MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT IN GOLD LEAF FLAKES

When jewellery is not enough… Adding sparkle to the maternity photoshoot…

I have always refrained from gold flakes set ups. I did not have any idea how to attach them so the application would not take too long and the flakes would stay on the skin and most of all it would be easy to remove them after the maternity session. It has never been my favourite styling – because I was struggling with gold flying everywhere in the studio, it sticking to the floor, outfits and camera…

It was discouraging until I found an efficient way to deal with all the above problems. Let’s start with answering a few key questions regarding using gold leaf flakes during maternity photoshoot.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CREATE GOLD LAYER FROM GOLD FLAKES? Most of the poses that I do when posing with golden flakes attached to the skin are side poses or poses where only one leg and / or arm is exposed. So I start with determining how much skin should be covered with gold. I cover part of the belly, chest, neck, arm and leg to get nice effect and a variety of poses. It usually takes up to 20 minutes to have everything covered and the gold layer structured. Once you attach the gold flakes – you need to make nice cracks.

Remember that retouching skin between the flakes might be a nightmare, so make sure you cover all the potentially difficult areas with gold.

WHAT TO USE TO ATTACH GOLD FLAKES TO THE SKIN? The best glue for the gold flakes is body oil. I ask the model to rub the oil gently into the body, but leaving rather thick layer of oil on the skin (because part of it will be quickly absorbed by the skin). If the body oil layer is too thin, the flakes will start to fall off quickly and you will have them everywhere in your studio (and believe me, it is not easy to get rid of them from the floor).

HOW TO REMOVE THE GOLD FLAKES FROM THE BODY? If the layer of the oil is thick enough – removing the gold will be easy. Just rub the skin with tissues. Do not try to remove them under the shower – the gold will clog the drain. Do not put clothes on the skin covered in gold.

WHERE TO BUY THE GOLD FLAKES? I buy them in local art store such as this one in Poland, you can find it as SZLAGMETAL. Search on amazon for: Gold Foil Paper, Gold Leaf Flakes Gold Foil Flakes Foil Sheets for Crafts – and choose the big leafs

I hope you enjoyed those tips 🙂