Smoking Blond Russian Lingerie Model Quintuplets Plus A Grumpy Chihuahua

My European Fashion Photographer Portfolio page (which is the No 1 album in the navigation bar) has been untouched for quite awhile so I decided to select a few photos and include some of my thoughts about them.

Many photographers’ websites are all flash albums lacking any text content and while it is understandable that some visual artists wish their photos to speak for themselves Google is not flash friendly and some written content can dramatically improve online visibility.

The photos are the result of a well planned but still loose and flexible European photography trip.

Night Photography With Chinese Japanese Mixed Ethnicity Model

The streets and night lights of Waikiki Beach, Hawaii provided the urban backdrop for my second photography session with Chinese Japanese fashion model Cassandra Loh.

Many thanks to BERTA – sprkl(at)hawaii.rr.com – for creating the makeup of Cassandra and for her assistance with lighting!

My super high tech lighting system was made of alley lights and one Nikon SB-800 Speedlight flash on a Nikon SC-29 extension cord which was held away from the camera by BERTA.

Amateur Chinese Japanese Fashion Model Photography

I had my first chance to test out my new Nikon D80 digital SLR camera during a fashion photoshoot with amateur Chinese Japanese model Cassandra Loh

Besides a previous agency test shoot this was Cassandra’s first modeling photoshoot.

It is always exciting to photograph new faces, you can read more about this subject in another post here: Why I Love First Time And Amateur Model Photography.

Having good chemistry between model and photographer and a relaxed set are key ingredients to produce effortless natural photos like the first image. Of course it is equally important to have an open minded, intelligent, confident model. This portfolio photoshoot with an amateur model turned out to be a great success!

Sarah Gerber Fijian Fashion Bikini And Swimsuit Model

The first photo is my favorite from this photoshoot, it simply captures the moment and the face of a beautiful model.

The moment was a natural one, meaning no direction was given to the model, things were just unfolding.

The pictures below were taken for Sarah’s modeling portfolio and website.

Fiji’s Next Top Model: Sarah Gerber

At first look fashion model photography in Fiji does have room for me.

The basic plan about coming to Fiji was to build Sarah’s portfolio and to take travel photos and tropical stock images.

Sarah and I already created a One Model Place portfolio from the photos of our first shoot.

Beautiful Mongolian Model Photography In Budapest, Hungary

I was very happy to have the opportunity to shoot with experienced Mongolian born model named Ocsi who lives in Budapest, Hungary.

I am the greatest fan of Asian models and having lived in Hawaii has given me several opportunities to do Asian themed photoshoots at exotic places.

Using a different location virtually for every project has its challenges and benefits.
We used the most interesting characteristics of this apartment in Budapest, really different setups, the great clothes Ocsi brought and her natural beauty to create a nice variety of photos.

The first photo is my favorite from this session. The quiet beauty, simplicity, the lines and colors all fall into place telling the story. The pastel colored wall was one of our lucky breaks in this apartment, it had no pictures or shelves, just a blank canvas waiting to be used as a perfect background.

Russian Fashion Model At Brepols Factory in Turnhout Belgium

Finding great abandoned places like factories, trains, boats for photoshoot locations is not difficult in Belgium even while driving around.

But I did Google some urban exploration websites and decided on the popular abandoned Brepols Factory in the town of Turnhout.

I have done photoshoots with the exotic Russian model, Angelina a few times in 2005 and she has a truly dramatic look which I love; plus she is a Virgo – the greatest sign! – actually she has the same birthday as mine except the year.

Angelina likes to shop so having a great wardrobe for the shoot was not a problem. The black corset and the fashionable dominatrix look really matches the surroundings. The sharp edges of the broken glass are dominant and make excellent accessories.

Creative Photography: Black And White Rainforest Portraits With Sylvia

Three beautiful black and white portrait photos of my favorite Chinese model Sylvia illustrate three different ways to use natural light to achieve very different looks and moods.

The above photo was taken between “setups” so it is a snapshot in a way.

We just arrived to a new location, Sylvia my favorite Asian model sat down and looked back over her shoulder; the rest just worked out by itself.

The middle of the face is overexposed but it works with the rest of the image. There are several details in this photo which happened by luck.

Wicked Shadows – Chinese Model In Creative Rainforest Lighting

More photos from the exotic, lush and quite accessible Pali tropical rainforest just outside Honolulu, Hawaii where I always find something new or unexpected.
The model once again is my muse the Chinese-American beauty Sylvia.

