The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Boudoir Photographer for You

Finding the right boudoir photographer can in some ways feel even more challenging than finding a photographer for other types of sessions. 

Boudoir is a unique niche that not every photographer offers, and for good reason: this expertise requires extra care, support, and comfort on a very personal level. If you ultimately want the session to feel fun and playful, there are some other important factors involved that can boost your confidence and give you a calming reassurance that you’ve made the right choice.

To make sure you feel comfortable and confident about your decision, here are the top things to look for when choosing a boudoir photographer:

Boudoir Photography Style

While at first glance a lot of boudoir photography can seem very similar, each one of us has our own unique style both in the way we take images and the way we edit them. 

Some boudoir photographers have a brighter style, featuring a lot of light, white walls/sheets/lingerie, and a “softer” style of editing. Other photographers are more muted and desaturated, or edit skin tones to appear more orange/brown. 

I like to describe my own style as moody and sensual. You’ll probably notice there’s a darker, more seductive look to my images while also maintaining more true skin color tones. My best piece of advice is to get a clear sense of what style you like best so you can find a photographer whose work you love, and you can be confident you’ll love the gallery you receive!

Welcoming + Supportive 

By far one of the most important things to have with your boudoir photographer is a feeling of being welcomed and supported. 

Maybe you’ve never had a boudoir session done before and feel nervous about it. Maybe you’re searching for a photographer who’s LGBTQ+ friendly or a fellow member of the queer community (like me!) or maybe you simply want to make sure you feel comfortable in an admittedly somewhat vulnerable and exposed photo session. 

No matter who you are or why you’re interested in a boudoir session, you should work with a photographer you trust, feel comfortable with, and someone who can support you from the moment you first inquire. 

Guidance

I promise I’ve heard it all before: 

“What do I do with my hands / face?” 

“How do I pose without making it awkward?”

“Where should I shop for lingerie for my boudoir session?”

A great boudoir photographer can walk you through the process, giving you the best advice and insight every step of the way. 

A Boudoir Studio

This one is key! Not all boudoir photographers have their own studio space provided for all of their clients. Some may rent temporary studios in a variety of locations, or offer on-site sessions at places like local hotels. 

To make it easy for all my clients and to ensure your photos will be consistent with other images in my portfolio, I have a boudoir studio based in Westminster I use for all of our sessions. This makes it convenient for anyone in Boulder or Denver to visit my studio, and avoids the hassle of paying for a separate space in addition to your photo session package. 

Hair/Makeup

Another perk of working with me is that I include professional hair and makeup as part of your boudoir session package. I love working with Kim J Beauty and her team, since they’re so fun to work with and always leave my clients feeling their best! I have Kim or her team meet us at my studio which means there’s one less thing you have to worry about (like driving to a salon before we begin). 

Experience with a Variety of Skin Tones + Body Types

When you’re looking through boudoir portfolios, ask yourself: do I see a variety of people being represented? 

No two bodies are alike, and I love it that way! Every body shape, size, and color is beautiful, and I’m passionate about helping every person love their body and themselves for exactly who they are. 

As a body positive human empowerment boudoir photographer, I believe every person who works with me shouldn’t feel pressured to listen to what society tells us about what makes someone beautiful. 

While some boudoir photography may seem like it focuses only on a very narrow definition of beauty, my work aims to help make you feel great about yourself no matter who you are. It’s a huge part of why I do what I do, and it feels like the best job in the world. 

Privacy + Security

No matter who you work with, you should feel confident that your images will remain as private as you’d like them to be and only shared online with your permission. It’s also important to ask your boudoir photographer how the images are stored securely and get insight on how to store your own copies safely as well. 

Keep in mind that with anything uploaded online (including private password-protected photo galleries), there’s always a risk of something being hacked. While I do back things up on a few secure online platforms, if you’d rather not have any images online in any form, I offer a custom USB with your full gallery. 

Reviews + Testimonials from Past Boudoir Clients

To have a great sense of what it’s like to work with the photographers you’re considering, read through their past reviews! Testimonials from past boudoir clients are an insightful way to better predict how happy you’ll also be after hiring someone. 

Boudoir Albums + Print Products

Whether you’re signing up for a boudoir session as a gift to yourself or to surprise a romantic partner, chances are you’ll want to be able to order a professional high quality album or other print products to celebrate the moment (and avoid letting digital files go without purpose). 

Ask the boudoir photographers you’re interested in what kinds of products they offer, such as albums, prints, and wall art. Professional, high-quality albums are included as part of my boudoir photography packages, clients get access to over 65 luxury album covers to choose from. 

And the best part? They are all hand-made by women only at a company specializing in boudoir images, so you know your photos will never be tampered with. 

Seeing yourself in print is by far one of the best confidence-boosting things you can do! I promise it’s worth it. 

Meet One of the Best Boudoir Photographers near Boulder

Hey there! I’m Katie, a boudoir photographer based near Denver and Boulder, Colorado. My boudoir photography is focused on empowerment and feeling comfortable and confident in your beautiful body.

Have questions about finding the right boudoir photographer for you? I’m all ears! Reach out to chat about your boudoir session with me today.