Fashion Portrait Beauty Photography At Sandy Beach, Hawaii

Elise is an actress whom I contacted via my MySpace photographer profile to setup a shoot.
These photos are from our second time we took pictures which was Elise’s second session ever. And that is no problem for me because I love photographing first time and amateur models!

Even though I only saw “non-professional” MySpace photos of Elise I knew right away that she had a special captivating beauty and I was very happy to get a chance to shoot with her.

We arrived just before sunrise around 6AM and shot until about noon. Lengthy on location photoshoots are not unusual for me.

The location consisted of a landscape of dry brush, scattered lava boulders and mangroves between Makapu’u Beach and Sandy Beach Park, two very popular local body boarding spots on the East a.k.a. Windward side of Oahu, Hawaii.

We explored many nearby locations under very different lighting conditions and experimented with different themes from dramatic to casual i.e. pretending to shoot a denim jeans commercial.

What better way to introduce Elise than with a beautiful portrait just minutes after sunrise (7:12AM). She is the quintessential all American girl next door with beauty, intelligence and confidence.
Let’s not forget she looks this incredible this early in the morning after having to get up around 5AM. She only had a chance to put on some light makeup herself using the rear view mirror of her jeep at the beach parking lot in almost complete darkness!

Mixed Hawaiian Fashion Model Photography On Lava Rocks

I was glad to do a photoshoot with an exotic model who’s mixed ethnicity (including Hawaiian) was only one the ingredients I enjoy mixing into a fun photography session.

Tamara only has a handful of photoshoots under her belt which means she is natural without already learned typical cookie cutter poses and self doubt.

The stunning location for the following photos is the high cliffs of Portlock just before sunset which is between the affluent neighborhood Hawaii Kai and the famous tourist spot Hanauma Bay.

Creating a background is a rewarding task at this location in the form of the striated lava rock walls and the unobstructed view at the Pacific Ocean.
The tall palm tree and the stretching model repeat the same shape in this photo making visual sense to the viewer.

Portrait Of Local Hawaiian Beauty In Tropical Rainforest

Once again I was back in the Hawaiian Pali rainforest which has become one of my most favorite photoshoot locations. This time it was a special occasion because of who I was photographing.

The model’s name was Iris a non-model actually since this was her first photoshoot. She is a lifeguard and a “just a regular girl” which I love because my most intimate an real photos have been taken of non-models or first time models.

Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, Iris has natural pure beauty and pride which shines through her photos.

The rest of the photos are in color but I had to start with this black and white conversion to set the mood. Soft light from the overcast sky provided perfect lighting conditions for portrait and beauty photography.

Japanese Fashion Model Photos At Hanauma Bay, Hawaii

Jen is a beautiful Asian fashion and swimsuit model who I found through ModelMayhem.
Her exotic look really compliments the raw beauty of Hawaii.

Her body is athletic because she is a surfer and she has a “not so typical” Japanese face so I was looking forward to capturing unique images which would spice up both of our portfolios.

Warm tones dominate this photo; taken behind the famous Hanauma Bay Crater, called Portlock. Jen’s strong beautiful legs look fantastic and because they are shot from below they create long lines which lead the viewer’s eye up into the picture to explore more.

Two Halves – Japanese Beauty Glamour Photos In Hawaii

The location for these slightly unusual portraits was lava rock walls near Hanauma Bay a famous half submerged volcanic crater on the East a.k.a. Windward side of Oahu.

There was plenty of soft light in the open shade on a very bright day when shooting in the midday sun was too blinding for the model.

Jen has a very symmetric face, great skin and beautiful hair. She may not look “obviously” Japanese nevertheless she is and her exotic look perfectly compliments Hawaii as photoshoot location.

I say unusual portrait because I am not a big fan of chopping heads in half but I actually used this photo on web promotional graphics, it is simple, beautiful and eye catching image for that purpose.

On Tropical Location: Black And White Bikini And Fashion Model Photoshoot

I love black and white bikini and fashion model photos which are taken in exotic and dramatic locations. The lack of color brings out shapes and textures adding much drama and class to these photos.

