Testimonials & FAQ

 

Each Experience is Unique

I take time to get to know each and every client so that, together, we are guaranteed to get some amazing shots! I’ll consider your goals, your personal comfort level in front of the camera, I’ll even have a personalized playlist playing to make sure you are in the zone and feeling your absolute finest!

Testimonials

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“From the respectful and welcoming atmosphere to the gorgeous setup of the studio, it really felt like a place I could be myself and put my trust in Joe as the photographer. His instructions for posing were clear and fun, and I really felt safe and enjoyed every moment. I also really appreciated the care he put into creating a playlist of my ridiculously eclectic tastes in music. Seeing the finish photos for the first time was astounding for me. It usually takes a lot for me to like the way I look in pictures, especially when dysphoria decides to come out to play, but every single image Joe showed me made me feel incredible. I couldn’t have asked for a better first experience with boudoir, and I highly recommend anyone interested in doing boudoir reach out to Who You Are Boudoir!”

— Zoe

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“Joe is an absolute artist. The way he uses light, shadow, and composition to capture beauty is brilliant. His poses, vision, and execution resulted in pictures we simply cannot stop looking at. Joe is warm, funny, safe, friendly, and confident which makes not only the pictures but the entire shoot an incredibly positive experience. We cannot recommend Joe highly enough if you are looking for a memory and pictures you’ll keep forever.“

— Keelia & Nathan

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“As a mother my body has changed over the years and I decided to go with Who You Are Boudoir as a celebration to my body. I am so unbelievably happy that I decided to do this. Joe has such a welcoming and warm demeanor to him that the moment I walked into the studio I immediately felt comfortable and at ease, which is extremely important to me. I had so much fun shooting with Joe, I felt playful, sexy, and confident! So thankful for this experience, and will always look back at these photos remembering how beautiful I should always feel.”

— Jordana

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“The moment I interacted with Joe to talk about our shoot, I felt comfortable and in professional hands. As the shooting was happening in the studio the photographer was very welcoming, focused and respectful. I really had fun!

— Callen

Frequently Asked Questions

ARE YOU OPERATING DURING COVID?

Yes! As long as legally permitted, I am booking.

Boudoir photography lends itself very well to social distancing. You will only be in the presence of the photographer and a makeup artist, both of whom will be wearing PPE. Keep in mind that booking requires a deposit that will not be refunded in the case of stay-at-home orders, but your session can be rescheduled at no additional cost.

How do I book a shoot?

Click this link to pick your date and pay a deposit. I’ll get in touch with you shortly and we’ll personalize your shoot to your needs and dreams.


Will my photos be viewable on the internet?

Not unless you want them to be! Photos are privately available to you and you alone. In some cases, I may ask permission to post an exceptional image in my portfolio but that would only happen with your explicit permission.

But boudoir photography is only for women, right?

No way! While many studios are geared specifically for female or femme clients, what sets Who You Are Boudoir apart is our ability to work with absolutely any individual regardless of gender expression. Everyone deserves to feel sexy, and we’ll make sure you do!

Aren’t I too old (or too heavy, or too thin, or too tall, or too short or too anything) to get boudoir pictures?

No! Every body is worth celebrating. When we get to know each other before the shoot, we’ll talk about what you love about yourself as well as anything that makes you a bit self-conscious. I’ll be coaching you the whole time, finding the perfect positions to highlight your favorite features and make you feel as amazing as you look!


Can I book a date down the road so I have time to lose some weight?

As someone who has struggled with my weight my whole life, I completely understand looking in the mirror and stressing over the 5, 10, 20, or 50 lbs you might wish you could lose. The beauty of this style of photography is it simply doesn’t matter - we’re gonna show off the sexiness inside you just as you are!

Not once have I ever had a client see their final photos and wish they had lost weight for the shoot. Usually they say, “Why did I wait so long to do this?”

Don’t let this excuse prevent you from celebrating yourself!


I don’t like my blemishes (or stretch marks, or cellulite). Will you photoshop me?

My style of boudoir focuses on natural light and barely-there editing. While I’m happy to touch up any day-of breakouts, I generally discourage intense photoshopping. In my experience, the photos that are the most meaningful and exciting to my clients are the ones in which they can recognize the person in the mirror. We aren’t here to imagine what you might look like after hours of airbrushing. We’re here to show off how breath-taking you really are!


I’m just not photogenic, even fully dressed. Why would I like these photos more?

