluable to the creation of this book. Thank you a thousand times over.

The 20 beautiful and brainy women of Marie Forleos mastermind group, as well as Marie, the best support team on the planet. Im grateful to be a part of such an incredibly positive, brilliant, and loving group. Your support and counsel is always wise, warm, and hilarious. Thanks to Kristen, Michelle, Merick, Dawn, Sarah, Holli, Danielle, Brianna, Jen Len, Elsner, Jenny, Kendrick, Jenna, Nathalie, Nisha, Margarita, Jill, Gry, Rachel, Laura, and Louise.

My blog readers and online workshop students: Thank you for your enthusiasm and curiosity and for allowing me the honor of supporting you, challenging you, and celebrating your successes with you. Im honored to share our passion for photography, and I deeply appreciate your support, kind words, and enthusiasm while joining me on this book-writing journey.

My family: my dad for giving me my first pro camera as a kid, my first drawing desk and pencils, and my everlasting love of art. My mom for always cheering me on, believing in me, and cooking my favorite soup when things get tough. My older brother, Chris, for engaging with me in spirited debate about art and life and for suggesting that I do something with my photography. My younger brother, Christian, for helping get my business started by doing my first website.