How to Choose a Boudoir Photographer: What to Know Before You Book
Choosing a boudoir photographer is a little different from choosing someone for family photos or headshots. You’re trusting someone to photograph you in a setting that can feel vulnerable, so liking their photos is only part of the decision.
You should also feel comfortable with the person behind the camera, understand what your experience will look like, and know what happens before, during, and after your session. If you’re considering a boudoir photoshoot, here are some of the things I think are worth looking for before you book.
Look Beyond the Portfolio
Of course you should love a photographer’s work, but look through more than a handful of their favorite images.
Do you see variety in posing, lighting, outfits and expressions? Do the women look comfortable? Can you imagine yourself in the photographs? Boudoir doesn’t have to mean one particular look. It can be soft and romantic, glamorous, playful, dramatic, modest or a little more daring. The photographer you choose should be able to create images that feel like you, rather than making every client fit the same mold.
Make Sure You Feel Comfortable With the Photographer
This may be one of the most important parts of choosing a boudoir photographer.
Being photographed in lingerie—or anything that makes you feel a little vulnerable—is much easier when the person behind the camera doesn’t feel like a complete stranger.
That’s one reason I offer an in-person consultation before sessions at Bella Chic Photography. It’s intentionally relaxed. We can sit down, have something to drink, talk about what you're envisioning, go through questions or concerns, look at wardrobe possibilities and walk through the studio.
By the time your session arrives, we've already met. You know what to expect, and I know more about what you're hoping to get from your experience.
If feeling nervous about the experience is one of the things holding you back, you can also read about what I do to help clients feel more comfortable before and during a boudoir photoshoot.
Ask How Much Posing Help You'll Receive
You do not need to know how to pose before a boudoir session.
In fact, most clients don't.
A photographer who regularly photographs boudoir should be able to guide you through the entire process—from where to put your hands and how to position your legs to small adjustments in your chin, shoulders and expression.
I demonstrate poses myself and guide clients throughout their sessions. Sometimes a position can feel a little strange while you're doing it but look completely different through the camera.
If posing is something you're worried about, my boudoir posing guide explains exactly how I guide you through it.
Good posing isn't about expecting you to perform for the camera. It's about the photographer knowing how to photograph you.
Find Out What's Actually Included
Boudoir experiences can vary considerably from one studio to another, so it's worth finding out exactly what is included before comparing photographers.
For example, professional hair and makeup are included with every portrait experience at Bella Chic Photography. Clients can also explore pieces from the studio wardrobe and talk with me beforehand about their own clothing and styling ideas.
Other studios may structure their sessions differently.
Instead of comparing photographers based only on a session fee, look at the entire experience you're receiving.
Ask What Happens to Your Images After the Session
This is an important question that can easily get overlooked.
When will you see your photographs? How do you choose your favorites? What type of retouching is included? Are digital images, albums or other products available separately?
At Bella Chic, clients view their images immediately after their shoot and make their selections the same day. My approach to boudoir retouching is polished while still keeping skin texture and the details that make you look like yourself.
Knowing what happens after the camera is put away can prevent surprises later.
Look for an Experience That Fits Your Comfort Level
You don't have to prove anything during a boudoir session.
You also don't have to wear lingerie if that isn't what makes you feel beautiful.
An oversized sweater, bodysuit, dress, denim, bridal pieces or something completely different can photograph beautifully. How revealing your session is should always be based on your comfort level.
If this is something you're wondering about, I explain more about how revealing a boudoir photoshoot actually has to be.
The right photographer should help you explore what feels good to you rather than pushing you toward someone else's idea of boudoir.
Pay Attention to the Little Things
Sometimes the best indication of what your experience will be like isn't a photographer's portfolio. It's how you feel when you communicate with them.
Do they answer your questions? Do you feel listened to? Are expectations clear? Do they seem interested in what you want from the session?
Beautiful photographs matter. But when you're choosing someone to photograph you in such a personal way, the experience of creating those photographs matters too.
Choosing the Right Boudoir Photographer for You
There isn't one boudoir photographer who will be the perfect fit for everyone.
Look for someone whose work you love, whose process makes you feel comfortable and whose approach matches the experience you want to have.
If you're considering a boudoir session with Bella Chic Photography, your first step doesn't have to be booking a photoshoot. You can learn more about what to expect from the Bella Chic boudoir experience and decide whether it feels like the right fit for you.
We can start with a conversation, talk about what you're envisioning and see whether we're a good fit.