Denver Boudoir – Cheap Boudoir Photography – 3 Things to Think About

Brooke’s note: Updated August 15, 2018

OoooooOoOoo I’m sure I’m going to ruffle some feathers with that title. CHEAP boudoir photography!? A Denver boudoir Groupon?! WHAT?!

Hear me out.

Every time someone emails me with questions about a Denver boudoir session, they get a personal email back, as well as an informational email that outlines a TON of information, and answers most questions. This email also has pricing information. And I would say about half the time, I never hear back. I asked someone recently if they had any luck finding what they needed, and the response was “you’re too expensive.” I was curious what exactly she was looking for so I asked her, what information did you find elsewhere that you decided to choose instead? She said that she was going to get the 2 hour session with unlimited outfits, and CD of unedited images for $50.

This, my friends, is basically the sound of nails on a chalkboard to me.

At that point, I congratulated her on her upcoming wedding and wished her the best of luck, and we hung up. She wanted CHEAP boudoir photography. She told me she had been looking for a Denver boudoir groupon, and had searched for cheap boudoir photography near me. There are so many things that I could say about this. There are so many posts about why photography costs what it does, so I will leave that to the financial experts.

What I really want to focus on is the bottom line:

When you’re taking your clothes off in front of someone you don’t know, and putting yourself in a vulnerable position, is CHEAP really a word that you want to use to describe the experience?

Let’s get into the top 3 things to consider when thinking about Cheap Boudoir!

First of all, there is so much that goes into this experience, believe me when I tell you that it’s not just about getting your picture taken. There is an enormous amount of preparation beforehand, on your part, and on my part. Will your cheap photographer be there to help you pick out lingerie that will flatter your figure, and talk you down when you’re nervous the night before? This is not an experience to take lightly, not something to send to the lowest bidder. Someone asked me once “would you really want to go to a gynecologist that was the cheapest?” It made me laugh, but is so true. There are some experiences that require a higher touch, and a little more expertise, and boudoir is definitely one of them!

Second – another HUGE and very scary thing to think about: PRIVACY. These are photos that are intimate in nature, and while I always keep them classy AND PRIVATE, not every photographer is like that. These are photos that, when poorly done and shared, could potentially ruin careers. Personally, I don’t think that boudoir should be as taboo as it sometimes is, but let’s face it – the entire world doesn’t necessarily feel that way. Are you willing to trust those photos to someone who A. may be kind of creepy to begin with and B. might put the photos online for God knows what? Or even worse, what if your photos are used for advertising, billboards, internet ads all over websites, without your permission? Is that savings worth the potential backlash that could come from hiring someone you don’t trust? Privacy is something I take VERY seriously, you can read my Denver boudoir privacy policy by clicking here.

I recently wrote another article about this, after several boudoir photographers were experiencing security breaches and their clients’ photos were being shared online. This is a very real concern! While most of my clients are comfortable sharing their photos, some are not, even when they love them. Some of my clients are teachers, or law enforcement professionals. I have even worked with judges. Security is a huge concern, and is something you should always look at when choosing your boudoir photographer. Click here to read more about some details and things to ask!

Third, and something that a lot of people don’t think about – specialization. I have “fixed” several boudoir sessions in the past few years. By fixed, I mean that my clients had a boudoir session done elsewhere, a “cheap” session, and hated it so much that they came to me to have some quality photos, and an amazing experience.

I believe that there are certain genres of photography that carry a higher responsibility than others. Yes, all photographers should be accountable for their quality of work, and their business ethics, but there are some photos that you will never, EVER get back. My top three: wedding, newborn and boudoir. For wedding and newborn – you never, ever get those days back. Newborn sessions usually take place when that new little life is less than 10 days old. Two weeks later, you’ve lost that newborn look, the snuggly cuddly smushy face. It’s gone, and you never get it back. Weddings are highly stressful and require a cool head, organization, and problem solving – and again, you never get that day back. When your dad hugs you a little longer as he’s giving you away to your groom, if your photographer misses that, it’s gone. Yes, you can stage it again – but it’s never really the same.

And finally, boudoir.

I could go on and on for hours about this, because it frustrates me SO much – but when you have a woman undress in front of you, she is vulnerable, and if you do a poor job or make her feel bad,

you are not only taking bad photos, but you are messing with her spirit and potentially her self image.

You are reaffirming the thoughts that she probably already has in her head, negativity that she doesn’t need because she’s already telling herself mean things. No woman needs that. Ever.

I refuse to lower my standards to the point where any woman walks out of my studio feeling bad about herself. Some photographers are okay with that, and some women are okay with that – and that’s okay, they aren’t my clients. Some women want a quick session, only a few photos, in and out and done. That’s totally fine – there are plenty of options available to them. I choose to focus on clients that want an amazing experience, and want to walk away feeling confident and powerful. I will stick to my standards and the WHY behind what I do.

One of the clients that came to me after a horrible experience elsewhere recently told me:

“When you pay cheap, you look cheap.” (Click here to tweet!)

For some things, that might be okay. Cheap toilet paper might be uncomfortable, but it won’t hurt you. Generic cereal might soak up that milk a little faster, but you’re not going to lose your job over it.

Cheap boudoir can not only hurt your feelings or your privacy, but could leave you feeling bad about yourself from an experience that should make you feel amazing.

I’m not a great fit for everyone – I totally understand that. I absolutely love my clients, we usually become friends and I love being involved in their lives. The emails that I get months later when someone shares a piece of news with me make my day. We connect at a session, it is so much more than an assembly line.

My clients come into their sessions nervous, and need someone to help them walk through this. My clients are looking for an experience, a reminder that they look amazing, even on those days when they’re not feeling so hot. My clients want more than just a few sexy or questionable photos – they want an overall experience that they can remember for years, and art that they are PROUD to share with their friends, or hang on their walls.

Don’t settle for cheap when it comes to something this personal and intimate.

I have written several articles on things to consider when looking at how to hire a boudoir photographer. You can read all of them by clicking here, to get an idea of how to make sure this person that you’d like to hire is legit, and will be an awesome fit for you!

And because every post is better with a photo, here’s a sneak peek from a recent session outdoors!

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Ready to book your session!? I’m excited! Click here to contact me and get more information about booking your session with me!

If you’d like to have more information about what the heck is going on with sessions, parties and more, click here to grab my Denver boudoir photography guide – How to Look Amazing in Photos. AKA how NOT to have a Cheap Boudoir Photography session. It has tips and tricks to help you look amazing in photos – whether your clothes are on or off – and avoid having to untag yourself in a social media photo again. Or, just laugh with me at various shenanigans and get early access to events, model calls, and awesome goings-on. Either way, come join the list. We have cocktails.

I am so privileged to be a top Denver boudoir photography specialist! My clients’ privacy is a top priority for these intimate portraits. Any and all boudoir images that are posted have been shared by the subject with written permission. I am honored that my clients choose to share their images with the world, and talk about their experiences with those images.

Are you a photographer that needs help with your business? I can help with that! Click here to get more information!