We are mixing it up

Boudoir photography seems to be on of those things that girls would love to have, but  worry that maybe they just dont have the body or confidence to  pull it off.

You are sitting there saying to yourself;  What will I look like? Should I go for a shoot?  what about the prices? will the photographer perv over me? Whats the final products going to look like?  is it sleazy?  Is it a bit tacky?  What about my stretch marks? I always look hideous  in photos..

These are all Common questions  and concerns and its just these things that will put you off because you do not have the confidence that you will get from the photo shoot yet.
If you have body dysmorphia  then a boudoir photo shoot isn’t going to be for you, but if your question is Can I look as good as the models, then the answer is probably yes.

If you have thought about your own lavish sexy photos and sitting in lingerie looking all sexy, then  it takes one simple step to get you on your way,  hesitating and leaving it for a ‘maybe later’  is your minds way of saying RUN!
It does take a little courage to ‘get your kit off’ in front of a photographer and I think everyone has that problem, but after a few minutes, its all gone and then you wonder what all the fuss was about..

One of the biggest current woes is that women have seen what they look like  when they have take a photos on their camera phone, just to see what it may look like, or the have some photos that someone took on their camera while on a night on the town and we can say that these are often unflattering!! (as an understatement of course)..

One of the reasons this happens is simply because  the cameras are cheap, the lighting is poor and the photographer is  a happy snapper, and as for mobile camera  phones, well they arent really cameras are they..
A true professional Photographer Knows about lighting and making the most out of it to offer you stunning photos,  you will look amazing. Many people think they must have a make over before coming and while that may be true for some types, its not essential. However for some  hiding behind a mask of make up is a comfort and brings some confidence..

Stretch marks and Bad skin..  oh this is the baine of your life and women are so protective over stretch marks, but do you really have to be?  at a rought guess, most women who have a child have stretch marks, its a fact of life and most photographers have photo shop and thats also a fact of life to,  putting the two together you need to make a choice.. do you lessen then, or remove them?
Bad skin in general  isnt a big issue as this is much the same as any spot pimple and even tatoo’s or birthmarks, they can be removed, cleaned up and you can even be giving a tan.. though we do prefer that you go for a fake one as its a fair bit of work..

ALSO -  corsets, they hide lots of sins!  so  just bring one along,  or pick one or two out of our wardrobe collection and there we go, baby belly and marks all gone.

Photo shoots Do cost money, unfortunately, photographer have bills to pay just like the rest of us, and sometime the business costs can be high.  When you come in for your photo shoot,  the photographer has everything ready,  and after the shoot the photographer has to take the photos and review them and retouch them for you which can take some time to do.
I think all photographers would agree with me that when you buy a photo, its just taking a perportion  of the costs that they have to pay, and its broken down into best guesses at what you will buy versus the business costs and of course the product costs.

If a client was to come to me and say, I will give you 4 clients each and every week and we will spend an equal amount to cover the costs and cost of products then the photographer will be over the moon and you would get some great deals on your photo shoot session and products.
But for many years and it has be come ingrained into people and the photography business, You want a cheap photo shoot, and then to cover the costs you have to pay more for the prints to make it worth doing.

For a long time we worked in the opposite direction,  Pay for our time (and costs) and then we give you low costs prints and products.. in away you can get lots more prints for a lot less money, and as I have said, people just looking at the website will see that the costs are high and automatically think the prints are high as well, without even looking!

We have posted examples of this  false economy where a £50 photo shoot with a free print turns into  a 6 print  photo shoot for £400+  Do you have it in your mind that your photo shoot is only going to give you ver few Nice photos?  well you may find your deeply mistaken!

In the next coming weeks with the old site back we are going to be mixing up the packages  just to see what happens, with many people NOT reading the content and just looking at pictures and package prices,  we will see if they really do pay attention.

Boudoir Photography website for sale

We are selling our old boudoir website, the website is a simple and easy to edit and mange site with a two column basis with over and under sections as well as a footer.

The website  is bright and colourful with a butterfly pattern and a lighting effect on the text to give a 3d effect.

