Lux has been around for nearly 15 years and in that time, we have developed a unique style of photographing and editing that allows us to separate ourselves from the plethora of wonderful boudoir photographers in Vancouver. We have spent that time honing our craft and our pricing certainly reflects this. While we pride ourselves on creating a space that is welcoming for all women, we know that we are not going to be the perfect fit for everyone. Boudoir is an intimate experience, and we truly want you to choose a photographer that is best for you. With that in mind, we have seven tips for you when choosing a boudoir photographer. If these tips leave you inspired to book with us, all the better, but if they help you to realize that another photographer is a better fit, that’s okay too. For many, boudoir is a luxury self-investment, so while we would love to work with everyone, we ultimately, want you to invest in the best experience for yourself.

Consistency in the Quality of Work

Experienced photographers have a defined style and a consistency to their work. While the women featured in their portfolio will look different (we hope! more on that below), the overall aesthetic, posing, re-touching and lighting should be consistent across their body of work.

If a photographer’s work is inconsistent, it is a good indicator that they are still developing their skill and style. Without a consistent style and quality, you cannot be guaranteed how your photos are going to turn out.

Do they Retouch their Images in a way you would want to see yourself

Each photographer has their own editing style and principles. Some edit their images to have a more moody aesthetic, others prefer a more light and airy look. Where some photographers use photoshop more liberally to alter their client’s face and body, others use photo editing minimally allowing for a more natural look. There isn’t anything wrong with one aesthetic over another, but you do want to make sure that the photographer’s style lines up with yours. If, for instance, part of the reason you are interested in doing a boudoir photoshoot is to celebrate your body as it is, then you wouldn’t want to book with a photographer who heavily photoshops and might alter the way your body looks in order to achieve the aesthetic they want to see.

Another thing to consider regarding editing, is longevity. Here at Lux, we aim for a timeless, classic aesthetic. We don’t want you to look back at your photos ten years from now and think, “oh gosh, these are sooooo 2023”. When considering a photographer, ask yourself if their editing style is one that might quickly become dated, or if it has a good chance of standing the test of time.

What do their Review Say?

It’s always a great idea to check out the reviews for any boudoir studio you are considering. Take note if there is anything that seems to be consistently mentioned. How does the photographer respond to reviews? It’s a good idea to look at both the bad reviews and the good ones to get an overall sense of the studio.

Do they Feature a Variety of Women in their Portfolio

This can be a good indication if they are really putting into practice values of inclusivity and diversity. A portfolio that is largely consistent of thin women who easily fit into societal beauty standards does call into question if the photographer is using professional or amateur models, or if they are accustom to working with everyday women. While it’s not wrong to work with models, I can tell you that working with someone who is accustomed to being in front of the camera is a lot easier than someone who is nervous and has never posed before. Models are great for exploring new ideas, testing out new lighting, and being creative. But if the photographer says they work with everyday women, but their portfolio is filled with women who could be models, critical thinking skills would leave me wondering at the misalignment.

A diverse portfolio is also a good indication of whether or not they have experience working with body types like yours. Just like buying clothes off the internet based on model sizes can be difficult and produce some hilarious, if not disappointing shopping results, working with a photographer who is unaccustomed to posing normal bodies of all shapes and sizes can also produce disappointing results.

Personality

Boudoir is an intimate experience and you ideally want to work with someone who can make you feel at ease. Many photographers are now on social media and even if they aren’t in front of the camera giving you insight into who they are directly, you can generally get an idea about who they are, how they interact with people, their values and guiding principles based on their captions and comments. Do their principles align with yours? Do you need someone who can make you laugh to help ease your nerves on the day of your photoshoot? Do they seem kind and sincere?

While receiving high quality images is an important part of the boudoir experience, much of the healing, growth and transformative part of boudoir occurs during the session. If you don’t connect to, or feel safe with your photographer, it might have a negative impact on your experience.

Pricing

Boudoir photography is a luxury experience, but we do our best to make it affordable, as we believe all women should have the opportunity to experience the power of boudoir. Price can be a good indication of a photographer’s experience and expertise. Like with tattoos, you certainly get what you pay for. We’ve written before about the cost of boudoir here. Lux is one of the original boudoir studios in Vancouver, and we have consistently invested in upleveling our skills, and our pricing reflects this. That said, we do offer a variety of packages, offer model calls, and offer specials to help make our photography more accesible.

When deciding on a boudoir photographer, it’s a good idea to know how much you are comfortable spending. Once you have a budget in mind, you can look for the best quality photographer in a price range you can afford.

Book a Consult Call

Once you’ve done some research and narrowed down your list of photographers you are interested in working with, book a phone consult call with each of them. This is a great way to ask any last questions you might have, and is a good way of ensuring that you jive with the photographer (and their team).

P.S. Curious what you can expect from a photo shoot with Lux Boudoir? Download our complimentary Dream Photoshoot Planner instantly by clicking HERE

If you would like to find out more information about booking your boudoir shoot, you can simply email us at info@luxportraits.ca or text 778-743-4773