FAQ
NYC’S PREMIER BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY: Answers to clients' most burning questions
WHAT IS BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY?
Boudoir photography is defined at the capturing of images of a woman in an intimate environment, like a bedroom. Here at Andreea B. Ballen Photography, we believe boudoir is not a ‘where’ (because, HELLO beach boudoir! Outdoor boudoir! anywhere you can think of boudoir!) but a state of mind, and that a boudoir photoshoot is so much more than that. Getting boudoir pics done is the perfect experience to remind you that you are beautiful, fearless, and capable of doing amazing things - and SO worth it. It’s the opportunity to see yourself in a way you’ve never seen yourself before. To embrace and celebrate all of you. Right now. In this NOW, just as you are - PERFECT. NO conditions.
IS BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY FOR ME?
A boudoir session is for EVERY woman. Our clients are not models. They are every day women including stay at home moms, teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, bankers, daughters, grandmothers, and more. Busy women who decided to step out of their comfort zone and do something for pampering and empowering for themselves beyond the usual mani/pedi.
HOW CAN I EVER HOPE TO LOOK LIKE THESE WOMEN YOU SHOW? I AM NOT A MODEL!
Again, NO models here. ALL the women I photograph are REAL WOMEN, real smiles, real curves, expertly posed from head to toe. It’s also been said, my professional hair and makeup person works MAGIC ;)
I WOULD LOVE TO GET BOUDOIR PHOTOS DONE WITH YOU BUT…. I’M SO NERVOUS!
Trust me when I say, you would be out of the norm if you were NOT initially nervous. Everyone is to some extent, at first!
BUT!… the Number One reason clients LOVE working with me, and love the photos we create together, is that they feel so comfortable with me and during our photo shoot together. That’s because you DON’T just meet me as a total stranger when we photograph, but instead we will have:
- already met via Zoom once you book so we can plan your portrait session - so I am NOT just a stranger with a camera the day of your shoot!
- chatted about your vision and expectations for the photos, what you will wear and how you want your hair and makeup done, etc
- created a vision Pinterest board together to further pull in your ideas and best design your dream session and photographs: mood and feeling for your photographs, location for photoshoot, makeup and wardrobe ideas, etc
- discussed things you love about yourself you want highlighted (as well as areas you’re uncomfortable with or prefer diminished) in your photos
- and so much more!
So, when we finally photograph together, I will be like your old, super laid-back friend that you can relax and be yourself with.
I DON’T KNOW HOW TO POSE OR LOOK SEXY. WILL THAT BE A PROBLEM?
I will coach you and show you exactly how to pose, from your eyes and lips down to your toes - so you don’t have to think about a thing! The natural (not forced!) sexy that is YOU will just come through in the photos. Just leave it all up to me!
I’M OVER X-TY. IS IT RIDICULOUS TO THINK ABOUT A BOUDOIR SESSION?
Women are gorgeous, sexy and stunning in every age and stage of their life, and I love showing them just how much! In fact, LOTS of my clients come in to work with me BECAUSE they are celebrating a big milestone birthday and want to celebrate themselves in this age through a sexy boudoir photoshoot. A beautiful mindset is timeless, and age is really just a number - to celebrate being alive, vibrant, sexy. So the long-short answer is: it’s NEVER ridiculous to want to embrace your sensuality and to celebrate YOU.
SHOULD I HOLD OFF ON BOOKING A BOUDOIR SHOOT SINCE I WANT TO LOSE SOME WEIGHT FIRST?
Can’t say this enough: life is to be enjoyed NOW. You should never put off doing something that makes you feel beautiful, sexy, empowered because of your curves, size or age (or any other limiting belief). You deserve to celebrate yourself NOW. Tomorrow is never promised.By doing this boudoir photo session now (instead of putting it off… and off… and off…) you will not only discover how much you LOVE yourself just AS YOU ARE, rediscover your sexy, but also discover the courage and confidence to take other bold steps in your life - that you may have put off or procrastinated on before having these photos done. Not to mention, I can do more with expert posing and lighting that you can hope to accomplish at a gym in months! Remember: it is courage, confidence, and embracing all of herself that makes a woman stunning and sexy - NOT the number on the scale. Did I mention my boudoir photoshoots and resulting photos have been shown to INCREASE courage, confidence, and embracing your curves?
WHERE WILL YOU TAKE THE PHOTOS?
Most often, clients hire me to take photos in their own home or somewhere glorious (and semi-private/private) outdoors. I am known and sought after for my outdoor boudoir sessions!
Should clients otherwise prefer, I can recommend beautiful hotels (and day use hotels) or AirBNB’s for them to rent where we can have our photoshoot (fabulous idea/perk: get glammed up for the photoshoot, pampered during the shoot, then use the hotel with the honey or a group of girlfriends for a glorious ‘staycation’ getaway).For clients preferring a studio setting specifically, I have also worked with a fabulous local studios that offer different themed rooms - including one with a shower that is super popular!
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
During our consultation, we will discuss what makes YOU feel sexy wearing, and what you are comfortable to take photos in. We will go over your existing wardrobe, and see if you already have in your own closet things that would be amazing for your boudoir photos. If not, I will send you a list of trusted lingerie boutique links (including Amazon) - in your specified style and budget for items that will photograph well for your skin tone, body type, etc.
