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The astonishing fact is this: with the right make-up, hairstyle, clothes and background, almost anyone can be photographed to look like a fashion model.
That's the appeal of glamour photography, which has become a staple of portrait studios across the country. At least one national franchise has been founded to feed the market, and other chains and individually-owned shops are including glamour portraiture as one of their features.
Locally, having a glamour photo made is as easy as traveling to the mall. However, one local photo chain which once offered glamour photography has discontinued it because its operators believe it's a fad which has already crested.
"We haven't had as much request for them," said Rachel Bedell, manager of Magna Photo in Apple Blossom Mall. "At first, it was really popular. Now the interest is waning."
Bedel said that Magna Photo might reintroduce glamour photography in time for Christmas gift buying. "It's very seasonal," she said.
Not at Expressly Portraits, also at Apple Blossom Mall, which in June earned recognition from its parent corporation for selling more glamour packages than any of the 180 stores in the chain. Glamour photography now represents 30 percent of the Winchester store's business, according to manager Paula Kayser.
And the Glamour Shots chain, which advertises its Manassas location on local radio with a toll-free "800" telephone number, is founded on the fantasy spun by a professional make-up session, a fresh hairstyle and some soft focus on the camera lens.
"Glamour photography is very popular," said Martin Richey, the corporate director of glamour portraiture at Expressly Portraits' California central office.
"It's kind of magical,"...