22 Things you think about Boudoir Photography that are Completely Wrong.
When people ask me what I do for a living, I like to proudly announce that, "I photograph women in their underwear." My husband is always interested in people's reaction to that statement while my nearly teenage daughter still gets rosy cheeks and exits this conversation pretty quickly. But not me. I could talk about what I do here in South Alabama and why I do it all day. And on my best days, that's exactly what I did. There is more so much more than being pretty in your favorite knickers here at Hello Boudoir.
So what's this whole Boudoir Photography thing about? Living in the heart of the deep south, people have a lot of opinions about Boudoir Photography. Let's start with what boudoir photography is NOT.
1. I'm not a Victoria's Secret Model.
That's GREAT. In fact, 99.9% of my clients are NOT models either. I photograph every day women just like you and me. Models get paid to be photographed. I'm rocking a small business. I think it's cool when you pay me instead.
2. I don't LOOK like a Victoria's Secret Model.
Another WIN for YOU. Models don't eat. (I like to eat) And they work longer hours than you do now and they can't even afford the clothes they are being paid to wear. Sounds pretty lame to me. You can be photographed as glamorous or as natural as you want here. I'm here to help and guide you with my award-winning Perfect Planning. Not one gorgeous woman on my website is professional model. If you thought they were, they will be so flattered.
3. I can't Pose myself in my underwear.
Lucky for you, Posing is my super power. And I take that shit seriously. I will pose you right down to your fingertips. I'll do it with you. If I can do it, you can do it. I won't twist you like a pretzel (too much). If you take a leap of faith, I will pose you in the most flattering positions for your portraits. You'll love them so much, you'll try them at home. It's how you'll watch TV on your sofa. Sexy girl.
4. I'm too CHUBBY to do a Boudoir Session.
Define Chubby? It's different for everyone. We're never going to get back to our birth weight or back into the jeans we wore in the 6th grade. Seriously, just throw those away. Chubby. Compared to what standard? Compared to You? Me? Lizzo? That British lady that couldn't ride in elevators? Curves are not anything to be afraid of. In fact, curvier women are easier to pose. And I am a posing wizard. I know how to pose you, light you, and dress you to celebrate every inch of YOUR AWESOMENESS.
5. I'm too SHY to do a Boudoir Session.
My job is to make you feel comfortable and I'm damn good at it. I will help you feel good in your own skin and draw you out of whatever shell you think you might be hiding deep inside. Shy is just another word for fear. Fear is always hanging around something you have never done before. The best way to battle fear and take away all it's power is with planning. My award-winning perfect planning will bring even the most timid woman out of the dark and into the light of endless possibilities.
6. But first, I just need to Lose the LAST 10 Pounds.
No you don't. And sometimes you just won't. If you are like me and most every girl in the world. There will always be just 10 more pounds that will change our entire life. That's just another myth being fed to us by Glam magazines. You are amazing right now. You are ready right now today. I will pose you and dress you so good that people will ask, "Did you lose 10 pounds?" How awesome will that be? And don't think you won't want to show your BFF's these portraits. Right NOW, you just can't see how amazing you are, but I can.
7. I'm too OLD to do a Boudoir Session.
Um, no. You are not too old to feel appreciated. You are NOT too old to feel beautiful. You are NOT too old to feel special. You are not too old to celebrate yourself right now in all your amazingness. So what if you don't look like you did in your 20's. No one does. And besides that, the ONLY thing good about your early 20's is your rocking HOT bod. I'd kill to have my legs back, but I did some dumb shit in my 20's. I'd NEVER go back there. The woman you are today is always better than the woman you were yesterday. Celebrate all of life's milestones. Getting older is a gift and you can be photographed at any age by a great photographer. Psst, for you, that's ME.
8. But my portraits will end up ALL over the Internet.
No ma'am. YOUR Privacy matters at Hello Boudoir. Did you know that 60% of everything I shoot I never get to share? And don't think that I don't want to. Because these women look amazing, but they are creating a private gift or they have a high profile job. And sometimes, it's just nice to have a secret. I love and respect all my clients and go to great measures to protect your privacy. If you see a beautiful woman on my website or on my social media in her underwear, it's because she gave me written consent to be there. And let's be honest, it's brave women like these that helped you find me. We only share what you want shared. Period. The end.
9. I will have to wear overly sexy Lingerie.
We have all seen that over the top strappy number that makes you feel like a Christmas Ham. I think everyone thinks they have to wear something like that or something they would never ever wear outside of these portraits. That is not true. What if I said, Lingerie is optional? You could do an amazing boudoir shoot in a t-shirt or a button up or a slip or your Mardi Gras ball gown. My perfect planning will help. Boudoir photography is just me helping you find your own style of intimate beauty. You define it. I help you find it and create the most amazing portraits you've ever taken.
10. I don't have any Lingerie.
Remember, lingerie is optional. But if you want some and you don't know what you are doing or looking for or even where to go...my Perfect Planning guide will help. I have a lingerie guide that helps explain what's out there and my perfect planning has a variety of local South Alabama places to shop and my favorite online stores. Our sessions also come with perfect planning help. You can call or text me during the planning stage with questions. No one will take better care of you than ME.
11. I don't know anything about Lingerie.
Everyone thinks that I'm the lingerie whisperer. I know what looks good on ladies because THIS is my job. My job is to make sure that you are prepared. All my clients get a lingerie guide and a shopping guide. Learning about lingerie is just like learning about anything else. You will need Research, trial and error and experimentation. Trust me learning about lingerie is a lot of fun. Your husband / boyfriend / partner will love your fashion shows as you try to find your most favorite things. Everyone wins.
