This post is on the SM/Bondage/Fetish web board.
| Fri 2 Sep 11, 3:49 PM Fallen_Fragments UK(M), 4 yrs  |
*waves* Wow, it's been a long time since I actually posted anything here. I'm writing a story about a girl who poses for alternative fashion photography, and who then discovers that she really gets off on being posed and photographed. This then leads to more private sessions with less clothes, and eventually bondage. Since I haven't ever been professionally photographed myself, or been on the other side of the camera, I was hoping to get some perspectives from people who are fetish models or photographers. Why do you love it? What's your favourite part of the experience? Is there a connection between you and the photographer (if you're a model) or between you and the subject (if you're the photographer)?
I'd be interested to hear your opinions. Thanks, Amy "Love As Thou Wilt" | |
| 2 Sep 11, 4:06 PM tanken UK(NR), 2 yrs  |
I love most types of photography but my favourite has always involved people, often people doing things, some kind of work or activity.
I'm only now getting into fetish photography with one or two personal projects but there are plenty of women who like to model for this kind of thing especially when they are going to be paid. Some women I think like the attention and have their '15 minutes of fame' although it is a lot more than 15 minutes especially if they model regularly. Unlike many male photographers the face is more important to me than other parts of the female body and I've always had a fascination with different faces right from childhood when i used to sketch them. Happiness is a warm bum | |
| 2 Sep 11, 4:23 PM Sharp_as_Ice 2 yrs |
I suspect there are as many answers as there are people doing it, particularly with regard to any sense of bond between the subject and the photographer. I rather like a 'distant' approach, almost what you'd call 'reportage'- it's a sort of counterpoint to the inherently intimate nature of the subject, as if to capture those moments when no-one is looking. I would think perhaps the best idea would be to pop yourself in front of a camera. There needn't be anyone actually taking the shots...but it might not be a bad idea to do some self-timer shots...and just see for yourself how it makes you feel. Does it embarrass you, do you worry about how the shot will look, have you chosen the right outfit, what it is you want the camera to see, how aware of your body are you?
So cool it hurts... | |
| 2 Sep 11, 4:33 PM valleyrose17 UK(BS), 2 yrs |
I have been on both sides of the camera both as a model and a photographer. My experience as a model is that I prefer the photographer to be female - I relax more although if one of the top togs such as John Tisbury were behind the lens I might feel differently. As a photographer myself I find myself switching into total pro mode and looking at light, poses etc. I find it a fascinating and challenging project and love it. Gives me chance to experiment too. "Once in his life, every man is entitiled to fall in love with a gorgeous redhead" - Lucille Ball | |
| 2 Sep 11, 4:49 PM TheGardener UK(SG), 5 yrs |
Just from a personal perspective (and limited experience) I enjoy the process of working with the photographer to try and create the desired image they are looking for. As a bit of a bondage junkie it's a win win situation for me as I also get to try out lots of different bits of kit that we don't have at home. My favourite shots are where the body is placed under tension while holding a pose and normaly at the end of a shoot I feel a kind of cathartic release and calmness as the body then relaxes again, if that makes any sense. Hope this helps Apart from man, no being wonders at it's own existence - Schopenhauer | |
| 2 Sep 11, 5:18 PM Miss_L_J UK(N), 3 yrs |
Being a model and someone who does photography (but photography as a hobby), I enjoy both for a variety of reasons some of them are: - The escapism! Like ballet, and fetish/BDSM gives me such great escapism so does posing and photography. - Therapeutic! - Acting. Getting into role, acting out different emotions and portraying different characters, gives me such a buzz! - The outfits, spending time picking outfits and knowing they will be appreciated when worn. - The results... Knowing the results will give others just as much pleasure as they did for me to make them! I also like knowing people are inspired by the images and even people are using them for the wank bank (lol). | |
| 2 Sep 11, 7:10 PM Fallen_Fragments UK(M), 4 yrs |
These are all great responses - thank you, guys! Keep them coming if you have something to add. 
Hmm, interesting. I kinda want to try it with a pro photographer, but on the other hand I'm quite self-conscious around cameras, so I'd probably end up pulling terrible faces in every shot! "Love As Thou Wilt" | |
| 2 Sep 11, 8:03 PM Sharp_as_Ice 2 yrs |
All the more reason to practise in front of an unmanned camera - it'll give you time to consider what you're conscious of. It'll help to give your fictional character more depth too. You have nothing to lose really, but your inhibitions.
So cool it hurts... | |
| 2 Sep 11, 9:00 PM TheProf UK(BL), 12 yrs |
There is a good sequence of videos on yourtube, by June Newton, the wife of teh late Hemut Newton. thye give a good candid view of him at work, and some of his attitudes to the models; some of which come cross as very dominant. Might be worth a look, and as a fly on the wall view of the master at work they are priceless. If you would like to talk to a couple of photographers I know., both of whom do fetish work, I can arrange that, if you are in the Manchester area. IN fact, if you can make it to lash next time, you can chat to one there, for certain. PM me if you want to arrange this. Best wishes for a good story, it's certainly a good basis to me.
Mike ('The Prof') | |
| 2 Sep 11, 9:30 PM tanken UK(NR), 2 yrs |
He took some very good pics but like a lot of photographers who I have examined the work of I am the complete opposite.
I prefer women who come across in photos as dominating the viewer
Happiness is a warm bum | |
| 2 Sep 11, 9:34 PM Fallen_Fragments UK(M), 4 yrs |
Fair point - you might be right! Thanks. tanken - That's interesting about faces. I think you're right - so many models kind of look similar and forgettable. The right face can really make a photograph. valleyrose17 - I think I'd be more at ease with a female photographer, too - but that's the dyke in me talking. *grin* TheGardener - Do you find there's a lot of collaborative effort to the shots, then? That's interesting. And I get what you mean about having to hold a pose for a while and then being allowed to relax it - it's kinda like submission in that way, I guess! misslollirot - Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, this is great! How much is acting vs your own natural self, if you don't mind the question?
TheProf - Awesome video, and very helpful! And you should have a memo from me. "Love As Thou Wilt" |
