You get mixed responses when you tell your friends you’re working as a background stills photographer on an adult film shoot, altho’ they should know better by now. You tell them there is a lot of hanging around, with occasional bursts of activity, and yes, nudity can be the norm for most of the time, but you’re far too busy being professional to take too much notice. So this is the situation I found myself in, when Petra Joy asked me to provide photography for two of her recent films (‘Female Fantasies’ and ‘Feeling it’).
If you not aware already, Petra is a pioneer of modern day female orientated erotic art, and she brings her own perspective on sexuality to the art form. Her films have sensuality, atmosphere, sexiness and joy. Petra’s not interested in portraying the traditional common practices found in most adult films, and her sense of independence enables her to focus on what women want.
As for the cast, they had all sought Petra out at one time or another, and were keen to take part in the experience. Petra enjoys working with enthusiastic players / characters who have depth to them, and the final choice for each film can be a mixture of experienced and first time players. Also due to her directorial experience, she makes sure her team on both sides of the camera, is fine, relaxed, know what they’re doing and well catered for.
Female Fantasies. I was brought in for the last two shoots. The first shoot features one women, who is able to follow her desires with three men, in a scene called Cruising - to emphasise that women can enjoy spontaneous sex in public places. During the breaks for new film, direction, make up etc, I moved in to capture the moments, the discussions, the preparations…
A few days later, Petra had assembled a larger cast of six for the film’s grand finale. This time the location was a luxurious hotel suite: a stunning space, a gorgeous boudoir with a round bed, silk satin sheets and a large ceiling mirror. This room was built for delicious sin.
Tonight’s fantasy theme concerned a blindfolded woman, who is only allowed to receive enjoyment from the tangled bodies that enveloped her, and not to give pleasure. The six bodies kissed and caressed, and the passion continued to rise well into the night. The passionate shoot lasted several hours and the enthusiasm was a testament to the players and Petra. After several hours of pleasure giving, it was realised that penetration had played no part in the proceedings.
Feeling It. One year later and Petra’s working on her next feature film, eventually to be called ‘Feeling It’. Petra provided a full shooting schedule for the whole weekend, and planned to have as much in the can as possible, by the end of it.
Saturday’s main set up concerned a woman’s dream birthday party – of champagne, willing semi naked male servants and a compliant stud in a box.
For the next day, Petra was busy preparing an early start for the bedroom scene of lust and delight. I took a few stills, and then left them to it, as Petra prefers the intimacy of a small closed set during intimate moments. A little later we were joined downstairs by the two players. One might say it was an excellent way to start the day. Joy was beaming on their faces.
So as a taster of the atmosphere, here is a selection of fotos from both film shoots, be they erotic, documentary or both. For more information and photography, please go to the specific websites.
Petra’s work is widely lauded and published internationally and has won several awards. Since completing the films, each has gone on to achieve greatness. In 2007 Petra won, for Female Fantasies, the FICEB (Festival internacional de cine erotico de Barcelona en Madrid) Award for the most erotic film. And in 2008, the film won the feminist porn award in Toronto for the ‘best bi scene’.
‘Feeling It’ soon followed the award trail, and in 2008, it was nominated for ‘best film’ and ‘best director’ at the FICEB '08
Both films further contributed to Petra achieving a special jury award in Berlin for her "Pioneering Achievements in Adult Films for Women" in 2008.
