Boudoir History Reborn with the Nikon FM2.
From “Afghan Girl” by Steve McCurry to the “Village Girl” by Yuliya Panchenko
Boudoir with Nikon FM2 Captured by Yuliya Panchenko
About the Camera
In this episode of Forbidden Frames: 100 Years of Recreated Boudoir Photography History, we dive into the powerful elegance of one of Nikon’s most iconic machines—the Nikon FM2. Released in 1982 and discontinued in 2001, this fully mechanical, manual-focus 35mm SLR quickly became a legend. Its top features include a lightning-fast 1/4000s shutter speed, a beautifully simple construction, and rugged reliability that could survive anything—exactly what you'd want in the hands of a war photographer or a fine art creator.
And speaking of legends—the most famous photograph of the 20th century, “Afghan Girl” by Steve McCurry, was captured on this very camera, the Nikon FM2, in 1984. No debate. No confusion. Just timeless history.
Yuliya Panchenko worked with the FM2N model, easily identified by the red “250” marking on the shutter speed dial and the “N” engraved on the back. It's one of the most beloved versions of the FM2 line and currently valued anywhere from $400 to $5,000, depending on condition and collectibility.
Yuliya Panchenko Holding a Nikon FM2
A Camera Close to the Heart
Yuliya’s connection to Nikon runs deeper than preference—it’s personal.
“Nikon made me who I am today. I started with Nikon, I shoot with Nikon, and I’ll shoot Nikon any day, any moment,” Yuliya says.
While she appreciates the artistry of all cameras, Nikon holds a nostalgic, emotional grip on her. It shaped her creative voice. That said, she did admit there’s one brand she dreams of owning someday: Hasselblad, her future ultimate digital system—if and when she ever dares to switch.
Boudoir with Nikon FM2 Captured by Yuliya Panchenko
Dubnitskiy Inspiration… and a $99 Disappointment
This session was meant to channel the style and mood of David Dubnitskiy, known for his soft, sensual portraits with vintage elegance. To elevate the inspiration, Yuliya’s team even ordered Dubnitskiy’s Sensual Erotica book—priced at $99, planning to showcase it to viewers and draw visual parallels.
But… the book never arrived.
“It’s a shame,” Yuliya says. “We lost about $100 and couldn’t share it with the audience, but I still think he’s a great artist. It just didn’t make it into this episode most likely due to global political circumstances.”
Boudoir with Nikon FM2 Captured by Yuliya Panchenko
From Streets to Studio
The original vision was to shoot this session outdoors, but the intersection outside Yuliya’s studio is notoriously dangerous, with frequent car crashes. The team didn’t want to risk being a distraction—so the session was brought indoors.
The trade-off? A more confined, less ideal setup, where wall elements and ceiling lines unintentionally crept into the frame. But that’s the nature of Forbidden Frames—working with constraints to bring forgotten techniques and moments back to life.
A Film Surprise
The plan was to use black and white film for this shoot. However, a critical film-loading error led to the wrong roll being used: Fujifilm ISO 400 color film. When the negatives returned, Yuliya realized the mistake—and while she appreciated the unexpected tones, they weren’t what she had envisioned.
That said, a few select images made the cut and are now part of the official book.
Boudoir with Nikon FM2 Captured by Yuliya Panchenko
Boudoir with Nikon FM2 Captured by Yuliya Panchenko
Reflections on the Session
Despite the setbacks, Yuliya embraced the experience. The FM2, with its split-image prism, helped her sharpen her manual focusing skills. Yet she admits old habits die hard—like reframing after focusing, something she picked up in the digital world that often leads to soft shots in film.
And while the final images weren’t exactly what she dreamed, the essence was there. The process, the emotion, the learning curve—all captured in those frames.
Boudoir with Nikon FM2 Captured by Yuliya Panchenko
Final Words
This session wasn’t perfect, but it was real, and it was film—which is what Forbidden Frames is all about. Yuliya may have started with Nikon, but it’s clear that Nikon started something in her too. From the first clicks of her career to today’s carefully composed boudoir portraits, this brand still beats in rhythm with her artistic heartbeat.
To see the full behind-the-scenes journey, tune into BIB TV, the largest boudoir photography learning platform in the world.