12. I will be nervous the whole time.
You will be nervous for about three minutes. That nervous three minutes will be the time it takes you to get out of your car, walk up to my gorgeous South Alabama portrait studio door, walk in and be greeted by me in person. That's it. After that, all the apprehension will melt away. You will feel welcome. You will feel appreciated. You will get a tour, we'll chat and then your are off to hair and make up - right here in my studio. By the time it's time to actually start the shoot, you will feel like best friends with me and my team.
13. I would NEVER hang Boudoir Portraits on my wall.
So maybe you wouldn't hang a gorgeous canvas of your fine ass in the foyer, but what about a gorgeous beauty shot? Or how about something for your private bathroom or your walk in closet. I can creatively find you away to walk past a gorgeous portrait of you each and every day. There is more beauty than butts in Boudoir Photography.
14. My friends and family will not approve of me doing a Boudoir Session.
That's ok. YOUR boudoir session is just for you, not for them. You don't need their approval to do something nice for yourself. You only need your own approval. Anyone who loves you will want you to have this confidence bolstering experience. This is for YOU. Who you share it with is up to you.
15. I'm too Scared to do this by myself.
While I prefer to have my sessions just you, me and my amazing make up artist; I do allow friends to book sessions together. How fun would that be? It might be a little too much laughing and cutting up, but who wouldn't want to do that anyway. So if you need moral support, think about it. But if you want to enjoy this luxury experience alone - just do it. You won't regret it.
16. I'm NOT photogenic.
That just sounds like YOU haven't been in front of the right camera. Meaning, MY camera. My job is to make sure you are prepared for your session and then I'm in charge of posing you into the most photogenic portraits you have ever taken. I'm VERY good at this job. You will love your portraits. Many of my "so called" not photogenic customers can not believe how amazing their portraits are. And I like to show you the back of my camera to ensure that you see a very beautiful woman looking back at you. That's you, 24/7. I can't wait to show her to you.
17. I'm doing the Boudoir Session because my Husband/Boyfriend/Partner will love it.
Your special person liking these amazing portraits for you is a bonus, but this experience is for YOU and you alone. This boudoir session is a celebration of you right not in this amazing stage of your life. We are celebrating your womanhood and your feminine awesomeness. You are more than what you do with these portraits. You are more than an awesome album or a gorgeous framed portrait - YOU are the work of art. A masterpiece. That's right girl. Don't you want to feel like a masterpiece?
18. My Boudoir Photography ideas are just too out there. I'm too nervous to tell you want I want.
I'm an idea gal. I love creating new sets and spaces for your amazing South Alabama Boudoir Portraits, but if you have an idea - I'd love to hear it. Your ideas and thoughts about the intimate ways you'd like be be photographed are yours and this is a judgement free zone. So maybe you are into Costume Play? We LOVE it. Maybe you'd like to rock some leather? Awesome. Bring your ideas to the planning stages and let's create something magical together.
19. My husband/boyfriend/partner will NOT like the idea of me doing a Boudoir Session.
If your special person is not excited about the opportunity for you to feel confident, beautiful and special, that is an unfortunate choice. While that is their choice, it doesn't have to be yours. You are your own person making your own choices with your own time. I respect your relationship, but if you are MY client then you are my number one. Making sure you feel special, confident and beautiful is my priority while YOU are in my space. Choose you. Maybe we don't always put ourselves first, but sometimes we should just be first. You've waited in line long enough.
20. OMG. You are going to see me Naked.
How bare you get is always up to you. This is a no pressure boudoir photography studio. Some of our ladies want the nude portrait experience, some want to be fully clothed the entire time and some only want an illusion of nude. These are your choices and I respect them. When I know your wishes, I can create an amazing portrait experience. So if you have a "wardrobe malfunction" I'm there to fix it. And if and when I see a boob or a butt hole, it's no big deal. I'm like your boudoir portrait doctor. I've seen it all and it's no big deal.
21. I can shop around for a better deal for Boudoir Photography.
Your private intimate moments should never FEEL like a bargain. And the real deal truth is that YOU get what you pay for, always. A boudoir portrait session is a life changing experience that includes a moderate investment in yourself. A professional photography studio is expensive to run, therefore a reputable boudoir photography is never going to be "cheap" or offer "rock bottom" discounts and they most certainly will never be on Groupon. A good Boudoir Photography who knows her worth also knows the value of a good client. I will go through great lengths to earn your business with gratitude, appreciation and a pursuit of excellence.
22. This is a Once in a Lifetime Experience.
Yes and No. Maybe you are just here to cross this one wild thing you did off your bucket list. Or maybe you are going to celebrate every milestone here in this studio with me. Whether you come by once or over and over again, it will always feel like that once in a lifetime experience. You will love the way you look in front of my camera and you will be proud to share your portraits.
4 Comments
Apr 8, 2020, 6:43:33 AM
Daphne Ellenburg - We had so much fun with YOU! Thanks for telling everyone how serious I take YOUR PRIVACY. For your eyes only is still alive and well at Hello Boudoir! xoxo Daphne
Apr 4, 2020, 6:28:27 PM
Dana - I just wanted to say I had the best time doing these!! I could not have asked for a kinder and more professional person!!! Both Daphne and Winter were wonderful!!! No one saw my pictures other than those intended!!! I would do them again in a minute! I have never felt so confident and empowered as I did !!
Mar 25, 2020, 8:07:00 AM
Daphne Ellenburg - You got it Sister!
Mar 4, 2020, 6:13:04 PM
Tamara Collins - Hi This sounds so exciting . Please email me . Thanks