Nikki Brown is a professional boudoir photographer. Her portfolio highlights her skills in various types of photography, including boudoir, swimsuit, etc. She offers luxurious studio photo sessions, focusing on capturing the emotions and essence of her subjects.

Additionally, she provides resources for both amateur and professional boudoir photography enthusiasts. Nikki’s expertise and passion for photography have made her highly sought-after in the industry.

So, grab a seat and let’s explore the journey of Nikki Brown and her invaluable boudoir shoot tips together!

Q1. Can you share more about your journey from being a studio photographer for family portraits to specializing in boudoir photography?

Ans. For 10 years, I worked in a high-end photo studio specialising in black-and-white family, children and maternity portraits. It was a very good training ground for me. My boss was an inspiration to me in terms of running a successful studio and having great work/life balance.

I enjoyed working there, however I was also very drawn to boudoir and glamor photography. You might think that because I was already a professional photographer, and had learned the inner workings of a photography studio, it would have made my transition a quick and smooth one. However it took years from the start of my desire, to take the plunge and work in this genre.

My first struggle was that it was a different style of photography. Even though I was already a professional photographer, there was still a lot to learn about this style. Back in the early 2000s, the educational material was much more limited, and there were only a few physical books on professional glamour photography.

Photographers are so lucky now to have the vast array of educational material available to help them develop their boudoir photography. Part of the reason why I created my own boudoir photography guides was because I think it is so important to shorten that learning curve for new boudoir photographers.

However the biggest difficulty in making this transition was related to my self-belief. I did Time for Print (TFP) shoots for years because I was seeking validation as a certified boudoir photographer from other people. If they really wanted to shoot with me, or they raved about my photos, then I figured my boudoir photography was good enough to start charging. But the validation didn’t come.

I would often have potential models turn down a free shoot with me after seeing my photos, or I would have potential models cancel the day of their free shoot. It was very hard mentally. So the lesson I learnt was that people do not value free. It took a long time to realise that I needed to value myself by starting to charge for my work.

So my biggest advice to new photographers is set a number limit on TFP shoots, for example 3-5 shoots. Then start charging, even if it is only a few hundred dollars. Once you start valuing yourself, others will value you too.

I also didn’t have my own studio space and lived in a small house. I felt this was holding me back from starting my boudoir photography business. Over time I realized that I was just making excuses. I started by shooting outdoors in parks and at beaches.

Then one day I decided to just start shooting in my bedroom. I put fresh sheets on the bed and made sure the room was clean and tidy. At the end of the day we just have to start and work with what we have, rather than waiting for some future moment when all the stars align and the conditions are perfect.

The final step was letting go of the security of a permanent job and taking the leap, which also took some work mentally. Kyle Cease has a quote ‘You’re only scared because you can measure what you will lose, you can’t see what you will gain’. And that was definitely true for me.

So I would like to say starting my own boudoir photography business was an easy transition, but it was actually quite a long process!

Also check out: Boudoir Client Guide – PSD Templates

Q.2 How did the glamour photography in men’s magazines influence your decision to start photographing women in a similar style?

Ans. I used to always buy the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, and other men’s magazines like FHM. I even still have the pile of magazines today! And I never thought they were degrading to women, I just thought the images were beautiful and sexy.

As educational material was more limited in those days, those magazines became my photography teachers. I learnt posing, lighting, styling and composition ideas from them. When I started out I really wanted to emulate the men’s magazine style and so I would use studio flash. Flash has such a unique look to it, and can help to make the skin look flawless and the images look more professional.

The magazine images were usually shot by male photographers and men have a different way of shooting, so when I started I really wanted to shoot like them. However over time my style has definitely changed to more boudoir in style. I think part of that is related to now shooting with natural light, and also due to my tastes having changed as I have grown older.

Q.3 As one of the few female photographers offering lingerie and swimwear photography in your city, what challenges did you face in establishing your niche?

Ans. All my challenges of offering swimwear photography and working outdoors have all come from Mother Nature! I live almost an hour from the beach, so there is quite a bit of travel involved. In summer it tends to be overcast and there is always the chance of rain, so it can be difficult to predict if the client should chance having hair and makeup done and travelling to the shoot, or if the shoot should be postponed.

