Are Boudoir Pre-Payment Plans A Scam? What You Need To Know!

Curious if boudoir prepayment plans are worth it? It's an thought that many have while they're examining these alluring offers presented by boudoir photographers, which claim savings along with some extra attractive features.

It's understandable! Who wouldn't seize an opportunity to "save" while capturing a few extra perks during their boudoir shoot. Sounds great! On the surface it may seem fairly innocent and a benefit to the client, but remember, we're talking about the world of boudoir photography, where everything may not be quite what it appears. Prepayment plans may hold their advantages, but they definitely require some careful scrutiny regarding the details before you hand over thousands of dollars to any boudoir photographer.

I am Mike Cassidy, a boudoir photographer from New Jersey with over 15 years of expertise to my credit. My time in this profession has been as much about taking those stunning photos as it has been about assisting my clients in their decision-making journey—ensuring they always conclude feeling assured and satisfied with their decisions.

Let's explore in-depth what these prepayment plans truly entail—you may just discover something unexpected!

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Are Boudoir Prepayment Plans A Scam?

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Key Takeaways

• Boudoir pre-payment plans are increasingly used by photographers to attract clients with bonuses, discounts, and upgrades.

• Many photographers encourage upfront payment to secure their schedule and reduce the risk of cancellations. This can range from $250o to $10,000.

• Some boudoir packages may seem too costly, with average costs around $3,200. Also, so-called "bonuses" may not add significant value to the package.

• Marketing strategies in boudoir photography can overstate the advantages of pre-payment plans. Clients might feel disappointed when the actual offerings don’t meet expectations.

• No refunds on pre-payments mean that if clients end up unsatisfied with their sessions or don't connect with the photographer's vision, they lack financial recourse.

Understanding Boudoir Pre-Payment Plans

Understanding boudoir pre-payment plans helps clarify why they appeal to many. These plans often entice clients with promises of exclusive deals and savings.

The allure of "bonuses," upgrades and discounts

I've noticed something intriguing about boudoir pre-payment plans, which started popping up in the menus of boudoir photographers several years ago. They hook you with the promise of "bonuses," upgrades, and discounts for paying for your session in full before your session date arrives. For example, if you agree to pay upfront, you could get "bonuses" ranging from a digital app to exclusive sets like a Marilyn set or even a milk bath set added to your session.

The first thing you'll notice is that prepayment plans may suddenly appear to be overly complicated. As you read the details you may notice Tier ONE bonus items, Tier TWO bonus items, Tier THREE bonus items... and there may be even more levels. Often, the more expensive the package you purchase may entitle you to more "Gems," which are the strange unit of currency used to pick items from each bonus tier. Pick an $8,000 package and get enough gems for FOUR Tier ONE bonuses or TWO Tier THREE bonuses plus ONE Tier ONE bonus-- or ONE Tier FOUR bonus and TWO Tier THREE bonuses. Whaaaa?? Geez, they've already given you a headache trying to figure out this mess of bonus tiers. Then, there's always that tempting session discount when you pre-pay.

It sounds great on paper, right? --If you can hire a few NASA engineers to help you figure it all out. Pay early and get more bang for your buck with all these added extras. But here's the kicker: clients may be shelling out thousands of dollars just to begin receiving these "perks," that well, aren't really very "perky."

I see it as dangling a carrot in front of someone who loves carrots but first asks them to jump through several hoops.

In my years of work, I've learned that understanding what truly adds value requires looking beyond flashy offers.

They Commonly offer "bonuses" that aren't truly bonuses

Here's a bit of the reality behind these "bonuses." Boudoir photographers often advertise "bonuses" that may actually lack real value. They entice clients with offers in their pre-payment plans. despite all the "Gems" and "Bonuses" with each package, is what you're getting truly a bonus?

You may earn 8 Gems from purchasing a Diamond Collection, but that may not really be getting you anything special. I've seen photographer offering "bonuses" such as "White Sheet Sets" (Presumably taking photos on bed?) or "Angel Wing Sets" (taking a photo while donning a pair of angel wings?) or even additional outfits added to your shoot.