There is no shortage when it comes to fantastic locations and opportunities in a tropical rainforest setting. Not only the textures, shapes and colors offer endless variety of setups but the lighting as well.

The safest and most pleasing results come if the model is in the shade or if the sky is overcast providing soft diffused light like a studio soft box would.

But when the sun is out one must be careful about unpleasant shadows on the face or blown out highlights where the sun touches the skin.

All this can be used for our benefit of course when “tamed” and used for the appropriate theme.
I noticed some dried out tree branches that I though might provide interesting shadow patterns. They were giving me a spooky vibe.
Fortunately it worked out even better than how I visualized it: the effect of the shadows on the model’s face adds mystery, tension, drama and danger to the photos.

Minimal direction was given to the model, her personality, current mood, the atmosphere and the location naturally took care of the emotion of the photo. Also Sylvia and I have great model – photographer trust and we can have fun exploring a wide variety of themes and have fun with them.

Asian Lingerie And Fashion Model Photos From Waikiki Zanzabar Night Club

Jenny is one of my most favorite Asian models to photograph in Hawaii and because she is a Go-Go dancer at the famous Zanzabar Night Club in Waikiki she arranged for us to get access to do a photoshoot before opening.

Jenny she has an amazing face, just stunning, she can look very different from different angles and under varying lighting conditions.

The night club being closed meant we did not have much light inside so a Nikon flash unit was assisting with illumination.

Having the flash unit attached to the camera has advantages besides it’s obvious disadvantages. I like to utilize the harshness of the light coming from the flash, to me it has a paparazzi like intrusive effect adding realism and drama to the photos.

Here Jenny’s beautiful face is being framed by a vibrant white and red trucker hat and her cascading hair. The professional makeup completes the color palette. The lips are sensual, the look is seductive and because of the shadow under the hat’s visor the photo gains drama as well.

Black And White Photos Of Asian Model Wearing Trucker Hat

These black and white photos were taken at the Zanzabar Night Club in Waikiki where Jenny my beautiful Asian model is a Go-Go dancer.

I selected a few versions of Jenny wearing a red and white trucker hat and a white wifebeater with short shorts just to show how I like to improvise with angles, lighting, composition and how I utilize props and locations.

When forced to use one on camera flash as the main light source the harshness of the illumination cannot be avoided. It can be harnessed though to create paparazzi like invasive look and add drama to the photos.

This photo has several lines created by the trucker hat’s visor, the flowing hair and the fingers which lead the eyes of the viewer towards the model’s beautiful face.
Because the flash is on the top of the camera a shadow is created under the visor of the trucker hat which in turn hides one of the model’s eyes creating an edgy look.

Black And White Nighttime Bikini Model Photoshoot

I decided to experiment with a different mood than what is the norm for Hawaiian beach photoshoots. Intimate, up close and personal dramatic black and white model photography at night. That’s the basic idea.

One can only hope for that the full moon will be out. Otherwise the assisting red laser-like beam of the Nikon flash is the only aid helping to see the model and compose the shot.
There are advantages as well, nobody would be staring at us, no scorching sun, no unpleasant shadows on the model’s face, no squinting to name a few.

The resulting photos are not a perfectly lit studio quality pictures; but what is gained is more important: paparazzi like invasive realism .. and I like that look a lot!

Doing photography in Hawaii offers endless opportunities to turn ordinary circumstances, locations and props (at least by Hawaiian standards) into something extraordinary and visually exciting. And all this is possible year around; these photos were taken on December 12th.
An intimate and not everyday moment captured as an exotic model wearing a wifebeater laying in a nice and warm lava pool at night.

Fierce Black And White Sunrise Portraits With Beautiful Model

The photoshoot with Elise between Makapu’u and Sandy Beaches on the Windward side of Oahu resulted in some of my most favorite black and white photos.
The amazing difference between those color beauty and fashion photos taken at the same location at the same time and the following pictures are a true testament to the power of black and white photography.

Not every element of the photo is planned for example the round edge of the lava rock on the left hand side nicely compliments the curve of the model’s shoulder, also her earring is just at the right place against dark background and perfectly illuminated by the rising sun.

I wish I was that good but regardless, heaps of these lucky breaks occur during every photoshoot.

On this photo the sweet all American girl next door is transformed into a fierce, edgy, strong and beautiful woman:

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.

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.