When you’re searching for a boudoir photographer, sometimes the session and product prices can come as a bit of a sticker shock. I get it, trust me. So why can’t boudoir be cheap? I mean, how hard do reputable boudoir photographers actually work? The just need a good camera right? Well… no.
I Didn’t Know What the F*CK I was Doing At First
Just like anything I start from scratch, I don’t know what I’m doing. My business model when I started was a mess. I thought I was charging enough to live, but dang was I wrong. My pricing has changed several times since starting, and I’m sure it’ll change again. The reasons my prices were so flippin’ cheap when I started was because I wasn’t paying myself a livable wage, I was ordering cheap products, and I hadn’t invested very much in my business. When I started, I had an air mattress and a headboard backdrop. That was it. Now, don’t get me wrong, I was still proud of those photos when I started and I did my absolute best, but now I know a lot more, have a lot more and focus on delivering high-quality, heirloom products. Boudoir photography prices should reflect that.
“But I Know Photographers Who Charge Less than You and Are Making a Living”
Are they, though? Are they actually making a living off their boudoir photography alone? Unless you actually have the financial records in front of you, there’s a good chance you’re led to be believe that some photographers are making a living when they aren’t. Maybe they have a second income they can rely on. Maybe boudoir is just a hobby for them. You will always find someone cheaper, but it doesn’t mean they are better.
Let’s be real. Your taking your clothes off in front of someone. You’re going to spend an hour in lingerie or totally nude with someone you just met. Is “cheap” the word you want to use to describe your experience?
So How Do You Go About Choosing the Right Photographer for You?
There are factors that should be more important than price. You should feel comfortable with your photographer, you should love their portfolio, you should mesh with their personality and you’ve gotta love their products.
What is the “Why?”
Why does your photographer shoot boudoir? Read through their website or ask them questions. Almost all boudoir photographers will say “to help women feel good,” but dig deeper. I started shooting boudoir because I didn’t want people to waste their energy on self-hatred like I had for decades. For years, I loathed myself, and when I started finally learning to accept, like and then love myself, I realized I wanted others to have the same journey. Boudoir was the best way I could help others come to this realization.
What’s the Studio Like?
What kind of studio do you want? Do you want to shoot in a cozy bedroom, an open loft, a hotel room, an entire home or maybe your own house? Where you shoot is super important. My studio is set up like a cozy bedroom, along with a backdrop and a shower. If that’s the vibe you want, awesome! But maybe you want something else, in which case, you’ll need to do your research and find a photographer with a studio set up you love.
What Are the Products Like?
When you’re comparing prices, one big factor should be the products. Why might one photographer be so much less than another? It’s probably because the products they offer are lesser quality than another. Lower quality prints mean the color might be off or the paper may fade and tear. Your photos could look a lot different in five, ten or twenty years. Do you want an heirloom product? Do you want something handcrafted or luxurious? These are vital questions to ask yourself when you’re searching for a photographer. At Buxom Boudoir, I want to make sure my products last a lifetime. I want the albums, metal prints and boxed prints to look as good in twenty years as they do today.
How’s the hair and makeup?
Does the studio provide hair and makeup? Are the artists professional and experienced? Hair and makeup really adds to the experience and it’s one less thing for you to worry about. It’s relaxing and pampering, which is a great way to start your session! Plus, professional hair and makeup artists understand how to do styling for photography. It’s different than just every-day makeup. It often is a little darker than normal so it can show up on camera, it’s dramatic and false eyelashes are almost always a must. Make sure the studio has a reputable artist.
What’s the Experience Like?
What’s the session like? How long will it last and how many outfits can you wear? Talk to your photographer or see if you can find a run down of the session on their website. Is it all about luxury? Or maybe it’s a relaxed, chill setting. I try to treat my sessions like a little party – there’s music, we laugh, we joke, and there’s occasionally a bit of dancing. My sessions are like two friends hanging out and one of them happens to have a camera.
I’m All About Education
Does your photograph care about education and bettering themselves? Maybe that doesn’t matter to you, but to me, it’s important. Your photographer should always be striving to create better work, maybe by learning more about their camera, new editing techniques, new business avenues, or by trying creative techniques in the studio. Look for a photographer who is trying to learn something new.
Do you think you’re ready to book your session? Shoot me a message and we can go over all your questions. Let’s get this party started!