BOUDOIR: THE

ACCELERATOR
BY MICHAEL SASSER
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WELCOME
Thank you for investing in me and investing in
yourself! If you are reading this, you believe in the
power of boudoir. It is an amazing experience and
I’m glad that you want to share it.

If you are having trouble getting clients, building

your portfolio, or are looking to improve the quality
of your work, then enjoy this book!
Welcome Section

Hello! I’m Michael Sasser, your boudoir

photography teacher for the remainder
of this course. Nice to meet you.

I’m looking forward to sharing with you

some obvious ways to improve your
business, and some ways that are less
obvious. I am an open book, so if
something in the course wasn’t
answered for you, send me an email
and I’ll do what I can to answer!

The videos in this course are full of

business talk, posing, shooting, pricing,
hair and makeup and more. But before
we get to that, lets talk about what to
do way before a client even emails you.

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TRUST
I believe that a lot of what makes clients feel comfortable to
book you is trust. This can come in many different forms. Trust
that you are a professional, trust that you won’t share these
pictures without permission, trust that you will make them
look amazing in their pictures, and many more other things.

This next section is going to explore many of the ways you can
build trust through both your website and referrals. Let’s get
into it.

Referrals:

A Referral is the ultimate trust. If a woman was photographed

by you, and it was an amazing experience, and they rave to
their friends that they HAVE to do it!... then there is little room
for doubt. So set up a great referral program for your clients
with big 

incentives, especially when starting out. The best one I've seen
is from Kara Marie, linked here at the business of boudoir. I
used this system and it worked well. Now that I do same day
sales sessions, I’ve had to change it up. She now has a FULL
guide covering all of this at her website. Check it out here!
Definitely worth the money.

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YOUR WEBSITE
Use Video Everywhere You Can course, but I get bookings from Yelp! Clients say the reviews really
made them excited to email and book with me. Yelp! isn’t a magic
If you don’t have a behind the scenes video on your website yet, get bullet, but it has been a good source of leads. The problem is… How do
one right now. I have another course on shooting video. For buying you get clients to write reviews, especially if you have only
this course I’ll give you $50 off to help you get started. Send me an photographed a few people and they have been spread out over the
email to michael@[Link] and I will send you the discount. last few months, maybe years. 

Before I started shooting boudoir full time I was shooting wedding CONTEST: About every 6 months I hold a mini contest for a
films. Now I use video with my boudoir company any chance I get. complimentary shoot, a metal print, or a spa day, depending on how
Showing behind the scenes of what a shoot is like and recording long ago I photographed those clients. To enter they must write a
testimonials of women and their experience can be extremely review on Yelp! or Google, or copy and paste them to both. To make
powerful. this REALLY easy, I’ve set up shortened links to my yelp and google
pages using [Link] to go right to the site with the review button
Women typically have no idea what they are walking into when they
clicked already. The easier it is for your clients to write a review, the
sign up for a boudoir shoot. Video can ‘demystify’ what your client’s
more likely they will be to do it. Also, don’t be afraid to ask your clients
experience will be like. Show them that you are professional in your
for a review the day after you photograph them. The experience is
coaching and confident in your posing skills. Show them that it will be
fresh in their mind and they will be more likely to do it.
a fun experience. Show them that OTHER women loved having the
experience. People are very visual, and the idea of being naked in a
Use a Photo of Yourself
room with essentially a stranger can make their imagination wander,
unless you SHOW them the reality. You can film some yourself, but A lot of photographers don’t like to have their own photos on their
don’t be afraid to hire someone to come film if necessary. Bottom line, website. It is important to take away the ‘mystery’ of who their
SHOWING is better than telling. photographer will be, and having a picture on your About Me page is a
great way to do that. It will also help build an emotional connection
My entire page of videos for my perspective clients to watch.
between you two, and we all know emotion equals sales!
Reviews
Reviews are one of the biggest ways to build trust with your future
clients. Video reviews are amazing, and covered in my boudoir video

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Show only your best work
It can be tempting at first to put in every picture you have, but it is
better to show fewer quality images, than many average ones. I know
that in the beginning you don’t have that much work to share. So how
do we put out our best work when our current clients won’t let us
share their pictures?!

