#pinupsdoitbest

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Permission to Pose...Getting Started Part 2!

Last week I met up with photographer and friend, to discuss a concept shoot that have been in the works for awhile. While talking over coffee one of the topics that came up was creating the story one wishes to portray with their pictures. This will be part two of a three part series that offers some key steps to cultivating your pinup image for a shoot!

In Getting Started Part 1 I talked about how to start brainstorming your photoshoots story, and how to build your concept binder. This post is going to discuss fleshing out the direction and scenes you’d like to see in your photoshoot. 

Some of the questions I’ll be answering are: How many scenes do you want to see in your shoot, and what would you like to see in those scenes (this doesn’t mean props or furniture you’d like to see. This means what are you doing in the scene, and what do you want the viewer to glean from the image)? Is there something specific you want to get across to the viewer? Do you want your shoot to be linear in style, or do you want it to be something that no matter the order of the pictures it still fits into your over arching concept? Do you have a specific style you want to incorporate that’s threaded throughout that links everything together cohesively?

To make this easy and to not feel so overwhelmed while storyboarding I break the conglomerate of questions into the five W’s (who, what, when, where, and why- sometimes I add how). I’ll be writing out the original questions Next to which “W” they belong to, along with some supplemental questions to answer while storyboarding your shoots. When you actually start storyboarding just write out the the “W”. Working with my previous example (Alice in Wonderland) this is what it might look like: 

Concept: Alice In Wonderland 

Who: Who are you trying to reach? Who is this shoot for? Who am I portraying?- I am doing this for fun, I am not trying to reach anyone. This shoot is for myself, and pushing my boundaries as a model. I am portraying Alice, but in this version Alice sees how different characters she interacted with as a child are actually pieces of her. 

What/How: What would you like to see in the different scenes? How many scenes? What are you trying to portray or get across to the viewer? What does this concept mean to me?- I would like to take 8-10 of the major points/characters in Alice in Wonderland and show how she use to think that those things were outside her but are really just different pieces of her. The scenes of the book and the characters I’d like to touch on are: 1. Alice (she is the constant in the photos, starting with her in the tree reading again as an adult right before she falls down the rabbit hole.) 2. White Rabbit (As Alice falls down the rabbit hole, or goes through the looking glass we see her starting to take on some of the white rabbits attributes. She’s holding the pocket watch, her dress looks a bit more uniform). Alice in Wonderland is my favorite story of all time and I love the idea of being able to take the story and make it my own. Obviously, if I was storyboarding completely I’d write out all 8 scenes I like to use with as much detail as I can. I would also make a collage for each scene.

When: Do you want the shoot to be *linear, or do you want it to be something that no matter the order of the pictures everything still makes sense? If someone were to pull out one picture would it be easy to pick up on what is being portrayed? *Are you loosely basing the scenes on the concept (yet still cohesive), or is the concept steadfast? Is there a time period? Is there a specific style you are looking?- Yes, this shoot will be linear *(Most of my shoots are not linear even though I have a concept/theme, it’s much more difficult to do a linear shoot if you aren’t going to be hanging up the photos or putting them in an album).- Yes, it would be easy to pick up and understand what is going on. No it’s not loosely based on the concept. The concept is steadfast through the entire shoot *(most of the time it’s easier to have a shoot with scenes that are loosely related to the concept. For example my last shoot was all about vintage Hollywood glamour. What should be avoided is having a non-cohesive feel). Yes, will be loosely victorian and loosely late 40′s early 50′s pinup. I would like it to be a bit more haute couture in photography style, simply because of the whimsical nature of the shoot. 

Where: This is your ideal place to shoot. Are you shooting in a house, studio, outside? If outside, is it in a forest, a field, in a backyard? is it split? Is there a specific season you’d like to shoot in? Do you want to shoot during the day or night (this is important for lighting if you are shooting outdoors or in a house)?- I would like to shoot partially in a studio and partially outside in a backyard. For a shoot like this I’d like it to be late spring, early summer during the day when shooting outside. 

