Customer Reviews

Lori Mann's Irreverent Guide to Shooting Erotic Photography

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Lori Mann is a professional boudoir photographer from Los Angeles who has been top of the line in her field for years, and is sought out by a huge clientele. In this entertaining and informative work, she gives the low down on how to break in to erotic photography. In easy to follow, personable prose, she leads you step-by-step. I picked up the book just because it looks interesting -- I am no erotic photographer by any means!! -- and just couldn't put it down because I loved the brassy humor on every page. If she ever does a book tour and comes through Seattle, I'd love to see her.

This book is written as if you're sitting face to face with the photographer, being given a hard time, joked with, and possibly even sharing a cocktail. All fun aside, you actually WILL LEARN something from this book! Lori Mann gives tips on not being "that guy" (the only key to your future success) as well as actual poses or lighting tips, etc. This isn't a "beginning photography" book, its a guide on actually getting models to accept you and get nekked!!! You need to know how to shoot and control your zipper at the same time. Read this, laugh, and zip up! Enjoy, I did!!!

It's obvious that this author has been teaching classes about this subject, because she jumps right in and answers all the obvious and important questions in a no-holds-barred, straightforward, but humorous manner. There are other books in the market about this same subject, but this 56-page tome is jam-packed with the basics any wannabe erotic photographer should know before diving heads first into the world of erotic photography and more especially, publishing erotic works of photography. The author describes herself as "a loud gutter-mouthed female, prone to bad puns, who has gained some strong opinions over the years regarding this industry and I don't like holding back my thoughts on the subject."
She doesn't hold back. She is shockingly, refreshingly honest and tells it just as it is in today's litigious world. Following her excellent advice will keep the photographer out of the court system and out of jail. As she points out, people who don't feel they can follow her advice had better find another vocation.
In addition to her advice on the various facets of the erotic pictures markets and business opportunities, insurance, finding models, model releases (she includes a sample), USC TITLE 16 Notice (sample included), TFP's, payments for models, make-up and the etiquette of shooting and working with models and simple glamour lighting she also provides some other useful sources for additional information. This book doesn't teach basic photography and assumes that the readers already know the basics of photography. This book could also be described as "an ounce of prevention that prevents a pound of trouble guide book." There is no excuse for a person interested in taking and selling Erotic or Nude photographs not to read this brief "Cliff Notes"-like primer unless they are easily offended by strong language that calls a spade a spade. And if strong language offends a person they probably aren't cut out for photographing nudes or erotic subjects. Here is another sample of her colorful language. "I hope this has given you enough information to venture forth into the world of erotic photography and start your road to success without putting your foot in your mouth, getting your "(bleep)" chopped off, or landing yourself in prison. Tee hee."
Reading this book, looking at some of her work and learning her thoughts is as refreshing as a good session with a beautiful, bossy, tough-as-nails dominatrix. With her mean-as-the-devil and rough schoolmistress attitude of "learn or else" it's hard to miss the point of her lessons, unless one is a true masochist and likes getting repeatedly punished. This is a real jewel of a guidebook. In addition to providing valuable information including other, more detailed sources of information, it is "falling-over-giggling" funny! Even the author's back cover portrait is a scream.

Book was 50/50. 50% stuff I already knew and was doing right and 50% stuff I never even knew I was supposed to ask. Lori asks and answers some of the hard questions. There is some wriggle room, but mostly if you can't get your head around her philosophies, you're probably in the wrong line of work.

Lori Mann is already well known as an erotic photographer (pun intended). She now ventures into the artistry of the written word with equal success. Along the way she provides an excellent primer on the techniques needed to shoot a variety of erotic images as well as navigate the increasingly complex practical and legal requirements necessary to achieve success in the business of erotic photography. Her brassy humor only adds to the learing experience by playfully encouraging her readers (as well as simply providing much needed comic relief).

This is nothing more than a collection of handouts from Lori's classes amounting to not much more than a bound pamphlet. 58 pages total including the blanks, index, and stuff like that for $12. Nothing you couldn't have gathered on your own by doing some reasearch online or buying a book with some real info in it. Buy it used if you have to have it.

The one good thing this book has is a fun and informal redaction. Yes, I found it to be a cleverly written, humorous, charming and engaging reading. That's about it.

Now, the bad things. First, the number of dollars I spent on this book exceeds the number of minutes I spent reading from front to back cover (literally) ... and I am a slow reader. Really, it took me something like fifteen minutes to read it. It is tremendously overpriced if you ask me.

Second, the information on this book is mainly common sense. I think I can write down the basis in one paragraph. One, if you want to network and get to be known, as soon as you have a few decent shots to show around, get yourself a booth in a local exhibition, that will allow you to do some networking, and duh, sell your product. Two, do not harass the models, not to make them work with you, not while they are working with you (again, duh!). Third and finally, research the law (shouldn't take you too long) and make sure you have release contracts to sell any picture you may want to sell. Yes, one paragraph was enough.

If you absolutely want to read it, see if your library has it available. Next time when you're waiting for the bus, read it a couple of times!

This is a great straight forward book. Good ideas, honest, and great references. Very helpful.

Lori Mann's guide is mildly amusing and provides an interesting (and useful) look at the world of internet porn photography. Unfortunately, for those who look to this field as a "get rich quick" scheme, her advice probably will not be welcome. Nevertheless, if you do what she says you can probably make a few bucks. Note that Lori's primary business is boudoir photography at which she seems to be very successful.

Wow. Bad. Really bad. Not worth the paper it's printed on - which isn't much - nor the time I wasted reading reading it - also not much. I'd cite specific examples, but I literally threw the book away within fifteen minutes of finishing it.