By Tammy Porter on | No Comments
Boudoir photography is a unique and intimate art form that can be both challenging and incredibly rewarding. It offers a way to empower clients, helping them celebrate their beauty and confidence. For many women, boudoir sessions are not just about capturing sexy, beautiful images—they're about creating lasting memories and boosting self-esteem, often as a personal gift to themselves or a meaningful present for their partner.
If you're passionate about photography and looking to break into the world of boudoir, here are some great tips that I've utilized with great success in building my local boudoir photography business:
Before launching your boudoir photography business, building a solid portfolio is essential. Start by enlisting a few friends or recruiting models to participate in shoots. This will help you demonstrate your skills and style to potential clients. To attract the right audience, your portfolio should showcase the high-quality work you aim to deliver, helping clients visualize themselves through your lens.
A great strategy for your portfolio is to include "before-and-after" transformations. Start with a natural, everyday snapshot of your subject, and follow it up with images from their boudoir session. This helps potential clients understand that everyone has the potential to look stunning with the right styling, lighting, and posing.
As you build momentum, word of mouth will become a powerful marketing tool. Clients thrilled with their boudoir experience are likely to share their photos (and rave about their session!) with their friends, leading to referrals and an expanding client base.
One successful strategy to attract new clients and create buzz around your boudoir photography business is to host a Boudoir Mini Session Day. This can be organized in two ways: you can invite a group of friends to participate together in a fun, supportive atmosphere, where they cheer each other on, or you can offer individual mini sessions throughout the day for potential clients.
In a typical Boudoir Mini Session, each client gets a shortened session, usually featuring one outfit and a set time limit (around 20–30 minutes). This allows clients to experience a taste of what you offer without committing to a full session. Depending on your pricing structure, you can include prints, digital files, or a small product package with the mini session.
Mini sessions are a great way to build trust and confidence with clients who may be hesitant to book a full session. Once they see the stunning results, many will return for a more personalized, full-length boudoir experience
Finding the right location for your boudoir sessions can be challenging when you’re starting out, but it’s crucial for setting the right tone and atmosphere for your shoots. Here are a few location ideas to help you get started:
Remember, your location plays a significant role in the feel of the final images. Don’t let the lack of a dedicated studio hold you back—there's always a creative solution if you stay flexible and open-minded.
Preparation is key to a successful boudoir shoot, especially when starting out. Here are a couple of essential tips to ensure your sessions run smoothly and professionally:
On the day of the shoot, your primary role is to lead and create a comfortable environment for your client. It’s natural for clients to feel nervous during a boudoir session, so it’s essential to take charge and guide them through the process confidently.
One non-negotiable aspect of boudoir photography is that you must be in control of the session. Your clients will rely on you to help them feel relaxed, confident, and attractive. From directing poses to managing the flow of the shoot, it’s your responsibility to set the tone and ensure a positive experience.
By taking control of the session and making thoughtful preparations, you help your clients feel more at ease and ensure that the shoot goes smoothly from start to finish.
Before starting the first setup, I always demonstrate the pose I ask the client to do. When clients see that you’re willing to show them exactly what you expect, they’ll feel more comfortable and confident following your directions. This helps ease their nerves and establishes trust. Don’t be afraid to crack jokes or keep things lighthearted—boudoir photography should be fun for you and your client!
While demonstrating the poses, I also guide them through several facial expressions to match the mood of the shot. I typically ask for four or five different looks to give variety to each pose. My go-to expressions are:
When we get to that fifth expression, the laugh usually comes naturally, creating a genuine and joyful moment.
Posing can feel awkward for clients, but by leading confidently, demonstrating each move, and keeping the mood light, you'll help them feel relaxed and empowered in front of the camera.
In boudoir photography, making your client feel confident and beautiful is crucial to the shoot's success. Your clients are likely feeling vulnerable, and they rely on your feedback to reassure them that they look amazing. That’s why every time you check the back of your camera, it's essential to compliment them!
Remember, your client has no idea what you’re seeing, and without your input, their nerves could escalate. Calm their fears with encouraging words like, “Oh yes, that’s perfect!” or “Beautiful, just what I was looking for!” Small, genuine compliments go a long way in boosting their confidence and keeping their energy positive.
It’s also important to provide clear and consistent direction throughout the session. Don’t hesitate to guide your client with small adjustments like “chin up,” “chin down,” “soften your smile,” or “close your mouth.” Posture is everything in boudoir photography, so be proactive in directing your client’s body shape. Since they can’t see themselves, it's up to you to ensure their poses are flattering and aligned with the vision of the shoot.
Your attitude and praise will directly impact how your client feels during the session. Stay upbeat, encouraging, and attentive to their needs—this will ensure they walk away from the experience feeling empowered and beautiful.
For boudoir sessions, I always use In Person Sales (IPS) to guide clients through the image selection process. Just like during the shoot, clients look to you for direction and expertise when choosing their final images. During the photo reveal, I typically present about 20–30 fully retouched and edited images, ensuring each is carefully curated to highlight the best of the session.
By "retouching," I mean a complete editing workflow, starting in Lightroom, then moving into Photoshop for more detailed adjustments, before returning to Lightroom for the final polish. I present these images to the client in a beautifully crafted Lightroom slideshow, which sets the tone for an emotional and impactful photo reveal.
Through experience, I’ve learned a simple truth: if I edit the photo, the client will purchase it. By showing them the image at its best—fully retouched and thoughtfully composed—they’ll see how beautiful they look and feel compelled to own that memory. The editing process is vital to delivering a high-end experience that clients want to invest in.
For me, editing is an art form. I approach each photo to achieve perfection, ensuring that every detail enhances the client's beauty and confidence.
If you want to streamline your editing process, I highly recommend the tools I use: Lightroom Presets and Photoshop retouch tools from Pretty Presets & Actions. These have been instrumental in achieving a polished, professional look in my boudoir sessions.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, stay true to your own unique vision. Your boudoir photography doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s to be beautiful or successful. In fact, it’s your distinct style, perspective, and creativity that will set you apart in this industry.
Take the time to find your artistic groove—whether it’s in how you pose your clients, your use of light, or your editing style. By thinking outside the box and doing things your way, you’ll attract clients who resonate with your approach. Authenticity is magnetic, and when you stay true to yourself, the right clients will find their way to you.
Do you have any questions or comments about starting a Boudoir Photography Business? Leave us a comment below - we would love to hear from you! And PLEASE SHARE our tutorial using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!
Tammy is a child photographer based in the desert of Arizona. A mother of two, a wife, and a secret lover of interior design. She spends her days juggling a hair salon, a budding children's jewelry line, and her camera. Photography is the driving force behind her relentless need to create beautiful things. You can follow her on Facebook.
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