I had just finished photographing  a  friend of mine, who had
wanted something to give to her boyfriend on his birthday. We
were sitting and talking about how the session had gone and I
commented to her about how relaxed she had become about half way
through it. 
     She remarked that she felt very much at ease as the shoot 
progressed and I wasn't anything at all like the last
photographer that she had been to a few years ago. I asked her to
explain and she began to tell me a story that I have heard more
than a  few  times  from  other  women. 
     The photographer had run an ad for boudoir photos and was
doing them along with his regular studio work. He had a fully
equipped studio and the props, but his manner was not what it
should have been. He used every excuse he could think of  to
readjust her clothing or props, brushing against  her  breasts
with the back of his hand, or staring down the front of her
outfit. She said that she felt very uncomfortable with him but
didn't want to say anything. The results were as expected with an
uncomfortable and hostile subject. The photos reflected her great
unease and discomfort and were, to put it mildly, terrible. My
firend was greatly disappointed. It took her almost two years to
get over the experience. She decided to try again only because of
our friendship over the past few years.
     I could understand this kind of behavior from some amateur
who was trying to make a few dollars and also get some
titillation for himself, but this was an established
photographer, he had a duty to act more professional. Women today
are feeling more comfortable with their sexuality and glamour and
boudoir portraits are becoming a  part  of  their I had just
finished photographing  a  friend of mine, who had wanted
something to give to her boyfriend on his birthday. We were
sitting and talking about how the session had gone and I
commented to her about how relaxed she had become about half way
through it.                  
     She remarked that she felt very much at ease as the shoot 
progressed and I wasn't anything at all like the last
photographer that she had been to a few years ago. I asked her to
explain and she began to tell me a story that I have heard more
than a  few  times  from  other  women. 
     The photographer had run an ad for boudoir photos and was
doing them along with his regular studio work. He had a fully
equipped studio and the props, but his manner was not what it
should have been. He used every excuse he could think of  to
readjust her clothing or props, brushing against  her  breasts
with the back of his hand, or staring down the front of her
outfit. She said that she felt very uncomfortable with him but
didn't want to say anything. The results were as expected with an
uncomfortable and hostile subject. The photos reflected her great
unease and discomfort and were, to put it mildly, terrible. My
firend was greatly disappointed. It took her almost two years to
get over the experience. She decided to try again only because of
our friendship over the past few years.
 I could understand this kind of behavior from some amateur who
was trying to make a few dollars and also get some titillation
for himself, but this was an established photographer, he had a
duty to act more professional. Women today are feeling more
comfortable with their sexuality and glamour and boudoir
portraits are becoming a  part  of  their  I had just finished
photographing  a  friend of mine, who had wanted something to
give to her boyfriend on his birthday. We were sitting and
talking about how the session had gone and I commented to her
about how relaxed she had become about half way through it.       
         She remarked that she felt very much at ease as the
shoot  progressed and I wasnt anything at all like the last
photographer that she had been to a few years ago. I asked her to
explain and she began to tell me a story that I have heard more
than a  few  times  from  other  women. 
     The photographer had run an ad for boudoir photos and was
doing them along with his regular studio work. He had a fully
equipped studio and the props, but his manner was not what it
should have been. He used every excuse he could think of  to
readjust her clothing or props, brushing against  her  breasts
with the back of his hand, or staring down the front of her
outfit. She said that she felt very uncomfortable with him but
didn't want to say anything. The results were as expected with an
uncomfortable and hostile subject. The photos reflected her great
unease and discomfort and were, to put it mildly, terrible. My
firend was greatly disappointed. It took her almost two years to
get over the experience. She decided to try again only because of
our friendship over the past few years. are lucky enough to have
a female photographer on your staff, use her for the session. If
not, then be prepared to talk a lot to the client. It may seem
difficult  at first  for those that are quiet by nature, but I
have found that explaining everything that  is taking place
helps. Describe what you are doing. Tell her how the lights work,
how you must wait  for  them to recycle. Talk about the props and
where you buy them. This may all seem foolish, but  it will take
her mind off of the fact that she is revealing herself to a
complete stranger.  The most important piece of advice, is don't
push her into doing something she is not at ease with. 
     She knows how much of her clothing she is going to remove
for the photos before she even walks into the studio. Make
suggestions, offer more revealing poses, but let her make the
decisions. If she iscomfortable with her surroundings she will
become more daring. Just remember, don't push too hard. Once she
is forced to cross over that fine line that she has set for
herself the rest of the session will become a total waste of 
time and film.
     As for the way others are acting, pass the word to others in
your  field when you hear of wrong behavior.  A few well chosen
words to a fellow photographer may correct the problem. As for
the amateurs that are doing it out of their homes, that can be
rather difficult. The amateur  business is based on the clients
that have come to you and finding out  that  they can not afford
your services,turn to photographers such as him. With the right
equipment he can deliver a product that may not be as good as
yours, but is acceptable to some clients. Not everyone can afford
or buy a Cadillac and price points sometimes are the sole reason
for buying a product or service, so expect competition.
     Is the amateur taking away business? Yes, but if his actions
also include unwarranted attention or advances towards clients,
then every legitimate photographer  who engages in glamour and
boudoir portraiture is affected, not only by reputation, but
financially as well.
     The woman, or women who choose to go to an amateur 
photographer for their glamour or boudoir sitting could not, in
their minds, afford your services in the first place. However,
professional conduct and a well presented and pitched portfoio
showing what  they can appear as and become in your images, might
tip the scales in your favor and convince them that it is worth
it to spend the money and time with you before seeking out the
amateur photographer.
     If you were a physician, it would be called your bedside
manner. As a photographer, call it your professional finesse'
Keeping  your client  at ease while at the same time making her
feel the glamourous woman inside her is at last emerging and
finally becoming what she has always  known and felt herself  to
be. WP  