Pricing
Alright, lets knock it right out. How much is this going to cost me? Well a lot less than through other studios, that’s for sure. This is a passion of mine, not my source of income, so my prices are to make up for my time and help me fund more equipment and more ambitious shoots.
For boudoir shoots my current rate is 300$ per session. That’s a flat rate, not hourly. I’m currently open to Time For Print (TFP) shoots, where you pay nothing but I can use your photos to promote my photography on social media or my portfolio or elsewhere. I’m also willing to offer a per-photo discount if you’re willing to release some negotiated photos for promotional use, if you’re not comfortable agreeing to release them in advance.
For events my rate is also 300$ for the whole event, or at least as much as I can commit to. I’m an early bird and don’t like loud spaces, so while I want to do the best job I can I’m just not going to be able to shoot a warehouse rave until 2 in the morning. I do also expect to be compensated for additional costs (such as tickets or mandatory paid parking for the venue.) Unlike my boudoir shoots, this still includes the right to share photos. I want us both to get as much attention and as many followers as we can for our hard work. Depending on the event I may offer to do it for free (are you a scrappy, new, queer burlesque troupe? I’m your girl.)
For any other work the price will have to be negotiated. That includes shoots like headshots, family photos, baby photos, etc. I don’t currently shoot weddings.
The Space
My bedroom space is a work in progress and I have so many ideas for it (one day you’ll be mine, wainscotting) though it’s unlikely to change a whole lot between now and your scheduled date. If you’d like some photos of what it looks like now to see the vibe of it I’m happy to share. The intention is to make it very bright and a sort of minimalist baroque. Lots of white, sheer canopy, gold accents, touches of plants, there may even be rainbows streaming in through the windows. Basically it comes out looking like a flashback to the love of your life lounging in a dreamscape. (So that said, if you’re not heavily melanated I’d suggest that any lingerie you might be considering buying or bringing for a shoot in the bedroom be a color other than white, as it’ll blend too much into the backdrop.)
There is also and empty portrait space across the hall. There we can shoot against paper backdrops, textured cloth backdrops, or my big faux plant wall. I even have various options to change the look of the floors, depending on the vibe we’re aiming for. It’s got a lot more room for things like extremely dramatic lighting or more traditional portrait photos.
Clothing
I already mentioned my suggestions for underwear colors. Feel free to bring multiple sets if you’d like, as you’re welcome to take a break and swap them out. Three seems to be the magic number, but you’re welcome to bring less or more. If something is extremely lacy in the back I would suggest cutting out the tags and I’ll have scissors available for that. As far as outfits, if you’re aiming for a traditional boudoir vibe I’d suggest something like loose sleep clothes. Button up pajamas, the classic button up boyfriend dress shirt (or shirtdresses giving that vibe.) Something that can slip off a shoulder and give a peek of what’s underneath.
Hair & Make-up
I don’t offer hair and make-up at the moment. Take care of those however feels comfortable, and in a way that makes you feel good about yourself. If we’re doing a traditional shoot I’d suggest sticking to something closer to your day to day look. As in, if you normally wear nothing, then maybe set a smokey eye as the upper limit instead of going full Ursula. Please bring whatever make-up you use, if you do it yourself. This is both in case you’d like to reapply and as props to use for the shoot. Unless it’s absolutely necessary for your comfort, please don’t wear perfume, but do feel free to bring a bottle of your favorite one. Don’t feel the need to be too precious with your hair. That little bit of mess is the detail that really sells the fantasy. And if you’re not into either of those and seeing yourself in eyeliner makes you uncomfortable, then don’t bother! The pictures that have made me feel happiest with myself have been make-up free and with my hair up in a ponytail that I didn’t even bother color-coordinated with my fancy undies.
Props
There’s a handful of themed props available on set. Mirrors, trays, fans, a tiara, vintage perfume atomizers, stacks of artsy erotica, etc. There’s also an entire hallway wall of things you’re absolutely welcome to use as props, though these are more in line with the kink end of the theme spectrum. Riding crops, paddles, puppy ear headbands, etc. If there’s anything you’d like to bring, like a book to pretend to read in the hanging chair, then feel free to. One of the available props is also a photo frame, so if you have a nice, high resolution photo of your partner you’re welcome to send it to me so I can print it and frame it. I may also have props that work for additional themes, if we’re planning something non-traditional. Evil queen? I’ve got an ornate dagger. Vaporwave cyberpunk? I’ve got LED glasses and an NES Power Glove. Just let me know if you’re curious about additional options.
Posing
Yes, it’s weird. I promise it’s weird for everyone, but we’ll get through it together. There’s a couple of strategies we can try for your facial expressions, and we can see which one makes you feel good. There’s a couple of poses that accentuate certain parts of you, and we will rotate through a few classics and riff along the way. Posing may be uncomfortable, but it should be model uncomfortable and not grievous injury uncomfortable. You may be sitting with your butt up in the air and your back arched and your neck craned while thinking “oh boy, there’s no way I’d be sitting like this in real life while I was reading,” but you should never be in pain. If you are then let me know right away so we can find a new pose. There is a monitor in the studio to give us live feedback on the photos. It’s completely optional, so if you find it more intimidating than empowering then we can shut it right off.
