Retrospect Images » Napa, Sonoma, Sacramento, Northern California and Desitnation Fine Art Wedding Photography

Dear Boudoir Photographers,

There’s something you do which drives me nuts. Meaning…. I used to do it, too, and then learned that it made no sense.

Stop giving your clients booze.

Don’t even allow your clients ot show up under the influence of alcohol… I’ve had clients pregame at the bar across the street. I also, like every other boudoir photographer, though it was ‘part of the experience’ to provide champage as part of a luxury boutique experience.

….Champagne has a low alcohol content and they have 2 glasses maximum, you say?

It only took me a few boudoir sessions before I stopped allowing alcohol to be a part of my shoots. I remember I had one client who saw her photos and told me as she laughed “I can see exactly where drink number two hit me in the series of photos.” and that was the last time I offered champagne at my boudoir sessions. It poses a number of issues, and potential issues.

First. Imagine you are today’s average, unfortunately self conscious woman. You have a photoshoot wherein the focus of the shoot is on your body. Not only that, but you will be wearing MUCH less clothing than you are used to. As much as I try to instruct against it, most clients unfortunately preface their bookings with me with “Now I just need to diet…. or tone… or insert other unnecessary body modification here.” The unfortunate truth is that 90% of the women I photograph come in either having skipped a meal before their session or have been dieting a few weeks leading up to their session. A few drinks on an empty stomach will hit her much harder…

Then, you add in any physical reactions to alcohol. Many turn red or splotchy. Some get sleepy. Some lose a little control in their movements. And some can’t hold poses as well. All are things which result in both the process and final product being compromised.

Additionally, the ability to take direction is compromised. If my client gets chatty after a few drinks, loses focus, or can’t focus on the movements I am directing her to do during flow posing, it is beyond something that I can control.

…..But its just a drink or two and it really helps them to RELAX?

With photography, you want to provide consistent results to every client. A consistent, controlled experience which represents your personal brand. It is so important to me that I am able to maintain control over all of these areas that the trade off is not worth it.

Its your job to help them relax and alcohol is an easy way around this, which also is detrimental to your results.

Instead, use flow posing- talk them through a series of constant, flowing movements and keep talking so they feel constantly guided with no room for feeling insecure or uncertain. In 10 minutes, they will see that everything is fine, and that there is no need to rely on a few drinks to loose them up.

Your results will thank you.