Photo by Tammy Nguyen
Sex! Have I got your attention? If the mere word itself is not enough to keep you interested, perhaps introducing you to someone who specializes in creating imagery that provokes sex appeal just might. Sacramento photographer, Tammy Nguyen, has been creating glamorous photos professionally for just over three years now. She is an open-minded free spirit and admittedly shameless about her personal opinions. She is the perfect personality-type to be successful in the glamour photography industry.
If any style of photography has its share of critics, glamour photography is at the top of the list. Often mislabeled as pornography, glamour photography is under the ridicule of close-minded people as being too edgy, or even downright obscene. To try and make sense of everyone’s personal taste here would take too long and end up without any substantial, climactic, conclusion. What can be concluded, however, is that those who can view life with gray areas can certainly appreciate the classy-sexy style of glamour photography.
Tammy Nguyen is delivering classy and sexy images. Her work lures the viewer into the frame with vibrant and beautiful color, and then dazzles you with subjects who are playful, flirtatious and amazingly beautiful. Her style is clean and fun, yet naughty and provocative. Be sure to check out her slide show at the bottom of this article. The images in the slide show are all free from any questionable nudity, but if you are sensitive to beautiful women wearing lingerie and showing a little skin, you may just want to surf over to cartoon land somewhere. If you like your glamour a little more risqué, Tammy’s website does not disappoint. Moreover, it’s very tastefully done.
Tammy is a self-taught photographer who claims that she sometimes takes photography classes just to hang out with photographers. She boldly confesses that she can’t keep a secret, and that others can only pretend they can. She also shares that although she may come across as shy and quiet upon first meeting her, it is only because she doesn’t believe in talking just to fill an audible void between herself and others. She is not afraid of silence, and a lot of people could learn from that wisdom, in my opinion. One of her biggest vices is spicy food, which makes a lot of sense because her images are absolutely HOT!
Tammy’s Q&A follows:
How did you discover Glamour photography would become a passion for you?
I’ve always been sort of a creative open-minded kind of individual. Honestly, I don’t think I really wanted to do anything else. I love the allure and beauty of women and I love how glamour photography can provoke feelings of passion and lust. I’ve just never been one to be conservative.
What do you feel is the biggest misconception most people have about glamour photography?
Well, a couple of things. One, the biggest thing is people think I shoot only nudes. Sometimes when I post casting calls people feel like they need to add that they don’t shoot nudes in their reply. I’m a professional photographer, and I don’t always shoot nudes. If I wanted to photograph someone nude, I would let them know my intentions up front. And two, people think that I can make magic. To a certain extent I can. I can give you good make-up, good lighting, good hair, but if you don’t feel comfortable in your own skin, even Photoshop cannot fix that!
How do you prepare nervous clients to be sexy, intimate, and playful for you?
Honestly I just tell most clients to be themselves. When I shoot a few images and I feel like they are not giving me what I want, I will just put down the camera and have conversation and then wait for them to do something very natural and then I’ll say, “go back!” I think you can give someone direction, but if it doesn’t come naturally to them it can look awkward. So sometimes it’s better to wait until they do something on their own.
What advice can you offer both aspiring photographers and models looking to pursue this style of photography?
My biggest advice is “you can have ambition, but without motivation, you have nothing!” The digital age has made it easy to become a photographer and anyone can have the ambition to be a photographer, but most people don’t have the motivation to be one. Photography is not just about artistic and technical skill, but it’s about business sense! I am a big believer in that you have to spend money to make money. I think too many people try to build a portfolio for cheap and honestly, it can look cheap! Starting a business is an investment. Also, always look to improve and reinvent! There is always new skills to be learned. For models, it’s important to be reliable and to be prompt. You can tell when a model is not serious when she doesn’t answer her emails in a timely manner.
You have some tastefully done, and mild, fetish imagery on your website. Is there a big market for those types of requests from your target demographic right now?
Unfortunately, the commercial market for this type of photography is pretty non-existent in Sacramento. However, I don’t know any woman who doesn’t like to be a little sexy and this helps tremendously as far as regular based clients go.
What kind of technical process are you using to create your images?
I’m a really spontaneous kind of shooter, so I sort of have an idea in mind for a shoot, but I never know exactly what I’m shooting until the day of. I like to feel the setting and get to know the model to get a spectacular image. I use to use up to three lights, plus a ring light for my shoots, but right now, I’m using one Alienbee light with shoot through umbrella and lightroom/photoshop to post process. One light can go a long way, if you know how to use it right!
What makes a photograph glamorous or sexy?
I think glamorous photography looks expensive! It’s all about the right atmosphere, and the right look. A well thought out concept always helps with this. While sexy images are more about emotion or a feeling, you can be totally clothed and still radiate sexiness. It has a lot to do with confidence in the eyes.
Location! Where is the ideal setting for glamour photography?
Think simple! It’s all about showing off the model. Too much in the background can be distracting.
Have you ever experienced any unusually uncomfortable moments during a shoot?
Honestly, I still feel kind of perverted when I say, “take off your clothes”. It’s something kind of expected, but I can never shake the feeling.
If you could strip down two Hollywood celebrities for a glamour shoot, who would they be and why?
Oh my God! What a hard question. I’m absolutey in love with Heidi Klum. I think she’s sooo cute! I tend to go for the blond girls next door type. And Jennifer Garner for the same reason, except she’s a brunette. Plus she was the sexiest spy in Alias.
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