Shoot models.
When I decided to add boudoir to my photography business, I had
only photographed boudoir once, and had a few from a workshop. The
very next week I scheduled 6 boudoir shoots of old friends, friends
of friends, and models I messaged on Model Mayhem, all with the
understanding that this would be a trade shoot. I would get to share
the images and they would receive the digitals in return. All of the
sudden I had 7 shoots to share, lots of women to put on my website
and blog about, and it looked like I had been in business for a few
months. While it can be fun to shoot the thinnest hottest woman you
can find, your future clients will identify with someone with a more
average body type and are more likely to imagine themselves in those
pictures. Variety is key.

Model Mayhem is so 2012. Today you might look on Instagram or join a

facebook group in your city titled “Model/Photographer/Makeup
Artist” or something like that. Everyone there is looking to collaborate.

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BOOKING WITHOUT A
PORTFOLIO
"But I messaged a few women saying I needed images for my
website and that I would shoot them for free and they said no!"

From her point of view, you need something from them, and
seem desperate! Lets change the conversation.

“Hey Miss B, I’ve started my boudoir business and am

introducing pricing of XXXXX starting May 10th. I’m only doing
3 shoots (you can say 3 but do as many as you like, the point is
to add scarcity) before then in order to start a referral base
and give a few women a chance to get in before I my prices go
up! I’m taking applications right now. I need you to fill it out
with your name and why you want to have a boudoir
experience! I’ll be choosing in 5 days."

From this point of view, your models better act quickly on this
amazing opportunity to be one of the “It” women who get a
complimentary shoot that is really worth XXXXXXX.

Make sure you get model releases signed BEFORE the shoot.
Something simple will work great, here is a fantastic article on
getting permission to share photos by Lynn Clark.

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WHY DO YOU SHOOT
BOUDOIR?

People don’t buy what you do. They buy why you do it. 

- Simon Sinek

Talk about why you shoot boudoir.

This goes for any photographer and for every genre of

photography. When women research your website to find if you are
just another “person with a camera” or a true boudoir
photographer, they will want to know why you decided to start this
business.

Only you truly know why.

Spend some time and write it out. Take notes from your own
conversations when other people ask you. Boudoir for me means
something so different than it did a year ago, and it was even
further from that when I first started. For a lot of us this changes
over time. As it changes, update your website to reflect it. It will
grow more and more authentic and women will connect to it in a
more powerful way the clearer you can share your reasons.

Another way to think of it is, “Your clients believe what you believe.”
So what do you believe about boudoir, that your clients will agree
with, or relate to?

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 TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials aren’t just a way for clients to rave about you as
a photographer.

Testimonials connect with the fears and hesitations of potential clients.

Women need to hear that other women were unsure about the same
thing, but after having the experience their only regret was not having a
session sooner!

Instruct your past clients to write a review addressing what they were
nervous about (could be pricing, could be not knowing how to pose, in
my case being a male photographer), and if/how that changed. Here is
an example:

“Although I was immediately taken by the  images I saw and blog posts
(ummm did I say gorgeous?), my obvious hesitation was would I feel
comfortable with a male photographer? I never imagined hiring a male
boudoir photographer. I decided to take the initial risk and sent an email
inquiring about his [Link] made me feel at ease during that first
meeting and made every effort to listen and understand what I was
looking for. Any doubts I had quickly disappeared...I left feeling comfortable
around him, confident that he was the right choice!” - Mrs. K

Include a photo from that client's session next to the review so women
can connect it to a real person.

Video testimonials can also be great for your website, and don’t be afraid
to ask for a testimonial from a husband or boyfriend. If you are typing
them out, make sure they are text based for better SEO on your website.

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MORE TRUST
Join a Boudoir Association

There are two of these groups that have really propelled my

business forward. Simply what you gain in knowledge is worth
it. Not only are there amazing boudoir professionals who can
help answer questions whenever you need, but they give you a
member’s badge to place on your website. Again this lets
clients know that you are a professional, and not a fly-by-night
business.

- AIBP (Association of International Boudoir Photographers

- Do More Photographers

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MARKETING I’m going to be super honest here for a second. I’m not a great marketer. It is important
in this business to double down on your strengths. Mine are videos, image quality and

AND my client testimonials. These all show up amazingly on my website. So I hired an SEO
company to place me in the top of google and that is where I get most of my inquiries.

