Best Boudoir Photographer Near Me…

Let’s face it, you have probably typed that phrase into google in your quest to find a boudoir photographer. Google then slapped an overwhelming number of options on your screen. Some didn’t even have anything to do with what you were searching for. We have all been there. Not just for boudoir, but anything you try to search for. So how do you narrow down your search for the “Best boudoir photographer”? Come with me as I help you on this quest.

I want to start by saying the word “Best” is subjective. Everyone has different tastes, and this also goes for boudoir. If everyone liked the same thing this would be a short blog post. So let’s go over some things to look for and things to avoid.

What style are you looking for?

Boudoir photographers are artists. We all have our own style. So before you decide on a photographer you need to ask yourself “what style do I want my pictures to look like?”. Some of the more common styles are “dark and moody”, “light and airy”, “soft or matte style”, “black and white”, and “erotic”. I urge you to look up these styles on Pinterest and Instagram to see what style appeals to you. You don’t want to go to a dark and moody photographer and ask for light and airy photos. It’s not their style and the photos wouldn’t be their best work. Just like you wouldn’t go to Taco Bell and ask for a cheeseburger.

Do they have a physical location?

This may not seem like a big deal to some people but it can be something to think about. Having a studio location has many pros when you are looking for your boudoir photographer. The studio has a permanent address so you know exactly where this photographer works. This usually means the same place you get your boudoir session done in is the same place you will view your images, order products, and pick up your finished items.

Physical locations also mean the photographer isn’t someone just doing this as a side job or hobby. It’s their actual job. They spent many hours and lots of money to get their studio up and running. It puts a vested interest in doing the best work they can possibly do. It shows dedication to their craft.

Do they have examples of their work?

This ties into the first point I made. You want to see examples of their work. Make sure the photographer you choose has a social media presence. Instagram is probably the best place to look followed by an actual website. Facebook is good also but they are slightly limiting when it comes to posting your work. Keep in mind that the photos you see on social media are images that the client has allowed the photographer to post. There are many other images that are not seen. As a client you have the last word on sharing your images and you must sign a release for the photographer to be able to share them.

Who is involved in the boudoir session?

Ask your potential photographer who is in the room during the shoot. This is a point that has multiple sides as there are male and female boudoir photographers. Some women are more comfortable with one verses the other. There is no right or wrong answer for that. It is all personal preference. There are fantastic boudoir photographers either way. In our case, we have an all female team.

Price

Price is another thing you should think about. The range of prices for any type of photography are all over the map. Just like any type of service or product, there are things to keep in mind here. You don’t want the cheapest because quality and price go hand in hand. You also don’t want to blow your kid’s college education fund on a boudoir shoot. At first you may think that the prices you see are a little high. I know I did when I started looking into professional photos. What I didn’t realize back then was the amount of work and time that goes into a session. Most people just think photographers show up and press the shutter button a bunch of times and then upload the pictures to a gallery. If only it were that easy.

In boudoir there are so many things that go on before and after your shoot. We plan the session, coordinate the hair and makeup, clean the studio and camera equipment, send emails, answer questions, take the photos, download and edit them, create albums and other products, order said products, track orders, make phone calls, schedule delivery, and more. The payoff for us isn’t money, it’s the look on your face when you see your amazing images. So keep that in mind when you look at prices. For most of us, this is our living. The price is the rent, bills, equipment, editing software, salaries, and most importantly, our time.

Is boudoir their only specialty?

This may not be something you would normally think about but does this photographer do any other form of photography? Do you want your photographer to just do boudoir or multiple other genres also? It’s similar to going to a specialist for other industries. If boudoir is the only thing they shoot that means all their concentration and time is spent on boudoir. This can translate into a better experience for you the customer. It means they aren’t splitting their time between families, babies, weddings, engagements, senior photos, and anything else. They are just concentrated on boudoir. This doesn’t mean a multi genre photographer can’t take great boudoir photos, but it isn’t their specialty. Lighting, technique, editing, and posing are all different for boudoir as compared to other forms of photography. So while this may not seem like something you would normally ask, it is something to think about.

Read reviews

Read reviews of your potential photographer. Look on Google and Facebook for actual reviews from clients. I personally tend to trust these more than reviews on websites. People are very busy these days so when someone takes time out of their day to write a review on Google or Facebook it really says they had a great experience. When you have a good experience with a product or service you usually don’t say much, but when you had an amazing experience you want to tell everyone.

Ask for referrals

Word of mouth is how most boudoir photographers get their clients. If you see someone you know post boudoir photos, ask them where they had them done and would they recommend that photographer. Most times you can get a referral discount this way too. If they are a good friend they will tell you the truth about their experience. I definitely wouldn’t send any of my friends to someone that I had a bad experience with.

Don’t be afraid to chat with the photographer

We are all just regular people. We love answering questions you may have about our services. Most of us can be contacted through Instagram or Facebook messenger easily. You can always email, call or text. We would love to talk to you.

These are a few guidelines to help you find the “Best boudoir photographer near me”. Do your research. There is a photographer out there for everyone. We will see you next time.

You probably have some ideas in your head, but here’s a list for you to think about as well.

• Male or female? Does it matter to you?

• Do you want a photographer with a studio?

• Do you LOVE their photos? And do they speak to you?

• How quick are they to answer your emails/phone calls?

• Are they professional? Does their whole business feel specialized and well run?

• Does price matter to you?

• Do you prefer a photographer with a client closet?

• Did you get to meet them through a consult? Are you comfortable with them?

CONCLUSION

Like I mentioned before, a boudoir photographer is someone who specializes in helping women feel beautiful. It’s important to trust your AR boudoir photographer, so be extremely picky in your search!

And if you’re ready to book your session, please email me at mallory@yournaturalstatephoto.com.  I’d love to book a consult to make sure we are a fit.