The Most Common Misconceptions About Boudoir Photography The Wine Walk this weekend in Downtown Oshkosh was one of the most fun events I�ve been lucky enough to be a part of.� Meeting so many members of this community I�m...
The Most Common Misconceptions About Boudoir Photography
The Wine Walk this weekend in Downtown Oshkosh was one of the most fun events I�ve been lucky enough to be a part of.� Meeting so many members of this community I�m privileged to be in while sharing one of my most favorite things (wine) was incredibly interesting and filled with so many great conversations (and more than a couple hilarious new memories) and I can�t wait to participate in even more of these events.
It was very informative, as well.� While I didn�t get to spend nearly as much time with each individual as I would have liked, it gave me a chance to learn what type of thoughts people have about boudoir photography.� I�ve found most people have very positive thoughts about boudoir and want to have a session (or have had one done in the past).� Some people love the idea of boudoir and its impact on the subject, but don�t have any interest in having a session themselves.� Some people have no idea what it is, and therefore haven�t formed an opinion on it.
I�ve only met a handful of people with negative opinions of boudoir photography, and most of those negative opinions are formed based on some interesting misconceptions.� While the Wine Walk gave me a chance to address some of those misconceptions for at least a handful of people right there in my beautiful Downtown Oshkosh boudoir studio, it wasn�t on a very large scale, and I know many people still believe these things because they�ve never been told otherwise.
So, I�m while I�m more than happy to tell people what boudoir photography is, I�m also very passionate about educating people on what boudoir photography isn�t.
Here�s just a few of the misconceptions about boudoir photography that might be scaring you away from having the experience of a lifetime.
You have to wear lingerie or be naked.
This is simply not true at all!� While you can choose to wear lingerie and/or in various stages of undress, you don�t have to be.� I�ve had many clients elect for a more modest boudoir session with the use of sweaters, stockings, even shorts and long sleeve shirts.� Implied nudity, where we use strategically places props like sheets or pillows to cover any of your body, is also very popular for anyone unsure about being photographed fully nude.
I�ve said it before and I�ll say it again: boundaries are incredibly important for any situation, and I make sure we talk about yours at your pre-session consultation before your session.� While I encourage my clients to step out of their comfort zone, I�ll never, ever push past your boundaries.
Other people will see the images.
This is probably one of the top concerns about boudoir photography, especially in the age of social media.� The misconception here is that because there are images on my website, social media, and displayed in my studio samples, that means that all of the images I take are displayed, when, in fact, the truth is far from it.
Every image I have displayed in my portfolio, in my studio, and on any of my online presences is from a client who has signed a model release in some capacity.� A model release is a written document that my clients sign based on what they are okay with being shared: full release, anonymous image only release, or no release at all.� About half of my clients choose to sign a model release after they view their images. That means half of my client images are never seen anywhere (at least not from me).� They�re welcome to share their images as much as they like, but I value privacy and boundaries for all of my clients. I�ll never share your images unless you give me written permission to do so.
You have to know how to pose.
This one is an understandable misconception, because a lot of the poses you see can look intimidating and hard to get into.� The truth is, though, they�re not.� I walk my clients though every pose, first showing them the basics so they know what they�re getting into, and then directing them with each pose on what to do with their limbs and facial expressions.� I typically don�t touch my clients � I�m happy to help with a twisted bra strap or snapping garters to stockings, but outside of that I avoid touching and physically moving my client�s body by hand.� No one want to be touched by a virtual stranger while they�re in lingerie!
Instead, I give very specific directions and display for you exactly what I want you to do.� Boudoir sessions look sexy and glamorous, but really, it�s just a lot of me telling you what to do!
You have to bring your own lingerie.
This might seem like a non-issue to some, but for many, trying to figure out what to wear might be a little scary.� A lot of people don�t own lingerie because they don�t know what to get or even where to shop for it (and don�t even get me started on how hard it is to find inclusive styles and sizes!).� The idea that you have to bring your own items when you don�t have any, or you don�t know what you like or what you feel good in, can be very off-putting when contemplating a boudoir session.
Here�s the truth: not only do I offer TONS of suggestions on where to shop and advice on what to look for, but I also have a Client Closet with several hundred pieces in all sizes and styles from XS to 5XL.� This means you don�t have to bring anything to wear to your boudoir shoot if you don�t want to.� You can choose to wear only Client Closet pieces if you so desire.
I also offer personal shopping trips where I accompany you shopping at your favorite store and help you pick out items that make you feel great and look fabulous.
It�s expensive.
This one is subjective.� Just like anything that you pay money for, everyone will value it differently.� To some, a $6 coffee is expensive, but buying farm-fresh and locally sourced produce is worth paying more, because they value it.� There is no right or wrong answer on how or what people value.
Is a boudoir session an investment?� Yes, it is.� Is it cheap?� No, and honestly probably shouldn�t be.� When it comes to intimate and vulnerable situations like a boudoir session, it can be a red flag if it�s cheap.� If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
I also know that the investment of a boudoir session can make one seem out of reach, which is why I offer payment plans.� We break up your purchase into smaller payments leading up to your session so that when your session arrives, it�s paid for and you can sit back and enjoy your experience without worrying about swiping your card at the end.� This option makes the luxury experience of a boudoir session far more attainable to many people than one lump sum at the end.
I�m sure at some point I�ll do another blog about more boudoir misconceptions, so until then, I�d love to know:� did you have any of these ideas about a boudoir session?� Are there are concerns that you have in regard to booking a session for yourself?� Let me know in the comments or reach out at any time to ask.� I�m happy to help!
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