Get another load of NYC dudeoir photoshoot for a performer who flew to New York for this. We used his swanky hotel room for half a day with lots of dramatic light. Some images are NSFW.
Our 2023 boudoir and dudeoir photography specials are here!
Rising Dudeoir Popularity
I’ve been busy with boudoir photography recently but this NYC dudeoir photoshoot was among four dudeoir shoots in just two past months. Although the concept is far from new—started making modest waves about 10 years ago—I’m seeing a spike in inquiries this year. I published my first full-fledged NYC dudeoir photoshoot last year, and it was very well taken. I’m glad to see the growing interest. Hope I’ll get to publish even more for your viewing pleasure and, certainly, more diversity in my female-dominated boudoir portfolio. One of those four was an irresistible blue-collar Mr. Charm that would so stand out!
Meet the Star
But back to today’s star! Alejandro is obviously fit, which is undoubtedly helpful, especially with a dramatic light that I’m addicted to. (As a side note, such a shape is not a must for a dudeoir photoshoot, as I hope to demonstrate with that other blue-collar dudeoir adventure.) He holds a regular daytime job. I didn’t ask what type, but his writing and business communication skills were very polished, and he was just immersed in emailing while I was setting up my lights.
We even talked about those business skills, complementing each other. Yes, Alejandro noticed my business practices, and I admitted my past 11-year corporate career, which demanded them. Amusingly, he shared stories of communicating with some laid-back photographers who struggle with that boring, uncreative side of running a business.
As many in the industry, Alejandro performs on a side, also working as a professional model for fitness/bodybuilding. This time, he wanted to explore the male boudoir to contrast it with fitness photo sessions he’d done previously. See, that’s another drive for a dudeoir photoshoot: whether you have a ton of professional photos, or hardly any, dudeoir photography can find a special place and purpose in your try-everything lifestyle.
Location
Because he’d fly in for his NYC dudeoir photoshoot and stay at a hotel, I suggested getting a room with the shoot in mind. We wanted to do some bathtub shots, so that became the main search parameter. Not all hotel rooms have enough space for me to work from different angles, let alone set up my lights. A free-standing bathtub is best and the unique suite he found at the Nolitan Hotel has two access points: one from the bedroom, and one from the living room. But I’m jumping ahead of myself.
Warming Up
Let me start with a regular headshot many performers and actors would appreciate. Shooting it didn’t take long, but helped us warm up and get a feel of working with each other before moving on to the more demanding chemistry.
Natural vs. Studio Light
Then we moved to another corner by a screened window and started losing the clothes. We started late in the day and the sun was setting, leaving a very narrow time frame for the natural light dudeoir portraits. I still wanted to pull off some. No matter how I love dramatic light, I don’t like it exclusively throughout the entire shoot. So I tried both natural light and my studio light for the same pose there.
The next two images were taken minutes apart. On the left, you can see what most photographers create—a softly lit body wrapped into a flat ambient light. The results can be almost ethereal, and suitable in many cases. I love such an approach in some boudoir, but for a dudeoir photoshoot, a strong, edgy, form-defining light could be more beneficial, as my further examples will demonstrate.
Silhouettes work great with natural light, although I often create them with huge studio softboxes. Didn’t have one on me, so here are the last ambient light shots for you:
NYC Dudeoir Photoshoot: Crème de la Crème
Then we moved around the suite using different props we discussed, making his NYC dudeoir photoshoot more character-driven. I got a kick out of shooting his mugs! The session ended in the bathtub. As you can see, with proper manipulation, the studio light can still be either soft or dramatic.
Click images for full size. Kindly refrain from re-uploading images to social media during the first week of feature. Share instead and give credit to @ZorzStudios!
Working on this NYC dudeoir photoshoot was a blast. Hope you enjoyed it!
Switching Gear. Like, Reverse Reverse!..
Let me wrap this up quickly. Need to get ready for my Fine Art Christmas Portraits project in my community. I’ll be shooting in just a few hours, in my Poconos studio, working with a VERY different subject matter (children!) but notably, still taking that dramatic light approach.
I know, such light may not be the first thing you’d associate with a holiday’s merry spirit, but I want to show something different. Will share the results for your judgement.
