I recently did a photoshoot with a client who had a previous experience with a large boudoir company before shooting with Fine Grain. I thought it would be interesting to hear her perspective on the differences between the two photoshoots. Large boudoir companies operate nationally and are comprised of many photographers. I recommend people search for local businesses that specialize in boudoir photography instead. Today I want to share Ruby’s story and why she preferred working with Fine Grain Boudoir (a small business) over a big boudoir company.
Big Business Boudoir
When people book with big boudoir companies it’s usually because they’re offering a good deal. In Ruby’s experience, her photoshoot was such a good deal it was hard to pass up… it was free! She found the company at a bridal expo she attended. Ruby entered a raffle and was shocked when she received a call telling her that she had won a free boudoir shoot.
Ruby was excited by the opportunity but was soon left wondering if she would ever get booked with them. It was quite difficult to get on their schedule. This company sends a photographer to Minnesota every so often. So when they’re here either the days work for you or they don’t. Mostly, they didn’t work for Ruby. That is until “One day they called me and said they just got an opening tomorrow.”
It was a last-minute opportunity and thankfully she was available! However, photoshoots take preparation and she still needed to find a whole wardrobe for the photoshoot: three outfits!
She got to the mall, ordered overnight shipping, and “made it work!”
Images by Fine Grain Boudoir
The Company Experience
With big boudoir companies, the typical MO is very little, if any, communication between you and the photographer before the shoot. You’ll receive little to no customization, and clients are often left feeling like they’re a part of a system. One client after the other, rinse and repeat.
On the day of the shoot, Ruby recounts that there wasn’t a ton of personal touch or rapport built beforehand.
“There wasn’t much conversation. She told me to start with the first outfit, to wear the one you like least….”
After they began shooting, Ruby felt the shoot was pretty calculated and a little “robot-like”.
“[The photographer] told me every single position. She goes ‘Do this…do that…go over there…okay go change.’
It was difficult for Ruby to stay in the moment and focused and she felt rushed.
“As I was changing I started to stumble, I forgot my jewelry… She made me feel like I needed to rush.” Throughout the shoot, the photographer didn’t let her see any of the photos. Ruby said the whole experience “felt like something that I had no say in”
Although her initial experience wasn’t her dream photoshoot, Ruby realized boudoir was something she enjoyed and wanted to do more of. She also found what many have noticed with the bigger companies, they bring you in with a good deal but purchasing your images is a far greater investment than anticipated or planned for. Because of this, Ruby didn’t get as many photos as she would have liked. She decided she needed a boudoir re-do!
Boutique Experience: the Queen Treatment
After her first experience, Ruby wanted to find someone who was “A real person” not a company of many photographers whom she didn’t get to pick. With a small business, there is usually only one photographer and you know that the images on their website were taken by the person who is going to be photographing you! You’re picking someone whose name you know, whose work and aesthetic you love, and an experience that is tailored to you. We’re talking about a VIP boutique experience! When you’re choosing to invest in a small business, you get so much personal interaction and connection with the photographer. Having that rapport helps to calm the nerves that come with a boudoir shoot.
When Ruby and I connected she was happy she got to have a say in how her photos looked and I gave her enough time to prepare for the shoot. We also went over all pricing ahead of booking, no surprises here! Even before I talk face-to-face with my boudoir clients I list price ranges on my website, I have no interest in wasting someone’s time making them reach out to me for a price range! At the consultation, I hear about their ideas and needs and create a custom package for them.
After our consult Ruby said she was hopeful this experience would be better than the last…and I am happy to report it was!
“10 times better!” Ruby told me.
“Especially because you had your hype woman with you” (my assistant Sydney was helping me that day:))
“It was super chill. It was a very nice studio. I had better lingerie. We did an hour shoot and after we were done I felt like I wanted more!”
Images from the Rain on Me Set
My advice
Talking to Ruby about her experience was very interesting for me, as someone whose boudoir background comes from working at one of those bigger companies. I didn’t work for the particular company Ruby went to, although they do have a similar business model. I learned a ton about boudoir photography while working for a company, but ultimately, I decided to open my own small business doing boudoir because I wanted a deeper connection with every client I photographed.
When Ruby said her first photoshoot felt “robotic” I knew exactly what she meant. The process was a well-oiled machine I called “the boudoir factory”. You don’t get to talk with clients ahead of the shoot and hear their stories, needs, and style until they walk in the door. You have no idea who is next on your schedule (you could be shooting 3-6 people a day!)
Ruby said that that’s why Fine Grain it was such a great experience. “They weren’t a robot and I wasn’t a robot.” It felt real, the photos turned out better and she really appreciated the extra love and attention I had given to her photos in editing… (I may have also re-edited the photos she bought from the company as Ruby wasn’t 100% happy with them.)
The big boudoir companies can be a great gateway to try boudoir for the first time. I hope that the women who feel hooked try a local business next. Although their photoshoots can be super cheap to book, often purchasing your images is just as expensive (if not more expensive) than a local business.
I hope everyone gets to experience a boudoir shoot that leaves them feeling heard, validated, and on top of the world! If you think I am the right fit, you know where to find me.