Comfort & Amenities
You’re in charge, and the time is yours. If you want to take a break, whether it’s five minutes or fifty, then absolutely ask for it. I’ll probably be in shorts and a cami, so I can both move around and feel the temperature of the space, but if you’re cold or warm we can adjust the thermostat to whatever you’d like in a second. There’s filtered water available downstairs, and I have glassware if you don’t travel with a water bottle. There’s also always espresso and tea, and there will probably be sparkling water and a small selection of sweet and savory snacks, but the latter are more dependent on my DnD players’ appetites that week. There’s a sound system in both rooms and we can either keep it completely silent, pipe in some gentle ambient music or crank up your pump-up Spotify playlist.
Home Studio
I’ll give you the address and gate code once we get closer to the day, but I’m located on near East Riverside. There’s very little visitor space inside (four spots by the mailboxes) but there’s plenty of street parking. I will also provide a photo of my front door, since I know I get nervous about knocking on what may be the wrong one.
Outdoor Shoots
Outdoor shoots are totally okay, and an absolute blast. The less accessible the venue, the less equipment we can bring. A quarter mile walk on a well-maintained trail? I can probably bring two cameras, and either some extra lenses or lighting equipment. A mile hike down rough terrain? I’m packing light.
I will keep my eyes on the weather in advance of our shoot, and reschedule early if possible. I may cancel outdoor shoots at the last minute in the event of inclement weather, and even if it doesn’t seem all that inclement to you. Getting rained on when you just got your hair and make-up done is a bummer. Getting rained on when you’re carrying thousands of dollars of photography gear is disastrous. (I learned this lesson the hard way, though thankfully with a much cheaper camera.)
Toplessness is legal in Austin, and if you’d like to do an outdoor topless shoot I’m more than happy to oblige, as long as we’ve arrange a location ahead of time. I would, though, like to keep it polite for the other residents of our city. Topless on the trail? Awesome. Topless at a little league game? Uh, no, not thank.
If you’d like to do full nudity, then you will be required to provide a venue where it is legal. Not “kind of legal,” but full-on, private property, owner-approved, not in violation of indecent exposure laws legal. I am not comfortable exposing passing folks to that degree of nudity or sex (it’s all about consent.) There are ranches available that you can rent by the hour just for this purpose, if you don’t already know someone that can provide.
Consent
This was covered in my release form, but I’ll repeat it again. Consent is vitally important. I will not suggest anything outside of the shoot that we agreed upon before starting. You are welcome to do so, if you decide halfway through that you’d now like to try something that sounds fun. You are of course always welcome to change your mind and decide you’re not comfortable with something anymore. Just let me know, we’ll stop so you can get comfortable, and then we’ll discuss where your new comfort level is. If I provide guidance for posing I will try and do it verbally, but if it’s required I will ask for consent each time before I touch you.
Day Of
Either you can walk up to my door or if you’re more comfortable you can text me and I’ll go get you and walk you in. We’ll sit and chat for a bit, then I’ll give you a quick walkthrough of the space, how my shooting process works, the tools we have available and adjust some of the technical aspects to your preference (that’s a wordy way of saying, “would you like to see previews on my big monitor cart or nah?”) Once you know what’s available we’ll finalize what you’re comfortable with and what you’d like to shoot. Then we can get started! You can switch into whatever outfit you’d like so start with, and I’ll take a few shots just to dial in the camera settings. Once we have those set I’ll let you determine the pace based on how comfortable you feel. (I’m a woman with a wall full of paddles, so you don’t have to worry about my comfort level. I’ve met half my friends for the first time while we’re both wearing nothing other than 30 feet of rope.)
Days After
Within a few days I’ll do some culls to pick out some of the best photos, lightly edit them, and provide them to you a proof sheet as well as an estimate of how many photos the final set will likely contain. I’ll also send you an invoice via whatever method you prefer (Venmo, Paypal, etc.) Once it’s paid I’ll do the final culling and edit all of the photos, and send them to you in their full resolution, also via Google Photos. If you’d also like them in another format, such as a zip file, please feel free to request it. The final edit may take a while, as I do have a full time job, but you’re welcome to request updates and if you prefer it I can deliver photos as they’re finished rather than in one big batch.
Editing
I very strongly don’t believe in cosmetic edits, as I think they lead to dysmorphia. Your scars are a part of your history, just like mine. Your body is a wonderful thing that deserves to be admired instead of squished around like digital Play-Doh. But I will happily edit out those unfortunate little day-of issues if possible, like an unexpected back pimple or a tag sticking out.
Cameras
Curious about the cameras I use? My studio camera is the Lumix G9II, and if I’m out of the house I’m usually shooting with either my Lumix GX8 or my GX85, though it’s usually the former. They’re micro 4/3s cameras, which means the sensor is smaller but the lenses are way lighter. If you want to shoot wildlife with an m4/3 camera you can fit it in your purse, if you want the same performance from a full frame camera you need to bring a tripod just to hold the lens up. My go-to portrait lenses are the Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 and the Olympuis M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8, while events usually get the Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8. I also absolutely love the soft, swirly, dreamy look that vintage lenses bring, so there’s a good chance I’ll take a few shots with my Helios 44-2 58mm f/2.