JAV Gravure: Intro to Erotic Photography and Video

Photography - Graphis

First up is a big one Graphis. You’ve seen plenty of their photos in my posts and it's time I finally give them their due. I've personally used this site and will be going through it extensively as it is in my opinion one of the best sites for glamour photos. Graphis is a gravure site serving high quality photos of some of the most beautiful women in JAV. The photo shoots can range from the mundane and ordinary locations to more exotic and interesting locales. From the inside of nice looking modern and traditional houses to the outside with lush greenery and shimmering beaches. Graphis heads all over while keeping their subjects in the choicest of outfits and poses in a beautiful and classy style. Many of their shots would not look out of place in a fashion magazine. All part of the formula that has made them into the premier place to find JAV Gravure photos.

https://graphis.ne.jp/

(Find Graphis here)

The Graphis System

G – Graphis Gals: Their main series

Fi – First Gravure: First timers with Graphis

L – Limited: Limited release only for a short amount of time, like special release Christmas shoots.

S – Special: Bigger special shoots, more interesting settings or backdrops. Has more shoots attached to them than normal.

F – Feti Style: Fetish type shoots much odder and weirder than the usual stuff. Less focus on the women’s faces and more so to what they are doing. Seems to be defunct now.

C – Calendar: Calendars made from their photoshoots

A – Award: ‘Award winning’ shoots by popularity, highlights their best or hottest shoots

Models

Aside from being top notch photographers, Graphis has some good taste in the women they choose to work with. In the past they have frequently worked with the likes of Airi Suzumura, Kaname Otori, Kana Momonogi, Shunka Ayami, and Aika Yumeno. Today they work with talent like Rena Momozono, Aika Yamagishi, Tsumugi Akari, and Karen Kaede. From newer names in JAV with rookies and debuts to tried and true stars. They certainly love working with certain actresses like Suzu Honjo, Yura Kano, and Julia (lots of Julia).

https://twitter.com/GRAPHIS_ltd

(Follow them on Twitter here)

Photobooks

Now for the print side of things with photobooks. Physical books filled with images of lovely actresses and much harder to acquire compared to digital photosets. Luckily most sets today come with digital versions too; both versions are usually available with retailers like DMM and Amazon Japan. Still not the easiest for fans abroad to acquire but much easier and cheaper than getting a physical version. There are regular series coming out from major publishers like Shogakukan Publishing however the quality photobooks are usually for more special occasions. An actress might get the opportunity for their very own photobook every once in a while. Sometimes even crowdfunding to get the project started. Here you'll get more personalized sets like with Kanna Fuji's gorgeous Ballet themed photobook or the star studded 8Women special photo series by JAV agency 8man featuring their top tier talent. Following these JAV photobooks aren't as easy as subscribing to one site as there are many publishers all over making their own sets. If have to keep your ear to the ground to see for interesting upcoming projects.

Other Gravure Photo Sources

There’s Digi-Gra who do a lot of themed photoshoots as do Juicy Honey. Fanza/DMM have photo labels like #Escape or Count Sheep. A lot of actresses shoot for numerous magazines and outlets. Some doing niche things or have signature styles. Places like Kai-You who like to do photoshoots with lots of flower arrangements. All sorts too many to name.  My favorite new Gravure site has been Fempass. Fempass started off as more of a news site for AV at first but has moved into more and more photography with actresses and merchandise. They have also been dabbling with making short films with them.

https://digi-gra.net/

https://fempass.today/

https://kai-you.net/

Video - Rebecca

Now we move onto the video side of Gravure with Image Videos aka Idol Videos aka IV. These are the same glamor modelling we seen in Gravure just in video format, sold as full length movies with various themes and locales. These can range from non nude shoots to softcore sex simulated scenes. The first that should come to mind for most is the premier maker IV Rebecca also stylized as REbecca. They work with some of the top talent in JAV as well as up and coming newbies. They are my favorite IV maker due how they like to shoot outside in beautiful natural landscapes and in rare occasions outside of Japan. High quality shoots, high quality models, and very active in releases. They are availiable on their home webpage or on DMM/Fanza.

https://rebecca-web.com/

Air Control

Up there with Rebecca are Air Control. Not as prolific as them or outgoing as them but they still make really high quality IVs. What also differs between the two is Air Control’s preference for more simulated sex scenes, something that is quite divisive among some Gravure fans. They like to add in some softcore scenes of models pleasuring themselves off screen or simulating having sex in first person POV. However their indoor scenes are beautifully lit and they when they bring their A game they make quality videos right up there with Rebecca.

https://www.i-dol.tv/

Spice Visual

Next are Spicy Visual who do both video and photos. A bit tamer then the two before, they started off doing more themed costumed shoots before settling on a more vanilla style. I'd say they sit in a tier below Air Control and Rebecca. However they do have their terrific blue ribbon Onsen series where they put in their best work and it shows. Their signature Hot Springs series gives you the full Osen experience from baths to meals all with their hand picked talent. They also work with mainstream Gravure Idols like the two pictured below (Kei Fubuki and Aya Hazuki).

Nanairo S-Cute

Nanairo make both porn and photosets. Shooting their photosets before getting into the steamy stuff. A very tame maker in both their porn and Gravure with Vanilla content. Many of their shoots taking place in brightly lit hotel rooms and is known for their lighter brighter style.