Why: Why are you shooting this? *If you are shooting for a specific person, Why are you shooting it for them? Why are you setting it up the way you are?- I am shooting this because I want to push my boundaries as a model. I love Alice in Wonderland. I am not shooting for a specific person other than myself. I am setting it up in such a manner to show the relevance of classic literature. *I caution people who solely wish to shoot for a partner because if their SO does not like the photos it can be extremely damaging to one’s confidence, and self-esteem. It’s a beautiful and vulnerable experience, and it should not be tainted. 

Some other things to think about: 

1. When in doubt research, and make collages. The more you fleshed out your idea is, the more visuals you have, the easier the conversation with your photographer will be. 

2. Don’t be afraid to think big with storyboarding. However, understand that whatever it is you write down is a guide. The day of the shoot there will be changes made. Not every idea written down will be used. But it is always better to have more content than less!! 

3. Plan for X. You don’t know what curveballs will be thrown at you the day of the shoot. When I was shooting for my second session, my photographer and I had been depending on clear sunny day for light, unfortunately it was not to be. And because I was moving we had no access to uplighting, instead she and I had to scramble over to home depot to pick up some construction lighting, along with the little natural we had! 

4. Know your budget. Stick to it as close as possible. 

Now that we have done the bulk of storyboarding for the look of the shoot, we can start discussing wardrobe, hair, makeup that works with your concept. 

xoxo, 

Lara

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Permission to Pose...Statement of Inclusivity and General Business

Hello and Welcome, I hope with this post to hit two birds with one stone. Simply put: I have some business I’d like to get out of the way. Action item 1: this blog is meant for those 18 and up. It contains adult content and themes, therefore minors cannot legally follow my blog. Every once in a while I will go through my list of followers and do a random sweep, if your age is not in your heading I will politely message you to unfollow my blog, if you do not within 24hrs I will block you. This is nothing personal. It is meant to keep all parties reading/participating safe. If you are close to your 18th birthday and you receive a message from me asking to unfollow please do so until you are 18. Action item 2: I am happy to answer messages and asks from followers. However, this is not a porn blog. Do not message me inappropriately. I will block you. On a similar note, I may post pictures from shoots from time to time, please do not repost without permission, and please add photo credit for both photographer and model. Action item 3: I welcome all who are of legal standing to follow my blog. However, for simplicity’s sake, the only pronouns I will be using will be he/she, her/him. This is for my own sanity. Action item 4: The world of pinup/ boudoir is welcome to all, with many different subcultures. I draw very much on my femininity, and love that aspect of pinup/boudoir; therefore that will be a common theme running through my posts. Please don’t take my experience as the ONLY WAY to do pinup! And please don’t view my look as the ONLY WAY either. Pinup/ boudoir is meant to empower all! It doesn’t matter your size, height, weight, if you have tattoos, if you don’t have tattoos, your sexuality, how you identify, it’s all about discovering your inner bombshell and loving who YOU are! Thank you all and I hope you enjoy Permission to Pose! Xoxo, Lara

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Permission to Pose...Instagram

Hello, 

I have recently setup an instagram under persephonespinup! If you’d like to see a more photos, other than the ones I post on my blog, please follow me there as well as on here! 

And Remember: Permission to Pose...Granted!! 

xoxo, 

Lara 

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Picture 1- PC: Kelsey Mac Photography MC: Lara Torres 

Picture 2- PC: Alias Josie Photography- MC: Lara Torres 

 Permission to Pose…With(out) Tattoos…?

When I first started my modeling journey at 18 I was “sans free” of tattoos, and as I got older one of my biggest concerns was my desire for tattoos would clash with my desire to be a pinup/ boudoir model. However, the more research I did into modern day pinup/boudoir the more I realized tattoos and modeling can go hand and hand!

Why? Because Pin-up is about self expression. It’s about owning your body and loving who you are right in that moment! I love both the photos above. But I love them for different reasons. The first photo is my very first shoot, I was shy, nervous, and scared to have my back photographed in such a manner. Two years before that I had been in an incredibly abusive relationship, that ended with me being thrown into a window. I had scarring on my back that felt too intimate to photograph. That was how I knew I needed to have that picture taken. It was my stake in the grown, I was taking back my identity. It also, turned out to be one of my favorite photos from that shoot! 

