Vintage Styled Photos

[The Shirt]

So I must admit I am daily jealous of the 'vintage' style photos some of you have posted of yourselves. I have always been curious about professional sittings. Have any of you done this? If so - what was your experience like and how did you go about finding someone who understood what you were looking for.

I think a pin-up type session might be fun - but I am also curious about more classic outdoor shots as well.

 

[PolkaDotMeggie]

I came across a link on another website. It was for a studio that only does women's photography. They do sittings and you can come up with your own theme or use of of theirs-- anything from classic pin-up to something more conservative. They even do sittings for women who are pregnant. I was wanting to try it but shyness is a powerful persuasion! They also do retouching with their photos. I would include the link, but I don't want anyone to be offended by certain themes. I would be happy to tell you the name of it. Let me know.

 

[The Shirt]

I'd love that if you could send the link. I was thinking conservative but fun nonetheless. My BF has a lovely old car and I'd some shots with that but I also thought it would be fun since I lost some weight to take some classic pin-up (fully covered of course!). The fun part will certainly be finding the perfect outfit. I'm just shy about it as well and would not want to end up with a weirdo taking the photos.

I suppose a lot of people have freinds/family take the shots. I'd be interested as well in hearing about techniques to make the photos look grainy/sepia toned etc. Or just any tricks to getting the shots right. I figured I would research pin-ups as poses as well.

 

[Joie DeVive]

I have my hubby take mine. It's become a fun weekend activity for us. He loves playing photographer, and I get great pictures. I've played with the idea of a pro, but we simply don't have the money for such adventures right now.

Though I much prefer the artistry of analog film, for this activity we use a digital camera. Ours has settings built right in that allow you to switch from color to B&W or sepia with the push of a button. I've also found that I end up with a fair amount of pictures I don't like, so this makes it easy to preview and delete as desired.

For pinup poses and ideas, google "the pinup files". That site has a large library of pinup paintings. They are labeled either classic or contemporary. I use the classic ones for inspiration. Some are more risque than others, just so you're warned.

Good luck!

 

[pigeon toe]

I would love to get some professional shots taken, but I'm a bit camera shy. I'm VERY comfortable behind the camera, just not in front! And I'm a little embarrassed of my smile, it makes my face scrunch up!

However, as a little parting gift to my boyfriend (in January I'll be leaving to live in the Netherlands for 6 months), I'm going to have a friend who is a budding fashion photographer take some cute vintage pin-up shots of me. If we do it soon I'll let you all know how it goes! She's a good girlfriend of mine, so I'm sure it will be more comfy having her take photos than a stranger.

 

[kamikat]

I've been thinking about pics, lately, too. When I reach my goal weight, I want to do some pin-up shots, mainly the retro bathing suit kind. I have a friend who is a photographer who might do it, but it's not really her style. Honestly, the other friend who is good with a camera probably wouldn't be comfortable taking those kind of shoots.

 

[The Shirt]

OH! I love the idea of a vintage swimsuit picture. I may have to wait though - it's already too cold here in MN. Maybe I'll have to hunt down a friend with a good eye and just have a fun time with it. Thanks for the advice ladies.

 

[PolkaDotMeggie]

The website is . Again, there may be some suggestive themes.

I think it would be wonderful to have someone I trust to do the photos, but sometimes a little expert know-how does the trick and can take your pictures beyond just pretty. This particular one seems to be very professional-- it's all women. I don't think I would be comfortable with a guy. I guess it is all personal preference! I know that they offer military discounts on some of their packages, which would work for some couples. If money were no object, I would do it because it is a personal and fun gift for my husband. Plus they provide more settings than I could possibly imagine! There is something for everyone: from tame to tempting.

I'd go if someone goes with me!

 

[Lauren]

Sounds like fun! Never had professional shoot taken by a photographer vintage-style but if my friend Josh Curtis is a fantastic pinup photographer. Here's his site.

 

[KittyT]

I've played with the idea of a pro, but we simply don't have the money for such adventures right now.

There are a lot of photographers that will do TFP (time for print) work - meaning they'll give you their time, they get the work for their portfolio and in exchange, you get copies of the pictures. This is an especially good option for photographers who are looking at expanding their horizons into a style they may not have done before.