The Pali rainforest is one of my favorite Hawaii locations, it has provided me with a wide variety of photographic opportunities due to its diversity landscape and lighting wise.

The Pali rainforest being up in the mountains means there is often soft light from overcast sky because the rain clouds that the Hawaiian trade winds bring in get trapped. This means occasional rainfall especially during morning and evening hours plus a healthy dose of mosquitoes but the end result, great pictures and great fun is always worth it.

Tamara is one of my favorite models, she is truly exotic due to her mixed ethnicity one of which is Hawaiian. She is a beautiful model and a very nice person with self confidence, intelligence without being spoiled.
One might say what is all that got to do with being a bikini model? The answer is everything!
It takes the mix of these internal and external characteristics to deliver such beautiful, nicely posed (but not posy) relaxed, smart, confident set of photos which are listed in this post.

Spite the cold rainforest stream Tamara delivers this gorgeous picture; nice in color as well but a real knock out in black and white:

Rainforest Stream Swimsuit Photoshoot with Tamara – Hawaii

A cold stream in the Hawaiian Pali rain forest is the location for this swimsuit photo. It is a really short drive from downtown Honolulu and besides mosquitoes usually there is not a soul around.

I have done a few photo shoots at the same location and what I love about this place is the countless angles, lighting and background possibilities.

Some people find the model’s expression very cute also this photo happens to be one of Tamara’s personal favorites.

Rainforest Raincoat Fashion Photoshoot With Asian Bikini Model

Rain in the rainforest is not surprising but it can definitely put a bikini photoshoot on hold. The beautiful bamboo forest just before Manoa Falls provided the location.

Instead of packing up and going home the model’s own rain jacket was used as the wardrobe.
Adopting to unexpected situations, improvising, being flexible is the surest way to get unique and interesting photos.

Admittedly we had to cut the shoot short and unfortunately the usual several hundred shots were not taken but if one memorable image is captured, the photoshoot was productive!

Jenny has an amazing face and the diffused light from the overcast sky provided excellent conditions. The following picture is the final Photoshopped version of the best shot of the day.

Rosy Asian Touch – Portrait Photos Of Chinese Beauty In Hawaii

I felt the soft rosy effect added an innocent, sad, pure, dreamy feel to this photo. Perhaps inspired by cherry blossom (sakura) flowers can’t really tell why but it felt fitting.

I just sat from across Sylvia and took about 30 pictures whenever something interesting or nothing was happening.

Minimal directions were given to the model, I usually let the location and the model’s current mood establish the feel of the photoshoot at least in the beginning of every setup.

I believe there are some nice lines in the photo created mainly by the hair and the white shirt collar which leads the viewers’ eyes to the model’s face.

BW Asian Bikini Lingerie Model Photos In Tropical Rainforest

Jen is a beautiful Asian exotic bikini and fashion model who is also a surfer.
Shooting with a surfer / model means she is has an athletic, toned, healthy body and a relaxed, easy going personality which are excellent ingredients for a fun and successful photography session.

The peaceful and intimate setting was in the Pali rainforest just outside Honolulu an excellent diverse and exotic location which I instantly became a fan of and have used several times.

This post contains a set of black and white images which I find especially dramatic compared to their color versions.
Black and white conversion often adds class and drama to photos and but when it comes to tropical locations and exotic models in my eyes this added drama is a lot more pronounced.

Not all photos can be automatically converted to B&W and expected to work; without a “certain amount” of necessary shapes and contrast the results will not be acceptable.

The first photo is minimalistic in its concept, taken during the first few minutes of the photoshoot, clearly during the initial period of getting comfortable with the camera and surroundings.
The background is carefully selected complementing the shape and the pose of the model, more specifically the angles of the limbs.

Japanese Bikini Model Photography In Hawaiian Rainforest

Having a jungle theme photoshoot with an exotic Japanese bikini and fashion model allows for a wide variety of interpretations and story telling.

I prefer to capture the model’s natural beauty in her current uninterrupted mood. There is always some interference when a camera is pointed at someone but with the proper chemistry between model and photographer, open communication regarding the project goes a long way to achieve a comfortable session.

