How to Choose a Boudoir Photographer in Atlanta (Without Losing Your Nerve)

Oct 10

4 min read

If you have typed "boudoir photographer in Atlanta" into a search bar (and found me, yay), scrolled for ten minutes, and then closed the tab with your heart pounding..

hi.

You are in very good company! Picking someone to photograph you in your underwear is not like picking a brunch spot, this is a very WILD decision and it is very intimate. You are picking someone to photograph you a little bit (or a LOTTA BIT) bare.

I'm Sarah, and I've been running OWN Boudoir here in the Atlanta area for over ten years. I obviously have a favorite photographer (it's me), but I would much rather you choose well than choose fast. So here is how I'd shop for a boudoir photographer if I were the one standing in your shoes.

Start with the portfolio, but look for the right things

Pretty pictures are the bare minimum. What you actually want to know is whether this person can photograph someone like you. As you scroll, ask yourself:

Do I see a range of bodies, ages, and skin tones, or the same body type over and over?
- This is super important. Portfolios can sometimes include a lot of models or TFP (time for prints) when photographers are starting out. There is NOTHING wrong with this, we all start somewhere. If you aren't seeing a range in a photographer, but you love that photographer's style, ask them for other images or examples so that you can be confident that they will be the photographer for you.
Do the women look comfortable, or do they look like they're holding their breath?
- I do tell people to breath a lot :)
Is the style consistent?
- Light and airy, dark and moody, somewhere in between? You'll get what you see. If you have a preferred style make sure the photographer you choose has images in that style. Example: I'm not a super light and airy photographer and I don't do well with Pin-Up, but I can refer you to photographers that specialize in those vibes.
Can I picture myself in at least a few of these?
- Make sure you see at least ONE photo that you can relate to. This doesn't have to be a face. Scroll the portfolio of the photographer you like. If you love the photographer but don't see something that related to you feel free to ASK. Not all images are able to be shared, so don't pass on a photographer you connect with until you see their full portfolio.

If you don't see yourself anywhere in a portfolio, that's information. A seasoned boudoir photographer should be able to show you real people, not just models.

Pay attention to how they make you feel before you ever book

Here's a secret from over a decade behind the camera: posing is my job, not yours. Nobody walks in knowing what to do with their hands. "I'm not a model" is the single most common thing I hear, and it has never once been a problem.

So the real question isn't whether you can do this. It's whether this photographer will guide you through it. Read how they talk about their clients. Notice whether they answer your questions warmly or make you feel silly for asking. If you'd like a preview of the things people ask me most, I answered them honestly in the questions every client asks before their session.

Ask the unglamorous questions (privacy, retouching, what's included)

The dreamy stuff is fun, but the practical stuff is what lets you relax. Before you book with anyone, get clear answers on:

Privacy: Will my images ever be shared online? Who decides? You should always have the final say.
Retouching: How much editing is done, and can I weigh in on it?
What's included: Is hair and makeup part of the experience? Wardrobe help? Albums or prints?
The space: Where will we shoot, and who else will be there?
Pricing: Is it laid out clearly, with no surprises after the session?

On the retouching question specifically, I have plenty of thoughts, and I put them all in "So, can you photoshop my...?" if you want the full, honest version.

Think about location!

This one sounds minor until you're stuck on 285 with a garment bag in the back seat. Look at where the studio actually is and how easy it is to reach from your part of metro Atlanta. Is there parking? Is it a private space where you can settle in and not feel rushed? If you're coming in from Augusta or Blue ridge you will have a JOURNEY. We have had clients drive in from Charolotte to ATL the day of their session. I don't recommend a long drive to and from. I recommend a hotel. I also understand that is not in the cards for everyone so plan for a photographer in your area OR plan ahead to be able to get the photographer you want.

My studio sits in the West Midtown area of Atlanta, which makes it an easy trip from most of the metro area.

Talk to them first, then trust your gut

Any photographer worth booking will happily chat with you before you commit. Use that conversation. Tell them what you're nervous about. Tell them the part of your body you've been hiding since middle school. Their response will tell you almost everything you need to know.

If you hang up feeling lighter, a little excited, and oddly understood, that's your person. If you hang up feeling pressured or more anxious than before, keep looking. You're allowed to be picky about this.

You should also ALWAYS have info about pricing before you commit. Boudoir is a delicate art and does cost more than a lot of traditional portait options. Make sure you understand the cost and buy before you commit. If a photographer is not giving you information then you need to run.

Ready to see if we're a fit?

If you're looking for a boudoir photographer in Atlanta (or anywhere!!!!) and something about this felt like a deep breath, I'd love to talk. No pressure, no commitment, just a conversation about what you're picturing and what's making you hesitate. Book a consultation HERE and let's figure out whether I'm the right person to tell you where to put your hands.

If I'm not the right person I have a LOT of amazing colleagues that I can refer you to.