When we take photos in daily life there are many factors working against us:

  • Bad lighting

  • Unfortunate angles

  • Forced expressions (“say cheese!”)

  • Immediate pressure

  • Awkward situations

When you book a session with me, these factors are in our control. I’m here to offer you my experience and expertise in showcasing you under the best possible conditions. I’ve got your back!

Do I do my own hair and makeup?

We got you covered!  We’ll have a hair and makeup professional available to you at any standard shoot at no additional price.

Do I choose outfits from your selection or should I provide my own?

Given the wide array of body types and gender expressions I work with, I do not provide wardrobe. I recommend bringing more outfits than we’ll have time for so we have plenty of options. Once you put down your deposit and lock in a shoot date, I’ll send you a guide of things to bring along so you don’t feel like you’re reinventing the wheel.

Lingerie makes me uncomfortable. Do I have to wear it?

Absolutely not! Our goal is to show you off comfortable and in your element. There’s no reason a baggy t-shirt or full-length pjs can’t be just as sexy as a matching lingerie set. 

Taking pictures for a partner? Try integrating part of their wardrobe, anything from a favorite jersey, tie, belt, accessory, or footwear works wonders to make the photos feel personal and unique!

Some of your photos have nudity. Do I have to get naked?

Not at all. Everyone expresses themselves differently. For some people showing off their skin makes them feel powerful and sexy and that’s great! For others, shoots that are more modest or demure have the same effect and that’s great too!

Before we even get to the studio, we’ll talk about your comfort level and how much you intend to show. The most important aspect of boudoir photography is that you are comfortable in the space and it’s my job to do everything I can to make that happen.

It’s also worth noting that your level of comfort might change during the shoot and that’s okay! Some people think they’re ready to bare all, but get butterflies when the time comes. Others would never dream of revealing the waistband of their underwear and half-way through the shoot they’re running around starkers! I will be checking in with you constantly and making sure you are on board with every pose and wardrobe choice.


This is totally new to me. Won’t I be a bad model?

The vast majority of my clients have never posed for a photographer before in their lives! I’m here for you. I’ll help you pick out your outfits, find stunning poses, keep my eye out for details, and coach you along the whole time. You don’t need any experience to get great shots!


Where do the shoots take place?

Most shoots happen in my studio in Brooklyn. By special request, I’m happy to shoot at other locations including your home, a hotel, outdoor spaces (where legally permitted), etc.


Can I bring a friend to my shoot?

In general, one-on-one sessions tend to be more focused and yield stronger results.

If you are more comfortable bringing a friend along, I encourage you to ask yourself the following questions:

  1. Will this person be a cheerleader for me? (e.g.  “Wow, you look amazing!”, “I love that outfit!”, “OMG you’re killing it!”)

  2. Will this person bring upbeat and positive energy to the experience?

  3. Will this person support me by quietly observing without trying to direct?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no” you can absolutely still bring them along. We have a waiting area for them to relax in during the shoot. There are also many nearby coffee shops if that makes them more comfortable.

What type of printed media and products do you offer?

I offer a huge selection of frame size or wall size prints, including canvas and metal prints!

Most importantly, I offer a few different Album collections that let you showcase your photos in an elegant and intimate way. These make AMAZING gifts for partners, too!

You can see all my printed offerings on my pricing page.

Can I wait to see my photos before I decide what products to buy?

Absolutely! All of my pricing is a la carte, so you only buy what you want!

I need these done fast! Can you make a short deadline?

Almost certainly yes! Please be clear with me at the time of booking if there is a limited amount of time for turnaround. With some notice I can be very quick with digitals. Albums and printed media may take longer, but can usually be rushed with additional expedited shipping fees.

Will I be able to see/purchase ALL of the pictures taken during my shoot?

No. Over the course of the shoot, we will take hundreds, likely even thousands of images. Some of them will have technical imperfections like lighting or focus issues, others will have you blinking or caught in an unusual expression, and some will simply be leading up to the perfect moment that’s only a few shots away.

I will go through each shot and select only the finest to edit and present to you - usually fewer than 90 images. Those will be the photos you’ll have the opportunity to choose from and purchase. The rest will wind up on the cutting room floor.

My partner(s) and I would like to do an intimate shoot. Do you offer shoots with multiple subjects?

Yes! There is an additional per-person fee, but otherwise pricing remains the same.

I have more questions. How can I contact you?

Fill out the contact form available here!