The website has a  simple calculator so that your client may calculate a package based on their requirements so that you do not have to design set packages which can be a turn off to many clients.

The websites background colour (shown in baby pink) can be changed with a simple graphic, the header can also be changed.
The right side images can be used as a Light box display gallery across the pages of the site, so that each of the pages has relevant images and will work as a gallery, alternatively the images could be single larger images per page or a rotational image could be used.
If you would like the images to be large you can skip the CSS style for the images, and with a minor alteration a flash scroll gallery can be placed in the right hand side, both easy to administrate and requires no special coding software.

For ease of reading, the  paragraphs or sections of the pages are broken up by small banners with butterflies on them, this allows the client to follow sections and skip to the next subject is they would like.

The simple check box system in the calculator allows clients to  click on the items that they would like and covers most of the basic functions that you will need to know. like:

• Hours booking
• make up and hair
• prop  and clothing use
• Specific photo shoots (like bed of roses, bed of candles)
• The photo shoot venue
• and the album (with they design or studio design)

The calculator is split into two parts as this basically covers the costs of the shoot, the second part  would be the products

These are sectioned  as:

• preview (gallery, proofs or contact sheets or Dvd slide show)
• Album prints
• Image retouching
• Digital negatives
• Special imaging (such as vargas)

The client can use a number of the options to calculate the right about of images, so a 50 and a 20 would give them the price for 70 images. Down the right side of the page, there is space for the details of the choices in a summary to help guide the client through each part and so that they know what they are paying for and how to make the choice.

Sites performance.

While many people will sell you a website with no information and just based on its looks, we can give you information on the websites performance.

The site has been designed as a 3 page site – Thats is that clients should only need to go to three pages. the site averages 4.24 pages per visitor.

The visitor average  duration is  3.25 minutes which is what you would expect based on the information and type of website it is.

We experience in excess of 3,400 page views  per month on the website.

recommendations:

we never used the site with a light box or gallery as we find that a lot of men search the websites  looking for images of this type, it may encourage clients to have larger images on the website.

The current page width is a little large and fits standard screen sizes 1024, this can be adjusted in the CSS.  both the border and back ground colour od the main page can be changed, however sitting on top of there are two black background images to match the page itself.

Some users may find the  site a little too fresh and garish. with its lime green shocking pink and multi coloured butterflies.

This website does NOT come with, Hosting, images or meta data or text content..

Site updates

Yes its that time again… while our boudoir photography website  was only replaced  in November 2009 we have found that its not really working for us, with nearly 2,000 people hitting the site every month and the resolve on conversions lower than the previous website, we have decided to roll back the website to the former site design.

website rolled back and renewed

 

This website was designed by GTWCMT and uses a picture menu to work its way around the website.

Some of the updates  include new pictures and a new package ” the bed of roses” as posted directly before this with its 1.5 hour photo shoot  that offers a framed canvas for the ladies that would LOVE to have the American Beauty themed photo shoot.

And for those who missed the new old boudoir photography website here is a quick picture..

The website will be for sale.. see the other post..

An American Beauty Boudoir Photo shoot

One of the popular requests from clients is the ‘American Beauty’ shot which girls seem to have fallen in love with. and while we have been sitting around with photos for a little while,  and after a meeting yesterday we have decided on making this photo shoot a stand-alone package for clients.

We do offer variations to the shot, to maximise the number of options for the client to buy the ideal image and also allow for the photographers artistic impression  or rather interpretation on this particular photo.

Of course for those more in love with chocolate than roses then why not try this with Chocolate?

Needless to say the roses option is more costly due to the amount of fresh roses used in the shot, but we can cheat a little, which would make the photo opportunity more affordable to the mass market.

We will run this as a promotion available from this blog, and you can find  the list of promotions on the link at the top of the page.

110 year of boudoir history

Many people may wonder where boudoir photography came from and its origins and in the post on the National Photographer website you will find a post on the history of boudoir photography, before it was boudoir.

