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Shoot: Backstage with Margareta

Lesson 40 from: The Boudoir Workshop

Christa Meola

Shoot: Backstage with Margareta

Lesson 40 from: The Boudoir Workshop

Christa Meola

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Lesson Info

40. Shoot: Backstage with Margareta

Lessons

Class Trailer

Day 1

1

Introduction

07:36
2

Let’s Get this Party Started Right!

20:35
3

Redefining Boudoir: YOUR Brand & Style

29:59
4

Working with Women

20:01
5

Creating Relaxed Clients

17:49
6

Posing and Anti-Posing

12:05
7

Flattering All Body Types

21:13

Lesson Info

Shoot: Backstage with Margareta

Okay, awesome. We're gonna start with our model I'm gonna trade you this and kill um margherita hello um so you answered casting call and he said you were a curvy woman who loves a body right yes so I love that like I said the curvy women they love their bodies you don't really have to worry about who am I talking to here but you don't have to worry about flattering um a curvy girl she's already in love with her body and I'm going to just enhance her curves like I would enhance any woman's curves so um margarita you kind of gave you carte blanche to come up with like kind of an idea and you picked kind of you wanted a have a backstage fanny type area I think the favorite when I came up with wass that I'm it's after a show and somebody has come in and I let him keep watching as I take things I see clients come within that one that is a super fun idea okay, so um we're going to just take a let's get you seated um we're doing mostly natural light but I've got the awesome video light once ...

