Top 10 Misconceptions of Boudoir Photography

Boudoir photography has quickly become a great passion for me. I love the way women are starting to feel about themselves and the life changing stories I’ve heard after their boudoir session with me. As my client Dana recently told me, “There is a quiet confidence that I walk with now, one I haven’t felt in a long time!” I love that! Every woman deserves to feel empowered and confident.

Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions out there that tend to scare women away from feeling this way about themselves after having a boudoir experience. Below is my attempt to debunk the Top 10 Misconceptions of Boudoir Photography.

Truth be told, there are many photographers out there that do go too far and over sexualize their brand of boudoir photography. However, I believe that is not the true essence of boudoir photography.

Our goal is not to degrade woman at all, in fact we do the opposite. We empower women, we bring their confidence back by pampering them for a day and taking pictures that remind them that they are beautiful, just the way they are. Society does a great job of tearing down women every chance it can, this is my own little way to build women back up and reinstill that self-confidence that may have been lost or has eroded over time.

Before I started to shoot boudoir, this was the greatest misconception that I had too but, WOW has my opinion changed. I thought that this was solely a gift for your fiance or spouse and the more and more I began to shoot boudoir it became clear to me that I was wrong.

Above all else – this experience is truly gift for YOU! Many of my clients have told me, for the first time, they are seeing themselves from an outside perspective and are realizing just how beautiful they truly are. As my client Kim has expressed, “After my session I felt like a woman… Not just a Mom and a wife.” How cool is that?!

This is so wrong and may be my favorite misconception to debunk. I have had the pleasure of photographing all shapes, ages and sizes of gorgeous everyday women.

Everything from petite to curvy. From college aged women, all the way to grandmothers. I even shot a woman during her third trimester of pregnancy recently. Every single one of them were in different moments in their lives and they were all beautiful in their individual ways.

Absolutely not. You can be just as sexy and confident with or without clothes. It’s entirely up to you and how adventurous or modest you want to be. There are no rules when it comes to getting dressed or undressed for a boudoir photo session.

Your outfit should reflect your personality and beliefs. If you are not comfortable going topless or nude, you don’t have to at all. Many of my clients wear clothes the whole time. If you’re looking for ideas on what to wear, check out my Pinterest boards and download my FREE 24 page Preparation Guide, it’s filled with everything you need to get ready for your session.

In the last 6 years in photography, 99% of our clients do not feel confident on camera at first. It’s a process to get you comfortable and it’s all built in to the Julia Kay Boudoir experience.

First, you’ll meet me in the photography studio and I’ll take you to our upstairs in-house make-up and hair studio to meet Jo Ann. We’ll pour some champagne or wine to take that edge off and then we just chat the entire hour and a half while you’re being pampered.

We talk about your shoot, what makes you feel beautiful, as well as just girl stuff, ya know? Feels good to get that out in the open from time to time 🙂 By the time it’s time to shoot, it feels like we’re good friends and it allows you to unleash that goddess you hide inside.

To put it bluntly, no you do not, you are beautiful just the way you are! Now I’m all for looking and feeling your best but, this is the most used misconception for pushing back your session or putting it off completely. What if you never lose those 10 pounds? What if life passes you by as you wait year after year to have that perfect body? 

Ladies, you are beautiful just the way you are right now. Perfection is an illusion and is simply unattainable. Just know that wherever you are, my advanced techniques of posing and lighting, you’ll never look better. Also… Photoshop. My advice is to book a date for your session and use that as motivation you’ll need to reach your goals.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this one. As a professional, it is part of our job to make you comfortable and confident, to allow you to let go of all your insecurities and be yourself.

I’ve had clients literally cry in disbelief when they see their images during the shoot. It’s an amazing feeling when someone who has felt unphotogenic their entire life finally sees themselves as a confident and secure woman.

This is an absolute no for me. My client’s privacy is absolutely my #1 priority. My photo contract states that I won’t share any images without my client’s permission. I respect your privacy 100% and would never break the trust you’ve given to me.

What you see online are actual clients I have photographed who have granted me full permission to share expressly on my website, blog, private VIP group and social media. The rest of the images I’ve taken are stored safely on local hard drives or they are password protected on a secure cloud proofing system. Your images are in safe hands.

Though I feel everyone should have a boudoir experience in their lifetime doesn’t mean it has to only be once. I have a handful of clients who have returned for multiple sessions with me.

There is no better way to document the milestones in a woman’s life. Be it after reaching a great body goal, bridal boudoir or pregnancy. How about after your third child or a 40 and fabulous session?

It is true, boudoir photos can be priced higher than your average family session, but it’s also something you’re going to do way less often. Like anything else you buy, the better the quality the more it costs.

The good news is that many photographers, including me, offer different packages and easy payment plans too. Chances are, you can afford a boudoir shoot and it may be more affordable than you think.

I hope you enjoyed reading 10 Misconceptions of Boudoir Photography. Are you ready to finally do something for YOURSELF? Click here to download your FREE Boudoir Prep Guide, then contact me to schedule your session.

Be sure to check out Jo Ann’s amazing hair and make-up on her website: www.joannsalgado.com

Still not convinced? Join my Julia Kay Boudoir – VIP group. An exclusive and private group for women who want to be empowered and inspired. This community is amazing and can’t recommend it enough! See you there 🙂