The Complete Book of Photographing Women by Peter Barry is a classic photography guide that explores the techniques and aesthetics of photographing women in portrait, fashion, glamour, and fine art contexts. First published in the mid-1980s, the book was written for photographers seeking to improve their ability to pose, light, and compose photographs of female subjects. Featuring hundreds of professional colour photographs, Barry demonstrates how lighting, wardrobe, background selection, camera angles, and model direction can be used to create expressive and visually appealing images.

The book covers both studio and location photography, offering practical advice on posing, facial expressions, body language, composition, and the effective use of natural and artificial light. While some examples include artistic nude photography, the primary focus is on portraiture and photographic technique rather than fine art theory. Although certain styling and photographic trends reflect the era in which it was published, the guidance on lighting, posing, and composition remains valuable for photographers interested in portrait and fashion photography.