I know everyone has the same questions when considering a boudoir session, so I thought that it would be best to answer some of them here as an easy reference point. It is a bit long, but I’ve covered everything I can think of! Have a question you need an answer to? Feel free to contact me!
I don’t have the perfect figure.
I could go on and on about how I think the media has tainted our vision of the perfect figure, but instead I’ll just say – who does, really? And who defines perfect? You have the perfect figure – you just don’t know it yet! We’ll take photos from a variety of angles, focusing on all of your favorite parts. I want you to see just how beautiful you are!
I don’t want photos in lingerie – can’t I wear a nice blouse or a pretty dress?
Of course! I do a lot of beauty and glamour photography work, and if wearing lingerie isn’t what you want to wear, that is ok with me!
I’m concerned about being a little bit too exposed.
Before your session, we will discuss your limits and what you are comfortable with. We may want to do photographs where you are only “hinting” at being exposed – an open shirt, for example. There are these great products out there called breast petals, and they look like little flowers and cover you so you don’t have to worry about any accidental exposure, a la Elaine in Seinfeld and the holiday card incident. On the other hand, you’re welcome to be as exposed as you want. Your choice. I’ll never push you to do anything you don’t want to do though.
Speaking of being exposed, I don’t want my photos to be visible to the public online.
It is likely that I will find images that I love and want to show off, but I will only ever post photos on my blog or in my portfolio with your permission, clearing each and every photograph I share. Your session gallery will be online, but will be password protected so that only you have access to it.
Is it important that I like you if you are going to photograph my boudoir session?
I feel that it is very important that you like your photographer. It comes across in your photographs if you are at ease with me. I know I am not the perfect photographer for everyone out there – I’m not trying to be. I want us to be a great fit. I do hope that if you have read this far, I am the right photographer for YOU, and if so, I would love to work with you. I look forward to hearing from you!
How do I hire you?
Contact me! We’ll pick a date, I’ll send you a contract (digital) that you will sign and then you’ll pay your session reservation fee. The final payment will be due two weeks before your session. Proofs are not released until the final payment is made.
If I hire you, will you photograph my session?
That question may sound redundant, but trust me – it is something you should ask. You should always know in advance who will be photographing your session. When you book me, you get me. I do have associate photographers, since I am on the road sometimes — you will know in advance if you will be working with them. No surprises here!
I’m interested in hiring you – can I view an entire session gallery?
Boudoir sessions are a very intimate thing, and I respect my client’s privacy. Since I only share what they have approved in advance, this site serves as my portfolio and shows you pretty much exactly what style my photographs are.
What if something happens and you can’t shoot my session for some reason? What if I can’t make my session?
I really don’t ever want to risk making someone sick. I also don’t want to get sick. My normal rule is that if I have a fever or if I know I’m contagious, I will reschedule our shoot. If you’re sick, I would appreciate it if you do the same. We’ll work together to find a new date that works well for both of us.
How are my photos stored?
As soon as I complete a session, before I do any editing to the photos, I copy them all to two external hard drives. I then edit them from one external drive. Once the editing process is complete and the photos are online, I make a copy of the final proofed images in high-resolution JPG format.
My editor, Brittany & I are the only people that have access to boudoir session files.
All galleries are protected with an access code so that no one else can view your photos without your permission.
If my package includes the DVD of high-resolution images, why should I buy prints from you?
Years ago, photographers used to feel it was critical that they control your photographs. Times have changed. So I get why you would want a DVD of your images, so I options for you to receive a copy. I want you to have them if you want them. You have permission to print them as well.
However, there is something to be said for having me print your photographs. Then I can control how the images come out, because my monitors are calibrated for my lab. My prints are heirloom quality, and printed on papers only available to professionals. Much like the old photographers used to do it, we take your proofs and do additional digital work to them to make them perfect before they go off to print. We tweak the colors, retouch any skin imperfections, fix things like under-eye circles, and just make them pretty before we send them off.
I do offer the option to purchase a select number of retouched files from your session. Check the a la carte pricelist for the current rates.
When it comes to getting prints from us, our professional lab only prints for professional photographers. We work closely with them, printing a high volume each year. We have worked to make sure that photographs look the same way on our screen as they do when our lab prints them. We know them, and we trust them. They print on the best quality papers with archive quality inks. Our canvas print company is also the leader in the industry and their canvases are beautiful works, neatly stretched on mounts, and finished on the back to hang nicely.
How many photographs do you take at a session?
A lot. I am a little shutter happy. Most clients with 2 hour sessions receive 100 proofs, if not more.
Where will you photograph my session?
My 1-2 hour sessions are available at my studio in the Houston Heights, at your home, or at the hotel of your choice. The only time there are additional fees for the space is if you opt to go with a hotel – the hotel fees are not included in the session, and you would need to reserve your own hotel room. Travel fees may apply for locations outside of the greater Houston area.
If you live outside of Houston – like in another state – and you would love for me to come there for a session, I am happy to work out travel arrangements with you. If you have friends that would like sessions also – boudoir, portrait, whatever – you are welcome to coordinate with them and share the cost of my airfare and hotel.
I am going on tour throughout 2012, with session dates in a number of cities. Be sure to check the Hot Mama Tour list to see if I’ll be coming to a city near you!
How much time should I allow for my session?
Most of my sessions involve an hour for makeup, between 1-2 hours of shooting, plus time for outfit changes, getting to know each other, and things like that – so be sure to allow plenty of time. The perk of spending so much time together? It will help to put you at ease. Trust me, it shows in the photos when you are more comfortable and relaxed.
What time of day is best for our session?
It all depends on where the shoot is taking place at. If at my studio, the light is best during the late morning and early afternoon. If we’ll be at your home or a hotel, it depends on the lighting there — we can talk about it to work out the perfect time.
What should I bring?
Here are some items that look great in photographs:
– A smile!
– A basic bra & panty set, especially in black.
– A bra & panty set in another color that compliments your skin tone.
– Your favorite lingerie
– Doing this for someone special? How about a dress shirts, a tie, or maybe their favorite t-shirt?
– Jewelry
– Sexy shoes
– Stockings
– Scarves, boas, or other fun items!
– Anything special that you might think of!
I don’t provide outfits or props for sessions for obvious health reasons.
Do you do makeup or hair?
Most of my collections include makeup by Jennifer Aronson, a superb makeup artist with 17 years of experience. She does your makeup on site at the studio so that you’re ready to go straight from that to your session. We’ll pamper you right there at the studio! She has done makeup for the majority of my clients, and it is always fabulous!
She does not do hair though. We would be happy to provide you with names of hairstylists that could meet you at the studio to do your hair if you would like.
My session is over; what happens next?
I will back up all of the photographs as outlined above.
Once we complete the edits, you will come in to the studio to view your portraits, select images for your album, and select your photographs for wall collections, canvas gallery wraps, or any other items you would like. We can also post your proofs online for you to review at the Clients link listed on every page of this site. You will have a special access code for your gallery so only you can view the images.
We will take the images you select for your album and prepare a proof of the album for you to review. Once your album layout is finalized and you sign off on it, it will be sent to the printer and the book will be created. The book will be ready within approximately 1 week for our coffee table books. Fine Art albums can take longer depending on the book binder.
When your album arrives, we can meet again so can pick it up, or if you prefer we can have it sent directly to you.
The final steYou love your photographs, and you refer your friends when they want a session too! (I give referral gifts of prints and other goodies!)