Have you ever seen a drag queen in boudoir style? If not, you're in for a treat! In this blog post, I'll share how I used a drag queen to win a boudoir photography competition.
I was recently invited to participate in a boudoir photography competition at THE ALT ROOM (@thealtroomnyc), a new rentable studio in Manhattan. The space is specialized in boudoir, glamour, and fashion photography, with plenty of furniture and decorations to use for your images!
To learn more about THE ALT ROOM, check out what they have to say and book a session there for your next photoshoot (it is definitely worth it). “Step into The Alt Room and marvel at the wonders of avant-garde photography. Nestled in Manhattan, New York City’s beating heart is a studio that provides all you need to make your creative vision come alive. If you’re a professional photographers or you’re a newcomer ready for your first photoshoot - our space offers an abundance of resources that will help bring any project from your wildest dreams.
Book a slot with us through our Peerspace page: https://bit.ly/3HcN3ye or reach out to bookings@thealtroom.com
Connect with us through social media: Instagram: @thealtroomnyc Facebook: fb.com/thealtroomnyc “
The competition was simple: I had 90 minutes to create an outstanding series of 10 photos in the allotted space and submit them for judging.
I knew I wanted to do something different with my photography so I decided to use a drag queen rather than a traditional female model. I also opted for an 8 PM time slot so that I couldn't rely on natural sunlight.
It was important for me to challenge myself and also set myself apart from my competition. I understand fully how to use natural light in a boudoir setting but a majority of my work uses flash to create dramatic and beautiful lighting.
I also took a safe guess that most of my competition would be using a female model, but why not push myself, try something completely new, and get creative. So a drag queen would completely offer that.
I chose a drag queen named Chetan because I knew she could bring a unique and creative energy to the shoot.
We met at THE ALT ROOM at 8 PM and our 90 minute timer started.
Chetan got started with touching up her makeup while I was checking out the space we had available to work with. The room was the perfect size as it not only had plenty of different furniture options but I was also able to set up my massive light without any issue of space. Now the amazing thing about Chetan is that not only is she an amazing drag queen but she is a drag queen that brings an Indian flair, which means we get to play with some beautiful outfits. Once Chetan was done with her makeup she threw on her frist Inidan outfit and we were off to the races. We used different parts of THE ALT ROOM studio to create different looks. My favorite was the fur rug they had on the floor which just gives any boudoir shot some fun texture.
Between Chetan’s outfits, my lighting, and the amazing space at THE ALT ROOM we were able to create truly beautiful, fun, and sexy images all within a NYC boudoir studio.
I will be honest… we did not use the full 90 minutes, with setup and breakdown time included, we were finished under 75 minutes. When you have a great model, amazing lighting, and the perfect studio space it is easy to accomplish your goals (okay maybe a little magic from the guy behind the camera).
After the shoot, the hardest part was picking out which images I wanted to submit for the competition. But the end result (if you could not already tell from the title) was first place.
I do want to thank THE ALT ROOM for providing an amazing space to shoot in and the opportunity to compete in their competition. I will definitely be going back their for my future boudoir shoots! If you wish to book a shoot with me and use THE ALT ROOM in the heart of NYC, click the link and I will be sure to be taking your amazing photos soon!
Tips for Using a Drag Queen for Boudoir Photography:
Choose a drag queen who is comfortable in front of the camera.
Be clear about your vision for the shoot, and let the drag queen know what you're looking for.
Be flexible and be willing to go with the flow.
Have fun!
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