Cheap Boudoir Photography – Things to Think About

So often I will get an inquiry, and we will start to talk about all the things they really want in their session. Some are super jazzed about celebrating something or making it a gift for their partner(s) and others just know it’s something that sounds intriguing for their life experience.

Then we get to the pricing, and I either hear crickets or a dreaded line of “you’re too expensive.” We all see those posts about not wanting to “cost and arm and a leg.” I promise none of us want your arms or legs, but that is a different blog.

The reality is that boudoir photography isn’t something that should ever be roped in with the word cheap. Can you imagine finding a surgeon only based on how much they cost? Now of course, any photography is not in the same playing field as a surgery. But the point still stands.

You need to keep your body and mind safe during this experience. You are usually going to be getting down into some kind of revealing clothing. You want safety and privacy with your photos as well. Can you imagine driving down the street and finding your boudoir image on a billboard you did not consent to? Sounds crazy to think about but this stuff happens.

Is Cheap Really a Word You Want to Describe Your Intimate Photos?

Keeping Your Boudoir Photos Private

While I strive to keep all of my sessions private from the client name to the photos, privacy is often overlooked when it comes to a cheap photographer. These images are intimate in nature and something you want full control of how they are shared.

Personally, I even have a tiered model release with everything from ZERO images shared and only hand delivered so no one else sees them, all the way to full model release of all images I take. You should 100% be in control of your boudoir images.

Most of my clients sign a release where I can share all of the images they purchase. Which is absolutely wonderful, and I thank them so much for allowing me to share them to help market my business. But others have careers they would lose if these images got out. Can you imagine losing your job because of some photos that were taken?

Privacy is not something I want to put in a cheap photographer’s hands.

Why Would You Want a Boudoir Photography Specialist?

A lot of photographers who are cheap or willing to offer cheap boudoir photography is because they are learning. Now I have nothing against learning and growing as a photographer. I try new things all the time. But I know the very first boudoir session I did was FAR from what I consider good, confidence boosting work.

Boudoir is an important specialty for a lot of reasons. Some of them include things like privacy. But also, things like how to create an empowering experience you want to have again. The lighting in boudoir photography is PARAMOUNT to how the images will turn out and what your body will look like in those final photos. The slightest variation of a pose or the angle it is taken will take an image from yikes or good to DAWMN real fast.

Boudoir photography has so many nuances that a cheap photographer is likely not to know. I cannot tell you how many clients have come to me after a bad experience with another photographer, timid about even trying again because they hated their images so much from the last time they tried. I work hard to “fix” their experience with a new one that looks so opposite of the first time they can finally put it behind them.

What Kind of Experience do You Want?

I use the word experience all over my website and my brand because that is what getting your photo taken is – an experience. A high-quality photographer is going to walk you through every step of the way.

Is a cheap photographer going to help you pick out what kind of wardrobe or lingerie you should bring with you? Is a cheap photographer going to make sure your heart feels seen in every image? Is a cheap photographer going to listen to your wishes and your fears and take them to heart as they guide and pose you? Will they even pose you? Will they take the time with your edits to make you see just how stunning you are? Will they only use Ai because what the heck its faster, no matter if you have 3 feet now.

The point is, that a cheap photographer usually will have a cheap “cookie cutter” experience that may leave you with a sour taste in your mouth.

Confidence is Hard to Grow

All photographers should make sure their privacy and quality are top notch, but there are a few categories that I would never leave to chance. My top are birth/newborn, wedding, seniors and boudoir.

Your baby’s birth and your wedding are two events that cannot be replicated. Yes, some things can be staged again; but the way your partner looks at you in complete awe when you hold your baby for the first time or the way your dad hugs you close during your father/daughter dance is never the same when you replicate it later. Those moments never come again.

Newborn safety is paramount during your session. A newborn is only considered a newborn the first 10 days of life. Then those squishy cheeks, oil dots on their nose and scrunchy little bodies start to change so much every single day. A high quality photographer can still get some gorgeous photos several weeks in, but those precious first faces are grown and a little different than when they were born. And then soon enough, you’ve missed the moment and they are on to a different kind of milestone session and you can’t go back.

Being a senior is a hard time in most people’s lives. Your identity is trying to come through, you feel super awkward all the time and just want to fit in. The confidence that the right photographer can set in the mind of a teenager is astounding. One quality statement delivered at just the right time can stick with that teen for the rest of their life.

And finally, boudoir. Confidence is something most of us struggle with our entire life. Taking your clothes off in front of another person can be nerve-wracking. You will judge everything that comes out of your photographers mouth and search for nuances in the photographer’s face for their “approval” of you. The final images will help shape the way you see yourself for a long, long time, if not the rest of your life. Is your confidence something you want to trust a cheap photographer with?

I Refuse to Lower My Standards

Some clients only want a super quick session and a small handful of images. That is fine, I am sure they can find an option suitable for them. But I refuse to take any chances with my clients. I choose to work with clients who want an uplifting experience that has them walking away with joy, confidence and their head raised a little bit higher. I choose to work with clients who want to value themselves, and trust their authentic self will be photographed in such a way that they want to share their images with the world - (even if they keep them to themselves).

If this sounds like you, I would love for you to inquire about your own boudoir photoshoot to see if we are a good fit!