So you decided to take the step and get a quote for your session. However, once you see the quote, you may have an initial bout of sticker shock! rest assured, there is good reason for this! Take a deep breath and read on in order for me to explain.
Boudoir photography is a very niche type of photography. It varies widely from a typical senior or family session. Because if that, there is a lot more time that goes into a Boudoir shoot. The following will help explain some of the differences.
Pre-Planning
Unlike senior and family sessions, boudoir photography takes A LOT more planning. You need to be in continual contact with the client refining the shoot ideas and comfort levels. You may be in a state of routinely reassuring first-time boudoir clients that everything will go great. This time includes populating idea boards and suggesting ideas on a regular basis. A lot more time is spent here than a typical session.
The Location
In many Boudoir shoots, the client is looking to do the shoot at a location outside of their home. This could be because of privacy or because they want the “full” experience. Typically, a client will ask me to secure the location myself. This is something I prefer as I can look at images of the location (like a hotel or Air BNB) from a photographer’s standpoint. However doing so increases the cost as this is an extra out-of-pocket cost. However, the results are well with the investment.
The Assistant
Being a male in the Boudoir photography business (see my previous article HERE regarding that topic), I always ensure that there is a female assistant with me at the shoot at all times; this is non-negotiable. This allows me to be 100% hands off during the shoot while she can go in and adjust jewelry or hair. I want you to feel at ease as much as possible and for a shoot like this, that means that we keep our distance.
The Shoot Time
Again, as compared to other types of shoots, I always plan for extra time for Boudoir shoots. Aside from the time for hair and makeup to be done, it typically takes 30-60 minutes for a client to begin feeling comfortable with their skin in front of the camera. Because of this, we take our time to help relax you.
Post-Processing
What many people fail to realize is that the photographer’s time does not stop at the end of the shoot. Post processing (or image editing) takes a lot of time, especially for a Boudoir shoot. Now, before you think I am doing body morphing, I do not. Each woman deserves to be shown for who she is and the intrinsic beauty that lies in each of them. The edits that I do are for lighting and color adjustments, skin retouching (a lot more skin is shown) and maybe making the eyes pop! But this does take a lot more time than a typical shoot. You are putting yourself out there so you deserve to look your best!
So as you can see, there are a number of factors that play into the increased costs that separate a good boudoir photographer from a great one. It can be a bit scary to look at a large investment, however remember that you are investing in YOU. Everything during these shoots are meant to help you have an amazing experience that you will be excited to share!