Before You Book a Boudoir Photographer

A beautiful portfolio can tell you whether you like someone’s photography. It won’t tell you what the session will cost, who will be in the room, how much posing help you’ll get, whether your photographs stay private, or what happens if something doesn’t go as planned.

Those are the questions worth asking before you put down a deposit.

Start with the full price

Don’t stop at the session fee.

Ask what that fee includes and what you’ll pay for photographs afterward. Some studios separate the session fee from digital images and products. Others package everything together.

Ask:

What is included in the price I’m looking at, and what would I need to purchase separately?

Also ask whether there is a minimum image or product purchase.

That gives you something you can actually compare.

Find out how many photographs you receive

“Digitals available” doesn’t tell you much.

Ask how many finished photographs are included, whether you choose them from a larger gallery, whether additional images cost more, and whether printed products are separate.

If albums are important to you, ask whether one is included or purchased afterward.

If you only want digital files, make sure that option exists before booking.

Ask who will be in the room

This is boudoir. You should know.

Will the photographer work alone? Is there an assistant or posing coach present? Does the hair and makeup artist leave after getting you ready? Will anyone else enter the studio during your session?

If you’re considering a male photographer, ask whether another woman remains present during the shoot.

If you’re considering a female photographer, you should still understand who else may be in the studio and how privacy is handled.

Ask how posing works

You shouldn’t have to arrive knowing what to do with your hands.

Ask how much direction the photographer gives. Do they demonstrate poses? Do they help with expression, hand placement and transitions? Who adjusts hair, wardrobe or straps when something needs fixed?

Also ask what happens if a pose hurts or you simply don’t like it.

“Fully guided” can mean very different things depending on the photographer.

Ask about privacy before you sign anything

Don’t assume your photographs are private just because the session is boudoir.

Ask whether image sharing requires your permission, whether a model release is optional, and whether you can approve individual photographs instead of releasing the entire gallery.

Find out where approved images may be used. Social media, websites, advertising, studio samples and education are all different uses.

You should know exactly what you’re agreeing to.

Ask about guests

If you want to bring your partner or a friend, ask first.

Some photographers allow a guest. Others don’t. Some allow someone during hair and makeup but not during the photography portion.

There isn’t one universal rule, but you should know the studio’s policy before the day of your session.

Look at more than three favorite photographs

Every photographer can show you a few strong images.

Look at enough work to understand the photographer’s style.

Pay attention to lighting, color, retouching, posing and expression. Look at different body types and ages when they’re available. See whether the work stays consistent from client to client.

If you love dark, dramatic photography, don’t hire someone whose portfolio is mostly bright and airy and hope they’ll completely change their style for you.

Ask how retouching is handled

Photographers approach this very differently.

Ask what they normally retouch and what they leave alone.

Temporary blemishes, bruises, stretch marks, scars, cellulite, skin texture, body shaping and tattoos are all worth discussing if you have a preference.

You shouldn’t have to guess what the finished photographs will look like.

Ask about turnaround

If the photographs are for an anniversary, wedding or birthday, this one matters.

Ask when you’ll see your images, when the finished gallery is delivered and how long albums or other products take.

A photographer having an opening next week doesn’t mean your finished album will be ready next week.

Read the cancellation and rescheduling policy

This is the boring part until you need it.

Find out what happens if you get sick, need to move the session, or cancel altogether. Ask whether your deposit transfers, how much notice is required and what happens if the photographer has to reschedule.

Read the agreement before paying.

Ask about the consultation

The consultation should give you enough information to decide whether the studio is a good fit.

You should be able to ask about pricing, privacy, wardrobe, comfort level, sets, boundaries and anything else you’re unsure about.

Pay attention to whether your questions are being answered or redirected into a sales pitch.

If you want couples photography, ask

Not every boudoir photographer photographs couples.

If that’s something you’re considering, ask whether they offer it, whether pricing changes and whether couples sessions have different rules or boundaries.

Ask whether the set you saw still exists

Studios change.

Sets get rebuilt. Specialty rooms come and go. Some portfolio images may have been photographed at rented locations or during limited events.

If there is a specific set or concept you want, ask whether it’s currently available and whether there is an additional cost.

Then compare the things that matter to you

Maybe privacy is at the top of your list. Maybe it’s the photography style. Maybe you want an all-female support team, a specific type of album, several sets, or a photographer who gives a lot of direction.

Someone else may care about completely different things.

That’s the point.

You aren’t trying to find the studio with the longest list of features. You’re trying to understand how each studio works well enough to decide which experience fits what you want.

Before you book, make sure you know:

• What the full price includes
• How many photographs you receive
• Whether products are required
• Who will be in the room
• How posing and adjustments are handled
• How privacy and image sharing work
• Whether guests are allowed
• What hair and makeup includes
• How retouching is handled
• When photographs and products are delivered
• What happens if you need to reschedule
• Whether couples sessions are offered
• Which sets are currently available
• What happens during the consultation

A photographer should be able to answer those questions clearly.

You’re trusting someone with photographs that may be very personal to you. Knowing how the studio operates before you book shouldn’t be difficult.