ADVERTISING Yelp advertising can also work great, depending on your city and your reviews on yelp.
Last year it was amazing for me. This year, it has been below average. If you’re great at
networking, use that to your advantage. If you’re a boss with emails, collect some
addresses and sell that way! Whatever your strength is, double down on it.

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PRE-CONSULTS
Building trust isn’t just about getting them in the
door. It's about getting better photographs,
improving their experience and making more profit.
Emotion equals sales. This is the perfect time to show
them your studio/space, sample albums, wall art and
Email talk to them about their fears or insecurities.
They Emailed You...
Now What?
My Email Response questions. We can also talk over the phone or
Skype.
This is my email to every inquiry I
The two most popular questions before the
receive. I have it saved as a short cut so
consult are “How much does it cost” and
I just type in a keyword, and it fills this “What is the experience like?” 
out for me every time.
- Pricing begins at $495 and that includes
Hello NAME! professional hair and makeup. Albums, wall
art, digitals and even personalized photo apps
Thank you so much for reaching out to start
are available separately. (Address basic pricing
planning your Boudoir Experience! I can’t wait
to screen out people who can’t afford you,
to chat all about your session. SOMETHING
while leaving it open to build rapport during
PERSONAL FROM THEIR MESSAGE.
pre planning so they aren’t shocked at the full
The first thing we’ll do is schedule our pre- price.)
planning session. (Call it a pre-planning
- This link shows women just like you talking
session instead of a pre-conult, it feels less
about their experiences and behind the scenes
business.) This is for everyone considering a
of some photo shoots. **10 points if you can
boudoir experience, and it is completely free. I
make it through the video without laughing as
currently have them in my studio in Marina
I pose.** (Incentivize with a joke. Also, videos
Del Rey. It’s a fantastic way to tailor your ideas
are something that set me apart.)
into your shoot, plan for the perfect outfits,
[Link]
meet in-person, see the amazing sample
videos/
albums, chat pricing, and let you ask

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I typically do all of my planning sessions on Mondays. If you need a specific Ali. I don’t photograph men in my business right now and that
date, I can work with your schedule. would have been difficult to explain after he showed up!
Let me know which Monday or a date/time to meet that works best for you.
Sample Products
Thanks so much and can’t wait to hear from you! (Ask a specific question, get
a specific answer.) Show them your albums and get them attached to the idea of
purchasing one. Discuss how special they are and all the things
Your Studio
you love about them. Talk about how clients display wall art in
Showing them the studio takes the mystery out of where they are their master closets and get them picturing their own images
going to be shooting. That alone will relieve a lot of the there. This is not a hard sale situation, just start planting the seed
uncertainty of the shoot. If you don’t have a studio, a coffee shop of what they could get.
or some public place will work great. Skype and phone calls are
also great options. The point is first to put them at ease, and then
Contracts
to get them excited for their experience. It is also to make sure While I do all my contracts online with 17 Hats, (get 10% off with
this client will be a good fit. I recently had a woman name Ali try this link) this is a great time to go over the expectations of the
to book the next day and said they didn’t need a consult. Since I shoot. Make SURE there is a section which states that they know
require at least a phone call, I was surprised to hear a man’s voice this is a boudoir shoot and they can’t sue you for sexual
on the other end. It was not short for Allison, but a man’s name of
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harassment/putting them in compromising positions. If you don’t Payment Retainer
have a contract to start with yet and just want it done for you,
take a look at this one created by Ewan and Brianna at Do More I take the retainer at the consult. This really solidifies the shoot
Photography. and doesn’t let them go home and think about it and ask a friend
and buy shoes later that day and decide they don’t want to do it.
Outfits The retainer holds their date for the shoot and is non-refundable.

This is also a great time to talk about outfit recommendations. I Get to know them
put together a “25 Perfect Boudoir Outfits” guide that helps them
prep, but talking about it will avoid having terrible options on Ask them why they decided to book a shoot. Discuss their
shoot day. husband’s favorite feature of about them. Ask them what they
love and don’t love about their own body. Show interest.

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Are you ready to do this?

I ask them towards the end of the consult

“So what do you think, are you ready to
do this?” If they say yes, I take their
payment there and send off the contract
immediately after they leave.