again just for a little boost it works without but just makes it a little bit more it just pops a little bit more with it so let's uh what are you doing? You showed off let's just get started thanks all right so um you just be in your own world so don't connect with the camera because you know we want this to be kind of voyeuristic and I'm just gonna feel it out and I want you I want your body your upper body facing the light but your lower body can we kind of move this way legs yeah exactly we crossed your legs perfect the other one yeah beautiful and move your hair off of your yeah great. Excellent. So this is backstage perfect. I like that you're already moving uh excellent. We just check light for a second gorgeous okay and then just lean forward on that right shoulder a little bit more yet to me head towards the light yeah, even more so but your eyes khun b down yeah exactly beautiful and can you tuck your left elbow into your body so handsome yeah there you go. Perfect and thank you, john for the fan in fact I think you can come on the other side a little bit more and you could even take a seat e I love that smile that's it that's gorgeous head more towards the light please not their eyes okay, great and then you khun don't lean on your shoulder your hand anymore I want you to start playing with your bod and we're gonna like start, you know, undressing but not yet oh yeah sorry that bench isn't very stable hold on one second he was gonna fix that sweet thanks, john good catch you must have a model in your lab. Okay, blow that hair a little bit more. I just want to move that one piece is being stubborn all right? Okay after the show exhaustion um can you cross your legs again? You're right now is not need that's one of my least favorite looks okay, perfect. How about you touch your necklace first and put your other hand on your knee? Yeah, about you up and down your legs it's like both hands you can lean in towards me if you can in that corset I don't even know if you can can you leave in that car accident gorgeous get a different angle ooh that's pretty so again, if I'm over here I'm short lighting her so another tactic to flatter um women if you want to make their face appear what's the word slimming or whatever um short lighting so that means you're coming of the broad side of their faces in shadow and then eyes too mean for one awesome and then looked that way and then hands up here I want yeah shooting basically chest up want to keep it okay great now let's let's um do some beautiful I know I saw it it keeps happening don't worry will okay human relax relax a second okay awesome gonna have you look into the mirror my whole she'll explain the differences like kind of tight in here so if you can get your legs on the side that would be great. Okay, so why don't you let me see might have you take off your gloves uh want her to be a little bit taller do you have a cushion she can sit on we're not mm don't worry about it. Let me tilt this a little that's what I'll do okay shake your hair and make up like just go in and maybe get a place okay yeah, yeah, I think it naughty thoughts I don't even need is anything I can tell okay all right, let's start unzipping the dress before we take off the gloves. Um if you need to stand up that's totally fine. You can stand right here. Why don't you stand up and if you need me that unhook this first to help you get started john might be a better on it only because I had one hand wasn't insinuating anything. Okay, so hold on, let me help you we're gonna pretend that you did it hold on one second hold on one second so I'm just gonna have it kind of falling off you of course, it knots drive me nuts. I like it when they end here, and we could just tuck it in or end up here and tuck it in seven this long thing, kind of always, I forget to mention the wardroom. Um, so I wind up photo shop in this a ton, this little, not here. What, you hold this for me so I could quickly do that. Okay, done. You can see I do this a lot, ok? Just want the dress kind of hanging off, no it's tight, but and then maybe have your hands great here. But I think you're good. Just I'm going to move you, so I see more skin. Yeah, beyond this. If for go ahead, you can do that, john, if you want, can you cross your legs? Yeah, that's, perfect this's, kind of a tight dress to do this with normally ones that know better, a better. Okay, okay so it's just shimmy it off okay okay but you could stand up straight you just gonna put this up here okay that's a difficult dressed to work with because it's so tight let's take that off okay george I'm gonna do a body shot in the mirror I'm sorry it's gonna pull this up a tiny bit so it kind of meets it and john just get ready on the fan and then it's more flattering if you crossed you over like that yeah or you could do it all the way if you want whatever is more comfortable I like that because then you could put a hip out that's pretty excellent your hair beautiful can you lower this a little bit so I can get under here awesome not being the way beautiful I love that expression really flirtatious very cute ones check my lite real quick okay, love okay um now you want us to take it off for bugs and do it kind of like this way actually hand down okay and then you can pull it up a bit keeps callin come on move a little faster go ahead you're into it I need you to cross this over a little more to get down there, okay? Perfect maybe lean in yeah, great great fan work, john okay, go ahead uh, good you could do it go a little faster hey and then look kind of slightly down that but yeah that was either way tribal okay try the other one you know you're much more food taste is in that direction go that way john not on me but her thanks excellent but let's keep moving okay, good um what else can we take off don't worry about that. John krista can I ask a quick question the internet is loving this okay uh I'm also wondering if when you're asking her to make changes huh if you would say for audience why okay, that would be awesome. Awesome totally well um basically it's usually because what I can fit in my frame or not if I need her to bend down or bend forward or move to the left a little those kinds of changes are frame adjustments because I need to fit her in or I'm trying to not see myself in the which we call it in the mirror and then changes like look to the left or look to the right and trying to find more flattering light I'm also trying to get like a smirky look a different emotion um other adjustments were just to get that roundness at the bottom of a frame like I said before big posing thing is I like round keep it round I don't like standing like this like pop a hip get an s curve going on or contra pasto type of thing so, um you know, we have a few more minutes. Does anyone want to shoot a little bit today just for a few minutes? Because this is a short segment you might want to get tethered up. Um put the fan on and what else would wake up thinking about jewellery if you want me to unzip this that's fine what's under here? Nothing. Well, I don't think we can do that. All right? Why don't we sit down facing me? But I love in the light here, maybe sit up on this. We'll know trying um it might be a little dangerous what I'd really love to do if you have time is moved that red thing over here and have her laid down on that, so we'll get you this is also cool chair, so I think you laying down on that would be hot. Wei have tons of stuff you can play with two if, um, took the mirror out, you can put them back up. Okay, you're doing great. Thanks you and natural. No, we don't need that right now. How much of this little guy and then just that, right? Ben schweppes awesome. I'm just gonna give up on that lamp street straight up against their perfect and then remove the hat boxes can we have some help from you all thanks john ford john is doing like everything okay can we get you laying on that let me just see someone start figuring it out head to the light yet yet awesome power we're gonna have it all right that's perfect lean back and shin out and leg up a little more your right leg perfect perfect okay so I'm just adjusting limbs just for lines and enhanced curves and sexiness and with this hand you can put this up here yeah I love that what do you think I had that happen to you now perils of this industry for drone malfunctions okay just live in the drama can you lean your head