The Business Of Boudoir

How to Succeed in One of Photography’s Fastest Growing Markets

- Maria Piscopo

WHILE PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT OF AS A NICHE, boudoir photography is now a thriving way for photographers to make a living. Usually a gift to a loved one or one’s self, boudoir photography consists of an intimate photo of a woman or man suggestively covered or even fully nude. Although the photographers I interviewed all have different businesses, they all have one thing in common: tremendous kindness and compassion. Thanks to the following photographers for sharing how they have made their businesses a success: Mariah Carle, Lynn Clark, Lindsay Rae D’Ottavio, Megan Drane, Kristi Elias, and Mistie Simone.

Shutterbug: How long have you been in the boudoir photography business? Is it 100 percent of your sales? What other areas of photography do you include in your business? 

Kristi Elias: I have been a professional photographer for 19 years. I added boudoir seven years ago and it is now 60 percent of my business. I am a fine art portrait photographer. I photograph people from maternity to boudoir, children, and couples. I specialize in masterpiece portraits. 

Lindsay Rae D’Ottavio: In 2015 we made the decision to drop our other areas of photography (i.e., weddings, children, and families) to focus exclusively on boudoir. The more we dug into boudoir, not just as an art form, but as an avenue to empower women to regard themselves more positively, the more we realized the immense amount of time and effort that went into this aspect of our business. 

Mistie Simone: My business has been operating since March of 2009 and I am 95 percent boudoir photography and 5 percent pinup, which is practically the same thing. Also, my company is 100 percent Photoshop free.