These bonuses sometimes lead to overpriced packages. And, let me tell you-- taking photos-- in a bed-- on a set of white sheets-- isn't a "bonus," it's just pretty standard boudoir photography and should be a part of any session. Putting on a pair of angel wings a photographer already has lying around in a wardrobe closet, likewise, isn't adding any cost or time to a photographers workload. Hardly a "bonus."

Starting to get the idea here? Pretty much across the board many of these items being listed as "bonuses" are hardly that! Extra outfits? Outfit limits should never be a part of any boudoir session-- especially if a boudoir photographer is looking for charge $5,000 for a package. This is an outdated idea from 20 years ago, and is ridiculous. Boudoir photography is about having fun and switching a bra shouldn't be a penalty for a client. If your prospective photographer sees it that way... may be time to find a new photographer.

Understanding Why Boudoir Photographers Push Pre-Payment Plans

Ah, so why do you think these photographers want you to give them allllllll of the money up front... before you even get your foot in the door? Well, it will certainly be presented as a way to make their sessions "more affordable" by letting take up to a year before your session date to make payments for everything. But is that the real reason photographer push this stuff?

Why these boudoir photographers WANT clients to pay huge sums of money BEFORE their session

Certain boudoir photographers often push clients to pay large amounts before the session. These payments can range from $2,500 to over $10,000! Yikes! Many photographers want this money upfront because it secures their time and commitment, and it's certainly presented as a way to make these sessions "affordable" to clients in letting them make payments over time. For photographers, paying in advance reduces the risk of cancellations or no-shows.

There an be a deeper concern. The whole point of boudoir photographers offering these prepayment plans is to get your cash NOW(!), and try to get unsuspecting clients to front large amounts of cash BEFORE a session date...because AFTER you're done with the session you may realize you've grossly overpaid for the quality of work and level of experience you've received...and odds are you'd NEVER decide to pay them that amount afterward.  Plain and simple. Gee, Ms. Boudoir Client, don't think of it as an overpriced $5,000 boudoir package, think of it more as you "investing" $200 a week with me for the 6 months before your session. $200 a week will seem a lot more appealing than paying a mediocre photographer $5,000 all at once for average photography, right? They know that many clients feel overwhelmed by high prices and this is a scheme to try to ease the pain of these high photography bills. (Also, mediocre results leave clients somewhat uninspired, leading them to hesitate when it’s time to settle the bill... after a session.)

Boudoir clients may feel ripped off by expensive "faux" luxury boudoir packages and not pay for services afterward

Another reason why boudoir photographers want the money up front for these over priced sessions, is that, well, after clients see the often mediocre results they suddenly realize their "hype-girl" experience wasn't quite as "transformational" as it was sold to them, and often won't pay big balances on these packages... and rightly so.

This is part of a larger, more complicated emergence of Faux Luxury Boudoir Photographers. These are photographers who want to think of themselves as "luxury" photographers (whatever that really means) and build their photography business around charging enormous prices for their work, but often, these business are have little below the surface supporting the "big dollar" packages. You can read more about faux luxury boudoir photographers in my article: Is That $5,000 Boudoir Package Really Worth It?

Now, not all prepayment plans are evil, but a favorite tool of the faux luxury boudoir photographer is the prepayment plan. Boudoir clients may feel disappointed after paying thousands for these super expensive packages. They expect stunning results but sometimes leave feeling unsatisfied. So, photographers have switched to "I'm getting my money first" strategy, knowing clients may not pay for packages post-session after they've gone through the session and were quite underwhelmed with the experience and results afterward.

To add to the disappointment, clients may be met with an "all sales are final", meaning no refunds on prepayments exist. Therefore, many women walk away feeling ripped off without recourse for their investment in boudoir photography.

Risks Associated with Pre-Payment Plans

Pre-payment plans can lead to financial traps. Boudoir photographers may package their services at inflated prices, making clients pay more than they should. You might find hidden fees in the fine print, or be pressured into buying packages that include items you don't need or want, leaving you feeling frustrated and cheated.