Soft diffused light from an overcast sky provided high quality illumination that is best to bring out rich colors. One of the model’s props which she brought with herself were colorful butterflies from an arts and crafts store.

We picked the most matching kimono style top from her wardrobe for that day.
A trunk of a huge banyan tree provided a perfect backdrop with its strong vertical lines and organic texture.

Tanja Dexters Miss Belgium Fashion Photography At De Koninck Brewery

During one of my European photography trips I had a chance to do a photoshoot with Tanja Dexters Miss Belgium 1998 at the historic De Koninck Brewery in Antwerp, Belgium (Brouwerij De Koninck Antwerpen).

Because I always travel alone as a backpacker there are no lights, reflectors, assistants, studios etc. so these photoshoots do not have the backing and support structure of big time professional projects.

Besides some of the limitations resulted by this setup there are great advantages i.e. mobility, creative freedom and low budget.

This photoshoot was a great creative experience and a lot of fun as well. Tanja just came from a TV show so she had professional make-up, expensive haute couture dresses and expensive jewelry ready to photograph.

She was also a good sport about some of my off the wall ideas like using a pretty large and heavy hose, kind of like a snake to create this really interesting visual element.

Young Beautiful Fashion And Lingerie Model Photography

Black and white photos have such a profound visual appeal that fortunately none of the latest technological advances could replace what they offer on an emotional level.

Elegant, classy, refined, dramatic, real, powerful, are some of the words that can describe black and white images. I love black and white photography so much that when I designed this website I (quite possibly subconsciously) automatically excluded almost all color.

The following images have all that I love about photography and the process of taking photos: beauty, youth, intelligence, personality, improvisation and originality.

These black and white fashion, lingerie modeling and portrait photos were taken with an amateur, first time Belgian model during a European photography trip in 2005.
Alexandra was a muse at first sight, confident and beautiful:

Beautiful First Time Fashion And Lingerie Model From Belgium

These photos were taken during one of my European photography trips. I most enjoy working with first time or amateur models with little or no experience.

What are the positive aspects of photoshoots with first time models? They have no diva attitude, no badly learned modeling poses, no greed or delusions of grandeur.

Of course amateur models must be cast carefully based not only on looks but on personality and confidence as well. In return they tend to be more natural, more willing to follow directions and more appreciative of the opportunity. They do not have previous negative experiences with photographers which ensures the essential trust.

I found an informal photo of Alexandra on a Belgian modeling website and immediately was really interested in her look. Our shoot happened to be her first photoshoot and the results were excellent.

Lingerie Model Photography With Athletic German Dancer In Dusseldorf

You too can be an international lingerie, bikini and fashion model photographer even against seemingly difficult odds. There are many ways to travel on a budget and to find amateur or agency represented models for free.

Traveling on a budget can be easily researched and by contacting local model agencies by e-mail even amateur photographers with a decent online portfolio can arrange photoshoots with the agency’s new faces.
You can email me or leave a comment of you have specific questions.

This post features an amateur blonde German model who is also a dancer. I choose this photo as an opening image because it symbolizes the essence of these photography trips: getting off your smelly couch so you can photograph a lingerie model on a red leather couch in the penthouse of a Dusseldorf modeling agency.
Another more graceful analogy can be drawn for travel and photography from the beautiful s-shaped curve of the model’s body: as Sheryl Crow sings it “Everyday is a winding road, I get a little bit closer”.

I love props and accessories even something as simple is the red fashion book … red book, red couch … once a prop is part of the image taking it away would result in a way inferior photo.
Improvisation, making the best of the current situation and by letting creativity flow are great ways to capture unique images.

Finnish Fashion And Lingerie Model At Berlin Construction Site

I have a short attention span and I get bored easily so I do my photoshoots on a wide variety of locations with diverse models to keep things fun and challenging.

During my 2005 European photography trip I shot a former Miss Belgium in a brewery, a fallen angel floating in a German lake, a quintessential blonde Russian teen model, an uber athletic German dancer, a lingerie model with perfect body and so on.

