“The most adventurous journey to embark on; is the journey to yourself, the most exciting thing to discover; is who you really are, the most treasured pieces that you can find; are all the pieces of you, the most special portrait you can recognize; is the portrait of your soul.”
― C. JoyBell C.
What led you to the moment you decided to do a boudoir photoshoot? Have you just gone through a major life change and wanted to regain some control over your life? Are you getting ready for your wedding? Do you simply want to celebrate yourself for being the amazing, gorgeous, and strong person that you are? Whatever the reason, you made it to this moment, you are taking a risk and investing in yourself. The best part is, that you will have photos and memories to last a lifetime that shows just how brave and uninhibited you could be.
This is why we created a list of how to choose the best boudoir photographers that will give you an empowering experience to create the most stunning images of yourself. You will feel pampered and beautiful while you embrace the skin that you are in! Whether you are taking boudoir photos for your significant other or for a self-love journey, this article will help you find the best boudoir photographer for your needs.
The Best Boudoir Photographers
When looking for your boudoir photographer, it is important to look for some key factors. The best boudoir photographers know everything about lighting, how to pose all body types, and all the right angles to photograph women. They are skilled and have years of experience in the genre of boudoir. Most have photographed hundreds of women and have made it a mission to show the female population just how freaking awesome they truly are! The best boudoir photographers are professional, trustworthy, and provide clients with excellent customer service and products.
What to look for when choosing a boudoir photographer…
Posing and Lighting
A boudoir photographer should be talented – you want them to know how to capture the best version of you, they should be great at posing, (because who else is going to show you how to arch your back just so), they should give you guidance every step of the way. Most women doing a boudoir shoot for the first time have no idea how to pose, what to do with their hands, or how to be sexy for the camera. An experienced boudoir photographer will coach you on all this, all while being your biggest cheerleader throughout your shoot.
Lighting also plays a factor in how your photos will turn out. A professional boudoir photographer will be skilled in multiple types of lighting. Look through their portfolio to see if they have consistency in their photographs with the type of lighting you prefer. Whether you wish for dark and moody, natural light, glam lighting, or silhouettes, the photographer you choose should be proficient in all lighting situations to give you a diverse set of photos.
Professional and Trustworthy
When researching for your boudoir photographer look at their reviews and social media to verify how long they have been in business. It is important to choose someone that has a history of great reviews to establish they are truly professional. The best boudoir photographers are trustworthy, (they will see you naked more than likely), and this leads to why you need to know how long they have been in business. A professional will keep your images private and be uber discreet with your information. Every woman is nervous before their photoshoot and the more you know about your photographer the more at ease you will be at your session.
Location Matters
Where the photographer shoots their boudoir sessions can play a role in the style of the photographs you will receive. A studio setting can be in a strip mall, an old building, or maybe even the photographer’s home. This can be a bit limiting in style. Studio photography is generic, which means if you don’t dress it up properly, the studio photos will look like just that — some pictures you took in a studio. This all means your photos will look like the photographer’s other clients (AKA no variety). We have even seen some studio setups with a blow-up mattress on the floor and we cannot imagine how any woman would feel sexy posing on that!
On location, photographers can shoot in a variety of locations such as in a quaint B&B, a boutique hotel with an amazing skyline view, a mansion or estate, outside in nature, on a sandy beach, or a multitude of other unique properties, really the options are endless. It sounds very exotic, and sometimes it is! Shooting on location opens both you and the photographer up to a world of options! When you’re working with an existing background, you can use existing elements, vibe, and mood to communicate core aspects of your personality. No matter where your photographer takes your photos just be sure to love the photos in their portfolio because this will be a reflection of the location(s) they shoot.
Quality of Products
Your end product is a big deal! The best boudoir photographers are not cheap and this will reflect in the quality of photos and products you receive from them. Look through their information carefully to see what their products look like. Professionals will have products listed on their website or may share a list with you. Again, look into client reviews to see what they are saying about the quality of the products they received. There are photographers that offer cheaply made products and the best boudoir photographers will offer amazing quality items that will last a lifetime and more. Some professionals will offer a huge variety of products ranging from custom-designed books to gorgeous wall art. Look for a photographer that offers the products you are most interested in.
Finally…
It may take a little extra research but if you do a thorough job you will land on the right photographer’s website. Who knows, maybe you are already right where you need to be! If you want to learn more about my boudoir photography sessions use the contact form below. I would love to hear from you!
About Couture Boudoir
Critsey Rowe of Couture Boudoir is an experienced, internationally published, and highly regarded boudoir photographer who has dedicated her career to helping women feel confident and beautiful. Over the years Critsey has traveled the world photographing boudoir sessions in various cities in boutique hotels, charming B&Bs, and many more exotic locations. With the help of female-only hair and makeup stylists, Critsey creates a zen environment for her boudoir sessions. She celebrates the uniqueness and intimate beauty of every client and takes truly flattering, tasteful, and gorgeous boudoir photographs.