Straight from a Gift Horse's Mouth: Why That Free Shoot Might Not Be
If everyone is a winner then is it really a contest? Let’s explore the good and the bad when it comes to photography giveaways and whether they’re worth your time.
If you’ve ever googled “Boston boudoir photography” or talked to your friend about a session a little too close to your smart fridge, then you’ve doubtlessly been inundated by posts telling you to enter to win a free shoot. It seems like a dream, right? You have a chance to get beautiful photos where you feel like an absolute goddess but you don’t have to spent a dime?
So you cross you fingers and fill out a form. In an instant you get an email, not just confirming your entry but letting you know that you are the lucky winner! What are the odds?
Shockingly good it turns out.
“Scam” is a strong word. Most of the time these offers are exactly what they say on the tin — a free session with a fun photographer that’s going to produce some images that you will love. But many photography giveaways include just a fraction of what a standard session would involve. Maybe it’s a 15-minute shoot with no retouching. Maybe the “free session” doesn’t include any actual images, and you’ll be asked to pay hundreds (or more) just to receive the photos you assumed were part of the deal. That “giveaway” might just be the hook, and once you're in the door, you're upsold on every little piece.
Worse, some giveaways are a way for newer photographers to build their portfolios without being fully transparent about their skill level or pricing. You might walk in expecting luxury and walk out with... a learning experience.
That’s how everyone’s a winner - it’s a sales technique disguised as a prize. But not every giveaway is shady, they can be a great opportunity when your photographer is transparent about what they’re doing and what you should expect. Giveaways can be a great way to drive traffic and give a discount without making it look like you’re giving a discount.
Why Transparency Matters in Boston Boudoir Photography…
Boudoir is a deeply intimate and deeply personal genre of photography. You’re making yourself open and vulnerable and trusting your photographer to support you through the experience. The last thing you want during that is to feel like you’ve been tricked with a rushed shoot, surprise costs, or underwhelming results.
So how do you know if it’s a good giveaway? If a photographer is running a good giveaway, here are some of the things you’ll see:
What’s included (and what’s not)
If retouching is included
Whether there are any purchase requirements
Their usual rates and what makes this a “gift”
If those details are missing or vague? That’s your cue to ask questions — or walk away.
Of course not every boudoir photographer in New England is worth booking with. Whether you’re looking for a full session or entering for a prize here’s what you should be looking for from your photographer…
Clear communication about pricing, process, and delivery
A portfolio that reflects the quality you want
Real testimonials from real clients
A photographer who makes you feel safe, seen, and celebrated
You deserve more than a bait-and-switch. You deserve a session that feels like an investment in your confidence and you can find that with Ryan Richardson Photography by booking today.
Ryan Richardson is a wedding and boudoir photographer serving Boston and beyond; including Cape Cod Weddings, New England Weddings, Massachusetts Weddings and Rhode Island Weddings.