over towards me yeah a little bit like that and I've closed and yet shin up and out beautiful and then can you take your hand ah now I know you have extensions and so might be a little difficult and just like running through your hair or just pretend tive like you're in emotion you're good you're good and have you move over to your side in a second okay so roll over onto your right awesome gorgeous beautiful just need to fix the hair and we're all good okay can you dip that elbow down and on here recon like then extended onto your legs extend this one a little bit more okay and then bring this over nice maybe yeah, that looks good right there. Put your hands on your hips a little yeah, exactly. But put that elbow down right hand more in your hips not your yet and no it's okay, elbow down in this hand right here. Like I might have to move. Okay down your body looked down your body don't flirt with the camera guy look down at your body. Dies down. Yeah, perfect a minute. Thanks, john. Okay, super germ at just one. Stay right there, jon. A little bit on my friend. Thank you. Can you, like, toss your head back with, like, a laugh? Excellent. One more. Okay, great, beautiful. Love it. Yes, for, um, kirby or women with the bustier. Um, does it bother? You know, with with krista aesthetically, um, do you want more tame, dirty one? Hello? E here. You're saying she, um, brought her own course it so we're working with hers. And if that's what? Look she likes I love it. I think she looks frickin awesome. I'm gonna, like help, uh, make it look a tiny bit more comfortable and photo shop. So when I say that just like a tiny bit more comfortable, um, awesome and just relax, you less shoulder, relax into it. Relax. That left shoulder, right, drop that whole left arm down, except for your hands. Beautiful and then toss your head back exactly perfect this is what I want hold it hold it hold it beautiful way for me you got a backed up sorry, gorgeous okay great gonna come in want to do some close ups? Maybe with eighty five why don't you sit up and we will do something like this way actually the other way towards lloyd yeah and then just fix your strap right there push it all the way up. Yeah, gorgeous. Okay. Thank you. Thiss hair sorry, but thanks, john okay let's find something else with beautiful legs so I don't mind that I don't love knock meat no leader that's cross it's gorgeous. You can put them both because this is all about the hips for me right there where you can. How about you play with your hair a little like hook it up? Yeah, both hands like this I know it's hard, but the extensions but like pull it up and away from you they pull it all the way up, play with it, get saucy girl who had more towards the light and open up your right elbow so you're not blocking your light there, ugo and just play sorry shoot, I turn my camera sorry, uh, this is gonna take a minute, but that's the exact action and like, the more you pop that hip out, the better, and I'm just trying to get playful with this hair you came and, like, just toss it yeah, exactly. And he'll blow the fan on you my camel be ready in two seconds and then we're going to change position a couple more time way, john, just a little bit. Come on. Question. Krista. Yeah, sure. When you are post processing, do you ever leave in a little bit of color with your black and whites? So do you ever do that? Look, no. All right. Selective color. It's called. No, I never did. Okay, come on. Sure. Well that out as much as possible. Awesome. I got busy. I don't know if there's a malfunction. What has never taken this long? Go ahead. Um, regarding the your backgrounds do you always have the model six very close to the backgrounds or do you ever have them further away from the bomb? It just depends on the way right where I am. I kind of like this look like where she's at. Okay, we're good to go one more time. He jumped right in it. Perfect. I love that saucy sexy you are literally having fun, I love it, I love it. Okay um let's just have you know I like that more direct and link senior yes god it's me it's just direct I just need to hit your hair with the fan which will happen in a second go right down here john go all the way down by her there you go and then back out a little bit so you're not in my way right? Ok gorgeous had a little bit this way perfect perfect looked dead at me with your eyes gorged just one more I know it's hard with the family awesome okay stable right there any questions? The cold do you have any more about clothing not necessarily clothing uh but I think this is where the big question is on photographing skinny and really need you to kirby do the hair of what you're wanting to showcase and what you're wanting because obviously she is curvy but she also obviously has something on very tight also which as you were saying earlier like bra straps if you have a bra strap on even you know if you're not necessarily curvy it's pinching in are these are the things that you're gonna aesthetically improve myself okay, I hear what you're saying my god never touch I'll just for touch this right here I'll er touch this like a little bit right there that's it that much just that okay I'm not a shop but this this is all awesome yeah and this is a woman who said, I love my curves and that's what I want to focus on so that's what we're doing and yes, she I mean absolutely beautiful. But that's what? We were wondering because it's tighter, it's. Great. Okay, close your eyes for a second. Because the fans bother and you just keep your eyes closed and move your head towards the light a little bit. Um, can I steal in this apple? But I may stand on it. Oh, thank you. Ok. And then cross your hands in your lap. Yeah. Perfect. Oh, my gosh. And exactly on and then with your eyes. Look at me. Beautiful. Stunning. One more. Ok, gorgeous. Stay right there. Get that fan on her. Close your eyes so don't get too dry. You out. Just touch. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Right there. And then don't block her light. Keep the fan right there with your eyes only beautiful. And then give me a little smile. Little smirk, a little flirt. Excellent. Beautiful. I was adorable. I want some laughter super cute! Come on, you guys! Help her out here so you and then flirt with me that shoulder beautiful and then flirt with me a little more yeah there you go like that one more okay and then just can you get into yourself a little bit like close your eyes I know the hair you have extensions but let's try and run your hands through your hair and that's possible for how about you could take off the necklace on dh yeah beautiful you could flirt with someone over there while you do it way keep going you could take it up blow that hair and face us that hair off your neck okay beautiful gonna step further back and do more full bodied box yes, I do please great laughter shots okay, put your hands on your right knee yeah, perfect can you put the mom wendy yeah, there you go and move that necklace for me I really need to be one I need to shooting platform boots is what I need you can get a little closer there were more family fan beautiful awesome. Okay, I think we're almost done. Can you stand up straight? Yeah, like papa hit and put one leg out really bold? Yeah and the light's really dramatic like that hand beautiful hey, john thanks hair is this way thanks done beautiful okay, andi, uh then cross your legs for one yeah, but move over to this side. Yeah, and then can you just do this instead? Yeah. Beautiful that's. Ok, it's. Difficult. Step over. Half a step. This way. Yeah. There you go. And then I really wanted to hand back. Yeah, beautiful. You can put that. Yeah, exactly. Thank you. Perfect. Okay, good. I sworn in a couple of names. It's, a little hot. Hold on one sec. Adorable. So keep lower your eye line a little bit. Okay. Give me that. Great smile that once again. Okay. Super confident you can have one hand up, one hand down. Bring that left hand one. Yeah. Just running alongside your body and enjoy yourself. Can you pivot? So you're more towards the light. Perfect. Okay, get into it. Close your eyes. Yeah, you can move both hands full hands. Excellent. Go in there. He was amazing, actually. Kate going okay. Ah, awesome, though. Okay. What? Hand up? Put one hand down. Ah, that's. Adorable. Okay, super cute. We could play with pops when you do a whole bunch of stuff. But we're out of time.