The second photograph is of me almost four years later, I had grown exponentially as a model. I had also grown with tattoos.The tattoo on my back hides some of the scarring I no longer wish to look at; I wanted to close the door on that chapter. The keyhole on my neck was my very first tattoo, it represents my willingness, and desire to unlock my future. The one on my upper back I had a tattoo designed with my favorite flower-middle anemones; my mother’s, grandmothers, and great-grandmother’s favorite flowers- lilies, and, the bluebells to represent TX. To remind me of the strength the women in my family have, and that NO ONE will ever mess with me again. It’s also a shoutout to my favorite book of all time: Alice in Wonderland, by Louis Carroll. 

Both of these photos are beautiful, both represent different passages of time, both hold meaning. Whether you have ink on your skin, or not, the only thing that matters is when you step in front of the camera you bare the confidence to show your true colors. For those of you with ink on your skin be proud of them! Own your art, for you and they are beautiful. Don’t let anyone shame you into thinking that the work of art on your body won’t photograph beautifully. Because I have evidence that shows other wise. Give yourself Permission to Pose…With(out) Tattoos!! 

xoxo, 

Lara

[persephonespinup]

Permission to Pose...Granted

At the end of my introduction post I “Grant” you, the reader, to jump off the couch and get in front of a camera, or a mirror, and start posing! Why?!? Because though it’s cliche to say: practice makes perfect! Make silly faces as you get out of the shower and brush your hair, smile slyly as you perfect that contour or smokey eye, raise that eyebrow as you take a selfie! Get comfortable with your body and your face, learn which side YOU like best. So when you walk into your first shoot, you have some basic self knowledge of what you like or dislike.

Don’t just stop with your face, practice with your body as well, get ugly, make yourself look like a rag doll. Stand tall like a dancer with your shoulders back in a pirouette stance, point your toes. Follow all the way through the position and feel it from head to toe. At the end of the day just Grant yourself Permission to Pose!

[persephonespinup]

Hello, welcome to permission to pose!! Starting today every mirror, store front window, and reflective surface is yours for taking! No longer will you fear being in front of the camera because you know you’re a unique, beautiful individual who deserves the spotlight. Your journey down a path of self-discovery and enlightenment begins now. My journey into the world of pinup and boudoir started when I was 15 years old. I have always been incredibly passionate about historical fashion, and women’s history; especially the silver/golden age of Hollywood (30’s-60’s)! The glamours clothing, hair, makeup. Women taking their style into their own hands during a period of depression, using it to empower themselves, savoring their femininity. The more I learned, the more I fell in love with the style. As that passion grew, I was slowly discovering the photography side of the pinup world, having taken multiple photography classes; having always loved the film median. I was discovering the greats such as Bettie Paige, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, so on and so forth! I was sold!! I NEEDED to go from behind the camera to in front of it. I so badly wanted to be these women- flooring all this who crossed my pathed. Becoming the ever loved femme-fatal!! Since I could’t do a pin-up styled shoot until I was 18, from ages 16 to 17 I started planning, building my wardrobe so that when I turned 18, I would be ready to shoot! Around that time my then boyfriend was joining the military, and shipping off to boot camp. Historically, this style of photography came into popularity around World War Two, due to it being pictures of women, men could hang up in their lockers or planes while out at war, deriving the term “pin-up”, and the women posing in these photos became known as “pin-up girls”! I decided my first shoot was going to have a military theme to it, honoring it’s roots. One of my photographer friends wanted to break into pinup photography as well, so on a cold December day, instead of doing a “normal senior” photo shoot, I and my photographer friend were found shivering in my room while I was scandalously underdressed. I LOVED IT! I couldn’t get enough! We shot over 100 photos that day, worked together for about 6 hrs, I had around eight costume changes. And it was the first time I posed nude. After edits, I took those photos to Costco to get them printed, which I’m sure gave those printing my photos a hoot! Since then I have done about four more shoots, and a video shoot. I have a fifth shoot in the works. With all my work I have always been incredibly hands on, because it isn’t just about the photos, it’s about the process! So, if you have been looking for a reason to get up off the couch, and get in front of a camera, and become the model you’ve always dreamed…Permission to Pose…GRANTED!

Xoxo, Lara