Boudoir Photographer: Brittany Schnell

Over the past seven years, I’ve done boudoir photography only a handful of times. You likely haven’t seen the photos for at least one of the following reasons:

• I have kids in my audience. Part of my business includes working with Seniors & Families. I do not think it would be appropriate for me to be tagging a high school senior- someone possibly not even an adult yet, next to softly explicit content. When grandma comes to my Facebook page to see her grandbabies, she doesn’t want to see Tushy Tuesday or Sexy Saturday posts.

• Clients didn’t want their images shared. I totally understand this. But the effect it has on my business is substantial. When I can’t share my work, my client base can’t grow! I think this was the biggest thing holding me back.

• I wasn’t really a boudoir photographer. Here me out: when a photographer ‘specializes’ in everything: weddings, families, seniors, boudoir, babies, commercial, branding, event and composite photography- they don’t specialize in anything at all. In the photography world these photographers are a joke. Hopefully, they will narrow in on what works best for them- but rarely is that photographing everything. The way I saw myself: I was a wedding and portrait photographer. But times have changed and I’m ready to expand into the boudoir world. I already specialize in Weddings, Seniors, Families and now Boudoir.

Now that we have a pile of excuses- it’s time to break free of them. I have kids in my audience? Build a new audience. Clients didn’t want their images shared. Find people that would let me take their picture and share it. I wasn’t really a boudoir photographer. Girl, it’s all in your head. Get your camera out and make some rad photos!

Here’s my solution: Host a Boudoir Photoshoot at a stellar AirBnB. Do a really good marketing campaign and ask each person that participates to pay a small fee to cover the cost of the rental. The investment will help people stay true to their word and actually show up & work. This sounds easy, but it was loads of stressful decisions, uncomfortable moves and money.

First, I found photographers & models by posting in local photography & modeling Facebook groups. It’s difficult to convince a group of people to commit to something without knowing all the details like who else would be there.

I’m extremely grateful for the photographers that I connected with: Emily & Barbara. With these two ladies secured, I knew models would follow.

Finding models was the hardest part.

I made an amazing marketing campaign which brought in women from my audience. I personally reached out to individuals in modeling groups which was extremely weird and uncomfortable for me- I felt like an MLM gal trying to scam ‘friends’ into my latest hit product. I literally sweat when I cold message someone, it stresses me out so much. I hate being intrusive. Thankfully, I made some solid connections with some amazing models. Emily invited her model, makeup artist and friend: Haley. Barbara invited Megan & Jesi who are experienced cosplayers, and Jen and Liz whom she knew wanted more modeling experience.

There were a handful of people that committed and then backed out last minute. Of course, they did not pay their promised portions. Ah, the joys of putting your own event together that hinges on the attendance of other people.

At the end of the day, I’m extremely proud of this event. I’m happy with the content we created and I had a blast photographing my friends and making new ones. I’ve hardly started posting photos and I have already received interest in my services with my first boudoir booking since the shoot coming up next weekend.

I’ll share more of what I learned about hosting and coordinating an event like this in my podcast, Business As Usual.

THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Mist & Moonlight owner and photographer, Barbara has been taking photos since long before I was born, sometime in the 80s!! She has a studio located in downtown Rapid City.

Barbara has a slow and methodical shooting style. “It’s all about posing for me. I want my subjects to feel confident and beautiful so I go slow to get every shot, pose and angle just right.”

Barbara and I have plans to work together again and I cannot wait for it!

EBE Photography owner and photographer, Emily has been taking photos since before she was 17, shooting her first wedding before she was an adult! Her age didn’t stop her from pursing her dreams and meeting her goals.

I’m constantly inspired by her photos, posts and energy. Emily knows what she wants and does any thing it takes to get that photo. She’s a real gem in the creative community.

Emily and I have already collaborated again- taking branding and behind the scenes photos for each other last week. We have more collaborations planned, so stay tuned!!

THE MODELS

A huge THANK YOU to all the models that made this photoshoot a success. It was so much fun working with each of you. Thank you for showing up and showing out!! Ya’ll were fantastic.

SELF PORTRAITS

The following morning, after the entire house was cleaned up and everyone was gone, I took my own photos. Using the shutter burst feature in the Sony Imaging app, I photographed a variety of outfits- taking photos in a bodysuit, Calvin Klein set, a couple everyday outfits and a few with my camera.