5 Tips For Choosing the Right Boudoir Photographer

There are lots of boudoir photographers in Las Vegas and they are probably strangers to you, just like me. When you are selecting who you want to work with, careful research is called for. I mean, you are going to be in your underwear and quite possibly less than that so it makes sense that you would want to make sure you are working with a professional who knows what they’re doing. Check out these five tips before you make your decision. 

1. Reputation

The very nature of boudoir photography calls for you to carefully consider the reputation of the photographer. You are very vulnerable and working with someone you can trust is of the utmost importance. Reputation is EVERYTHING. You’re going to want to ensure that your images are private and protected and that you are in a safe space. No one wants their nudes leaked without permission!  Read online reviews, poke around on google and social media to see if the photographer has anything at all that could be a red flag. 

2. Skill and Style 

Consider the skill level of the photographer. You really don’t want just any photographer to do your session. You want someone is well versed in lighting, posing and has the skills to guide you through your shoot. Check out a photographer’s body of work and see if there is a cohesive vibe to their work. Do you like their work? What is their style; is it light and airy or dark and moody? Do you want glamorous posed shots or a more journalist “candid” style? Photographers are artists and we all have our own distinct styling. Your photos will most likely end up looking like the work that they have done in the past so make sure you love what you see. As you can see from my work, I am drawn to the shadows. I love the dark and moody images and I always work to have a good balance of glamorous posed shots as well as a more candid style. My style tends to drifts into fine art as well. Also be aware that if you are looking for a couples session or if you are a man looking for a photoshoot, not all boudoir photographers have the skill set to work with you. Just because a photographer is great shooting women, that does not mean that they can transfer that skill into working with a couple or with men.

3. The photographer’s "WHY"

Do you know why the photographer shoots boudoir? You will see a lot of photographers saying that they want to empower their clients, often women, through their work. What does that mean to them? Each photographer that empowers their clients may do so in a different way. One may use heavy magazine style editing so that clients look like a models while other photographer don’t retouch images at all. Do you connect with the photographer’s “why”? To learn my about my “why” you can check out my post HERE.

4. The process 

Consider what you are wanting in your sessions. Knowing what a photographer offers before booking is important. Are you just wanting a few quick photos and do not care about products or experience? Are you looking for images to share on social media, your personal website, or digital images to send via email? Do you want a more high end experience with full hair and makeup and luxury albums or wall art of your images? Do you want someone who is more hands off or someone that will walk you through the entire experience start to finish? 

Is their pricing transparent? Do they go over everything with you beforehand? Do they offer you advice on how to prepare or what to expect? Are they available to answer your questions and address your concerns? In Las Vegas, there are plenty of photographers and you will want one that can help you prepare for you session. For real, having a boudoir shoot can be scary and overwhelming to think about without professional guidance. Make sure the photographer you choose is meeting your needs and helping you to work through any nerves you may have. 

5. How much the experience is worth to you

Boudoir photography is a luxury. Professional photography is worth the investment when it comes to this style of photoshoot. Do you think it’s worth it to try to save a few bucks and potentially ending up with something that doesn’t meet your needs in the long run or would you rather spend more and know that what you’re getting is exactly what you want and need?

People come up with all kinds of reasons on why they “can’t” afford a session but you and I both know that it comes down to what you really want and what you budget for. Everyone can set aside a little each month, cut back on some other discretionary spending (Hello, Starbucks!) and budget out a plan to have a shoot. I even offer a prepayment plan where you can have your boudoir session and products paid for before you shoot! This is a great way to go because there are even some extra perks included!! In the end it comes down to how important it is to you to have a boudoir session done. 

So, whether you are local to Las Vegas and have people to ask or if you’re a tourist heading to town, just jump on the interwebs and poke around. Careful research and selectiveness regarding professional skills, artistic style,  and personal demeanor are extra important when choosing your boudoir photographer.