Oh the adrenaline!

Just a quick one this time, I promise.
When a client comes for a session, they probably think I'm crazy due to the questions I ask:
Can you describe a sexy image? Are you Nervous? What do you mean by classy?
and so on.
Some even get a little confused by the questions.. I don't mean to be a pain. It just helps me figure out what the session is going to be.
My goal is to create the right environment, where a client can open up, have fun, be creative and daring. Some clients get there easily. Some don't.
However, a session without trust is not only boring. It yields lifeless images.
This, on the other hand, is what happens when a client opens up and starts going with the flow.
It just inspires me to create something beautiful.
And just for them. It makes a difference when you 'connect' with the artist trying to make you look good.
Try it next time.
It just creates magic.
Adrian

What to look for, when searching for a boudoir photographer.

It almost sounds unfair. A photographer giving advise on how to choose a photographer. The truth is,
There are many options out there. And it's in all photographers interest to educate our clients.
A client who's highly critical will push a photographer to improve his or her craft. Also, will be appreciative or the effort it takes to be a photo artist.

So when I see the hundreds of options out there and the many lost consumers, I want to give some advise. It's honest. It's insightful. I hope it helps.

• Do your homework.  Many clients show up at a studio, not having checked the photographer's work in advance. This creates not only confusion, but can be very frustrating. A photographer takes pride in developing a style. It takes time, effort. And a customer who didn't check the work in advance, can either be disappointed by the images produced or have requests for the photographer, that can be just undo-able. I had many clients come and bring prints, laptops, tablets with my colleagues work and asked me to do the same images. Well, this is not only hard, but unfair. If they like photographer X's style, they should hire X. If they see me, I'll give them the images I produce. Original Adrian Vega's.
• Have a critical eye.  When checking a photographers work, it's easy to not see some important details. Does the artist portfolio reflect various different skills? Does it seem to be carefully crafted and put together or does it look like it was a weekend project? Is it technically skilled? Does it seem to have a message, trend, or is just a melange of random images with no defined intention? Do the images tell you something? Are they original or have you seen the stuff before?
• Value experience. Let's face it. All photographers start with no experience and that's just the nature of the business. However, we should be upfront and charge accordingly. Labeling ourselves as 'experienced' when all the images in my website are of the same person, is just suspicious. It's OK to ask how long a photographer has been in business. Usually, a more experienced photographer will charge more, because his overhead is higher. This means also that the end images will be more consistent, it means usually better and more efficient work flow, more gear, better settings and pride for the craft. Don't get me wrong, many new photographers are awesome, and not all older ones are good. But it's reasonable to expect that the older one will deliver the same level of quality all the time, (good or bad) and the less experienced one will vary based on the situation. Photographers with years of experience have learned the ropes and are more prepared to deal with unexpected situations. They also will back their work, if something goes south.
• Talk to your artist!  I believe in instinct. Take a minute or two and dial your artists number. Get a better feeling of who he or she is. There's a lot to be said about chemistry. Some people just don't click and some just work together flawlessly. If you just get this weird vibe from talking to the artist, run. On the other hand, you may find out that your photographer is an amazing person, and that will work in your and his/her benefit as well.
• Check the value of the products you get offered. There are so many variables when determining the price to pay for photography, that people easily get confused. First of all, figure out what you need. Do you need a couple of amazing prints or do you need 400 unedited images on a CD?  Do you really need prints? How big?  Are the images going to be used afterwards?  How? I've seen photographers try to sell their product by adding bath sets!  if I wanted a bath set, I'll go to bed bath and beyond! Ask exactly what you get. Is the $50 package for a session just the hook, to then charge you another $200 for the images on a CD?  Make a list of what you really need, and ask the final cost of getting it, whether is included in the package or is an add on. If something is cheap, there's a good reason for it. It's business. To cut your price, you have to cut corners.
• Be fair. Your artist will work hard, in a very competitive industry, where everybody wants to get a lot for close to nothing. Clients who ask for extra stuff, try to cut or negotiate the prices or have unreasonable expectations can put an artist out of business. If you like your photographer's work, pay for it. Asking your photographer to match Mr. Newbiegotacamera's price is not only insulting, but unfair. Mr. Newbie's lives in his parent's basement, has no insurance, pays no taxes, has little gear and works out of a laptop with bootleg software. Your favorite artist pays rent, insurance, taxes, advertising, art fairs, buys gear constantly, pays license fees for software and constantly educates him/herself to improve.  Now, if you like newbie's images better, go have fun! if not, be aware of the effort and cost that photography generates.
• Be open. I find out that everybody wants awesome images, but just a few are actually willing to put the effort to get them. Showing up unprepared, tired, late, or  with the wrong attire just doesn't help. Been open, flexible and willing to have fun just makes your session more pleasant. Consider that when hiring. Are the images all outdoors on a summer day at 99 degrees? you'll be miserable. Are they indoors? your own house or a real studio. Nothing wrong with any of those scenarios. Just be aware of the difference. Outdoors are buggy, windy, there's unexpected situations, walking, sweating, mud. If you're adventurous, this might just be perfect. Are you the owner of a huge, clean and uncluttered mansion, congrats! a location shooter will use it to create great pictures. Are you just average Jane who doesn't want a lot of effort or needs some pampering? a shooter with a studio will have a comfy place, refreshments, privacy, candles and music. All the things needed, ready. Your call.
• Addendum: I couldn't believe first, but apparently it's a new 'business' model. Looks like some people who take boudoir pictures, have it in their packages that their clients are responsible for booking a hotel room where the session will take place. Beware, hotels don't see it with good eyes when commercial photography in their property. You risk getting kicked out. I know, we all have done it. That's how we start, right? However, there's a difference on taking a model or a friend who's adventurous and fearless, renting a room and doing the guerrilla shoot. This works to build a portfolio, but using it as your business model is risky. Just my 2 cents.