(For the ladies) Photographer question

MattiasGraves

Really Experienced
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Jan 22, 2016
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I've been playing with this idea for a few years now. You've all heard of boudoir photography, where basically you get together with a photographer (and potentially a make up artist or hair designer) and take photos in your lingerie or less. I'd say 90% of the successful businesses I've seen of this sort are run by women.

I want to run my business much the same way, looking for the intimate beauty in moments while celebrating the sensuality that is present in every woman, whether nude or not. But for some reason, I either get no response or "you've got a good line going but I can see through that!" I genuinely have only the interest of art in mind. I'm not trying to get into anybodies pants, I'm not trying to exploit anyone. Just trying to create stunning images. If I can support my family doing it, all the more power!

Women, any advice?

Thanks!
 
Post a professional ad or something. Unless you live in the middle of nowhere, models are not hard to find.

Also, if people are approached by a complete stranger with such an offer, they'll definitely consider it as creepy. Until you've earned some reputation, be professional about it.
 
I've been playing with this idea for a few years now. You've all heard of boudoir photography, where basically you get together with a photographer (and potentially a make up artist or hair designer) and take photos in your lingerie or less. I'd say 90% of the successful businesses I've seen of this sort are run by women.

I looked at my local businesses offering this form of photography and found that the female owned business had more appealing photos. The other business photoshopped everything to weird plastic hard bodies that looked nothing like the original people being photographed. I would have gone with the woman simply because she seems more approachable and had more appealing photography.

I want to run my business much the same way, looking for the intimate beauty in moments while celebrating the sensuality that is present in every woman, whether nude or not. But for some reason, I either get no response or "you've got a good line going but I can see through that!"

Horny guys with cameras are a dime a dozen. Women on sites like this are constantly being given offers for photography. What is your approach? The successful photographers I've seen have extensive portfolios and readily available business information, they usually don't have to ask random women if they'd like to do a boudoir shoot. Women that want this sort of thing will search out the appropriate businesses to do such a shoot and not wait for a random person to approach them.

I genuinely have only the interest of art in mind. I'm not trying to get into anybodies pants, I'm not trying to exploit anyone. Just trying to create stunning images. If I can support my family doing it, all the more power!

Women, any advice?

Thanks!

This is well and good, but it sounds like you're approaching women to not only pose scantily clad for you, but also pay you for the process?

Get yourself a business plan and set up to be approached, not to be the one approaching.
 
The percentage of photographers who can make a living at this exclusively is very low. Mostly because the percentage of the population who will do this is very low. And then you only get half of that (the female half).

Forget the professional model shoots, they get paid because the magazine pays them, not the models.

Of the 3 studios that specialize in this which I've seen in my area, none of them have been open for more than a year or two. It seems there's just not a lot of business volume in this exclusively.

Check out local portrait studios in your area. See where they're located and what they promote. The ones which have been there long term know what the area will support. If that's cat pictures and yearbooks, then that's what you should be focusing on.
 
I've been playing with this idea for a few years now. You've all heard of boudoir photography, where basically you get together with a photographer (and potentially a make up artist or hair designer) and take photos in your lingerie or less. I'd say 90% of the successful businesses I've seen of this sort are run by women.

I want to run my business much the same way, looking for the intimate beauty in moments while celebrating the sensuality that is present in every woman, whether nude or not. But for some reason, I either get no response or "you've got a good line going but I can see through that!" I genuinely have only the interest of art in mind. I'm not trying to get into anybodies pants, I'm not trying to exploit anyone. Just trying to create stunning images. If I can support my family doing it, all the more power!

Women, any advice?

Thanks!

If you are truly serious about making this as a viable business, and not getting into someone's pants, a portfolio as well as reviews is absolutely essential. I would also enlist a female assistant and/or makeup artist who remains on set as a show of sincerity.

You could hire models for TFP to build up your portfolio, but when you negotiate with them, make the contract explicit clear, included the poses and clothing minimum and stick with it. If it is for semi-clothed, classic boudoir, then do not push for topless porn. It's a good way to ruin reputations. I would also hire a wide range of body types for your portfolio. It's a good way to advertise, and it will showcase what you are aiming for.

Most women are comfortable with female photographers because in most cases, the shoot becomes less sexualised. It becomes a safe place for the models where they can express themselves. You want to provide that safe place, and for that, you will need to prove yourself as a trustworthy, highly reputed, quality photographer whom people would want to pay.

You will also have to distinguish yourself: why should someone come to you for boudoir photos as opposed to the other photographers? What makes you different? Better? What do you offer that other photographers do not? In other words, to echo MeekMe, get a business plan together.
 
I agree completely with fire breeze in regards to getting a body of work (no pun intended) that shows you're serious about this. Show prospective clients your talent. There's no better proof that you're not the local perv looking to snap some shots of naked women for your own consumption.

And I'd definitely have a female assistant during the shoot-not just for the client's sense of security but your own as well. Who's to say that they can't say you did something inappropriate? At that point it'd be their word against yours in a court of law. Protect not only the clients' interests but yours as well.
 