 

[KittyT]

OH! I love the idea of a vintage swimsuit picture. I may have to wait though - it's already too cold here in MN.

Well shoots don't have to be done outside. A lot of photographers use what are called seamless backdrops for indoor work. Location work is fun, but not necessary.

A couple of tips for being in front of the camera:

- Tits out, stomach in. ALL the time. This is hard to remember if you're not used to it!

- Hairspray your hair within an inch of its life.

- Keep your chin down. Raising your chin makes for a really unflattering photo and makes you look like you have no chin.

- Props can make or break a pinup photo. Think about themes and have props prepared to work with. For example, a beachball, towel, parasol, or bucket/sand/trowel will make for a fun and more interesting swimsuit shoot.

- Doing a real photoshoot under lights is exhausting. People always think "well how hard is it to sit there and look pretty while someone snaps photos", but the lights do take a lot out of you!

- Any photographer worth working with will allow you to have someone with you at the shoot. If you feel uncomfortable at all, make arrangements to have a friend with you. Steer clear of any photographer who has problems with this. Your friend, however, should know to keep his or her mouth shut during the shoot and not offer up suggestions while the photographer is trying to work. This is very distracting.

 

[PolkaDotMeggie]

- Tits out, stomach in. ALL the time. This is hard to remember if you're not used to it!

- Hairspray your hair within an inch of its life.

- Keep your chin down. Raising your chin makes for a really unflattering photo and makes you look like you have no chin.

OOOh my gosh... you wicked girl! Those are words to live by. Does the chin-trick work for everyday life too? I don't have much of a chin and I certainly don't want more than one, if you know what I mean!

 

[KittyT]

OOOh my gosh... you wicked girl! Those are words to live by. Does the chin-trick work for everyday life too? I don't have much of a chin and I certainly don't want more than one, if you know what I mean!

I just know that on camera, if you raise your chin to try to look haughty or smug, or try to look down your nose, if will really make you look awful. Likewise, if you keep your chin down TOO far, you will look like you have neck wrinkles and a double chin. The trick is to keep your head up without stretching your chin into the air. My personal opinion is that in real life, you want to do the same thing! Just practice in the mirror or have someone take test photos of you. You'll see what I mean...

 

[PolkaDotMeggie]

Thank you for the pointers. I have terrible posture and I think I look like a turtle I think it must be from working on a telephone switchboard. I am always leaning forward. One ring-y dingy. Two ring-y dingy....

 

[Joie DeVive]

There are a lot of photographers that will do TFP (time for print) work - meaning they'll give you their time, they get the work for their portfolio and in exchange, you get copies of the pictures. This is an especially good option for photographers who are looking at expanding their horizons into a style they may not have done before.

That sounds like a definite possibility! Thank you KittyT!! But, how would one go about finding a photographer who would be willing to work this way? I'm afraid I haven't the vaguest idea where to start.

 

[lonestarcasie]

Try a friend

So I must admit I am daily jealous of the 'vintage' style photos some of you have posted of yourselves. I have always been curious about professional sittings. Have any of you done this? If so - what was your experience like and how did you go about finding someone who understood what you were looking for.

I think a pin-up type session might be fun - but I am also curious about more classic outdoor shots as well.

My lovely sister took the picture for my avatar. I just printed out old publicity stills from online to get ideas for poses. Then we made the photos black and white on the computer. Not too shabby...and free!

 

[exquisitebones]

That sounds like a definite possibility! Thank you KittyT!! But, how would one go about finding a photographer who would be willing to work this way? I'm afraid I haven't the vaguest idea where to start.

I would check Model Mayhem they have a lot of "alternative" models and photographers you can try to work with, many who do TFP http://modelmayhem.com/

 

[KittyT]

I would check Model Mayhem they have a lot of "alternative" models and photographers you can try to work with, many who do TFP http://modelmayhem.com/

http://www.onemodelplace.com is another similar site.

 

[Joie DeVive]

Thank you so much exquisitebones and KittyT! I will have to take a look at those resources!