Skype/Facetime/Google
Hangouts/Phone

People are busy and I respect that.

Sometimes I’m out of town or they are.
So we have a video chat consult so we
can still see each other face to face. I
actually have one tonight.

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5

THE SHOOT
Okay, you’ve booked them and gotten them in the
door, nice work! In this section we will cover:

• Connecting during the session

• Choosing the right outfits

• How to get them outside of their comfort zone

HAIR AND MAKEUP
Offer your hair and makeup artist a free shoot. They are not only a
huge source for referrals, they will be spending an hour to an hour
and a half with your client before the shoot. Having a makeup artist
who can say...

“Girl, you are going to have so much fun. Everyone is nervous at first,
but you will feel SO sexy. When I did mine, I couldn’t even think straight
I was so nervous, but Michael is the best that I have found in this city
and you are in great hands. As soon as you see that first pictures on the
back of his camera you will be like… ‘Lets do this thing!’ I’m jealous you
get to stick around and get naked!”

This is mellow for one of my makeup artists. She is lively and funny
and does most of the work for me to get women comfortable to shoot.

I stick around for a decent amount of their hair and makeup, asking
them questions about their upcoming wedding, anniversary, or
anything else relating to why they are having a boudoir experience.
Then I relate it to other clients I’ve had.

We talk about funny stories I’ve had at the studio, or things that are
really only appropriate in a small group of close friends that get them
comfortable quickly. Examples would be: 

- What do your friends think about you doing a shoot like this? (This
also suggests she talk to her friends about it more, which could lead
to referrals.)
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- What her husband/boyfriend/parter’s favorite body part on her - Anything to get them comfortable with the idea that you are
is. Is he a leg man? A boob guy? A butt guy?  used to this kind of scenario, and you don’t find anything that is
happening inappropriate.
- We laugh about how if my grandma did something like this
when she was younger and I saw it I would be like “Damn
Grandma! This is awesome!"

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PICKING OUTFITS
Remember the trust we created earlier by letting them know we • We are definitely going to start in this loose tank top. They are
photograph boudoir ALL the time? It carries over here. underrated, there is something so sexy about wearing something
loose and casual.
In this situation, your client wants to be told what they look good
wearing. They want to know your opinion. Especially the opinion • Normally I don’t love blue, but it will go perfectly with your red
of a guy. hair.

Tell them which of their outfits are your favorite and why. Don’t When you take control, they will trust you to lead them through
lie. Be honest. the process.

• I love this bright red, it is going to look AMAZING for your skin
tone.

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Order of Outfits
Everyone does this differently. I love tank
tops and off the shoulder sweaters. Not
just because I find them sexy, but because
they are a great way for clients to ease
into the experience. More of their body is
covered so they are more comfortable
AND the loose material gives their hands
something to play with. They can pull the
sweater off their shoulder, pull it down,
pull it up or cross their arms like they are
about to take it off. As an added bonus
they aren’t focusing on making a specific
facial expression which leads to more
natural looks.

Next I usually move to lingerie or a body

suit. I’ll photograph my favorite outfit last
or second to last.

About 40% of clients end up doing shot

where they are nude, either holding
sheets or laying on the floor. Some won’t
be comfortable in a picture if even their
bra is unclasped. Everyone is different.

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 Pro Tip: If she brought a friend, show them as well,
especially if your client is not very confident. Hearing
it from someone else will boost their confidence.

SHOWING PICTURES ON THE BACK OF THE CAMERA

Their hair and makeup is done, they have their first outfit on, they To show the picture or not to show the picture...
come out and you tell them “Wow! You look amazing!”
There are two trains of thought here. Don’t show them any
The beginning of the shoot is about two things. Getting their images because:
confidence high, and showing her that she has nothing to worry
about; these pictures will be amazing. I start in pretty much the 1. If they love an image they see on your camera that you decide
same place every time. A nice shot of their face with a good not to include in the final edits, they will ask about that picture.
expression, good light and nothing too sexy. 2. If she doesn’t like it her confidence will shrink.

3. It takes away from the excitement of seeing them for the first
time at the reveal.

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These are all valid reasons, and you can choose what you prefer.