The  post follows the changes in the perception’s of this genre of photography dating back to the late 1800’s and follows the path of social acceptance, and all the side bits that led up to the final boudoir photo shoots of today and all the influences that had an effect on it along the way.

http://www.nationalphotographer.co.uk/01/boudoir-photography-style/

The article  covers glamour, nude, art, pin-up, page 3, lads mags, and boudoir photography from 1880’s- 2000

Other boudoir relations

As a boudoir Photographer and professional photographer, often one of the keys on boudoir photography is the information and the concepts behind  the clients view point. It can often get lost behind the nature of the work that we do as when I take a look which is much the same as not seeing the wood for the trees, then you start getting places.   

Boudoir photography is one of those things that every woman will always think, No Ive not got the right figure, or, im too fat or maybe 10 years ago I would have.. but if you are loved now,  then you know the man in your life loves your body the way it is. We all are guilty of looking at our bodies and nit-picking anything that is wrong with it. Even if it’s a little over weight and gravity is starting to win its battle; is it not the photographers job to make you all you can be?
And to round-up the summary of problems; it will be ten years in ten years time, so will you look back with some regrets then?   

Boudoir photography is about looking good and feeling good, so maybe if your a little down on how good you look, a boudoir photo shoot is a good pick me up.  But feeling it and living it are often two different things.   

When I was modeling  you have to act out these  stories and the photographer gives you direction and works with you. But, as a model you are exspected to know your best side and how to work with the camera. To be honest?  Its a drag. You stand around and move in almost slow motion, the photographer will say stop, oh yeah thats it  and then run out of film so they have to send a runner off to get more from the fridge.. Thank god for digital!!   

Rory Witham Photo by Olivia Beasley for GQ

  

 I can under stand that many women want that model feeling and the all star woo of  being a model, maybe some what of a sex symbol for their husband or boyfriend.  Leaving things later in life is one of those things that its not the best thing to do. Seize the moment and take that plunge and the dive into something that is different and so special that you will wonder why you didnt do it before!   

Nora Batty - (Katty Staff) Mail on line.

  

 In todays world, money is a little tighter than it used to be, digital camera are more or less in every home. So, you could read some articles,  just look at some pictures and give it a go your self, not really a surprise if he has to do it, and well if the kids have to do it then maybe thats worse.
There is a great deal that goes into the photography, though some may not believe it,  We can assure you that this isnt true and it does come to the fine line of if a hair is out of place..   

The growing trend for  Boudoir photography is as a  sensual new trend that’s especially popular as a wedding day gift from a bride to her groom on their wedding day.  The photo shoot takes place in secret a few weeks before hand. The boudoir photography world is a bit weird as you may notice from my early posts and the difference between Boudoir and nude art and glamour photography. Just dont get me started on the different levels of glamour photography from the 1950’s which is kind of pin-up style of class and then we go down to the ‘cheap slease’ of the page 3 girls as it was back in the 1980’s.   

One of the things that clients always say is “I want some glamour photos but I don’t want to look cheap” which as you may have guessed from the photos, this isn’t the case with the photography which we do.  What I do say to them is that you want boudoir photography then or  classical glamour. They usually replay umm..  which is my point that many people and even photographers cannot or do not distinguish between the 4 or so areas or levels of photography.   

Kate Wood from the Knot said   

“Many wedding photographers have embraced this  trend — your shutterbug may offer this as an additional service. An added bonus of going with a pro: Many brides like to have the best of their boudoir photos bound in a mini album just for their hubby, a service many wedding photographers are able to arrange. In some cities, you may also be able to find services that specialize in boudoir photography. While the shots you get may not be as high quality as those of a high-end wedding photographer, there can be other perks –like closets full of potential wardrobe items or props.”   

This is one of the main reasons that as an award winning wedding photographer, I split the Boudoir photography away from the Wedding Photography website. Allowing us to offer the professional boudoir shoots and not mess about so much with  making this work with boudoir and wedding ‘as a package’.  It offered us more flexibility as well with the packages and work loads as a 4 hour photo shoot can and has turned into 43 hours of work for the photographer, with the post production and everything else that goes into the shoots.   

