What Is Glamour Photography?


When you were a kid, do you remember playing dress-up? You strutted in too-big-for-your-feet heels, sported your mother’s cosmetics, and styled your hair in a manner that emulated magazine covers. You walked around the house as if you owned it. You felt like a superstar! Your inner confidence shone through as a kid. When was the last time you had that feeling? Do you recall the emotion of being confident and allowing your inner celebrity to shine through? Alternatively, what about dedicating a full day to escape life’s stresses, concentrate on you, release your inner pop star and liberate your self-empowerment glow? Why have you waited so long to retrieve these moments of self-worth? It is time to evoke those emotions, and capture it on film through glamour photography.

Glamour photography is all about you. A glamour photography session is a chance to release your inhibitions and show a playful, sensual, sexy, modern side of yourself. It provides you the freedom to show off the positive aspects others may not know existed. The image created highlights what you love about yourself. It is something remarkable to share with a significant other. Additionally, having a glamour photo of yourself to view is amazing, for you are able to visually see the transformation from your daily look into the stunning sex symbol within!

History of Glamour Photography
Glamour photography started in the early 1920s. It was mainly reserved for celebrities. When these pictures were published, it would arouse curiosity and adoration from fans. Then, when pinup models were the rage, it changed. Glamour photography focused on the sensual side. Pinup models revealed much more skin. Some models posed in partial or full nudity, taking glamour photography into a different direction completely.

With the arrival of Playboy, glamour photography took off. Playboy was the catapult of glamour photography. It exhibited a sensual, playful side, enticing the viewer, leaving the person yearning to see more. It teased the reader without revealing too much. Today, men’s magazines, such as Maxim and GQ have perfected glamour photography. Their images define modern day glamour photos. You see images personifying old pinup style photographs or in various settings with a sexual twist. For instance, there is an infamous photo spread of cooking television personality Rachel Ray in Maxim Magazine. In one of the photos, Rachel Ray is in a kitchen setting, scantily dressed licking frosting off a spatula. She was extremely playful with the photographs. She is not a supermodel. She is not overt in sexuality, yet, in this photograph, she is proof that the girl next door oozes sexiness too!

Top 3 Elements Defining a Successful Glamour Photograph: Pose, Styling and Photographer

Posing is Key to a Sexy Look
Regarding posing, look at other images you wish to emulate. Flip through some popular men’s magazines. Think about what pose would accentuate your body the best. An experienced glamour photographer will be able to assist you beforehand in deciding what poses would be most suitable for you, your personality, and the achievement of the overall results. Consider what would reflect your personality the most. Consider what aspect of your life you would like to include in the photo shoot. What are your hobbies? What would make the right statement for you?

Styling Brings the Vision to Life
When conceptualizing the photo session, discuss with styling with your photographer. Find out what hairstyles, makeup techniques, and wardrobe choices are appropriate for the look you want. Review examples of the makeup artist’s work. Take a glance through the wardrobe consultant’s ideas. A professional, successful glamour photographer would be able to listen to you, and project the type of image you wish to achieve and relay this effectively to the professional makeup artist and wardrobe consultant. The photographer will be able to make the look cohesive ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Furthermore, think about what emotions the overall picture portrays. For example, if you are going for something soft, and sensual, then the makeup should appear translucent, the hair would be wavy and tousled, and the clothing soft and flowing. Nothing rigid or extreme styled for this type of photo. However, if you are going for a Vargas pinup inspired photograph, red lips would pop, hair would be in a finger wave, and the styling would be very high, platform heels reflecting that time frame. The clothes were normally 2 pieces with lots of leg showing. Search online for Vargas pinups and you will see what types of styles he used in his images.


Frequently asked modeling questions