Speaking as a model:

I. Have a profile on a site like Purpleport or Model Mayhem that will allow you to host your images. This will allow people to see your photographs, and to make a decision working with you from there.

II. If you have no images, consider paying an experienced model. Less work for you on pose directing, which will allow you to focus on the images themselves.

III. Public references. The more the merrier. MM and PP have this system. It is also a thing where models will email people you've worked with privately to see if the reference left anything out. You'll get more people willing to work with you if you have more positive references.

IV. If you have no references, consider attending a studio day hosted by a studio/model; there you will get at least one (model), if not two (studio owner).

V. Business cards and a printed portfolio book are also advantageous.
 
I love all the responses! Thank you all for your time! I should clarify:

I have been shooting with models (paid and TFP) for the past three years and it has been the most rewarding process I've done thus far in life. I shoot regularly with 4 models and occasionally bring in new faces to keep myself fresh and to keep growing.

I have portfolios on Model Mayhem, Purple Port, FetLife, Flickr, my own personal websites (one a commercial fashion/family photography vanilla stuff, one which is more erotic, and one which is just simple innocent boudoir). As well as a thread here with a few of my photos.

I do have a few references as well as models who are happy to be asked about their experience shooting with me.

I'm actually in the process of finding a female MAU (makeup artist). Not sure if I'm ready for an assistant yet, probably but I'm a silly git

At HisArpy I do it all, but when push comes to shove I have a passion for female beauty not canine cuteness (don't get me wrong, I love dogs but I don't want to photograph them). In this day and age I think anyone following the "find out what sells and do that" is too reactionary to be relevant. I want to be a big name in photography, the money will come second. If I was more concerned about the money, I'd move back to LA and start playing guitar again professionally. .

Let's discuss more! I love all these ideas! You are all giving me a great checklist to make sure I have things up to snuff.

Perhaps I'll post a photo so you all have a reference.
 
A Couple Examples of Work

A recent from a shoot I did last week, I'm editing and packaging. What do you think?
 

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I'm a professional photographer, not a guy with a camera. I state very clearly to all my models which work will be used and where. Usually anything I post myself has either been a paid shoot or TFP where everyone involved is free to use the results anywhere they'd like.

This is completely separate from client work, which usually I don't display because I realize life changes. A woman who may be working at a grocery store NOW may end up being my children's chemistry teacher in ten years.
 
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My Experience - Boudoir Photo Shoot

I agree 100% with everything Fire_Breeze shared above.

After seeing one of my girl friends share some of her more modest photos from her boudoir shoot on social media, I was sold on the idea of booking one for myself.

The biggest selling points for me when choosing the photographer:
1. A well-organized portfolio of their work.
2. Hair AND makeup provided onsite by a professional stylist.
3. Evidence that the photographer wants it to a positive experience for women of all walks of life -- not just models.

The photographer I used did a weekend shoot in January so that the ladies could do photo books for their significant other in time for Valentines Day. It was a day of mimosas and "girl time" making new friends and having fun celebrating our self-confidence.

Best of luck to you!! :heart:
 
I agree 100% with everything Fire_Breeze shared above.

After seeing one of my girl friends share some of her more modest photos from her boudoir shoot on social media, I was sold on the idea of booking one for myself.

The biggest selling points for me when choosing the photographer:
1. A well-organized portfolio of their work.
2. Hair AND makeup provided onsite by a professional stylist.
3. Evidence that the photographer wants it to a positive experience for women of all walks of life -- not just models.

The photographer I used did a weekend shoot in January so that the ladies could do photo books for their significant other in time for Valentines Day. It was a day of mimosas and "girl time" making new friends and having fun celebrating our self-confidence.

Best of luck to you!! :heart:

Thank you so much, I truly do value your input! I guess I'm at the point where I need to start trusting my portfolio to bring in interested clients (no, I'm not opposed to working with men too. I just know that a majority of the market is female). So to you, what kind of evidence would show that the photographer wants it to be a positive experience? For my boudoir site, I actually don't have any professional models. They're all friends or people I've met through other people. I really wanted that real/raw sense to my photos.

Did the photographer you went to shoot in their own studio or did they go somewhere? A bed and breakfast or something? It sounds like a truly magical day!!

Thanks again!!! :)
 
Ok so, development! I've decided to shit or get off the pot. Specializing in bodyscapes both nude and non-nude. I have an extensive portfolio as bodyscapes are what originally drew me to intimate photography in the first place. Specifically a photo I saw here on Lit. :) Thanks again Al!

Now to create a business plan! Any pointers from my desired clients? Women age 18-90. I'll take criticism and suggestions! Yes, I know... the first criticism is that my age group is WAY too wide. But I really do want to have a varied schedule of women of all different sizes, shapes, and ages!

So bodyscapes, like the sample I've provided. (My own work from one of my last shoots.)
 

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