Photographers commonly use terms like pin-up (or pin up, or pinup; we use all three!), boudoir, and glamour (or glamor; we use both spellings), sometimes conflating them and rarely explaining precisely what they mean. While there is often quite a bit of overlap among these genres of photography - and people in the industry don't always agree on the differences - we're going to define them as Marilee Caruso Photography uses them in order to help you make informed choices when booking a shoot.
Pin-up
"Pinup" tends to be used as a catch-all term for any photography featuring female models depicted in a sexy vintage style, so you'll see that pinup can sometimes also be classified as "boudoir" or "glamour" (or both).
Reminiscent of World War II-era magazine and poster imagery with beautiful women, the style got its name from the fact that these photos were commonly "pinned-up" for display. While the practice of displaying mass-produced pictures of pretty girls is decades older, "pinup" is associated with wartime and other mid-twentieth century images of actresses and models like Betty Grable, the movie star whose famous bathing suit "back shot" exemplifies the style.
Because of this, a 1940s-1950s aesthetic tends to define the look of pinup photography, in addition to playful, alluring poses and attire.
Typical "pinup" setups include colorful seamless backdrops with kitschy props, patriotic themes, and virtually anything that screams mid-century cute. All that said, we don't limit pinup to just the classic 1940s and 1950s look. Marilee has a ton of pinup-themed sets, props, and costumes to choose from, including a circus tent set, a festive pink disco setup including some gorgeous mirrored balls, devil and angel themed props, a giant cake, a vintage jukebox, Playboy Bunny accessories, a beach set, a backyard barbecue/picnic set, and so much more.
Boudoir
"Boudoir" generally refers to lingerie-based shoots, hence the catch-all French term for a lady's bedroom, dressing room, or personal lounging space. Think frothy dressing gowns, glamorous nightwear, fancy bra-and-panty sets, stockings, garter belts, and the like. It's often playful and vintage in feel, but it doesn't have to be.
Many people also assume that boudoir has to be super-revealing or highly sexualized, and that's not really true, either. Marilee shoots everything from tasteful nudes to high-coverage dressing gowns, so there's room for everyone in Boudoirsville.
Typical boudoir-style sets include Marilee's Pink Bedroom, the white mid-century bedroom area of the new Sacramento studio, the glam/vanity areas of the studio, and anything else that emphasizes a "sexy bed time" mood.
Glamour
"Glamour" is a broad term, but we tend to use it in reference to themes featuring sophisticated, fancy clothing and makeup that does not usually include lingerie, nightwear, or other "bed time" themes. Think glamorous movie star looks, opulent gowns, over-the-top sparkly jewelry, and strong, elegant makeup. Glamour shots are often reminiscent of the 1920s through early 1960s, but not always.
Typical glamour settings include Marilee's Hollywood movie shoot backgrounds and props, her film noir set, velvet or chiffon curtain backdrops with her chandelier, and the vanity area of the studio.
Note: We know that "glamour model" is a term often applied to women who pose nude or in lingerie, but we tend to categorize that style as "boudoir."
Mix it up
All that said, boundaries are fluid and these styles overlap! The same photo can incorporate elements of two or even all three styles.
For example, Marilee's "Film Noir" set is perfect for combining elements of glamour and boudoir, as the classic femme fatale archetype is impeccably dressed even when she isn't. I've posed in that set wearing lingerie and a dressing gown, and loved the result!
Marilee also produces a good number of Playboy Bunny- and centerfold-inspired shoots which combine elements of pinup (vintage, playful, and sexy!) with boudoir (like a playmate centerfold!) and glamour (elegant, like some Playboy covers!). My October 1962 Playboy-inspired shoot, for example, attempts to replicate the cover image for that month.
End of day, genres are just a starting point for inspiration. If you see something in the gallery that inspires you, discuss it with Marilee! Together, you can come up with the perfect blend of ideas for your shoot. In some cases, you may even be able to closely replicate the same set and wardrobe!
Is that all?
No! In fact, these styles are just the tip of the iceberg. We have another post coming soon that will discuss more of Marilee's favorite shoots: Sci-fi, horror, and cosplay!
