The Boudoir pie

Years ago, when I started trying to get money out of what I loved doing, the big thing was doing weddings. It seemed like the logical choice. As in many other fields, we managed to blow it. Every new graduate from art college wanted to get in, so they came up with very interesting pricing, just to get their foot on the door. The problem? We got too many feet! When the new photographer tried to get some business, since there was no experience, the hook to attract clients was a very low price, thinking that once the experience came, the price would go up accordingly. In some months, with some weddings under the belt, newbie raised the prices. By then, another ten new guys had fancy websites and ultra low prices, trying to get their own slice of the pie. Now, I've seen photographers offer to pay, to do a wedding, just to get 'their names out'. As we saturated the market with entry level DSLR's, flash based websites and home-based studios, we now move to boudoir! It's just a normal thing. We move to another new trend, once the last one is depleted or shrinking. As the photographer on the side of the brick and mortar studios, now it's my turn to deal with the newbies. But my advise is not for photographers today, but for consumers. I saw many very talented professionals quit their passion, due to the inability of the consumer to find the value on a true artistic approach. Now I see the consumer live the groupon era, where the only thing that matters is the rock bottom price. Having dealt with the groupon people myself, I can see what we are doing to the industry. We're creating a price war, where we are sacrificing quality for quantity. (groupon wanted me to do a special for about 1/5 th of my normal price, due to another photographer based on an apartment, shooting for that amount) Well, thankfully I decided to do it for twice the other photographers fee. As consumers, we must care for the very things we value. We must support our favorite vendors, get educated, interact. Most people rather ignore that their loved groupon deal is really causing their favorite vendor a loss. That's fine, since it was the vendors decision. but that vendor was banking on patrons who would come back, and pay regular price later, instead of lurking groupon for the next newbie doing a special for close to nothing. Support true artistry. Support quality and do the math. How long can your favorite vendor offer you that awesome product or service making less than working at the fast food joint? So, my 2 cents of boudoir shopping advise: (and it's free) Talk to the people. Clients love to text and email. But they never really get a good feeling of who they're hiring. To me, specially boudoir needs lots of trust. I tend to get a very good idea about somebody, when I talk to them. If you don't know what you want... At least know what you don't want. Browse the web, see images and find out what's hot, what's old, what's appealing to you. Love yourself. If you don't like how you look, nobody can make you look good. Many, however, will be happy to make you look fake though! Find your match. Each artist has a different style. Find a style that you can see yourself in. Don't go to walmart studio and ask for trendy. They just don't talk your language. If you like a photographers work, go for it, but don't ask him/ her to do something they don't. (I have people come to me for kids portraits. Or for long sleeves girlie pictures...seriously?) Be prepared. I can't stress it enough. Boudoir is mostly a once in a lifetime experience, unless you get addicted to it. So why would you show up to your session late,with two outfits (one of them on) and one pair of shoes? It's about beauty, empowerment, confidence, freedom, and yes, naughtiness. So invest in yourself. Get some nice outfits, get hair and make up done. Bring a good friend, have a great time! Be nice. Nothing is weirder than a rude lady in underwear. Your photographer is actually trying his best to make you look amazing. It's a hard work. Also, really doesn't pay much. So manners are ALWAYS appreciated. Before, during and after the session. I've met many amazing people as a photographer. And many nasty ones too. Please, don't be the second. Adrian