Are you thinking about pampering yourself with a boudoir photo shoot and wondering how much it would cost? Well, the answer might surprise you. This is because, unlike headshot photographers, boudoir photographers don’t display their actual fees on their websites or any of their social media profiles.
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They usually display what I’d like to refer to as a ‘bait fee’ – an amount catchy enough to lure you in or make you contact them. So, finding the exact boudoir photography cost through their websites or online profiles can be pretty tricky since what’s usually displayed are bait fees, not their real boudoir photography pricing.
In this article, I’ll share the average costs of boudoir photography in the USA. But before we dive in, here’s a quick introduction about me – I’m a professional model with years of experience working with various boudoir photographers across the country, so I’m well-equipped to discuss this topic.
What is the average cost of a boudoir photo shoot in the USA?
The average cost of a boudoir photo shoot in the USA typically ranges from $200 to $800 per photo session. A photo session may last for 45 minutes or a maximum of 2 hours. This fee covers the photographer’s time and studio access only. It doesn’t include image fees, retouching, or delivery. You’ll have the opportunity to choose and purchase your favorite boudoir images at the end of your session.
Boudoir photographers typically charge between $50 to $300 per image. Just to clarify, you are responsible for purchasing these images because there isn’t typically a market for the photographer to sell them to someone else. Additionally, it’s important to note that the purchase fee doesn’t cover processing and delivery costs. I know this might sound confusing. So, let’s take a look at the boudoir photography price breakdown:
Boudoir photography pricing breakdown:
Here’s a breakdown of what you might encounter:
1. Session fee
A boudoir photography session fee is the upfront cost you have to pay to reserve a photographer’s time and expertise for your boudoir photo shoot. This fee covers the photographer’s time while actively taking your pictures in boudoir style.
This fee may also include the rental of the studio for the duration of your photo shoot. If the shoot is at a specific location other than the studio, the fee will cover the photographer’s cost of transportation and services.
As mentioned earlier, a typical boudoir photography session fee can range from as low as $200 to as high as $800 per hour or two, depending on the photographer’s experience. The session fee is what almost all boudoir photographers display on their websites. So, when you check a boudoir photographer’s online profile and see $300 or $800 per hour, keep in mind that this is the amount you have to pay to get enlisted.
2. Package fee
The package fee would determine the quality of services you will get from the photographer. There are usually 3 types of packages, and each photographer has unique names for them. However, to make it easier for you to understand, let’s call the packages:
- Basic
- Extended
- Premium
A basic package pricing can range from $199 to $300 and includes a small number of images in a small box or album.
The extended package pricing usually starts from $400 to $800 and includes more pictures and better packaging.
The premium package pricing usually starts from $900 to $2000 or more and includes enhanced services, such as luxurious print products like albums or wall art.
In short, the higher the package, the higher the price, and the better the value for you. Some photographers include their session fees in each of the packages, while very few others don’t.
Also, I’d keep you to keep in mind that some photographers would typically display the cost of their basic or lowest packages on their website. This is to make you feel their services are cheap and then contact them so they can persuade you through direct emails or phone calls.
3. Retouching and fast processing fees (optional)
In most cases, you won’t find editing or retouching fees included in the packages because not every client wants these services. Retouching involves enhancing your pictures with filters and color adjustments, and some photographers charge an extra $10 per image for retouching. The rate may be higher, depending on how you want your final pictures to appear.
The fast-processing fee, on the other hand, is what you’ll pay if you want your pictures delivered more quickly. The typical delivery window for delivery of boudoir photographs ranges from 14 to 21 days.
However, if you need them to be processed and sent to you in less than 14 days, there’s an additional fee for expedited service. You can expect to pay an extra $100 to $150 for a quicker turnaround on your project.
In case you’re wondering why a photographer might keep your pictures for more days, here’s the reason:
After the session, photographers need to transfer the images from their cameras to their desktops and format them accordingly. They have to convert the images from RAW to JPEG and then send them for printing, which can take anywhere from 1 hour to 5 business days.
Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that there may be other clients ahead of you in the queue, so you’ll have to wait for your turn. If you find that waiting for 14 days or more is too long, you have the option to pay the fast-processing fees, and your photographs will be prioritized, often getting processed within a couple of hours or a few days.
4. Hair and makeup fee (optional)
Some photographers include the services of a professional hair and makeup artist in their packages, while others offer it as an optional add-on. The cost for this can vary, depending on the photographer’s standards and the level of service you require. Typically, the pricing starts from $50 to $100 if it is offered as an add-on.
Therefore, the average cost of a boudoir photo shoot can start from as low as $400 (including the session fee) for images with just 2 outfits and go up to $3000 (including the session fee) or even more for images with 4 or more unique outfits.
Why are boudoir photo shoots expensive?
The costs of boudoir photo shoots can be relatively expensive due to several reasons. Some of these include:
1. Specialized expertise
Boudoir photography is not like every other genre of photography. It is a niche genre that requires specialized skills and expertise. Thus, photographers who take boudoir images are people who are highly trained and experienced in creating flattering, intimate, and sensual images. Their expertise comes at a cost.
2. Boudoir photographers are rare
Boudoir photographers are not just regular portrait photographers. So, there are a few of them across the country, making their services quite costly when compared with the prices of maternity and normal portrait photographers.
3. Inflation
The general increase in the price of goods and services is another reason why boudoir photo shoots are expensive. The costs of buying, upgrading, or maintaining photography equipment have significantly gone up over the years. Aside from this, the costs of studio rental have also gone up.
Similarly, these photographers are human too, and have bills to pay. Therefore, they have to increase the costs of their services to keep their businesses running and also to survive.
4. Marketing and overhead
Some boudoir photographers invest heavily in marketing and maintaining their business, including website development, advertising, and studio overhead. Unfortunately, these costs are usually passed down to the clients.
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How do I save money on my next boudoir photo session?
The best way to save costs on a boudoir photo session is to try the DIY approach. This involves taking your own boudoir portraits by yourself. You can click on the link below to learn how to do that:
How to Shoot Boudoir Self-Portraits (Creative and Classy)
Other ways of saving money on a boudoir photo shoot include:
1. Choosing a local photographer
Consider working with a local photographer instead of one in a larger, more expensive city.
2. Limiting your outfit changes
Next, consider reducing the number of your outfit changes during your session.
3. Opting for only digital copies of your boudoir photographs
Instead of purchasing expensive print packages, consider receiving digital images only. You can later choose to print them yourself or create a photo book at a more affordable cost.
4. Considering DIY hair and makeup
Professional hair and makeup services can be costly. If you’re confident in your own beauty skills, consider doing your hair and makeup yourself to save on this expense.