These photography trips provide me with experiences, challenges and photos that could have never been preconceived. Keeping an open mind and not taking the world too seriously are probably two of the most important aspects of how to prepare and enjoy these journeys.

The following pictures were taken on a construction site just outside Berlin, Germany with a platinum blonde Finnish fashion and lingerie model. It was a Sunday and there were no workers so we were able to sneak in and create a very interesting set made of cement and metal.

I am starting with one of the final images so the first photo has an impact after which I will show some of my favorite photos as they were taken in chronological order.
Besides the model with a perfect body and the cool black boots I really like the background in this photo; constructing the most fitting backdrop happens to be one of my pet peeves.

Creative Lingerie And Fashion Model Photography With A Girl From Finland

I love to photograph original creative concepts. The following photos of a girl from Finland are a prefect example of such a photoshoot.

The session took place in Berlin, Germany at a construction site which was closed for the weekend. I found the girl from Finland at a local modeling agency when I asked them if they had any new faces that needed portfolio photos taken.

This is a great way for any vagabond photographer to find models in their home or in foreign countries. At the time of this European backpacking photography trip I lived in Hawaii.

These shoots for modeling agencies are for free but can yield diverse photos for both the model’s and photographer’s portfolios and can enable photographers to establish good relationships with agencies.

This first photo is actually one of the last frames I took during the photoshoot but it beautifully illustrates how unique and unexpected ideas can come up. There was no way to plan this session because until we turned the corner and saw this construction site we had no idea where we were shooting.

Therefore I could not have anticipated that I would be photographing a blonde Finish lingerie model pushing a wheel barrel at an abandoned construction site .. but apparently that is just what happened.

Brunette Lingerie Barbie Doll: German Model With Perfect Body

Lingerie model photography can often resemble to a real life Barbie doll dress up party.

But the more skin the model reveals the better chance for “minor imperfections” to creep in which were unknown before the photoshoot i.e. bad skin, body hair, stretchmarks, tattoos, scars, burn marks, piercings, birthmarks and those downright scary reptile-like armpits.

These possible hick-ups can of course be eliminated by meeting the model first or viewing bikini photos of her. This was not an option for me while in the midst of one of my European model photography trips where all I could judge from were model agency headshots of their new faces.

Dani the German lingerie model featured in this post fortunately had non of the above characteristics some of us mortals posses and arrived with a perfect female body to our shoot.

She was a brunette Barbie doll on the outside with a pleasant low maintenance attitude.
In Europe it is relatively easy to find safe abandoned locations which have great colors, props, backgrounds and character.
On this photo I like the contrast between the perfect skin of the model and the weathered texture of the door.

Russian Teen Fashion Model Photography In Tiergarten, Berlin

Even if you are not a rich and famous professional photographer it is possible to travel internationally, find and photograph models you find inspiring.

These are not only unforgettable experiences and adventures but they can also improve the photographer’s improvisational, compositional and all around creative skills.

At first look foreign countries can offer cultural and language barriers, lack of contacts and networking opportunities, lack of familiarity with locations, models, make-up artists.
It is easy to get intimidated but it is not all that difficult with some planning ahead and by having an easy going attitude. (More tips at the end of this post.)

The first photo is a portrait of a Russian teen fashion model who I choose to photograph when I visited on1 Model Management in Berlin, Germany.
The beautiful soft lighting is courtesy of a courtyard of an old fashioned Berlin apartment building. I love the eye contact! Not all amateur models can be this confident and be themselves in front of the camera.

Beauty Of Natural Light: Fashion And Lingerie Model Photography In Berlin

The beauty of natural light is the theme of this post as it is the theme of most of my photoshoots.
Because I always photograph out of the studio on location without portable lights, assistants and reflectors the quality of natural light can be a hindrance or my best friend.

Hindrance as in natural light’s direction, intensity, color and even existence is ever changing on location. On the other hand the photographic results achieved under natural light can be the most realistic, intimate and powerful.

The following fashion and lingerie modeling photos were taken on location in Berlin, Germany during one of my European photography trips. Inside and outside the old apartment building where I stayed I found everything I needed: the most perfect backgrounds and lighting conditions.

