Here are the 5 BS excuses people make for not starting their boudoir photography business.
1 You have only done a few boudoir shoots and lack confidence and a diverse portfolio
When I began boudoir photography, I wanted to develop my portfolio and also build my confidence. So I did many Time for Print (TFP) Shoots, offering a free shoot and digital images to models, in exchange for their time.
Unfortunately I didn’t set an end-date on TFP shoots and ended up doing TFP shoots for years! I was waiting for the models to provide validation that my work was good enough to start charging. Were they excited to shoot with me? Did they rave about their photos afterwards? But the validation didn’t come. I would often have models turn down a free shoot with me after seeing my photos, or they would cancel the day of their free shoot. I was doing free shoots to build my self confidence, yet it was having the opposite effect and completely destroying my confidence. The lesson I learnt was: people do not value free. I realised I needed to value myself by starting to charge for my work. Once I started to value myself and charging for my work, the women I photographed did the same.
Just because you love doing photography so much you would do it for free, it doesn’t mean you should! So I suggest setting a number limit on TFP shoots, for example, 3-5 shoots. But it is also important to set a time limit, otherwise like me you could be doing TFP shoots for years! Therefore set a short time frame of a month maximum.
Set a number of shoots, set a short time limit. Then start charging.
2 Having amateur camera equipment or no studio lighting
Do you have an SLR? Can you take sharp photos? Those are the only requirements.
Rather than those L series lenses, your lens cost $200. So what? Clients couldn’t care less what equipment you have, so long as you make them look good.
Don’t have strobes or studio lighting? So what? The best lighting is created by mother nature. NOTHING beats the beauty of natural light. It is gorgeous. It is free. It is everything you need. And I’ve shot with natural light for most my career. The photo above is natural light, look at that light hitting the hair and shaping her face … absolutely beautiful.
Start with what you have. You can always upgrade your equipment down the track. But just start!
3 You’re not a ‘technical’ person and you don’t shoot on manual mode
I have a secret. I’ve been a professional photographer for over 20 years and I’ve shot on aperture priority 90% of the time. The only time I shoot on manual mode is if I’m using studio lighting. I care about getting my exposure right, but I don’t care how I get there. The end result is what matters.
Being a good photographer isn’t about being the most technical. Being a photographer is about having an eye for photography, and passion for your craft.
4 You don’t have a boudoir studio space
Personally this was one of my favourite excuses. I lived in a small house and didn’t have my own studio space and felt this was holding me back from starting my boudoir photography business. Over time, I realized that I was just making excuses and began shooting outdoors at parks and beaches. Then one day I decided to just start shooting in my bedroom. I put fresh sheets on the bed and made sure the room was clean and tidy. There was no hiding it was my bedroom from clients, and sure it wasn’t the most professional setting, but you need to work with what you have!
5 There’s too much competition and so many boudoir photographers already in my city
Yep there are lots of boudoir photographers out there. But there is only one you. There are lots of boudoir photographers in my city too, but no one else has my style or offers exactly what I do. Eminem was right – ‘no matter how many fish in the sea, it’d be so empty without me’. And it’d be empty without you too.
So what excuses have you been making for not starting your boudoir photography business?
And just remember:
You will NEVER feel ready. You have to start DESPITE not feeling ready. That is the only way.
Start from where you are, and work with what you have – rather than waiting for that mythical future moment when you finally feel ready, or when all the stars align and the conditions are perfect.
Stop dreaming about it, and instead take that important first step.
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