[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Central PA is filled with photographers willing to shoot boudoir sessions, so when you’re shopping around for a boudoir photographer for your own photo shoot, be sure you’re comparing apples to apples.
Look. You’re not dumb—you know photographers are not all made of the same caliber, but you may not know specifically what to look for when hiring a boudoir photographer, so let me help guide you on this topic, because there is more to it than just having beautiful images taken.
“For me it was never about the pictures. It was having the courage to try, the faith to be guided by someone safely through the process, and the satisfaction of knowing I Did It!!”
–Krystal
Does the Photographer Specialize in Boudoir?
Why is this important? I mean, if a photographer can take great pictures of a family or a bridal party, they can take great boudoir photographs, right? Maybe.
Boudoir is really in a class by itself—the photographer must know what lingerie looks good on what body shape so they can educate you on what to wear; they must know how to use shadows/lightening to diminish/flaunt certain body parts; and they must master posing women of all shapes and sizes, creating curves and angles to flatter your figure. It’s difficult to learn all of the nuances that come with photographing a genre if you don’t specialize in that genre.
And this is why it makes sense to hire a photographer who shoots exclusively boudoir/contemporary glamour, such as I have been doing since 2014.
“For the very first time in my life, at age 47, I saw myself as not only attractive but beautiful! Shannon is not just a boudoir photographer, she’s an encourager!”
–Chessie
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Does the Boudoir Photographer Work with “Everyday Women”?
I want to clarify that ALL women, regardless of size/shape, are REAL women. This means a gal who is a size 4 and a gal who is a size 22 are both real women. So unless the photographer shoots blow-up dolls and mannequins, they are shooting real women.
This is different than shooting “everyday women”—women who are not professional models, who may be stiff and uncomfortable in front of the camera, who may have a difficult time believing they truly can look amazing in front of the camera.
And this is why I have a Before & After Gallery on my website.
I don’t show before & afters because I want to say, ‘Oh! Look at how unattractive she was before me.’ Nope! I show the before & afters because if you only saw the afters, you’d think, ‘Oh! I could never do this! I’m not a model.’
I want you to see that my clients aren’t professional models and still look amazing.
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“Booking a session with Shannon was the best self-care I have ever done. It was confidence building, affirming, and fun.”
–Jeannette
Does the Boudoir Photographer “Get You”?
The photographer should connect with you during the planning process, get to learn about your personality, and really bring that out during your session. For example, are you an easy-going gal who loves hiking, or more of a sultry woman who has a “dark side”? Make sure your photographer knows how to capture that during your session.
When Carly told me she’s a hiking guide, I told her to bring her hiking boots, that I’d figure out a way to work them into her boudoir session. The result is the picture on the left in the image below. And when Stephannie casually mentioned to me she had a collar and leash she’d like to work into her session if she could, well, you can see what we did for her shoot in the picture on the right.
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“In the beginning, I was tense and nervous. Beginner’s jitters I guess. Shannon directed me how to pose; my hands, my chin, my face, my hips, even my tush. And I followed her direction but inside I felt constricted and chained like a prisoner. I think she could see that. Shannon then came up with the idea to allow for the collar and leash and a change of scenery to the Penny Gallery and she more or less began to let me do my own thing and just tell me to freeze when she saw the pose happen naturally. She guided me into slight adjustments of course. And it was then that I felt the chains inside release and even though I was still following her direction I felt free because…well…there’s a level of safety and trust, a bond if you will, that happens when you allow someone to place a collar around your neck. I began to relax and the energy I held within poured out like water spraying from a fire hose. The evidence is clearly frozen in time, painted in every one of those photos.”
–Stephannie
Does the Boudoir Photographer Think Quick on Their Feet?
In general, boudoir photography is considered a genre about women being sexy, but what happens if you want to be photographed with something that’s NOT sexy? How does the photographer handle this request?
For example, how would they make your husband’s honor guard uniform (left image); your husband’s bulky work shirt (right image); or, the song you’re dancing to at your wedding (bottom image) look sensual?
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Or maybe you love to read (top image); you want to work golf balls into your session (middle image); or your man really loves donuts and you want to incorporate that into the images (bottom image).
All things my clients have asked me to do. Not to mention I’ve worked in gummy bears, hunting bows, and fireman hat/axe/jacket over the years.
Does the Boudoir Photographer Educate/Prepare You for the Session?
For most of you, doing a boudoir session is a new thing—you’ve never done one and part of why you’re feeling nervous is you don’t know what to expect. Well, your photographer should be preparing you for your session!