The model was a new face from a Berlin model agency. Besides directly contacting models for photoshoots when on the road, visiting modeling agencies and asking them if they need model portfolio photos is another great way to network.

Russian Lingerie Model Photography On Abandoned Boat

An abandoned boat in the harbor of Antwerp, Belgium was the location for this fashion and lingerie modeling photoshoot.
Industrial locations offer a lot of great backgrounds, props, shapes and surprises making them perfect for creative and never boring photography sessions.

I have done other fashion and lingerie photoshoots with Russian born Angeline before, I love her edgy strong look and we have a good chemistry so our shoots are always fun as well.

I really like this first photo, the model is quite dominating, and the wheel provides a great shape and an interesting visual element.

Fashion And Lingerie Model With Natural Curves In German Cornfield

While in Germany during one of my European photography trips I decided to find the most exotic location possible for lingerie model photography.

Living in Hawaii provides truly diverse outdoor locations one of them being tropical rainforests. Finding a comparable match in Germany might have been a challenge if it was not for some good old fashioned cornfields.

They are green, lush and .. that’s about all the resemblance but the whole shoot turned into an inside joke and the following photos always put a smile on my face. You can take the photographer out of Hawaii but cannot take Hawaii out of the photographer .. something to that effect.

The rather big cleavage and natural curves of this lingerie model could symbolize the bountifulness of harvest. Whatever the interpretation, any given day a voluptuous lingerie model in the middle of a cornfield is a unique sight!

Russian Fashion And Lingerie Model Photography On Belgian Cow Field

Belgium is not the Mecca of visual excitement but with some creativity it is possible to dream up picture worthy scenarios.

Contrast equals drama and excitement so I decided to do lingerie model photography on the cow fields of Belgium to have a little fun and even come home with good photos.

I should have done some cow scouting before the photoshoot because as soon as we got to our location the cows decided to head back to their barns. Thanks to a curious horse we did end up with some animal shots and for the rest of the photos I just did what I enjoy most: improvise.

My Russian model Angelina loves to shop so we had a great variety of clothes, lingerie and accessories to choose from. Not to mention her strong look, the type which I always have been drawn to.

Edgy Russian lingerie model wearing a black corset lost in the countryside .. a good start.

Russian Fashion And Lingerie Model Photos From Dutch Castle

While I was visiting friends in Belgium I was doing photoshoots which were pre-arranged from back in Hawaii.

One of these sessions took place at a 100 year old Dutch castle which was near where I was staying just on the other side of the Holland border.

The model, Angelina is Russian and has strong, dramatic look which I prefer to cute and innocent on any day of the week.

The themes were fashion and lingerie model photography using the antique look of the castle. It was fun to scout this location and get creative with different compositions like the use of this wall radiator and the heavy window curtains.

Christian Sunrise Beach Photography With Asian Fashion Model

On the East side of Oahu, Sandy Beach Park is a favorite local Hawaiian bodyboarding and sunbathing spot away from the way too crowded tourist trap called Waikiki Beach.

It is fantastic to view the sunrise from here, some people do their morning yoga as the tradewinds are blowing, the waves are crashing and the sun is emerging from the Pacific Ocean.

Sandy Beach Park is a great spot not only for the above reasons but for photography as well. I have done morning, daytime and night photography here, both model photography and sports / action shoots: taking pictures of bodyboarders.

Sunrise or sunset in Hawaii is a great time for photography but these magical light conditions only last a few minutes. So one has to be quick to make the best of this short window of opportunity.

The beautiful Asian fashion model featured in this post is Christian so I came up with the idea that the soft light of the sunrise could be used to add a heavenly, spiritual, glowing feel at least to the first few images of our photoshoot.

With the lens aperture set narrow enough it is possible to create a sunburst effect with rays shooting outwards without having to cheat in Photoshop. So I placed the sunburst in a spot where it looked most fitting behind the model’s head.

Creative Photography Concepts With Androgynous Asian Fashion Model

I like to have fun, experiment and improvise with photography concepts. I had a chance to do so while I lived on Waikiki Beach, Hawaii during an action packed 2-day marathon photoshoot.

