Hi everyone! I know it's been a minute since I last posted anything on here but I'm excited to be back blogging. School's been exhausting and the term is almost over so the work is just piling up. I'm looking forward to when that's over, but if you're interested in knowing more about what I'm studying, let me know and I may write a blog post about it!
I'm excited to bring on another interview, this time with Trevor Sherwin of Provocateur Images, a wonderful boudoir photographer here in Toronto. I've had the pleasure of shooting with Trevor a few times this past year and it's always been a great experience. Despite this, Trevor doesn't shoot with models often, he specializes in working with people of all shapes, sizes, ages, genders, and abilities, to create beautiful images. Provocateur Images strives to create a body positive space for anyone who wants to book a shoot, and always makes everyone look incredible and at ease.
Check out the interview with Trevor below about business, boudoir, and photography but before that, I wanted to say that Starkers Corsetry launched a new RTW corset in satin coutil that I'm wearing in these shots. They also created a special holiday version of the coutil corset with purple dots!
How did you get into photography? To be honest, my life in photography was kind of an accident. I never thought I’d be a photographer nor did I go to school for it. When I was in university I needed a job and I happened to get a job at a camera store. Looking back, I’m not sure why they hired me because the only thing I knew about photography at the time was that film went in cameras. Regardless, after working with cameras and selling them I found that I really liked the idea of making photos. So I did that casually shooting anything and everything that passed in front of my lens. I worked in the retail and distribution side of photography for about 13-14 years before I finally decided to make photography my career. It’s been the best decision I ever made and I’ve been so lucky to work my entire life in the field which is also my passion. What interested you in boudoir photography and how did you get your start in it? When I decided to make photography my primary source of income, I was shooting portraits because I really enjoy working with people. I happened to have a portrait client ask me to shoot a boudoir series of her and I thought, sure why not. She was in a transition period in her life where she’d separated from her husband and didn’t feel all that great about her physique. We did the session and then afterward we had a look at the photos. She was so moved by the photos of herself that she had happy tears and emotion and I received the biggest bear hug I’ve ever had with a heart felt thank you for showing her that she is beautiful. It was at that point I realized something... that I have the ability to change how someone sees them self. I knew right at that point this is what I want to do for as many people as possible because in no other genre of photography do you get the reactions like I do as a boudoir photographer. Seeing my clients walk out the door standing a little taller with that little extra swagger in their step because they now see themselves as beautiful is such an amazing feeling.
How did you start your business and what did you offer to Toronto clients that you think may have given you a competitive edge? Not to reveal all of your secrets of course! Anyone can make a photograph, what I offer is the direction and coaching in addition to my signature look. Virtually none of my clients come in with any experience in front of the camera which can be very nerve racking for them. I tell every one of them that their only job in the session is to take my direction. What to do with regards to posing, expression and body language is my job. So if you can do what I ask, I’ll make them look awesome. Getting people to open up and get comfortable is actually what really differentiates me as a photographer and I guess you’d say is my competitive advantage. Because after all, I’m selling an experience and oh boy, what an experience it is! And the experience I offer is unique to me. Can you tell us about what a client receives when they book a shoot with you? Aside from the obvious finished products like books, wall art and digital files, what people get is that intangible feeling that only a boudoir session can deliver. It’s a mix of confidence, realization of self worth, empowerment and a revealing/rediscovering of ones sexiness. This is the real power of a boudoir session because at face value all you’re doing is is posing front of the camera. But it’s so much more than that. I’ve had customers smiling from ear to ear. I’ve had happy tears when they see that they are gorgeous. What someone gets out of their session is uniquely personal and leaves a lasting positive impression on them that makes them walk with a little extra swagger. Giving people this feeling is why I love my job. How do you make sure clients feel comfortable while shooting? It’s all about coaching. I’m your cheerleader during the shoot and also the pose director. I coach people down to their fingertips so all they have to do is take my direction. That makes it really easy for everyone who steps in front of my camera. I also act out many of the poses for them too. I usually get a giggle or two when they see me, a guy doing a very feminine pose. It’s disarming and when see that I’m willing to be be vulnerable they open up accordingly. I also have a whole bunch of somewhat corny ways I describe certain poses and expressions so we’ll usually end up talking about heir-umf which I say with a German accent to talk about hands in hair. Or maybe we talk about bum physics. It’s all there to take a situation that can cause anxiety and make it fun. By the end of the session, my clients are laughing and totally relaxed and are super sad when I say times up...
How do clients choose wardrobe for their boudoir shoots? Planning wardrobe for a shoot is a pretty important part of the session. I approach this a few ways. First I will encourage them to visit one of my partner stores. My partners are awesome because they will fit them and provide styling advice. I think that’s critical to do that shopping beforehand. Secondly, once a client books they get a prep guide that talks about various styles of lingerie that looks good and what they might want to bring to pull that look off. Lastly, when they arrive we’ll lay out their wardrobe as they get their makeup done and I will select the right look for the set we’re shooting and based on any ideas they may have sent over prior to the shoot. Would you say lingerie has the power to be transformative? Absolutely! I’ve learned that after shooting exclusively boudoir for the past 5 years that lingerie (especially the right lingerie) can make a woman feel so sexy and confident. Utility bras and underwear that are worn every day do what they need to do day to day but they don’t give a girl that special feeling. However some really amazing lingerie can make a woman feel so gorgeous that they want to show it off. Now of course the boudoir studio is a far better place to do that than out on the street but I think every woman walks with a little extra swagger when she’s wearing something sexy under her clothes. Even if she is the only one that knows it. Sometimes I think there’s a little magic something or other sewn into lingerie because it is definitely transformative…
Credits
Photographer: Provocateur Images
Model: Holly Harlott (that's me!)
Corset: Starkers Corsetry
Lingerie (both sets): Honey Birdette
Stockings: What Katie Did