What Boudoir Sessions With Me Are Actually Like

I’ve done a fair amount of boudoir work, and I’ve noticed most of what’s written about boudoir tends to lean into the same handful of ideas. Empowerment. Self-discovery. Celebrating femininity. Those are legitimate reasons someone might book a session, and if that’s what you’re after, there are photographers who build their whole approach around it.

That’s usually not why my clients come to me. Whether it’s for simple non-traditional neo-noir style portraits, or actual boudoir, they’re coming in for the photos themselves.

Most of the women I’ve photographed for boudoir have a specific reason in mind, and it’s usually not about the experience of playing model for a day. Usually, it’s a gift for a partner.  A pre-wedding surprise, a birthday, an anniversary, sometimes just because. My clients tend to be results-oriented. They know going in that getting the images they want is going to involve some actual work during the session.  I think they appreciate that I treat it that way instead of selling it as a pampering experience. My clients aren’t trying to discover something about themselves. They already know what they want the final photos to say, usually to one specific person.

Where we shoot. It depends on what makes sense. I’ve done boudoir sessions at a client’s home, at a neutral third-party studio, in a hotel room. Wherever gives us good light and privacy.

How the session actually feels. I approach boudoir the same way I approach any session. The images might end up looking sensual or a little edgy, but making them is a straightforward collaborative process between me and the person in front of the camera. It’s easy-going, friendly and light, even when we’re working toward something more serious or dramatic for the final shot.

Nerves. Almost everyone is nervous before a boudoir session.  I like to let my clients know, a lot of people feel exactly the way you do right now, and it’s my job to make sure we get some really nice photos out of this. That’s really it. I’m not trying to talk anyone out of a feeling, just reminding them it’s normal and that getting good images is on me, not something they have to force.  Translate that nervousness into excitement!

Wardrobe. Bring a few outfit options, three or four is usually a good number, plus a backup or two in case something doesn’t work the way you pictured it. Changes take time, so having fewer changes keeps the session moving.

Time. A boudoir session usually runs somewhere between 45 minutes and two hours of actual camera time. I try to keep it under two. Past a certain point, energy drops and the photos start to show it, so I’d rather keep things focused than stretch it out.

Retouching. My goal is for the final images to look beautifully natural, not like a different person. I always handle the basics, flyaway hairs, blemishes, that kind of thing. Sometimes I’ll go a little further with subtle skin smoothing or body shaping, but only if it actually improves the image without making it look fake. We talk about this together, and I’m not going to push an image to the point where it doesn’t look like you.

Privacy. You decide how your images are used. If you don’t want them shown anywhere, on my site, my portfolio, anywhere, they never will be. If you’re comfortable with some being used publicly, I get a written release from you first. Nothing goes public by default.

If this sounds like what you’re after, a set of images made with intention, for someone specific, and a process that respects your privacy the whole way through, I’d be glad to talk it through. You can reach out through my booking page any time.