Read the article   

We wanted to work with a more classical vintage styles of photography it was important to really work the boudoir, glamour and pin-up on its own.
It may be me but I think that a boudoir photo shoot is something different than your wedding day, I know they say get along with your wedding photographer but I think that if its a he and he knows whats under your dress all day, its a more intimate relationship that it really needs to be for a wedding.
Dont get me wrong, wedding photographers need to be friends and understand the wedding as well as the bride and groom and therefore you get better photos. But I have a somewhat different approach having studied psychology for many years I just know what people are like and generally get on well with people and set them at ease.   

But away from the wedding photography, Boudoir photography has its own game park all to its self. I personally believe that boudoir is just a tame sensual tone down of glamour and those sexy photos of actresses that people idolise and boys have posters up on their walls.  But many women  dont want the full-on outrageous photo shoots and this  has become mixed with the subtle tones of classic glamour photography (images results)
Interestingly you can see the difference between Classic Glamour and Classical glamour  just by using google image search tool. But  what is new for us now, is classic for the next generation, so  we have to look a little further and look at Vintage Glamour Photography and of course pin-up glamour. One of the first things that you will notice, well I do; is that there are some of the websites images up online already from our websites.  We have to remember that im talking about OLD SCHOOL photography where there was some reserve so we can look back at 1940’s pin up which for those just reading this here is a picture.   

Vintage 1940's pin-up photography

  

vintage boudoir photography

  

As you can see the vintage boudoir photography is very boudoir in its style but clearly at the time this was more about Glamourising the film stars and creating desire and an edge for them as the cinema ‘flicks’ wasnt as wide spread nor were there TV’s in everyone’s home. This style is more on the style of photography which I want to be offering as well as some modern arts also put into the mix to Spice the photography up.   

Boudoir Meets Portrait Photography

  

As I think I can say that I have delivered this in this portrait picture when on a photo shoot. But to put into context here is a wedding boudoir image.   

Soft Bridal Boudoir Images to make him want more

  

While its not a black and white image, you can see where the classic vintage glamour has its effect in this image, and still has its modern twist.   

Going back to what I was saying at the start of this post, the model  in this photo is not a model,  she has two children, thinks shes fat, had low self-confidence and self esteem and was worried about showing off her stretch marks,  But  Im guessing you saw this when you looked at the photo?  guessed not..  I think it goes to prove the point that many girls want the photos taken and they all worry about not looking as good as the other people on the photographers site or have been seen else where, and it’s those people who are the ones in the photos!.   

 I will admit that we are not the cheapest boudoir photographers around, but for many we dont have any hidden charges and are more reasonable on the prints and other things that you may want after your photo shoot, and with clients saying they want 90 images from their photo shoots with us, You know there is both quality and good work.
But we do like to be paid for that work that we do and pay the business costs.   

I am not sure how some photographers may work, but some may charge £100 for a shoot  + Studio /location £150 + Prints  to the clients which soon adds up, to costing more than our photo shoots, so Im not so sure about being costly, but im sure if you can work out a like for like price, we are reasonable and you can also always look at the promotions on this blog.   

Links:   

1940’s Pin up girls   

110 Years of Boudoir, Pin-up and glamour photography history

The Studio

One of the things about being multi handy (as opposed to talented) is that many of our set designs are all custom built, hand  made and most definitly finished by hand. One of a kind and unique to us.

This old stool was wrecked, falling apart and  had seen better years! When we  decorated the Gloucester studio this stool was selected, stripped down,  rebuilt using silks and a gloss black piano finish along with a few packs of leather studs.

In this picture you can see one of the two chairs in the studio, this one is green and purple and the  other black and gold.

Feel free to visit our website

http://boudoir.nationalphotographer.co.uk/

Quick Promotional update

We have just updated our photo shoot promotions for 2010, click here to take a  look:

http://boudoirphotographyuk.wordpress.com/promotions/

Bridal Boudoir Photoshoots

Bridal season is almost here!!
When the winter nights get shorter and brides start to get ready for their spring and summer weddings, they are looking for that special gift to give their husband to be and often this is the ever growing popularity of the Bridal boudoir photo shoot.  

