You Won A Free Boudoir Shoot At A Bridal Show... What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Important note: This post contains vital information to help protect you from the resurgent "free" boudoir session scam making the rounds at bridal shows. In short: If you receive an unsolicited call or email from a boudoir photographer after attending a bridal show that you've "won" anything... hang up. There is a good chance they are trying to steal thousands of dollars from you...

Winning a "Free Boudoir Shoot" at a bridal show can sound like an amazing opportunity. Who doesn’t love the thrill of getting something special for free? But it’s crucial to understand what you're actually signing up for and how to avoid any potential pitfalls along the way.

Your prize may not quite be what it seems on the surface. This blog will help you make informed decisions about your boudoir experience, and help you stay safe.

Having spent over 15 years in luxury boudoir photography, I've watched many women get drawn in by enticing "free" offers they received at bridal shows only to encounter high-pressure sales tactics to get them to fork over thousands of dollars on low quality boudoir photography. Boudoir photographers don't work for free. This is a scam used by bad actors to try to steal thousands of dollars from unsuspecting victims.

In this post, I'll share key insights and practical tips from my career to help you understand this exciting yet tricky prospect. Here's more information!

You Won A Free Boudoir Shoot At A Bridal Show. What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

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Key Takeaways

• Many "free" boudoir shoots come with hidden fees. Always check for deposits or extra charges like makeup services.

• High-pressure sales tactics can lead to rushed decisions. Take your time before buying any packages or add-ons.

• Research the photographer's reputation and reviews. It helps you understand what you're signing up for and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Understanding the "Free" Boudoir Shoot Offer

-Sigh- The old "free" boudoir shoot ploy. Buckle up. This is going to be an eye opener.

So, how does it work? The typical story goes like this: You recently visited a bridal show, and then a day or two after you receive a phone call (or email) from a photographer stating that you've been selected to get a "free" boudoir shoot! Yay! BUT you need to let the photographer know quickly, because there are only a few spot available and if you don't take one someone else will. (-And not to burst your fun bubble, but every woman attending the bridal show was "selected" to get the same free shoot.)

How lucky! Sure, you have some questions, but the photographer was very vague about details, and it seems any questions you asked were not directly answered, or simply shrugged off with a "we'll sort it out and give you details on session day, so come on down." All they seemed to do was pressure you to book now, or lose your spot. Ah, the old "scarcity" tactic. Hmmm...

The initial excitement is great, but after a while you start having more questions. Is everything really free? How did photographer even get my contact info? Why do they need me to decide at this moment, with little to no information about this offer? ...The questions start to mount.

A "free" boudoir session sounds great, but the reality is it isn't free. The offer might include a "complimentary" photoshoot, yet the costs can, and will, pile up when you want to purchase the prints or digital images.

Some newbie photographers use these sessions to introduce potential clients to their work, hoping you'll fall in love with your pictures and spend more. But.... there's a more likely scenario...

More likely, however, it's an underhanded ploy by shady boudoir photographers to lure people in to a boudoir session by focusing on the word "free," without revealing the entire truth of the situation.

Let's proceed with our story a bit further. Let's say you take the boudoir photographer up on their offer, and decide to attend the session. Right away you'll be met with a requirement of $50 fee to hold your spot on session day. Wait! You're thinking. I thought this was a free session?

Well... not quite that "free." Let's read more...

(Oh, btw, if you're wondering how the scammy photographer got your contact info, you can thank the bridal show organizer. They gladly handed over the contact info of all the attendees to the registered vendors at the event.)

Hidden Reservation Fees

Many "free" boudoir sessions hide costs and reservation fees. If you question the photographer about this, you may be told this $50 payment will be put toward a purchase-- Wait, again! You thought this was free... now they are talking about "a purchase?"

From here on in, things will start to do downhill. If you really press the photographer, he/she may tell you if you don't make a purchase this reservation fee will be refunded to you-- but, they are NOT bringing you in to their (And note the word "their." These type of sessions have little to do with you-- the clients are just cattle brought to the location to be slaughtered.) boudoir shoot to NOT make a purchase.

