Auto-focus! Robin Brings Sexy Back, Photography-Style

.
meHi all, it’s me again, Robin your photoblogger! This week I’m gonna share some sexiness with you.
I’m sleepy and getting over a weird throat thing, soooo I’m pretty sure the best remedy is shiny and sparkly things! Sexy things! Sexy, sexy, sexy. What an odd — yet thrilling — concept! As a portrait photographer, I obviously have a very strong visual interest in people. I like to look at people … people I’m talking to, people at shoots, people again while editing at my desk. (That sentence is super creepy … I’m leaving it.) There’s such an immeasurable variety of visual make-up for humans, so many ways to be sexy. But when I’m photographing people, I find that they all seem to aspire to the same cookie-cutter image of perfection. I’m lucky to be in a position as a photographer where I can enable women to see that they’re smokin’ hot just the way they are.

SPACE

dotted-divider2

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

If you took away the “liquify” tool in Photoshop, you’d get a much clearer picture of what Beyonce or Britney or even Heidi Klum look like. It’s therapeutic and empowering to counteract the photoshopped lies of the “beauty” media by gently encouraging women to confidently defy a standard image of beauty.

I love what companies like Dove are doing — thinking outside the Size 2 box. Every woman has a right to feel sexy. Own your beauty!

dove-03

Part of what I do professionally is boudoir, which is, to put it plainly, sexy photos. I do this type of work because I like being able to make people feel beautiful. When done right, there isn’t anything cheesy or pornographic about it.  Why should models be the only ones who get to be styled and photographed like celebrities?

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

I’ve had twentysomething clients and 70-something clients, curvy and skinny, exhibitionists and super-shy introverts. The point of a sexy photograph for me is not to give someone an overly photo-shopped image of someone reminiscent of themselves, but to photograph someone in their best light.

What makes this person uniquely beautiful? It could be a really awesome smile, or super-shiny hair that’s fun to highlight. And sometimes all it takes is a nice photograph to renew the sense of glamor and sex appeal that gives a woman confidence. These images are at their best when we use natural light and a familiar setting …. but the best of the best? A woman being comfortable in her own body. There’s nothing sexier.

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

Below are some of my favorite sexy photographs of women and a few more of my own.

dotted-divider2

Jim Jordan for Marie Claire

I’ve had this print hanging in my room for about three years. I’m not sure why I love it so much. It’s got something to do with the classic vintage feel and the slightly androgynous styling (I’m into that look … in case you haven’t noticed). The model’s facial expression is intriguing, as is the slightly odd positioning of her hands. It’s almost got a little circus freak show vibe, but at the same time it strikes me as soft … and really pretty.  She’s in my bathroom now because I can’t figure out where to put her!

Print by Jim Jordan

Print by Jim Jordan

dotted-divider2

Lindsay Lohan as Marilyn by Bert Stein

I’m a sucker for Lindsay Lohan.  I know there are a lot of people with a lot of negative things to say about her, but I love her.   I think Mean Girls did it for me; I’ve been a huge fan ever since.  [Her recent eharmony spoof? Love it!] Lohan easily lends herself to the misunderstood sex symbol image we associate with Marilyn Monroe. Also, clearly, she makes freckles look awesome and I think she really nailed the character here. Bert Stein’s backlit studio series is really simple and super hot.

Lindsay Lohan by Bert Stein

Lindsay Lohan photographed by Bert Stein

Lindsay Lohan photographed by Bert Stein

Lindsay Lohan photographed by Bert Stein

dotted-divider2

Ellen Von Unwerth’s Revenge

Ellen’s stuff is amazing, it’s also really graphic. So if you’re under 18, gymnophobic, or my mom, please do yourself a favor and don’t go to this page.  Ellen has been described as another Helmut Newton but personally I think she’s better and somewhat less offensive.  Her book Revenge is a photographic fantasy story about three women who arrive by chauffeured limousine at the Chateau of their guardian, the Baroness, and get into all kinds of kinky trouble.  Bondage ensues.  Unwerth’s reputation as a fashion photographer with no boundaries is what I love about her.

Ellen Von Unwerth

"I'm just trying to make beautiful pictures. I don't see my works as exploitative. They're just cheeky, they're fun, and the models aren't complaining."--Ellen Von Unwerth

Ellen Von Unwerth

"It's good to shock. It's not good to always be careful. It's good to disturb a little."--Ellen Von Unwerth

dotted-divider2

Pamela Hanson “Bis”

I love this photo.  I found it on some random poster site when i was in college looking for images to hang on my walls. The strength/softness of it and the almost candid feel of the moment are really beautiful to me.  Plus, isn’t her dress super cute?  Pamela’s fashion stuff is really gorgeous.

Pamela Hanson

"Bis" by Pamela Hanson

From my own sexy archives:

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

www.lecadeaubyrobin.com

Go seduce someone! Now!
[ad#postads]

Before you go! Autostraddle runs on the reader support of our AF+ Members. If this article meant something to you today — if it informed you or made you smile or feel seen, will you consider joining AF and supporting the people who make this queer media site possible?

Join AF+!

Robin

Robin specializes in entertainment, lifestyle and portrait photography. She's also a Creative Producer, Director of Photography and co-owner of Scheme Machine Studios LLC, her production company based in Los Angeles. Robin loves shooting for TV and film and has worked with media companies like Legendary Pictures and Viacom. She shot and directed the Pride campaign for Google called #ThisIsFamily. Robin has had the pleasure of working on national campaigns for companies like Dove and Levis, and had the unique opportunity to shoot for non-profits and initiatives such as The Black List, Save the Children, Move to End Violence, Have a Hart Day, and The Clinton Global Initiative. She is most proud of the work she has done with organizations such as The Ad Council and RAINN working on national impact campaigns. Her celebrity roster includes Cyndi Lauper, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, The B-52s, Keri Hilson, JB Smoove, Tegan and Sara, Margaret Cho, The B-52’s, Andreja Pejic, and many more. She was there for Autostraddle’s birth and proudly served as A-Camp co-director for many years.

Robin has written 82 articles for us.

12 Comments

  1. Robin,
    I love what you are doing with your art. The world needs more thinkers like you and I am glad you are on the front lines making a statement all women can be proud of. THANK YOU!!!! -SA

  2. Very nice piece. Your work is lovely… And I agree with you completely. I love photoshop, but it is often used in the wrong way. Touching up a pimple is fine, but editing wrinkles or maybe a scar is not good. Flaws are a reality and beautiful. I love the Dove campaign.

  3. i thought she was in your bathroom because SOMEONE was really overzealous and tried to hang a rack on a bendy wall…

    obvs i love all of this. obvs.

    • haha… awwwww. Yea and she’s covering some giant holes in my wall. I was trying to be nice and not mention that. ;)

  4. I remember that poster “Bis” I used to see it all the time when I was looking for black and white postcards. that and the one with the kiss of the soldier coming back from war.

    Anyhoo. Amazing, obvs, as always. Beautiful! And sexy! And tasteful and awesome.

  5. Wow, I really like Ellen Von Unwerth. The second picture you posted is absolutely incredible. Thanks for sharing it!

Comments are closed.