This is a cross section of the approximately thousand photos taken. The locations of the following photos are a hotel room with various props, the office of my dentist and the streets of Waikiki at night.

Smokey eyes and slick hairstyle give a retro look to this photo courtesy of New York based make-up artist Roshar.

The androgynous features of the beautiful Asian model are further accentuated by the makeup.
I really like this photo, the lines of the oriental fan really draw in the viewer’s attention by pointing at the main element: the model’s face.

Beautiful Black Lingerie Model Photos From Kahala Hotel Hawaii

One of my earliest lingerie and fashion model photoshoots could have been an intimidating experience but it turned out to be fun and productive giving me confidence for future projects.

The location was one of the best hotels of Hawaii: the Kahala Hotel & Resort. Just to give an idea of the level of luxury: the hotel has it’s own dolphin.

The beautiful black lingerie and fashion model was from Panama and came with some modeling experience.
While I prefer to photograph amateur models or non-models “this early in the game” it was comforting that at least one of us has done this before.

Beautiful Black Fashion Model In Purple Lingerie Corset

The hotel room was nice and bright so after getting hair and make-up done we started shooting with this photo being one of the first.
A certain amount of chemistry is needed between model and photographer for a lingerie photo session to go nice and smooth. There is probably no set recipe to achieve this but a meeting before the photoshoot and the discussion of ideas and concepts helps. Also keeping a cool head and not pushing the envelop to much also puts the model at ease resulting in more natural and intimate photos.
The shape and pattern of the purple corset nicely leads the eye of the viewer up towards the beautiful face of the model.

Black And White Photos With Jennifer Aniston Look-Alike Model

Another “blast from the past” photo viewing experience as I am writing this post in 2009 while going through images taken at the dawn of my model photography adventure.
Several friends and acquaintances were kind enough back then to model for me and let me make all the rookie mistakes which provide invaluable learning opportunities.

Rebecca happens to be a Jennifer Aniston look-alike which cannot hurt any photoshoot.
The location was Diamondhead Beach, a popular uncrowded place for locals and local photographers who wish to get away from the crowds of Waikiki.

A casual but nice and intimate photo; it is great when a photographer finds a non-model, a “regular girl next door” who has personality, intelligence and self confidence so the photos wont have that deer caught in the headlights look.

Black And White Photos Of Italian – Middle Eastern Bikini Model

These photos are from one my first model photoshoots but even that is not accurate because the Italian – Persian beauty is a first time model which actually makes her a non-model.

Now there is nothing wrong with that because I love to photograph people with no prior modeling experience.

Not every time but when things work out amateur models can give the photographer the greatest gift: their intelligence, natural beauty, personality in other words a story to tell.

The location for this photoshoot was Diamondhead Beach, a popular, picturesque and sparsely visited beach just a few minutes walk away from the sardine can like Waikiki beach.

Our model’s figure is the reason bikini was invented, she also has a ton of energy and a great personality without any hint of being stuck up. Therefore the photoshoot was off to a good start.
Everyone knows stretching is good for the body! The exotic look of the model beautifully flows together with the exotic scenery of the bleached roots and the rock wall of the extinct volcano.

Black And White Hawaiian Bikini, Pin Up Model Photography

These images were shot in the “early days” when I started to experiment with fashion, bikini and lingerie model photography. Back then I asked non-models a.k.a. “regular girls” to pose for me for practice and for fun.

This photoshoot took place at Diamondhead Beach just outside Waikiki, Hawaii. It is a popular location with local photographers because it is rugged, beautiful and not too busy.
It is just far enough (a 20 minute walk) for the typical Waikiki Beach tourists who take full advantage of being able to just walk outside their hotels to the beach and not venture further than Burger King.

Diamondhead Beach also happens to be a gay beach which means nobody is really excited about a possibly risque female model photoshoot so there are less people staring than usual.

The pin-up theme was not planned, the model’s hairstyle (she is a hairstylist), features, body type and clothing just naturally swayed the photoshoot into pin-up territory with an exotic tropical twist.