Burlesque, Pin-Up & Glamour

The difference between Boudoir and Glamour or Pin-up photography is more to do with semantics rather than the images.

Boudoir style portraits are generally though of as elegant, sophisticated and subtly sexy, whilst Glamour and Pin-Up style portraits are shot specifically to be sexy and provocative. However in practice the differences between the styles are blurred and - a typical boudoir style pose shot on a luxurious background set with subtle low key lighting can instantly change to glamour by the model repositioning her arm and looking at the camera in a different way.

Around the middle of the 20th Century, Pin-Up portraits were (not surprisingly) rather popular with men as they depicted scantily dressed women in a playful pose. The model would often have a surprised or startled expression seeming to invite the viewer to come and play. Famous Pin-Up models of the period include Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable and Bettie Page.

The word “Glamour” as a euphemism for Pin-Up and sexy nude photography is attributed to Harrison Marks a famous photographer of Pin-Up magazines in the 1950’s and 60’s. His life reads like a Carry On movie from the period and for those interested in the history of British glamour photography the website dedicated to Harrison is worth checking out here.

Glamour photography has changed little since Harrison Marks time - just check out the countless girls that feature regularly in lads mags like FHM, Zoo and Nuts (all useful for posing tips!).

And it’s worth mentioning that you don’t need to pose topless or nude to shoot glamour - it’s more important to strike the pose and capture the attitude e.g. those come to bed eyes; accentuating the curve of your body; the way you playfully run your hand through your hair etc. At Peachfur we’re used to working with women who’ve never posed before - we know which glamour poses, background and lighting style will flatter your body type, ensuring you get that fabulous cover girl look.