IS HAIR AND MAKEUP PROVIDED?
Professional hair and makeup is always included in the Session Fee! I will ask that you arrive to the shoot location with a clean, moisturized face and clean, dry hair so that we can get right to work. MY professional hair and makeup person is fabulous, and has been work in getting women glammed up for magazines and film for a long time. Let the transformation begin!
DO YOU OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?
WE SURE DO! A Boudoir Session with Andreea B. Ballen Photography is a luxury experience that every woman deserves to have. For that reason, I want your investment to be as stress free and manageable as possible. In addition to working with PayPal Credit (apply) I also offer pre-session payment plans as a financing option for your session! With the pre-session payment plans, you will pick out your desired Collection ahead of time and I will break up your investment into either weekly, bi-weekly or Monthly installments leading up to your session. On session day, your Collection will already be taken care of and you will have one less think to think about. Or, you can decide the day of your Ordering Session - and take advantage of our in-house 6-month interest-free payment plans, then receive your photos and products once the payment plan is satisfied.
WILL YOU PHOTOSHOP MY IMAGES?
OF COURSE! Photoshop is our best friend, and the reason why the photos you see here have a polished and editorial/cinematic sort of look. With that said, do know that I want women to see themselves as the most beautiful version of themselves AS THEY ARE in the moment - and so as a rule I do NOT do anything more than remove blemishes and distractions (anything that you would not have on your skin in a couple of weeks). In regards to cellulite (which just about EVERY woman has, me very much included) - issues are taken care of with expert posing and correct lighting and if still needed, a bit more skin smoothing.
WHERE WILL THE PHOTOSHOOT TAKE PLACE?
Most often, clients hire me to take photos in their own home or somewhere glorious (and semi-private/private) outdoors. I am known and sought after for my outdoor boudoir sessions!Should clients otherwise prefer, I can recommend beautiful hotels or AirBNB’s for them to rent where we can have our photoshoot (fabulous idea/perk: get glammed up for the photoshoot, pampered during the shoot, then use the hotel with the honey or a group of girlfriends for a glorious ‘staycation’ getaway).For clients preferring a studio setting specifically, I have also worked with a fabulous local studio that offers different themed rooms - including one with a shower that is super popular!
WHO WILL SEE MY PHOTOS? WILL YOU SHOW THEM ON YOUR WEBSITE OR SOCIAL MEDIA OR TO OTHERS?
READ HERE how my clients’ privacy is always a TOP priority - and how your privacy always defaults to ‘private.’ Your photos will NEVER be shown to anyone in any medium or in any format, for any reason - without your explicit permission. All the photos you see on my website, social media or marketing are from clients who signed a model release allowing me to showcase their photographs. As my client, you have the options to either:
- keep your photos 100% private - only YOU can see your photos
- sign a Partial Release allowing only photos WITHOUT your face or distinguishing features to be shown on the Andreea B. Ballen Photography website, social media and marketing
- sign a Partial Release allowing only photos you specifically OK to be shown on the Andreea B. Ballen Photography website, social media and marketing
- sign a FULL Release - ‘I’m hot as heck, and I want the world to see it!’ - Andreea B. Ballen Photography has permission to use my photos for website, social media and marketing purposes
WHEN DO I GET TO SEE MY PHOTOS?
I know you’re excited to see your photos right away - and I’m just as excited to show them to you. That’s why your Zoom photo reveal Ordering Session will be the same week of your photoshoot! This is where you will make decisions on which photos you love and want to purchase for your Collection, luxury album - or perhaps which one you might blow up to put on your bedroom wall.
HOW QUICKLY WILL I RECEIVE MY PHOTOS AFTER ORDERING?
Any digital products you end up investing in will be available to you to download via an online gallery 48-72 hours after the Viewing and Ordering Session (with your payment in full). Any physical products, such as a luxury handcrafted Album or prints or wall art, will be delivered to your house within 1-3 weeks after your the Ordering Session (with payment in full). If you need your photos back before a certain date, it is recommended you click here to schedule your consultation and book your session as soon as possible ahead of time.
I AM READY TO SAY “YES!!!” AND BOOK MY BOUDOIR PHOTOSHOOT EXPERIENCE WITH YOU! WHAT’S NEXT?
YES!!!!! So excited we’ll be working together! The next step is to fill out our contact form right below and include the best day(s) and time(s) to reach you. During your Zoom Session Design Consultation, I will walk you through what to expect on the day of your boudoir photo session, answer any questions you may have, talk about your vision for the photos and how to bring it to life, look at location and wardrobe options that best fit your aesthetic vision and also photograph great, discuss the best package options for your photos (will you be showcasing your portraits in a luxury album? wall art? etc) and get you all set for your session!
Have More Questions? Let's Chat!
Fill out the form below and we’ll get in touch to discuss your dream boudoir shoot, take you through our process, answer all your burning questions & finalize all the details!
Not a fan of forms? Phone: 833.407.6200 | Email: Andreea@AndreeaBBallen.com
“This was my first time ever shooting boudoir and I was terrified but Andreea immediately made those fears and doubts disappear. She was very transparent and informative about the process. She has such a quick turnaround rate from photoshoot to seeing the pictures. I would give her 100 stars if I could. Every woman should do at least one boudoir photoshoot in her life and when you decide to do it make sure you choose Andreea because you'll be in great hands." ~ Denise T.
