The Art of Bodyscapes
The art of your own body. Bodyscapes are one of our – and our clients' – favourite forms of photography. They’re beautiful, dramatic and wonderfully simple – using light and shadow to turn the human body into art.
We’ve photographed bodyscapes with women from their 20s to their 50s. Every body is different, and that’s exactly what makes these photographs so interesting.
Smoke&Mirrors Studio are Christchurch’s bodyscapes experts. We know how to light the body, how to find the shapes that work and, perhaps most importantly, how to make you feel comfortable while we do it.
“The best feeling ever. There is no pressure or expectations for anything. You are gently guided to the poses that bring out the best in you and create the best photographs” – Ms C, one of the women featured here.
What is a bodyscape?
Bodyscape photography celebrates the shape and form of the human body. We use carefully controlled lighting to skim across the body, picking out curves, edges and contours while allowing other parts to disappear into shadow.
The result can be wonderfully abstract – sometimes you’ll know exactly what you’re looking at, sometimes you won’t.
Most of our bodyscapes are anonymous. We usually don't show the face, which allows the image to become about the body, the light and the shape. Sometimes we’ll include a mouth, lips or even an eye if it adds something to the photograph. And how much or how little you show is entirely up to you.
It’s nude photography, but it’s also art
A bodyscape shoot can be empowering in a way you might not expect.
You’re not being asked to look like a model. We’re not trying to change your body. Instead, we use light, shadow and posing to show you in a completely different way.
Some images reveal very little. Others may reveal more. We work with your comfort level and your ideas, and you remain in control throughout the shoot.
“I’ve been photographed by Michael before, so even though a bodyscapes shoot was something new for me I didn't feel at all uncomfortable. In fact I felt pretty relaxed during the whole thing! Michael always respects my boundaries and I find him to be completely trustworthy” – Ms A, one of the women featured here.
Many of the images pictured have the light behind the model, but it’s easy enough to use the light from the side for a completely different look, as seen in some of our images.
It’s understandable that a bodyscapes photo shoot may seem scary beforehand. But every woman we’ve photographed has found that within a few minutes you’ll feel comfortable with this, well, strange situation. We suggest a Studio Tour beforehand, as meeting the photographer and seeing the environment will help with your comfort levels.
You’ll find the photo session uplifting and will love the images for the rest of your life. Many of my clients put their images on the wall in their homes as a piece of art.
You don't need to know how to pose
You might be wondering what you're supposed to do during a bodyscape shoot.
The answer is: not much. That's our job.
We’ll guide you into the poses that work with the lighting and your body. We’ll make small adjustments as we go – a turn here, an arm there, a change in position – until we have the shape we're looking for.
The lighting does the rest.
Many of our favourite images use light from behind, creating beautiful outlines and silhouettes. Side lighting gives us something completely different, revealing the contours of the body and creating deep, dramatic shadows.
Will I feel comfortable?
It's completely understandable if the idea of a nude photo shoot feels a little daunting.
Almost everyone feels nervous beforehand. Then you get into the studio, we start shooting, and within a few minutes it becomes surprisingly normal.
You're in a private studio, you're in control, and we'll guide you through everything.
If you're unsure, we recommend coming in for a Studio Tour first. You can meet us, see the studio and get a feel for the place before deciding whether a bodyscape shoot is for you.
“It was a really cool experience and the photos turned out beautifully!” – Ms C, one of the women featured here.
Beautiful as wall art
Bodyscapes make particularly beautiful pieces of wall art. Because the images are about shape, light and shadow rather than simply a portrait of you, they can look incredibly sophisticated displayed large on a wall.
They're also stunning in a photo book, where the dramatic shapes can flow across a double-page spread.
Your Bodyscapes session
A Bodyscapes photo shoot will usually be completed in 1-1/2 hours. And, if you’re wondering how other women have found their own photo sessions, we have a page with reviews from clients from 2019 to present.
A Bodyscapes photo shoot and all edited digital images is $595. This includes the setup, posing, lighting and photography, plus editing the images after the shoot. The digital images will be on our private, password-protected gallery, available only to you.
A Bodyscapes photo shoot, digital images and our Keepsakes photo book is $695 - a saving of $150 if purchased separately. The book is a 20-page, 200mm square soft cover photo book. This allows for double-page spreads of 400x200mm - perfect for large bodyscape images. A sample book may be viewed at our studio.
Interested?
If you've been thinking about trying a bodyscape shoot, we'd love to hear from you. You can book a Bodyscapes session, arrange a Studio Tour or have a no-obligation phone chat with us first – through the form below.
You don't need to know exactly what you want. That's what we're here for.
Let’s design your photo experience
Interested in a photo shoot, a free, no-obligation phone consult or just like to know more? Pop your details in the form and we’ll get back to you. There’s never any hard sell.
We carefully design every photo experience. For that reason all sessions begin with a brief consultation call. This allows us to ensure that we’re the right fit for each other, walk you through the full experience, and answer all of your questions before taking the next step.