Top Glamour Photographers Perth - Jessica Truscott
Being a glamour photographer in Perth is not just about being a great photographer but also having a creative imagination and being able to bring that to life. Jessica Truscott is known for her incredible artistic talent, creative genius and feminine style to showcase any woman’s beauty.
We sat down with Jessica to ask her a few questions about how she ended up photographing glamour portraits as a profession. Questions below…
Jessica Truscott - Zest Photographer
1. When did you first become interested in photography and glamour photography?
In school l had dreams of becoming a illustrator for children’s books, I used photographs as references to create my paintings. Over time I began to create my own photographic references and slowly these images turned into artworks in their own right. I liked the speed that photography allows me to create images, to capture a moment in time. The camera allows me to bring a little more magic to the world.
2. What do you love about photographing a woman?
I love the transformation. Seeing the difference between the women who timidly walked in and the women strutting her stuff on cloud 9 as she leaves.
I know the power of a good photograph, how it can give you confidence and be a totem for positivity.
How a photograph can become a powerful memory for important moments in your life.
Also I love to play with pretty, girly things like dresses and make up so photographing glamour photography as a profession is a true passion.
3. Where do you get your inspiration and ideas from?
I love to read. Surrounding myself with stories of romance, heartbreak and adventure. I look for archetype characters and imaginative scenarios that spark my imagination. From the strong celtic warrior queen to dark Victorian vampires. I collect costume pieces and props to bring these characters to life in my photography. Often my poses will be inspired by a piece of emotive music from movie soundtracks, like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.
4. What do you do during a shoot to help women feel comfortable and help with nerves?
I have a lot of really bad jokes in my arsenal, so there is always a lot of laughter in the studio and starting off doing the silliest poses on purpose so it can only get better from there!
A lot of nervousness comes from not understanding the process of how to make a beautiful photograph, how to pose and what to do in a glamour photography shoot. So I like to explain everything as we go along, to give my ladies tips of how to make their legs look longer or show them how the light is contouring their body. This gives women the confidence and knowledge to feel amazing in front of a camera.
5. What else are you passionate about and enjoy spending your time doing?
I just got a new puppy, which is very exciting! She is only three months old, very energetic and needing a lot of attention.
I love to play video games like Assassins Creed, Sims4 and LOZ: Breath of the Wild, games where I can get lost in world building and exploring.
I also love food! Recently been obsessed with making Beef Wellingtons and Casseroles. Often when I am trying to help women find their “sexy, relaxed face” I am encouraging them to think about yummy food instead. It’s a great trick!
6. What has your biggest achievement been during your career as a photographer?
A great achievement for me is whenever I go to a bookstore and find my images used as book covers it is a real thrill!
As a member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers, I challenge myself to create unique images to enter the Australian Print awards (a bit like the Olympics of Photography).
In 2013, 2018 and 2019 I won the title of WA Family Photographer of the year and also reached the level of Master Photographer.
Being recognised by our Industry for the daily creative work is satisfying and encourages me to think creatively for my clients, to keep pushing the bar and not create boring images.
Jessica (Self-Portrait) - Silver Award
7. What are your favourite poses to use in a glamour shoot?
I love poses that have a lot of movement and motion to them; dancing, twirling and flipping their hair around, giving the images a sense of wild abandonment. A feeling of motion captured, not a just static pose. In my glamour photoshoots, often women are so terrified of posing they freeze up, so If I can help them feel relaxed enough to dance in front of the camera it is a wonderful transformation to see the free spirited goddess emerge from within.
Like Elsa says “Let it go!”
8. What would your number one tip be for a woman who is preparing for her glamour shoot?
Look for visual inspiration to see what is possible, look online or in magazines or classical paintings for references. Anything is possible and we want you to be creative which allows us to be creative as well.
Think about what would be the most amazing, wildest and imaginative artwork you can think of being a part of and let us work out how to make this happen.
Giving your self time to practise self care with a pampering skin care session, good sleep, plenty of water and meditation.
This time you give to yourself will go a long way to feeling good about yourself, don’t leave it to the last minute! You are worth it!
9. What props/ accessories and other pieces can be good to bring along for a glamour shoot?
This is a subject I could talk about for hours, I love it!
Props are a good way to tell a story in portraiture, the little items you include act as symbols representing the things important to your life.
Old jewellery, Body glitter, interesting hats and colourful wigs.
Long pieces of fabric with interesting patterns to create gowns and headwraps.
You could bring branches and leaves from nature, sand from your favourite beach.
Personal heirlooms like your Grandmothers pearls or Dad’s record collection.
Bring your old wedding dress so you can rip and burn it or a hundred helium balloons.
10. What would your dream glamour shoot involve?
I would love to create a series set in an abandoned European castle with winding staircases, candlelit ballrooms and an old library full of a thousand old leather books. A misty, mossy forest with wild horses, long couture gowns and flowing velvet capes.
Something straight out of a fairytale!
11. What is the most unique shoot you’ve ever done with someone?
I have done photoshoots in graveyards at midnight, underwater in the reefs around Rottnest and a bathtub full of Jelly beans. One couple wanted to incorporate their 6 guinea pigs into their nude photoshoot, another couple brought bags of rich red dirt from the goldfields to cover the studio floor to roll around in.
I once spent a whole hour talking to a man about his love for Twilight while photographing his racing car. I love it when my clients are creative and bring things along to surprise me!
12. How do you know what angles and poses are best to show off a woman and make her look great?
Over the years you build up a portfolio of poses in your mind, which poses work best for which body types, and with each photoshoot you can practise them on different body types to see what works.
With practise you learn how to add curves to a body, or hide unwanted bumpy bits, which poses make legs look longer or cheekbones pop!
When I meet a woman for the first time, I am watching her body to try understand their personality, I want to capture their story in the images.
During the glamour photoshoot I am constantly asking them to move their arms, twist the hips, relax the hands to discover options for how I can best showcase her beauty.
13. How do you keep things creative and unique in each shoot you do?
I like to incorporate costumes and props, changing these pieces around every week so there is a new piece for me to play with. I try and find new ways of incorporating these objects to create new images.
One week it will be gauzy butterfly wings or a bouquet of red roses and the next I will add black body paint.
14. What would you say to someone who feels unsure or not ready to have their own photography experience?
To know it is okay to be unsure, nervous and afraid, that is normal and you are not alone feeling that way. Like jumping out of a plane, it’s scary to start with but once you land you instantly want to experience it again.
Just booking the session and walking through the door is the hardest part.
We do understand how important this is for you and are on your side. See me as your guide to your empowerment.
“Zest is a safe place for you to share your story, your experience will be so much more than just taking photos.”
If you are interested in booking a Zest Photography family, couple, modern glamour, boudoir or nude portrait photography experience, call 0862453150 or email us at info@zestphotography.com.au.