What does this preparation look like? Well, for my clients, they get:
- lingerie education (For example, what’s the difference between a corset and a bustier? My clients know! How do you properly wear a corset belt? My clients know! What lingerie styles do I not recommend for sessions? My clients know!);
- wardrobe consult with my clients several weeks before their session to discuss the outfits, what’s needed to complete a look (e.g.,maybe a pair of nude heels to lengthen your legs), and the order we’ll shoot the outfits in on session day.
I help take away that fear of the unknown in regards to my clients’ outfits, and it makes a big difference in how confident they’re feeling at their session.
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Does the Boudoir Photographer Have a Studio Wardrobe?
Your photographer should have items that their clients can incorporate into the session, items like robes, sheer tops, and jewelry. Double-sided tape, bra converters, and “chicken cutlets” to help fill in cups are essential. Fun items like tulle skirts, leg warmers, body suites, and bridal veils, all things the photographer should have in their studio wardrobe. (Which I do!)
I often use robes to give the client’s hands something to do, like I did with the two women on the left in the image below, or I’ll use a robe to add a bit of drama to the image, as I did with the ladies on the right. All four items are in my studio wardrobe.
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Sheer tops are great when you want to hide-but-still-show—you can still see their shape, which is essential. Both tops are in my studio wardrobe.
Does the Boudoir Photographer Include Professional Hair/Makeup (with False Lashes) with Sessions?
Your photographer should put a lot of thought into how they can help each woman feel amazing on her session date, and one way to do this is include professional hair/makeup (and false lashes). Many women don’t wear a lot of makeup; and/or, don’t know how to get a smokey eye; and/or don’t own products that photograph well.
Which is why I’ve had Nath Kreider as my lead stylist since 2014. Nath is amazing at what she does, and I believe so much in what professional hair/makeup (with those fab false lashes) do on session date, that I included it with every session.
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“I [felt like I] was spending the day with a close friend, one I was sharing personal secrets with. The stress of the outside world melted away that day as the day was all about me—I smiled and laughed the entire time!”
–Kristy
Does the Boudoir Photographer Help You Relax in Front of the Camera?
A boudoir session is nerve wracking for most women because they aren’t sure what to do in front of a camera (What do they do with their hands? Where do they look? Should they smile?), not to mention she’s in her underwear…so what are the steps the photographer takes to help you relax?
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Does the Boudoir Photographer Help You Select Your Images?
Does the photographer send you a link to an online gallery and say, ‘Here ya go!’ for you to look through the images on your own? Or do they sit with you, go through the images with you, experiencing your joy of seeing your images for the first time with you?
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I’ve always done in-person image reveal/sales—as much time, energy, and love I put into each session, I want to be with her when she sees her images. Her reaction to seeing her portraits is so rewarding to me, especially with women who tell me during their phone consult they aren’t photogenic and they see I’ve proven her wrong!
“Shannon will make you feel and look like a star! So sweet and always makes you feel comfortable! Her pictures of me are my all time favorite!”
—Katie
Does the Boudoir Photographer Print the Images For You?
It’s easy for a photographer to hand over digital files and send you on your way, letting you print the images yourself. But often times, and I speak from personal experience, you never get around to printing the images. I have several CDs of images of my two boys I had professionally taken that I’ve never gotten around to printing. Hell, I’ve been married over ten years and I just got around to making myself a wedding album last year!
So make sure you hire a photographer who takes the time to print the images for you. Trust me—your images are beautiful in digital form, but they are stunning printed.
I believe in this so much, that my client’s select an album or folio box with their collection purchase. I still include with each purchased image the digital file.
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“I’ve done boudoir before [with another photographer] but there is a big difference between Shannon and the others—the time she takes to plan out your session to make you look your best is what sets her apart. Her team is so professional and her process is amazing. They make you feel so comfortable in a moment where you should feel awkward….and then at the end, your photos are amazing!
I can’t wait to hang mine on our wall! Love-love-love Shannon Hemauer Photography!”
–Morgan
These ten things are a lot to look for in one photographer, but if you’ve read over the article, you’ll see that I meet all of the points! 😉
I’d love to discuss shooting a boudoir session for you—contact me today to learn more about what’s included, what can you expect, pricing/product.
Until next time,
Shannon[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#887350″][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#887350″][vc_btn title=”REQUEST INFORMATION” color=”black” size=”lg” align=”center” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fshannonhemauerphotography.17hats.com%2Fp%23%2Flcf%2Fxncrsnvftkbwnvdvrznxhvfxfpkpvzbz|target:_blank”][vc_column_text]
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