What to Expect at Your First Boston Boudoir Session
Let’s face it, boudoir is a bit of a weird concept out of context but weird can be wonderful. You’re baring your soul and your butt to a virtual stranger to bask in your own glory and explore a different side of yourself. Ahead of doing that, it’s nice to know what’s going to happen from the moment you book until you get your final photo.
Before Your Session: Have you downloaded my free boudoir guide? It’s a great place to get started and once you’re ready to book we’ll set up a consultation to talk about your goals (are you celebrating yourself, planning a gift for someone else, or a secret third thing?) and get into planning where we’ll be shooting and what you’ll be wearing, or not wearing. Think of this as your free pass to tell me everything – whether you dream of classic pin-up vibes or just want naturally beautiful photos. The more I know, the better I can tailor your session to you. This is also when we go over boundaries and consent (more on that in a sec), so nothing unexpected happens. Every woman (and man, and non-binary pal) wants something different from their boudoir session and I am here to help make it happen.
The Session Starts: For a typical session you’ll be welcomed into my spacious private studio with a few snacks (I believe in never shooting hungry) and tunes. Some clients like to skip hair and makeup or come in ready to shoot, others like to get styled on site since it’s more convenient. To start with we’ll start with a chat and go over your outfit options, for clients that haven’t shot boudoir before, I usually recommend the most conservative option to help you get warmed up. It’s normal to feel a little shy but confidence will build quickly.
During the Session: I strive to create a comfortable vibe and a space where you can stretch out and be confident. It should feel fun and empowering, even if you’re a little nervous and awkward. No modelling experience is needed; I’ll provide coaching through posing and expressions with a little bit of demonstration and some gentle direction and hype. I like to tell my clients that I am a creative collaborator, but they’re totally in charge of the session so if something isn’t working for you, we can change it.
After the Session: We’ve had a few laughs and you’ve left the studio feeling amazing. Maybe there will be a few sneak peeks in a few days to keep that hype going. The next step is to get you your proof gallery, which is a set of soft edits that we can use as a jumping-off point for your selections and talking about retouching. When it comes to retouching my goal is to make you look like you do on those days when you glance in a mirror and can’t help but to say “damn, I look hot.” Once you’ve selected your favorite shots you’ll get final proofs before everything gets ready for delivery.
Your Privacy: An important part of your comfort is the ability to totally trust meshots, sharing such a vulnerable side of yourself. Photo selections and edits are all handled in-house (which can mean a little longer delivery time in the busy season) and all your proofs are only available through your private, password protected gallery. For the last step, printing, I parter with a very reputable and reliable printer who works with some of the best in the industry. We don’t post or share our boudoir clients without their explicit permission (but I’m always grateful when clients are excited enough to share on their own).
Excited yet? Ready to see yourself in a new light? This isn’t like jumping off a cliff, it’s just stepping into the spotlight. Book your first boudoir session with me today and let’s create an unforgettable experience.
Ryan Richardson is a boudoir and wedding photographer serving Boston and beyond with a studio in Pawtucket, RI just outside of Providence.