Important Questions to Ask Your Boudoir Photographer Before Booking
/Booking a boudoir photo session is a big step. It can be a big financial investment, but it’s also a deep experience that will have you seeing yourself in a totally different way. You shouldn’t take that step without having all the facts you need to make the right decision.
It’s hard to know what to ask if you don’t know what to ask, right? I got you!
#1: “What’s your experience with boudoir photography?”
The acceptability of their answer to this question is going to depend on you. If you’re someone who already has unshakeable confidence, any level of boudoir photography experience is fine for you. If your confidence is shaky, even just a little bit, you might not want to take your chances with someone who is inexperienced. Knowing the proper ways to pose people comes from experience.
I’ve put in a lot of years in this business, posing people of all different shapes, sizes, and skill levels. I believe my confidence in posing people does also translate to easing their fears. If people can sense that you don’t know what to do with them, they’re going to get anxious. That’s definitely not something you want in this industry.
#2: “What’s your policy on sharing my photos?”
If their answer doesn’t leave you feeling like you hold all the cards on this one, RUN! Yes, as far as intellectual property goes, the photographer owns the rights to the photos. However, it’s your life they hold in their hands. Any other genre of photography, this might not be quite as big of an issue, but there’s still a stigma around the human body (which is fuckin dumb). That stigma could cost you your job or relationships. This is not to be played with.
My policy is that I only share what I have a signed authorization allowing me to share. I also wait until after your event (wedding, Christmas, the receiver’s birthday, etc.) to share them, just in case they come across them. If you decide not to sign a release, it’s no worries at all! I can even pretend I’ve never met you before if we encounter each other in public, if you’d like!
#3: “How do you make clients who are very nervous feel comfortable?”
They better not say booze or drugs. I’m not knocking those things if you want to do them before your session (just don’t drive here and don’t show up visibly intoxicated, your photos will be awful). But, if your photographer is offering them to get you to lighten up…yikes on bikes, my guy.
I make clients feel comfortable by treating boudoir as if it’s the most normal thing someone could do. When you’re getting your hair and makeup done, we’re all just sitting around talking like we’re old friends. When I’m taking the photos, I’m not overly gushing (because that makes me uncomfortable when I’m on the receiving end of it), but I am definitely encouraging. I don’t talk about this like it’s taboo (cuz it shouldn’t be, let’s be honest), which kind of helps take the edge off.
#4: “What does your fee include?”
If you’re on a call, they should have explained this, but sometimes it gets confusing. Some of us use an all-in-one pricing, some have separate session fees and products. No business is run the exact same. However, they need to be honest and up front about the cost and what you receive for it.
I have an investment page on my website that lists the information, but I do operate on a session fee separate from products structure. This allows me to give clients the same experience, but not force them all into the same products. We have three product collection options, but even within them there is some wiggle room if you don’t need a certain product.
#5: “Can I see a full client gallery?”
You know what they say about social media: it’s just a highlight reel of people’s lives. They only put their best and brightest moments on display. The same can be said of photographers. They should allow you to see a full gallery, and if they don’t: uh oh. The reason you want to see a full gallery is that you’re looking for consistency. Their social media is gonna have their absolute best, but what else is in the gallery?
I actually haven’t had many people ask this, but I’m absolutely willing and able to show a few full galleries if asked. You need to be able to trust your boudoir photographer, and this helps build that trust.
Now that you’re armed and ready to empower yourself with knowledge, go forth and harass a bunch of photographers with questions!
…Just kidding, don’t do that unless you’re actually interested in booking a session.