Class Materials

bonus material with purchase

Christa Meola Day 1.pdf
Christa Meola Day 2.pdf
Christa Meola Day 3.pdf

Ratings and Reviews

a Creativelive Student
 

This is meant to be a HELPFUL review for those that are wondering if they should purchase this workshop. About 75% of what I took away from this workshop was posing, composition for boudoir and the importance of eye lines and capturing movement. I had two boudoir sessions a week after this workshop and my images significantly improved. I was able to coach my clients through poses better, direct them on where to look for better eye lines, I was more aware of their posture and how to fix it, I think I sounded more professional and felt more confidant with getting awesome poses, stand out expressions and adding movement to my images. I put a fan on my client the way Christa does.. and she is right! The instant I put the fan on my client, her expression changed and you could tell she was really "feeling it". She told me she felt like a real supermodel right after I turned on the fan. If you are looking for inspiration on how to coach women and pose for boudoir then Christa is the girl for you. I think the most worthwhile thing I learned watching this is something that will help me in the years to come... with my brand, my website, my workflow and my business goals. I learned how to "keep it simple" which is Christa's tag line. For example Christa brings a roll of gray background paper and uses gaffer tape to hang it from the wall of the hotel (instead of bringing a 12ft background stand). I know this seems simple but this will change my life! I hate dragging equipment back and forth. There are some negative reviews on here about Christa's technical skills, but I think these people may have missed the whole point. If you provide an awesome product and an awesome experience for your client, they will buy it. And guess what.. your client will never know if you used your camera in auto or manual and they won't care if you used one light instead of two. As someone who has been in business for 3 years doing boudoir exclusively I learned a lot. I see a lot of value in learning from someone who doesn't spend a lot of money on fancy equipment, yet charges her clients over $3,000 for sessions. I'm a huge fan of her keep it simple philosophy and I'm glad Christa is willing to be honest about her workflow and how she best utilizes her time. Your not going to agree with or use everything Christa talks about, you take the parts that you like and are most helpful to you and work them into building a stronger business.

a Creativelive Student
 

AWESOME DEAL on Christa's course. I just sent an email to my husband to tell him thanks for "gifting" me this course. I told him just the ONE CLASS about pricing was worth the full $129 price of the course. And there are over 50 classes?! That is a crazy stupid good deal. You can learn something good from every class you take, every book you read, and just apply the stuff that works for you. There are a lot of people out there who seem to just enjoy giving crappy reviews, and to me it's almost like bullying. How someone could not find $129 worth of value in this course is beyond me. In my opinion this course is worth over a thousand bucks, because it can help you make SO much more money. I hate when I see people whining about things that are not 100 percent perfect, and they get annoyed if the person isn't catering to their exact needs. It's like the Yelper generation, with a disturbing sense of entitlement. I would love to see those people try teaching a class about boudoir and see if they could do any better. It also seems like, the more popular a person gets, the more other people feel the need to tear them down. I'm grateful that Christa even offered this course at ALL. Thanks Christa for all you do to help those of us who really need to know this stuff. You rock.

a Creativelive Student
 

I never thought I would shoot boudoir. I am a shy and private person. I started entertaining the idea when I first saw Christa's work and saw how beautiful and tasteful it can be. I love her lighting and all that she uses from historic painters and sculptors. I watched all three days live and learned a ton. I have a lot of lighting education, but it was nice to freshen up my skills. I loved the posing tips and the three typical situations she uses for one shoot. I loved learning about how she shoots in hotels and also using things like an outdoor situation. I have now shot my first boudoir session and it was a total hit. I am thrilled to show my client her images. This was fantastic! Thank you, Christa!

Student Work

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