Also, as noted earlier, misleading marketing tactics often exaggerate the value of these plans, so be cautious before handing over your hard-earned money.

Additionally, who's to say this so called "pro" photographer will even be in business 4 months from now, and suddenly they are gone with potentially thousands of dollars you forwarded to them for a session that never happened!

Potential for overpriced packages

Boudoir photographers often create expensive packages-- hence the reason they are offering prepayment plans. Boudoir photographers know there are clients who won't do their research or ask the right questions about a photographers experience or skill and may pay a hefty sum without fully understanding what they receive. Some packages can cost around $3,200 on average. I see this as a risk because clients might feel overwhelmed by the pricing structure.

Photographers sometimes add "bonuses" that aren't really beneficial. These extras can mislead clients into thinking they are getting more value than they actually are. Misleading marketing tactics make it harder to spot overpriced options in boudoir photography.

Clients must be super careful and aware when getting involved in any prepayment plans with boudoir photographers. Essentially, if someone is charging you luxury prices, and your boudoir session is taking place in a strip center photo studio... you're getting short changed.

Misleading marketing tactics

Boudoir pre-payment plans often use misleading marketing tactics. They promise bonuses and perks to entice clients into paying upfront. However, many of these "bonuses" aren't truly valuable. Often, these "Bonus Tiers" include items that well, may be questionable as bonuses--- especially when paying the price the photographer wants you to pay.

For example, a digital app or extra time may seem appealing but might not enhance the experience significantly. Or these bonuses may not be really items you want... say a "shower set," when you have no desire for taking photos in a shower.

I see clients later feeling confused about what they actually received. The advertised savings options can lead to disappointment when the final package doesn’t match expectations. Not to mention, boudoir being boudoir, photographers have a way of creating these "bonus tiers" and "Gem" systems that are unnecessarily overcomplicated.

And even though boudoir photographers present these packages as offering "great savings" in addition to "bonuses," the package prices are often so overinflated, that even with any package discount they are offering, everything is still grossly overpriced for what you are receiving.

Conclusion

In summary, as a smart boudoir shopper should you be handing over thousands of dollars to a boudoir photographer before a session date? Probably not. Actually, I'd adjust that to definitely not.

Although these offers are presented as tremendous values and offer seeming discounts, I'd be super wary of any boudoir photographer requiring, or pushing clients, into fully pre-paying for sessions and not letting a client make payments post-session.

Are all prepayment plans evil? No! Many photographers will take a portion of a package or session fee up front, but for your own protection, be certain that you have the freedom of paying post-session, as well, if you are entering into a payment plan. A sign of a confident photographer is that they know you will be satisfied and not fear you making payments post session. If a boudoir photographer will only accept money pre-session, that is a big red flag.

Clients should weigh the allure of bonuses against potential risks, like inflated prices and misleading marketing.

In all cases, a client needs to do tons of research before handing over thousands of dollars to any boudoir photographer. Remember: Anyone can call themselves a "pro" photographer, and the term means nothing. I highly encourage you to read my article Questions You Should Ask Any Boudoir Photographer Before Booking to gain some insight on this industry as a whole.

Taking informed steps can protect your investment and improve your boudoir experience. Always keep in mind that confidence in your decisions leads to empowerment!

FAQs

1. What are boudoir pre-payment plans?

Boudoir pre-payment plans allow clients to pay for photography services in advance. These plans can help manage costs and make budgeting easier for those planning a boudoir shoot.

2. Are these payment plans scams?

Not necessarily. While some businesses may misuse them, many reputable photographers offer legitimate pre-payment options. Research the photographer’s reputation and read reviews before committing to any plan.

3. How can I tell if a boudoir photographer is trustworthy?

Look for transparency in pricing and clear contract terms. A reliable photographer should provide detailed information about their services, what is included in the package, and any cancellation policies.

4. What steps should I take before choosing a pre-payment plan?

Start by researching different photographers who offer these plans. Read client testimonials, compare packages, and ask questions about the process to ensure you understand all terms involved before making a decision.