What to expect
From your first message to the moment your gallery lands — here's exactly how a boudoir session works.
Six steps, start to finish
You reach out
Send a message or use the form below. Tell me as much or as little as you want. There's nothing you can say that will shock me, and nothing you have to explain. I'll respond within 24 hours and we'll figure out if we're a good fit together.
The consultation call (free, no obligation)
A 20–30 minute conversation — by phone, video, or in person, whatever you're comfortable with. We talk about what you're looking for, what you're nervous about, what you want to walk away with. I'll walk you through exactly what happens during a session and answer every question you have. Nothing is scheduled until you feel completely ready.
Prep and planning
Once we book, I'll send a session prep guide covering what to wear, how to prep your skin, what to bring, and how to get yourself in the right headspace. We'll also go through the consent documentation together — not as a formality, but as a real conversation about what you want from the images and how they can be used.
The session itself
Sessions start slow — music on, no camera out yet. We talk, get comfortable, go through what we discussed. I give you simple, specific posing directions so you're never left guessing what to do with your body. Throughout the session I'll show you back-of-camera previews so you can see what's working in real time. The pace is always yours. You can pause, take a break, change direction, or stop entirely — no explanation required, no awkwardness.
Editing and delivery
Images are professionally retouched and delivered to your standard — meaning I'll ask you in the consultation whether you want significant retouching or prefer images that look like a polished version of exactly you. Your gallery is password-protected and delivered via a private link. Standard turnaround is 2–3 weeks; rush delivery is available.
What happens after
Your images belong to you. The print release gives you the right to print, share, or use your images however you choose. If you agreed to allow portfolio use of specific images, I'll send those to you for approval before any of them appear anywhere. No image will ever be used publicly without your sign-off.
On being a male photographer in this space
I'm aware that hiring a male photographer for intimate work involves a different kind of trust than hiring a female one. I don't think that concern is unreasonable — it isn't. And I think you deserve a direct answer to it rather than a polished deflection.
I've spent a lot of time thinking about how to do this work ethically and safely. The consultation process, the consent documentation, the option to have my wife or another support person present, the back-of-camera previews, the no-questions-asked right to stop at any point — these aren't legal formalities. They're the structure I built specifically because I understand what's at stake when someone trusts a male photographer with vulnerable images of themselves.
If at any point during our consultation — or during the session — something doesn't feel right, trust that instinct completely. You owe me nothing. The right photographer for you is the one who makes you feel genuinely safe, whoever that turns out to be.
Things people usually ask
What do I wear?
Whatever makes you feel most like yourself. Lingerie is common but not required — some people do sessions in an oversized t-shirt and nothing else, some in a structured corset, some in nothing at all. The prep guide I send before your session includes specific guidance, but the short answer is: bring options, we'll figure it out together.
What if I hate how I look in photos?
That's the most common thing people tell me going in. I don't believe it's a fixed truth about you — I think it's the result of seeing yourself in unflattering lighting with no direction. My job is posing, lighting, and timing. I'll show you back-of-camera previews throughout so you can see what's actually being captured. Most people are surprised.
Do I need to be a certain size or look a certain way?
No. The work I care most about is of people who don't see themselves reflected in this kind of photography — people with bodies that have lived, changed, been through things. If you've been waiting until you look different to do something like this, I'd gently push back on that framing.
How explicit can it get?
That's entirely your call. Sessions can range from artistic and suggestive with nothing revealed, to fully explicit depending on what you want. We agree on the content level during the consultation — nothing happens during the session that wasn't discussed and agreed upon beforehand.
Will anyone else see my images?
No one sees your images without your explicit written permission. Your gallery is password-protected and delivered only to you. If you've agreed to portfolio use of specific images, you approve each one individually before it's used anywhere. Complete privacy is always an option — just say so when you reach out. Read more about how I keep your images safe →
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. You're welcome to bring a friend, partner, or support person. For some sessions, my wife is also present as an additional comfort measure. Just mention it when you reach out and we'll make arrangements.
What's the cancellation policy?
Life happens. If you need to reschedule, reach out as early as you can and we'll find a new date. The consultation is always free and comes with no obligation to book.
Start with a conversation
Free, no commitment, no obligation. Fill out the form below or reach out directly by email. I'll respond within 24 hours.
Schedule directly:
Or send a message:
Prefer email directly? joshua@imaginethemagic.com