I personally show them a photo from the very first set

on back of the camera because:

1. It shows that with no Photoshop, they look amazing.

2. It is a moment where the both of you accomplished something

together.

3. They know to the rest of the photos will be great, instead of

having a lingering uncertainty through the experience.

4. Their doubt of not being pretty enough for these kinds of

pictures goes out the window, and their demeanor starts to
change from nervous to confident, which can really be seen in
the pictures.

9 times out of 10 they say something like “Wow, I don’t even look
that bad!” or “Holy crap, I look great!” Now you have their trust,
they are comfortable, and they are excited to get amazing
pictures.

I can pose almost any body type to create a sexy image. If the
clients face says “Is this really going to be sexy?” It ruins the
whole photo. After seeing sample pictures on the back, they think
“Oh yea, I’m sexy!”

I’ve started to show much fewer pictures on the back of the

camera as I go because I want the big reveal during their ordering
session to be exciting as possible. It can be less exciting if they
have seen most of the pictures already.

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6

SETTING
EXPECTATIONS
The most important part of an experience is setting
clear expectations. If you give the right expectations
there will be no surprises. This applies to pricing,
experience, number of images delivered and so
much more.
SETTING EXPECTATIONS
There are going to be times when you need to fix her hair, fix her 9 times out of 10 they say absolutely and are even thankful that
clothes or move her hand. At the very beginning of the shoot I the pictures will be their best, instead of them trying to figure out
walk them through how I’m going to pose them. It goes what you are asking. Very rarely I will have someone say, “I’ll get
something like this. the tag” or something similar. 

- We are going to play the mirror game! We played this as kids. When fixing something, be quick and don’t linger.  Make it the
Pretend you are looking in a mirror and when I change something same act as if you are picking up a piece of trash, or fixing a
you change the same thing. *acts out funny poses* friends collar on his shirt. The less you treat the situation like
they are in underwear, the more normal it will seem.
- Sometimes I’ll hop in the pose first! I’ll show you how I want
you to pose and then you can replicate it. Don’t laugh too hard Let them know what you’re shooting before you shoot it.
when I do!
I used to have a hard time with butt shots because I felt like I was
- I’m pretty good with my words, but sometimes I just wont be invading their space to get the angle that I really needed for the
able to explain exactly what I want you to do, so I’ll just move an perfect shot. I was sacrificing the quality of the shot for my own
arm or a leg or fix your hair. Is that okay? comfort. Then I started setting an expectation.

This creates the expectation that you are going to at some point “I’m going to put you in one pose, and then walk around and get a
touch her, and when that happens, she wont be shocked or few angles to make sure we get great variety for the album. This
uncomfortable. If you want, you can ad an extra level before you will include some close up shots of details like your hip bones or
fix her hair or a tag and say butt.”

- “I’m going to fix your tag, is that okay?” " Now she knows the intention, and will be happy to see that you
got the best butt shot possible, instead of either making things
- “I’m having a hard time explaining how I want your hand to be
uncomfortable or giving her a below average image.
positioned, can I move it around?”

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COMPLIMENTING
This is an interesting topic. I compliment a good amount. I want
them to know the pictures are great, they look amazing and that
they are doing a great job. I never make any sexual compliments.
Women have more leeway on the things they can say in this
situation. While a woman could say “Damn girl, your booty looks
hot!” I would likely show the picture and say “This picture of you
is amazing!”

I’ve found that in this situation, overly flattering builds confidence

and the more confident they feel, the more confidence will show
through in their photos.

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HOW I GET THEM TO PUSH OUTSIDE THEIR COMFORT ZONE
When I first starting shooting boudoir, I was SO nervous asking I had a female photographer shoot it. It was her first time
them to even take off their shirt so we could shoot in her bra and shooting a man in this way. I could tell that she was nervous
underwear. I know they felt that tension too which made it about asking me to shed clothing, just like I was when I first
awkward. My nervousness made them uncomfortable. It was a started. I was ready to push my comfort zone, but didn’t want to
vicious cycle. When you confidently ask them to do a sexier pose, be the one to say “Can I take off my pants now?”
or for them to take off an item of clothing, they will trust you. 
Women hired you for a boudoir experience. If they trust you they
I decided that I needed to have my own boudoir experience to will not only follow your direction, but thank you for taking
understand what women go through when they are in their control and being the expert that you are.
underwear being photographed by a stranger, in a house/hotel
they have never been before.