Bridal boudoir is a sensual photo shoot not in just the wedding lingerie, but with the gown (or one you borrow from us so he still doesn’t get to see it ) and these are taken in a romantic and slightly provocative manner to ensure he is waiting at the altar for you.  

Subtle suggestive images to inspire him and give you that really sensual look, so he will say WOW; I cant wait to marry this  stunning super star..  

The brides secret gift is kept under wraps with our flexible photo shoot times, he will never know what is happening untill the day of the wedding when your album or pocket-book arrives.  

  

Our Brides Boudoir packages will be listed in the promotions so that we can try to match your budget and our award winning photography services together so that you can have that special gift.  

Due to the commercial and professional nature of the photography service that we offer,  you do need to book your Bridal boudoir Photo shoot In Advance, the reasons for this are: 

•  We are incredibly busy during the summer and spring with our other photography services.
• We take time in planning the right shoot for you WITH you.
• Image selection can take you up to two weeks
• We take around a week to edit your photos
• Once you have made your selection, we design the album / pocket book which can take a few days
• We use fine quality albums/pocket books and these take around 12 days to be printed.
• For any other unforseen issues, we recommend a week to spare just in case.

Bridal Boudoir Photo shoots in the UK

  

You should look to book your shoot a minimum of 6 weeks before the wedding. We would recommend booking around 3 months in advance, so that you can rest assured we can book you in.  

   

Head over to our website and take a look at out Bridal boudoir information  

Bridal Boudoir – Before or after the wedding??

Quote us happy Boudoir Photography sale

Do you really know the value of photography as well as the time and the costs that us photographers have to offer you?

Quote us happy is a spin on the car insurance pitch of “quote me happy” but rather than the photographers quoting you, you quote the photographers.

How to quote your boudoir photography photo shoot.

How to work out the time.

Unknown to many  people, all photography has what we call post production. This is image retouching, level adjustment and much more and takes about 4 times the length of the photo shoot.

Business costs.

Just like you have in everyday life,  the photographers have  what we call business costs. These costs are often forgotten by the clients but have to be paid for by the photographer. If the photographer cannot meet these costs then they go out of business. Here is a list of the costs:

1. Rent
2. Rates
3. Insurance
4. Equipment
5. Marketing
6. Staff

Product costs

The other costs are of course the products, these are the prints, canvases and albums that you would like.

Costs

You may also wish to consider the wage of the photographer who im sure is worth a little more than minimum wage. A photographer has around 52 clients per year and works for 50 weeks of the year taking two weeks off for holiday and illness.

How to do the math.

This is a little backwards as you need to add the business costs together, then add the wage and then divide this by 52 to give you your base rate for your photo shoot at a weekly cost.
To work out the wages;  for most shoots should by divided by the days (7) and then  multiplied by 3 (it normally takes around 3 days to fully complete a photo shoot).

You then need to work out the costs of prints, albums and or canvases that you would like. Photographers do not use high street printers but quality printers such as http://www.loxleycolour.com/  and album suppliers such as http://www.graphistudio.com/en/index.html

You should now have your rough price quote and the details of your package for the photographer, this should have the details of your photo shoot; to help this is the details of the shoot that you should include with your budget quote.

• Shoot location ( may be a  hotel)
  Travel costs to the location
• How long the shoot will be for.
  Any costs of food and drink
• How many outfit changes there will be
• If you have a make up artist (and their details)
• The prints, album and canvases (with sizes and suppliers)
• Wages (hourly rate or job rate)
• The total budget

Simply send this to us by contacting us http://boudoir.nationalphotographer.co.uk/contact.htm and we will see if you have quoted us happy.

If you need some help in working out the costs, our online package calculator should give you some idea, you can find this on our website here http://boudoir.nationalphotographer.co.uk/boudoir_calculator.htm