See, the reservation fee is actually understandable-- for what they are doing. So, what is this photographer really up to? Well, what they are attempting to do is book maybe 5 to 10 woman on a day, or over a weekend, for their high-pressure sales scheme. They know if they book bridal show attendees, and don't take a fee for the booking, in all likelihood 90% of the women they book will not show up. That's simply human nature. If there's no buy-in... they ain't showing up, "free" boudoir session or not.

So, the $50 booking fee simply ensures bodies will actually show up for the designated spots, because they NEED these people to show up for what happens next...

High-Pressure Sales Tactics

Once you have paid the hidden reservation fees, the pressure often escalates. On session day you'll show up at the hotel, or designated boudoir shoot location, be greeted with a warm welcome, and rushed through a mediocre boudoir shoot.

One thing to keep in mind: Boudoir sessions are meant to be like a little vacation. It's supposed to be a relaxed afternoon to have some fun, and enjoy taking photos. But here, the situation is quite a bit different. At these type of events, the boudoir shoot is an after-thought. What their entire intent is is to use most of your designated time to pressure you with some highly aggressive sales tactics... so brace yourself!

When your brief photo shoot is over, now comes the high-pressure sales full court press. You will most likely be brought into another room, and a "sales team" will go to work on you. They know aggressive tactics can make you feel uneasy. Their entire game is to use this against you and pressure you to buy expensive packages or products on the spot. --That minute. Right then and there. This is the sole reason for them doing this kind of scheme.

I’ve heard about clients pushed into buying very expensive photo books and add-ons they didn’t want, nor could afford, costings thousands of dollars.

Sales people at these "free" events use urgency and limited-time-only offers to sway decisions quickly. You may be given an instant "reveal" of your photos and pressured to buy items right then and there or miss out on some super deal they are running.

You have to understand that editing boudoir photos takes time... and that's what people really are looking for in a boudoir photo shoot-- and ultimately, what boudoir photography is all about-- beautifully edited photos. In a situation like this, you'll be shown completely unedited work and told "how amazing you look," and the underhanded photographers and their sales team will pressure you in to spending thousands of dollars on the spot.

These sessions are in no way about you-- or really about boudoir-- they solely exists for these underhanded photographers to pressure this week's group of unsuspecting bridal show attendees in to spending thousands of dollars on their low quality boudoir. They need fresh meat after every bridal show.

Essentially, they use the "free" shoot angle, to trick women to coming to their sessions to be taken advantage of. And it works.

Recognizing Deceptive Practices

If women simply stopped to think for a moment, perhaps many could avoid being lured into this common situation.

Why, oh why, would a boudoir photographer be handing out "free" photo sessions? It doesn't make sense. No one works for free. Women need to be a bit more vigilant.

Some photographers offer a variation of this scheme by offering a free photo or two (of their choice) included with the session. Nothing changes however. You'll still be sit down in a room and be given a high pressure sales session.

Let's roll back to the photographer being reluctant to answering any questions, or providing information before the session. Well, the reason they avoid answering questions, and tell you "we'll talk about it on session day, I'm too busy now," is because they know if they start answer questions, their entire scheme starts to fall apart.

The more questions you ask, the more they will have to answer. The probability of you showing up to their event knowing it is nothing but a high-pressure sales scheme goes way down. So, the less they say, the more the scheme works in their favor.

"Transparency is the key to trust." If the photographer refuses to answer questions about the event, fees, products, etc., the more skeptical you should be, and ultimately avoid such an event.

Look out for vague promises and unclear terms about what’s included in your “free” boudoir shoot. Some offers sound too good to be true because they usually are. Ask detailed questions about every part of the deal before committing.

How to Protect Yourself from Scammy Boudoir Photographers

Ask for a detailed breakdown of all fees and services. Research the photographer's reputation and read reviews to ensure credibility.