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 do a few without your bra.” If they seem more shy, I show them a
photo on the back of the camera with a pose where if they
I send out a questionnaire with every client asking them the
weren’t wearing a bra, you still wouldn’t be able see their nipple.
amount of nudity they think they will be comfortable with.
Then I tell them:
Lingerie, implied, topless, fully nude.
“Wow, you look amazing in this picture! I think it would be even
This isn’t set in stone. This is what they THINK they will be
more amazing if you weren’t wearing a bra. You can see that even
comfortable with before they walk in the door. I had one client
without it, nothing is showing, but the idea of it is so much sexier.
who wasn’t planning on taking off her bra, and then 45 minutes
I think we should try it."
into the shoot she wasn’t wearing anything.
The largest objection I have ever received is “I don’t think I would
The goal is to give them the best experience and the best
be comfortable with that.” Then I say, "No problem! Here is the
portraits possible. Less clothes doesn’t necessarily mean better
next pose we are going to do." I will usually try one more time as
photographs. The goal is to push them outside of their comfort
we continue to build more comfort. If they go for it great. If they
zone so that when they look back at the photos they don’t say
don’t that is great too.
“Dammit! I really wish I would have just gone for that last shot but
I was just a little too scared at the time." Another thing to tell them: “I recommend to all of my clients to go
outside of your comfort zone. This isn’t something you are going
If a client can’t fathom the idea of taking off her bra, my goal is to
to experience on a monthly basis. Clients never look back at their
get her to unstrap it in the back but still leave it on.
pictures and say “Oh man, I really wish I didn’t look so sexy in
If a client says she is comfortable doing only implied nude, my those photos!” But I DO hear, “Oh man, I really wish I would have
goal is to take one picture where her nipples show, and show her just gone for that pose, I can’t believe that being just a little
that picture. If she doesn’t like it she doesn’t have to order it. nervous stopped me from getting the picture I really wanted."
Usually, they are glad they pushed the envelope. This is an
Reassure them that they don’t have to buy every photo we take.
empowering experience, and giving them permission to be
We can try some sexier poses and more revealing shots and if she
empowered is part of what makes it so great.
doesn’t like them or thinks they are too revealing, then she
Asking Them to go One Step Further doesn’t have to order them.

Lets say it’s time to get sexier photos and take some images
where she isn’t wearing a bra. Sometimes you can just say “Lets

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7

AFTER THE SHOOT

Time for the ordering session! In person sales alone
will increase your income. I cannot recommend it
enough. At this point she comes back over to view
her amazing portraits and purchase her albums, wall
art and digital images.
THE SALES SESSION
Do your sales sessions IN PERSON. I guarantee you will increase your 1. The Slideshow - I always start my sales sessions the exact same way,
average sale per client. Mine easily doubled, and continues to grow. with an Animoto slideshow. I used to think these were kind of silly. I
People need guidance, they need scarcity, (this is your only time to finally tried it and found clients were so emotionally moved by them.
buy these pictures), they need someone there to reassure them of how Remember, emotion equals sales. Check out Animoto here.
amazing they look in pictures.
2. Choosing Favorites - You might think it could feel awkward for the
If you don’t have TV, just use your computer. You want to do it at their two of you to sit in a room alone with music playing while watching a
house, that is fine too. Are they out of town? Share your screen using slideshow of naked photos of her.
Google Hangouts or Skype. Please, please, don’t just send them a
You are there to guide her through the choosing the pictures for her
gallery to choose from.
album. Some women know exactly what they want. I’ve found that
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most have no idea and will need a lot of help choosing. First just click happens. You never want your average purchase to be your highest
through one by one and have them put the ones they like, and the collection. You want it to be your middle collection. To learn more
maybe’s in the yes pile. If there are two they can’t choose between, about this, watch the pricing video.
they might ask your advice.

“Which of those two do you think I should get?”

Again, I choose your words carefully here. I mostly give non physical
compliments, however female photographers should be able to
compliment without worry about this.

• You look so empowered in this shot

• I like this one better because I feel more of a connection. The other
one you look a little detached.

• This is my favorite one from the whole session

• As soon as you walked out in this outfit, I knew we were going to

have a lot of keepers!

