Image via Complex Original
With all the controversial press that Terry Richardson has gotten, it's easy to overlook how prolific he is and how widespread his work has become. That's not to excuse any allegations that are true, but the fact is, he's created some of the most iconic, truly groundbreaking images, many of which changed the traditional "sexy" look in photography.
Throughout everything he posts on his Terry's Diary Tumblr page, it's clear that he knows how to capture a sexy image without the frills or effort other photographers resort to. We've put together a list of things (other than mere shock factor) that make Richardson's photographs stand out, including how you can shots similar to his.
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If you're shooting more than one subject, let them interact and have fun with each other.
If someone is camera shy, try pairing them with a friend or simply getting anyone else in the frame. Less posing and more fun keeps the energy high, making people feel more comfortable being themselves.
Don't be afraid to put gorgeous people in boring settings.
Richardson makes the sexiness of his subjects super apparent because he's not afraid to put them in scenarios that underscore their beauty in unexpected ways.
Sometimes all you need is a prop or two.
Try glasses, blow-up toys, or food, like ice cream. By not going overboard with extra items or crazy backdrops and colored lights, you can limit the shot to only the purest, hottest moment.
Let people be silly and don't be afraid to stray from "normal" standards of sexiness.
Besides just shooting white walls and provocative models, Richardson looks for new kinds of sexy, especially ones that no one would expect. He plays with the comic and carnivalesque rather than shoving the same, calculated looks and poses in our faces. While some of his shots may not seem spectacular at first, you'll find yourself thinking, "Why didn't I think of that first?"
Convey effortlessness on the model's part.
One way to do this is, as mentioned previously, create a fun environment and let people interact. Making the photograph appear like a scene from an unattainable fantasy isn't necessarily the move. When people are being candid, they can making looking good a totally effortless task.
You don't need a complicated light setup.
Richardson doesn't rely on Photoshop and its healing brush, and he doesn't use extensive light setups to intensify or mask parts of his subjects, either. Instead, he brings out the life in his subjects by using a simple flash extender. It helps to illuminate the model(s) and prevents wasting light on parts of the scene that we typically don't care much about.
Be spontaneous and even make it up as you go along.
Richardson talks about the aesthetic he's going for with the "snapshot" technique; he insists on keeping a "human" quality throughout one's work by being spontaneous and making it up as you go along. It keeps the energy going, making things look refreshing and natural. As Terry says, it makes "people respond [and] want to be a part."
Use white walls the right way.
White walls are a feature of Terry's "snapshot" technique, and those who mistake it for being basic don't see how he uses the plainness to his advantage. What's more boring than a white wall? Almost nothing, and that's partly the point. Essentially, a white wall can become the canvas on which you (the photographer) and your model create something new without restraints. Of course, it takes practice and being able to make your subject feel comfortable enough to liven up the shot.
Aim for unsophisticated boldness over glossy, heavily produced work.
Richardson relies more on the expressiveness of his models and their best features than how he can relax them to the point of refinement or normality. The result for him is sexy every time.
Run out of fucks to give.
One key characteristic about Richardson's photography is his attitude and determination to do as he pleases. His subjects usually absorb his carefree attitude along the way.