And more importantly, don't be lured by the word "free." If anything, become more suspicious upon hearing it.

Ask for Detailed Information

Always ask for detailed information about the free boudoir shoot. And remember, there is no photographer that is going to work for free. You wouldn't show up to your job for free, would you?! Ask explicitly if there are any session fees, additional charges, or minimum purchase requirements. Ask for complete details of the event, and product prices beforehand.

Check what the offer includes in terms of prints or digital files. Will they provide makeup services or outfits? Knowing these details helps avoid unpleasant surprises later on. Make sure to clarify everything up front to ensure you fully enjoy your experience without unexpected issues!

If the photographer refuses to answer, or is very vague. Don't go. Hang up the phone.

Research the Photographer and Reviews

Always start by checking the photographer's website and portfolio to see if their style matches what you want. Good reviews from past clients can help gauge their professionalism and quality.

Here's an insider tip: These scammy photographers often try to stay one step ahead of their bad reputations by frequently changing the names of their company. They rack up a mass of really angry clients, then will change the name of their photography business and start all over again. Rinse and repeat.

So, if you find little to no history about the photographer. It's a real bad sign. Always work with a boudoir photographer that has a visible and easy to follow history or working with satisfied clients.

To dig deeper, I look at Google or Yelp for more honest opinions about the experience others had. This shows if they follow through on promises and treat clients well.

You should also ask for referrals.

Bonus Tip: Leave Your Credit Cards At Home

If, for whatever reason, you do decide to attend such an event, a smart move would be to leave all your credit cards at home. That way, when you are brought into the sales room, you can't be forced into a purchase. 😂 Sounds patently simple, but it's effective.

Boudoir photography isn't about high-pressure sales. These groups know if they don't act now and force you into a big sale... the odds go way down of you making a purchase afterward. They've got one shot at you, because next week they'll be seeking victims at another bridal show in another town-- so be smart and don't get victimized.

Don't feel forced to make any purchases on-site that day.

Alternatives to "Free" Boudoir Shoots

If you are interested in giving a boudoir gift for your wedding, investing in a "real" professional boudoir shoot can yield amazing results. Many reputable photographers offer packages that include planning sessions, personalized styling, and top-tier editing.

These professionals will ensure you feel comfortable and confident every step of the way. Picking someone with experience also means they know how to highlight your best features. Make sure to review their portfolios and read customer testimonials.

Another great option is mini-sessions hosted by established photographers. These sessions are shorter and more budget friendly, but still provide a taste of a full boudoir experience at a lower cost. Mini-sessions often occur during specific times of the year or special events, so keep an eye out for announcements from local studios.

This route offers affordability without sacrificing quality or professionalism.

Conclusion

Winning a free boudoir shoot at a bridal show can feel like a dream, but there's a real possibility the photographer offering this opportunity has other plans in mind... namely pressuring you into handing over $2,000+ dollars for your "free" gift. It’s important to understand the details behind the offer. Hidden fees and high-pressure sales tactics are common. Always ask for full information and research the photographer's reviews.

Protecting yourself is practical and efficient with these steps. Embrace this journey smartly, and you’ll enjoy an amazing experience!

FAQs

1. What should I expect from my free boudoir shoot?

Expect to be asking a lot of questions up front. There is a common tactic with boudoir photographers giving away "free" boudoir sessions at bridal shows to lure women into a high-pressure sales scheme.

2. How do I prepare for my boudoir photo session?

Start by selecting outfits that make you feel beautiful. Consider getting your hair and makeup done to boost confidence. Hydrate well and get plenty of rest before the shoot.

3. Can I bring someone with me to the boudoir shoot?

Yes, many studios allow you to bring a friend or partner for support. Check with your photographer beforehand to confirm their policy on guests.

4. What happens after the boudoir photo session?

After your session, you'll review the photos with your photographer. They will help you choose favorites and discuss options for prints or albums if included in your package.