• The way the highlight shows off your collar bones is so amazing.

By this time you should have built up enough trust things won’t feel
weird.

3. Album Design - Some people want to sell digitals, I want to sell

albums. I found when I started using Smart Albums during the
ordering session it was easier to up-sell more images. See the video
for how to make all of this happen.

Congrats on having an amazing sales session!

As you get better at these, your clients will continue to purchase

higher packages. You should raise your prices little by little as this

30
BEING A MALE BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHER

Have Lots of Video! photographer, others prefer it. I can promise you that you will have a
fun and professional experience! If you would be more comfortable
For men, it’s SO important to use video to ‘demystify’ what your
having a women I know of some great ones that I can recommend.
client’s experience will be like. Show them that it is not strange at all
Either way, lets get on the phone and I can answer any questions you
to be in lingerie with a professional photographer in the room. Show
have..."
them that you are professional in your coaching and confident in your
posing skills. Show them that it will be a fun experience. Show them Let’s break this down
that OTHER women loved having the experience. People are very
If you are willing to send them to another photographer it says three
visual, and the idea of being naked in a room with another man makes
things about you.
their imagination run wild, unless you SHOW them the reality. You can
do it yourself, but don’t be afraid to hire someone to come film if • You are not desperate for work. You book plenty and don’t need to
necessary. Bottom line, SHOWING is better than telling. photograph them.

When a Client is Unsure with You Being a Male: • You want them to have the best boudoir experience possible. If that
means a female photographer, you want to help them experience that.
I used to receive emails like this… Not as much now that I have built Doing what is best for the client instead of yourself can be rare to find
such a strong brand and put so much of myself on my website. with today’s business practices.
“Wow, I LOVE your work! I just want to be honest, I am a little nervous • It’s not important to you to see this woman naked, therefore you are
about you being a guy… Can you give me some more information?" not a creeper.
First of all, they are writing you because they WANT to shoot with you, After hearing this they are usually put at ease, especially after the
they just need to be convinced that it will be a good experience and phone call. Sometimes they can ask if they can bring a friend. If they
that they can trust you. end up deciding to hire someone else, chances are it was for the best.
I find it is best to let them know their experience is the most The worst thing that can happen is you have a client that wasn’t
important thing to you. My response is usually worded like this. “That actually comfortable with a guy and then has a bad experience.
is totally fine! Some women are nervous shooting with a male boudoir

xxxi
Bringing Friends “Wow, your hair looks amazing all messed up like that, I’ll bet your
husband loves that about you.”
I tell them it is fine to bring a friend but make sure it is someone who
is positive and encouraging. “It’s funny because you have this really sweet smile, but then all of a
sudden you get fierce! We are going to have such great variety for your
• Some friends cheer you on and encourage you to get sexier photos. album."
They will tell you how amazing you look!
“You are so tall! That means we can photograph different poses with you
• Some friends will make you uncomfortable and will cast judgment on that I can’t with other women. Your pictures will be completely unique!"
the type of photos you are creating.
“These are some of my favorite photographs that I have taken”
• Some friends can also be distracting and take the attention off of
you. These are great ways to give them a boost of confidence without
making them feel as if you are hitting on them. 
I let them know that if their friend displays anything that will take
away from getting the best experience or photos that I will ask their
friend to leave or sit in the other room. As long as you set this
expectation with the reasons listed above, they usually have no
problems with it.

You can also offer to have your female makeup artist stick around
during the shoot for touch ups. Only about 10% of my shoots has
someone else present other than the client and I, and it hasn’t been an
issue yet.

If you are really feeling good, you can try to book their friend as well.
Offer to have her friend be photographed second at no extra charge,
just purchase the albums/products separately.

Complimenting
Typically after I give a compliment, I then refer to her husband or
boyfriend as a reminder that my goal is to creating amazing images for
the two of them, and not for me.

xxxii
8

CLOSING
These are all of the things you should have in place
when someone comes across your work. Even after
having testimonials, building trust through videos,
having amazing images, and explaining in a
passionate and elegant way the reason you love
helping women overcome their self-doubt, there will
still be women who won’t value your photography
enough. That is absolutely fine because there are
many others who can’t wait to hire you.