The Most Frequently Asked Questions When Booking A Boudoir Session | Oceanside, California Boudoir Photographer
For most people, booking a boudoir session is a very big deal.
It can be hard to know why people book this type of shoot or who to book with or what to even expect! I like to help my potential clients understand all of those things and more, through making sure I have the answers to the questions they didn’t even realize they had.
So, keep reading if you want to read and learn more about the experience, my studio, and why boudoir is so powerful.
01. Why do people book boudoir sessions?
The reason can be varying; some people want to gift something special to their partner, or maybe they’re celebrating a divorce, while others want to feel better in their own skin. The most important thing to note is that there is always one thing in common regardless of the reason- everyone wants to have beautiful photos of themselves and EVERYONE wants to learn to appreciate their body and learn to see themselves with kinder eyes (like Moira Rose said).
02. I have no idea what to wear- do you help with that?
Of course I help with that! And if you’re reading this, but you’re not booking your session with me, make sure you ask your photographer HOW they plan to help you figure out what to where. Your photographer should be supporting you and your journey through creating space for you to explore all kinds of avenues you could go with what you wear. Boudoir is not a cookie cutter experience nor should it ever be. Each person is unique, and it is MY responsibility to do my best to help you navigate finding what to wear to your session.
Aside from the session itself, helping you prep for your session and pick out outfits is probably my favorite part of our time working together. Once you book, you will be guided every step of the way from there. I do this everyday, but this is your first rodeo and I get that. I am here for you and want to make sure you are never wondering “what’s next?” or “what do I even wear to this?”.
About a month prior to your session, I reach out and send you a questionnaire which allows you to share more about your “why” and how you envision yourself in your photos.
You’ll let me know your sizing, your budget for new items, your color preferences, your style and vibe, and anything in-between! From there, I build you a custom style guide, where you get to shop directly from. You can also use the guide as inspiration and I am here for you if you want consulting on items you already own and want to incorporate into your session!
03. Do you share my images online?
I am a consent based photographer, meaning, I keep consent at the forefront of my business practice. I will never ever ever share your images unless I have written permission to do so.
Once you book, you will sign my session agreement which has a section for you to either grant permission or not for me to share you images. Whatever you decide, I respect it! You will be able to make the decision to allow me to share any number of images, or NONE at all! Totally up to you!
04. WHY IS BOUDOIR SO EXPENSIVE?
This question is not the easiest to answer, but in short, this is a very intimate and vulnerable experience. Things like, time in the industry, experience as a boudoir photographer, studio space, time and energy spent helping clients feel prepped and ready prior to the session as well as time and energy on the session day helping clients feel calm, safe, encouraged and supported. Things like taxes, cost of goods sold, cost of doing business, etc. It all goes into the big picture when someone is running a legitimate business.I could honestly go on and on. There is so much included in a boudoir session that is beyond the photos. Emotional and physical labor is one of the most NOT talked about things when it comes to pricing. This means being able to meet EVERY client where they’re at and hold space for them in ALL the ways they need. Ensuring that from start to finish, every email is answers promptly, questions are answered and a safe and encouraging photoshoot is just the icing on the cake we call the experience.
Pricing also depends on the actual photographer, and unfortunately, there is no standardization in the boudoir industry and that means, a lot of people charge the same, but are not offering the same experience.
An amazing photographer who is running an actual business, will have work that is consistent client to client. They will have a portfolio that shows many body types, ages, and a wide variety in their clientele. They’ll have reviews online (google / yelp). They’ll have an established website. They’ll have information easily accessible to you to find out more about them, their studio, their offerings, etc.
It can be easy to want to work with a photographer based on price alone, but please, if you take ANYTHING away from this entire blog post, please consider finding a photographer who’s work you love. A photographer who’s views and values align with what’s also important to you. Make sure you do your research and always, ask your photographer what payment plan options they offer.
05. Do you offer payment plans?
Heck yeah! I want everyone to be able to afford to work with me. I know that it is an investment and I offer both in-house payment plans as well as accept PayPal Credit.
Read more about In-House payment plans on the blog!
06. How do I book a session?
It’s simple! Please head to the contact page and submit your form! You can expect a reply from me within 24 hours. I will send session info, pricing, and my booking calendar!