An entry level DSLR from any of the main manufacturers (Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Sony, Pentax) would do to start. Most of these come with a kit lens (usually 18-55mm) and also, that would be ok to get started. When you get more experienced, you’ll likely want some primes like a 50mm f1.8, 85mm f1.8 or a fast zoom 24-70mm f2.8.

Lighting is key to good fashion/glamour work so you will need off camera lighting. Speedlights/studio strobes which are capable of both studio & location work will be needed, along with stands, reflectors & light modifiers such as umbrellas or softboxes.
You need to know how to shoot & control flash in manual (no Auto settings here).

The R1C1 system is a couple of small off camera flashes plus a IR controller (SU-800) that are mounted onto the front of a lens for specifically photographing macro/product shots. It is of no use for portrait photography (not powerful enough).

Edit: ok I see you’ve now put cam model – a D5000 will be fine for this type of work. I suggest wireless radio triggers (RF602’s) to control your off camera lighting rigs. Very reliable & good range.

I also suggest you read the Strobist blog if you know nothing about off camera lighting;

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/02/welcome-to-strobist.html

An entry level DSLR from any of the main manufacturers (Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Sony, Pentax) would do to start. Most of these come with a kit lens (usually 18-55mm) and also, that would be ok to get started. When you get more experienced, you’ll likely want some primes like a 50mm f1.8, 85mm f1.8 or a fast zoom 24-70mm f2.8.

Lighting is key to good fashion/glamour work so you will need off camera lighting. Speedlights/studio strobes which are capable of both studio & location work will be needed, along with stands, reflectors & light modifiers such as umbrellas or softboxes.
You need to know how to shoot & control flash in manual (no Auto settings here).

The R1C1 system is a couple of small off camera flashes plus a IR controller (SU-800) that are mounted onto the front of a lens for specifically photographing macro/product shots. It is of no use for portrait photography (not powerful enough).

Edit: ok I see you’ve now put cam model – a D5000 will be fine for this type of work. I suggest wireless radio triggers (RF602’s) to control your off camera lighting rigs. Very reliable & good range.

I also suggest you read the Strobist blog if you know nothing about off camera lighting;

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/02/welcome-to-strobist.html

An entry level DSLR from any of the main manufacturers (Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Sony, Pentax) would do to start. Most of these come with a kit lens (usually 18-55mm) and also, that would be ok to get started. When you get more experienced, you’ll likely want some primes like a 50mm f1.8, 85mm f1.8 or a fast zoom 24-70mm f2.8.

Lighting is key to good fashion/glamour work so you will need off camera lighting. Speedlights/studio strobes which are capable of both studio & location work will be needed, along with stands, reflectors & light modifiers such as umbrellas or softboxes.
You need to know how to shoot & control flash in manual (no Auto settings here).

The R1C1 system is a couple of small off camera flashes plus a IR controller (SU-800) that are mounted onto the front of a lens for specifically photographing macro/product shots. It is of no use for portrait photography (not powerful enough).

Edit: ok I see you’ve now put cam model – a D5000 will be fine for this type of work. I suggest wireless radio triggers (RF602’s) to control your off camera lighting rigs. Very reliable & good range.

I also suggest you read the Strobist blog if you know nothing about off camera lighting;

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/02/welcome-to-strobist.html

She seems to be comfortable about taking the pictures when they start, but she needs to be "charmed" into starting the session. I think that’s because she weighs more than her wedding weight and she’s more conscious of her body, so she’s more reluctant to begin the session and will only go through a short session. Any ideas for warming her up to the idea of starting a shoot (and continuing the shoot longer and keeping her happy during the shoot)?

Also, any ideas for warming her up to the idea of a nude or partially nude shoot would be welcome too. We did that once when we were both soused, but I’d like to do it without the alcohol.

Thanks for your reply.

Use natural light when possible. I’m not sure what kind of camera you’re using, but if it’s an slr (and I’m assuming it is), experiment with the manual mode during the day (it’s the "M" on the dial). You’re on auto, and the camera’s flash isn’t the most flattering light on people.

If you’re using a point and shoot or similar camera, then try using natural light still (light through a window) and turn the flash off on your camera, you may need a tripod so your pics don’t go blurry.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

Edit to add: as for making her feel more comfortable, talk to her, compliment her, and some music might help.

Excuse the shaky scenes but we didn’t have time to set things up properly resulting in some guerilla-style footage!

But you should get a good impression of how much fun we had!

Thanks to everyone!

Duration : 0:1:32

Technorati Tags: Canon 5D, glamour, lingerie, mark 2, Models, photo, photographers, photography, Photoshooting, session, shooting, workshop

Duration : 0:3:30

Technorati Tags: glamour, photography

and i have some photos of mine just to give you an example of what i’ve done already, but mind you i know i’m not the best photographer yet, i’ve taught myself everything i know about photography, and i’ve only got my 10mp point and shoot canon powershot a1000is to use…
heres 3 that i’ve done:

and i know those arent all that glamour type, but i havn’t gotten to do a glamour type shoot with my friends yet

thsnks so much for your time and input!
p.s. i edit with paint shop pro XI [[i have adobe photoshop elements 6 or 7 [[it came with my tablet]] but i don’t really like it as much so i rarely use it ever….]]

hello there!
i’ll try to give you as much info as you need. though im not a professional photographer, i know enough about the industry.
the fashion industry is already a super competitive industry to try to get into, whether it is in designing, or working at a magazine.

first of all, get to work with models! whether they are friends, or real models, get to learn and know the best angle to shoot models to make the clothes and model look beautiful. because, you’re job as a fashion photographer is to really just make the clothing look beautiful.
i would recommend making a model mayhem account on www.modelmayhem.com its an awesome site where you can find models that are trying to create their portfolio and usually work for free. its especially great when you are trying to find people in your area.

make sure you have an impressive portfolio of your own work. also, master photoshop and, again, making the picture as beautiful as it can be. BUT dont overdo it with a whole bunch contrast and over-saturation.

finally, make sure you are ready to make a commitment. photography is an extremely expensive hobby. (800 dollars for a lens?! haha its crazy). i would buy a beginners SLR camera, for example, a nikon D60 or canon rebel xs.

but honestly, if you REALLY want it, go for it!!
having a dream is honestly the best thing because its something that you love that you are willing to work for. so good luck!!

hopefully i helped!
-mel

http://xstepone.deviantart.com

Photographer & Creative Director = Arthur St. John
Model = Flora
Hair & Make-Up = Grace Kim
Assistants = Brad & Sarah
Video = Arthur St. John, Brad, and Sarah

We shot 4 Looks, in 1 Full Day.

Thanks to everyone involved.

http://www.arthurstjohn.com/

arthurstjohn@yahoo.com

(818) 468-3753

Duration : 0:8:59

Technorati Tags: Arthur, Beauty, behind, Blender, canon, exotic, Fashion, FHM, Flora, glamour, Grace, Hensel, John, kim, Maxim, Model, modeling, OYE, photo shoot, photography, portfolio, Python, scenes, sexy, snake, St, strobe, studio, STUFF, the