If you’ve ever been interested in boudoir photography or if you’re currently in that niche and wanting to hone in on your craft, even more, you’re in the right place. 

Today Anne spilled the TEA on all things boudoir photography, including her journey pivoting from shooting all the things, including weddings into exclusively offering boudoir. She shares her tips and tricks for making your clients feel comfortable in such a vulnerable situation, how to navigate sharing (or not sharing) more intimate photos in your online marketing and how she handles that with her clients, and her tips on posing women to help them feel most comfortable and relaxed. 

What we weren’t expecting from the show, but what Anne DELIVERED was her insight on how to also navigate the allure and trap of “more” in business. She shares her personal experience with growing significantly on Instagram and what it taught her. Basically, she gave each and every one of us a good wake-up call reminder of what’s really important and how we should be approaching our businesses, marketing, and life decisions. 

 

Anne’s Story 

Anne Blodgett is a former journalist turned photographer who has spent the last decade documenting people and places around the world. Most recently she has cultivated a large Instagram following of women seeking a positive body/mind connection through intimate (boudoir) portraiture. Anne’s private boudoir studio is located in rural Southern Oregon, where she lives with her husband and three children. 

 

How did you first get into photography? 

Anne has a degree in journalism thinking she would move to a big city after graduating but instead moved home and got a job at her local newspaper as a reporter. Had never picked up a camera before but since the newspaper had only one photograph many times not she would be the one taking the photos for the stories. After being there for 14 months, Anne found that she had more fun photographing the stories than writing them. Quitting her job right before she got married, and her husband bought her the Costco bundle and was the one who initially encouraged her to quit her job and pursue photography. 

 

Pivoting into exclusively boudoir photography

After building their house in 2014 where they built a studio for Anne to host her sessions, she had a friend reach out wanting to do a tasteful nude maternity session. That was her first boudoir session and from there Anne started planning a weekend once a year to shoot 12-15 women back to back. She continued to do this yearly. 

After watching her own body change from having children and dealing with her own insecurities around that. Made Anne more passionate about this specific type of photography. During her boudoir weekends, she found a deep connection with the women in their insecurities and spoke the truth to them. 

Cultivating a Comfortable Environment:

The initial email starts the conversation and then Anne has a virtual hangout. As they arrive and are getting their hair and makeup done, Anne takes this time to get to know them better and lighten the mood. By the time they are shooting, she has broken down any barriers that were there and they are comfortable and relaxed. Anne has no problem embarrassing herself, so they feel less awkward. Anne says, “I’m awkward so you don’t have to be”. 

 

How to market photos that are sensitive

Have a contract and give your clients the ability in the contract whether they want you to share their images. There is a hard line to start. If they do say yes, always run it by them, send them a text, and make sure they are comfortable with it. You never want to put an image of a woman out there that she didn’t want on the internet. 

 

What is the biggest lesson you have learned in business?

Valuing my time. As artists, we don’t feel like it deserves to be confiscated. 

 

 

Show notes

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Follow along with Anne: 

www.instagram.com/heyanneblodgett

www.anneblodgett.com

 

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Follow along:

www.instagram.com/mrslindseyroman

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