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by: Elle of Captured by Elle
One of the biggest challenges many women face when searching for a boudoir photographer is the obvious fact that the images are so intimate! It’s probably not every day that you let your guard down (and take your clothes off!) in front of a total stranger. It can be super vulnerable from an emotional standpoint and you want someone that is experienced and is going to make you feel totally comfortable from the start. In addition to the shoot, it’s important to understand how your images will be handled afterward for the utmost security of your private photos. Here are 3 important points that you’ll want to think about when choosing the right boudoir photographer for you!
How much experience do they have with boudoir photography?
It’s pretty common to find wedding photographers that also shoot boudoir upon request. With so many brides opting to add bridal boudoir as part of the engagement experience it would make perfect sense to ask your wedding photographer first! However, it’s important not to assume that your wedding photographer actually has experience shooting boudoir. Although they may be related fields of photography– they are still wildly different! The biggest (and most important!) difference between the two is posing. The core of flattering boudoir photography without a doubt is posing. Being able to purposefully direct and pose a woman’s body to flatter her every curve is the key to good boudoir photography!
Wedding photographers are used to posing couples and typically strive to capture moments and emotion between two people. The angle of your hands or the way you kick out your hip just isn’t quite as important in those situations. When it comes to boudoir however, it is the tiniest details that will make a world of difference in your images! It is not safe to assume that any photographer can create good boudoir photos so do your homework.
Does their personality compliment yours?
An important part of having a stellar experience and getting the most beautiful images is feeling comfortable with your photographer. Hiring someone who you can quickly build trust with and feel comfy around is going to allow you to really shine in front of the camera. The best way to determine if the photographer’s personality compliments yours is to talk to them on the phone! A quick 15-minute conversation can instantly put you at ease and give you a nice feel for their personality. Also, take the time to browse their website and read their blog. That will also give you a good idea of what they’re like and whether or not you will connect with them on a personal level.
What steps will they take to protect your images?
News flash– the internet can be a scary place. As awesome as technology can be at times, it can sometimes come back to bite you. That’s why it’s really important that you understand if and how your images will be used on the internet. Even “private” password-protected galleries can be hacked so if privacy is a concern for you, then you will want to understand what steps your photographer will take to protect your images from getting in the hands of any internet trolls. Because we offer same-day viewing of your images, you are seeing your gallery directly from my camera into the computer. I’m not delivering an entire proofing gallery with potentially hundreds of images via the internet off the bat.
For any photos that you do choose to receive digitally, you will have a hidden gallery on Zenfolio that is inaccessible via search engines. For added protection, I also do not use the term “boudoir” when naming your gallery. The gallery is protected with a password of your choice for both viewing and downloading which offers two layers of security. The system also detects and notifies me directly if there are too many failed logins. Of course, if you’re still feeling a little uneasy about online galleries, most photographers will provide your images on a USB flash drive bypassing all creepy web trolls!