Why Elite NYC Brides Swear By This $2700 Boudoir Photographer
Updated: May 24
Well, to start by focusing strictly on the dollar amount is a bit unfair, and it's not really telling the entire story. It's a bit like saying, "Wow, can you believe people would buy this $97,000 car..." --The number seems a bit surprising at first, but when you find out the car is a custom Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography, that number no longer seems so surprising. The bottom line is, as with most things in life, context is everything.
Hi. I'm Michael. I'm a boudoir photographer that works with many women from the New York City area who are looking to truly give a special bridal gift on their wedding day. If you have just started your search for a boudoir photographer you may be asking yourself-- Is there really a difference? The answer is, yes, there is. Let's take a look...
Boudoir photography has been my passion for years, and working with brides is my specialty. Today, I find my myself working with clients from all around the US who are looking to give the best in boudoir photography to their grooms-- and really don't want to settle. How did this all happen? How can it be that I can have a client wait-list for months? Well, I wish I could tell you this was the plan from the beginning...but it wasn't. 😀
As with most things, it all started pretty small. I happened to have a camera, and did a favor for a friend who wanted some photos for herself. She, in turn, showed them to a friend, who asked if I could do photo's of her for her boyfriends birthday... and so it went, and yadda, yadda, yadda, somehow we wound up here. Pretty amazing.
The truth is I just "yadda'd" over lots of dedicated hard work and countless hours spent focusing on becoming the strongest boudoir photographer around. It seems the winds of the universe just seemingly started blowing me in that direction. There was this relentless drive to keep getting better, and to be honest there's always a bit feeling it was never good enough. While most photographers would have been in bed sleeping, I could be found sitting up staring at photos at 1AM wondering how I could have made them better. There's a bit of irrational determination involved here... but maybe that's what it takes.
I realized long ago what I wanted my boudoir sessions to be, and I really didn't want to compromise. The number of hours invested in each client grew and grew-- but I was unwilling to change that. I knew, and wanted others to understand, boudoir photography was a lot more than just a bunch of photos. My mission was a lot bigger than photography, it really was about keeping my clients invested in themselves and connected to their beauty.
What did we wind up with? Well, we wound up with something pretty great.
A Boudoir Photography Experience Above Others
It all typically starts with someone filling my Contact Form, or sending me a DM on Instagram. I'm not your typical photographer... but most people come to me understanding that-- and that's why there are here. You see, I am enthusiastic about my clients, and I only want clients who feel the same about working with me. We'll often have a bit of a chat to find out if we are a good fit, and what you are looking for in your session before proceeding any further.
One thing that boudoir shoppers need to always be aware of is the sheer volume of low quality photography out there-- and not only that, the number of photographers out there selling "boudoir" photography that, well...isn't actually boudoir photography.
As it's name implies, boudoir photography takes place in a bedroom setting. It's about beauty. It's about being a bit voyeuristic and peering in on a woman's secret moments. It's a style of photography that is photographed in a simple and organic manner. The truth of the matter is it's an extremely difficult thing to do-- and do well.
Just as you wouldn't take a photo of yourself in a bikini standing in your driveway and call it a "beach photo," going to a dark photo studio and posing under a bunch of flashy lights and cheesy backdrops isn't boudoir photography. A bikini isn't the defining element of a beach photo, and the lingerie isn't the defining element of boudoir. There's a lot more to it. Don't be fooled.
Typically, I tell my clients to get on my calendar with a minimum of 2-3 months before their wedding dates... and have women booking up to a year in advance. There are times during the year, especially during wedding seasons, when my slots are all full, and I can be wait-listed for months...literally months. Due to the nature of how I work, and the time involved, I only see a limited number of women each month. Every session gets my full attention, as it deserves.
Women traveling to me from New York usually take the train, which stops, literally, a block from my building at the terminus in Bay Head, NJ. Because boudoir is definitely about the experience, usually the first hour of every session is devoted to a makeover. We may have mimosa's or red wine, if that's your things. We'll even order in lunch if you'd like. We're here to relax and enjoy.
Your session is a bit of a break from your every day routine. It's an experience, and it's treated as such. Remember the car we were talking about earlier? Does anyone have to spend $97,000 on a Range Rover? No. Do people? Yes. Why? It's about the experience. What I do is no different. That's the simplest explanation.
I don't operate with any type of time limit. It's your day, and we're here to have fun. That's another key thing of my experience...this IS about having fun. You're in good hands. We'll typically take two hours or so going to various poses and outfits. Bring your favorite lingerie items, and I'll make it all look spectacular. From cute and simple, to down-right sexy... anything goes!! 😄
One question I receive frequently from brides is about whether their session needs to be in bridal white with veils and all the other bridal accessories. That's a great question. There are a lot of brides that choose to photograph there sessions in white-- but many don't. There really is no right or wrong here. If you are going to be wearing amazing bridal lingerie on your wedding...bring it along! It's so much fun to photograph.
The key is not necessarily that you have to wear white... but to wear something beautiful. Bridal sessions can be casual, but it really is a time to dress up and show off your best. Just don't let me see you buying cheap Amazing lingerie... 🙅♂️ That's a no-go in this universe. 😂😂.
You are a beautiful, glamorous bride. Five years, ten years down the road, when you are viewing your album the feeling I want you the have is that heart-filling experience of overwhelming joy. It really is a feeling that transcends words. This isn't quite the feeling you'll have looking at yourself in a $14.99 cheap Amazon bodysuit.
Not All Boudoir Photographers Are Created Equal
After our day together, you'll literally feel like you are walking on air. It's a great time...and kind of hard to describe until you've experienced it. That's when my hard work begins. Getting everything prepped and ready is quite a process.
I love making beautiful custom boudoir albums, and that's what we'll do. Usually about two weeks or so after your session, depending on how busy I am, your photos will be ready, and we'll make a few minutes to review your gallery and start picking your favorites.
Once that's completed-- and based when your wedding date and when you need your item we'll start to get the gears in motion to putting together your album proof. Many people don't realize that even after your session, it can take six weeks or so for clients to decide on their favorites and get their final album designs situated. Not only that, when we're finally ready for printing and binding, custom album companies may take two weeks to build your item and get it shipped... good things take time!
In the end it really is a great time. In a world flooded with "photographers" I knew I needed to make a difference. From what I have seen...I think I may have succeeded... and I love it. No one "needs" to spend a small fortune on a car, but they do? Why? There are a number of reasons. They see the value. They enjoy the experience. They like the exclusivity. It's the same with what I do. For brides planning amazing weddings, what I do fits right in, and I'm so fortunate to be a (small) part of so many beautiful weddings... if only in my small way.
If you'd like to learn more, or get in my list for a bridal session, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always happy to talk boudoir. You can message me on my Contact Page. I love hearing about your wedding and your ideas for your photo session.