Picking a photographer for you boudoir session, sounds like something that would be easy!
Let me tell you, it is not as simple as just saying " can you please do my session"
With Photographers of all different levels of experience, and education etc it can be a daunting task to pick a photographer for your session.
Here are some simple things to look for and to not worry about as much when selecting your
boudoir photographer.
So first we will start with the things to look for or pay attention to
1) THEIR WORK
This seems pretty obvious of course but we are still going to mention it and mention it first.
Please look at the work of the person you are looking to hire. I say this for many reasons. First reason is because the more work they have in their portfolio the more experience they have in boudoir photography. As much as i support all photographers even those just getting started, if you are hiring someone i HIGHLY recommend you put forth the investment and hire someone with at least a good year of sessions. This is not to discourage those just starting, but boudoir is a highly intimate and vulnerable style of session, you want the person who is taking your images to know what they are doing, know they best angles and posing for you. I especially recommend this if you are or have major insecurities as it is very easy for these sessions to go from empowering to disappointing very quickly. The more experience your photographer has the better your experience will be. The other reason we say to look at the photographers work is, we all have our own styles when it comes to how we shoot and how we edit. Some of us - like myself, shoot darker and moodier and therefore we edit that way. You want to hire someone who fits your personal style as well, if you prefer those darker, moodier images with shadow and boldness hire someone who shoots and edits that way. If You are into more bright, light, airy style that is very innocent looking then hire someone who does that style.
2) TRUST
Do you trust the person you are looking to hire. I know this seems weird to ask since you probably have never met this person in real life before. But you can gain trust with the person you are thinking to hire very easily. One see if they have a VIP group you can join, these tend to be where us photographers get a little more fun, little looser and a lot more personal with our clients. This is a great way to gain and build trust with the photographer as you get more personal with them. Another way to start to build trust is message your photographer - even if you do not have intention that moment to book that is fine. Any boudoir photographer will answer your questions, provide any information you need / want and most of the time we will sit and have a good little chat with you about how amazing you are. This is part of our job and if the person you are looking to hire does not do any of this, does not put your nerves at ease before you even book , they are not the right photographer for you. Also it is a good way to gauge out bad photographers doing this!
3) PERSONALITY
Do you get along with the photographer? Again hard to determine and ask fully since you have not met them in real life. But that is no reason you cannot get to know who they are as a person, their likes etc. Again see if they have a VIP group, this is where you will see more of their personality. Start interacting with them, commenting back and forth etc this will help you in many ways as you are building a relationship with the photographer and you are also seeing if your personalities mix. This is a big key to boudoir sessions as they more you get along with your photographer the more comfortable you will be. The more comfortable you are the more amazing your session and your images will be!
4) PRIVACY
You may see me post a lot of sessions, or see other photographers post a lot of boudoir sessions. What i can assure you is, every single image I or another photographer posts, we have express permission to post. This is a major thing as again boudoir can make you very open and vulnerable, so privacy is key. Unless we have express permission to share your images, which we do through a model release to gain your permission. We will keep your session completely private. And this is a major thing to ask about especially if you do not want your images posted anywhere , as keeping client privacy and comfort should be ANY boudoir photographers main priority.
5) REVIEWS
Check their reviews!!!!! This is massive, check their facebook group, page, website whatever they have. If you cannot easily find them, just ask the photographer. Any boudoir photographer is happy to send along reviews or testimonials, some may just have them created in a video form and not have them in a organized area. These will give you a look inside how this photographer works with their clients and how they make clients feel before, during and after the session.
WHAT TO NOT WORRY ABOUT AS MUCH WHEN PICKING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
There are a few thins i always tell ladies to not worry about as much with a photographer. Here are a few of those things
1) IF THEY HAVE A STUDIO
Does it make it better when they have a studio FOR SURE. Cause this means you do not have book during a marathon and can have a more one -on- one experience with your photographer and their team. However is it a deal break heck no. I personally started off boudoir renting other studios, empty studios or hotels. This does not mean they are not experienced etc It actually can mean many things. It can mean that boudoir is not their primary photography so they just rent as needed, they are just starting up and do not have the clients or fund for a studio, or finally just prefer a different location look for all their sessions. This is not a major concern but also falls with things to look for points 1 and 2 mostly! Do your research on them and make sure they feel trusted and safe in your eyes.
2) THEIR PRICE
Boudoir is an investment. It is like anything else if you want it amazing quality , the price tag will reflect that. First of ITS WORTH IT SO DO IT
Secondly - most of us boudoir photographers offer payment plans so that it is not so much all at once. So when looking at photographers remember that price does not always need to be your deciding factor. Not only that as mentioned if you want quality you will see the price tag go up. Remember photographers put in a lot of work ( i myself do a minimum 24 hours worth of work PER boudoir session i do ). I always tell ladies that it is an investment in themselves and a healthy happy wife / mom whatever means a healthy and happy everyone else.
I think we have covered the major things to look at and a few minor things to not worry about so much when it comes to finding your boudoir photographer.
Just do your research, talk with them, and take the leap to fall in love with yourself again.
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