Outdoor shoots also need to revolve around when the light is best, and that means working around sunset times. Sand is a nightmare for photo equipment and the lens needs to be covered appropriately which can make shooting more difficult. I also once left my photo equipment too close to the water’s edge and the tide came in and swept it away!

Having said all that, I still love working in outdoor locations because it provides such unique backgrounds and compositions. And not to mention dreamy light! Clients also love the opportunity to have both style of shoots. It might be both lingerie and swimwear on the same day, or they may change it up for their second shoot.

I think it is important to always consider what your point of difference is with other photographers. Not many photographers offer both indoor and outdoor shoots, so doing so will help you stand out.

Also check out: Text Overlay Quotes For Your Boudoir

Q.4 Give your 5 top boudoir shoot tips.

Ans. 1) One of the best boudoir shoot tips is to memorize an arsenal of poses. I remember during my first few boudoir shoots having to check my phone for creative pose ideas while in front of the client, which looked so unprofessional. If you really must refer to your phone, do it during those times when the client is changing their outfit in a different room.

2) Another best boudoir shoot tips is to Watch those hands! Hands can easily break a shot. Hands gripping furniture or clothing too tightly, hands unnaturally flattened against a surface, having the palms visible etc. Give their hands a job to do. And always have them touch surfaces gently with their fingertips, or holding items with their thumb and forefinger. And before pressing the shutter, make sure to scan the image to make sure their hands are looking good.

3) If the client is a natural, and they love posing themselves, let them! Every now and then my client will naturally move herself into a different pose without me directing her. At those times I get super excited and shoot away. Having a client comfortable in front of the camera is the best. There is so much more room for creativity and capturing unique images.

4) If you don’t have the expression, you don’t have anything. Use a variety of phrases to coax expressions such as ‘smile with your eyes’ or ‘give me a little twinkle in your eye’. This is one of the most helpful boudoir shoot tips.

5) Aim to get it right on camera. This is also useful boudoir shoot tips. Don’t rely on Photoshop. Focus on capturing poses that flatter the client’s body and minimize any areas they don’t love. It took me years to learn how to do this, and I really wish I had learned it sooner. After all, we don’t just shoot model-types, our clients will always come in a variety of shapes and sizes. As boudoir photographer’s we can make or break our client’s self-esteem and it is our responsibility to ensure we are boosting our client’s confidence and they are leaving our studio with more than when they arrived.

Q.5 Do you have a favorite photoshoot? Why is it your favorite?

Ans. I have had many favorite shoots, but two elements always feature in my favorite shoots. Firstly, they are always done with gorgeous natural light, because it provides an ease of shooting that I love. I particularly enjoy working with backlight outdoors, because the light is so gorgeous and dreamy.

I love to see the halo of backlit hair, and even some flare. Secondly, my favorite clients are those of any size who are comfortable and natural in front of the camera. If they love the camera, the camera loves them back! If I am lucky enough to have both elements in a shoot, the shoots are effortless, and I am as happy as a pig in mud.

Also check out: Natural Posing Flow – Boudoir Posing

Q.6 What aspects of boudoir photography do you find most rewarding, both creatively and personally?

Ans. I love helping clients change how they see themselves, and I am so grateful for every single one of my clients. Having clients book me because they love my images, happy clients returning for additional shoots, or clients referring their friends has all been very rewarding.

Creating something from scratch and seeing it all come to fruition is also rewarding. The challenges I have faced have made every win feel that much better, whether it was finally having my own home studio, or having my images published in magazines.

Having my own business has allowed me such freedom to set up the business the way I want it, and to make all my own decisions regarding each aspect of my business. It has allowed me to be able to drop my kids off at school, pick them up, and work around their schedules. That, for me, is the ultimate. The money is just the icing on the cake.

Q.7 How do you approach the challenge of making clients feel comfortable and empowered as a boudoir photographer?

Ans. In terms of making clients feel comfortable, it is really important to break the ice when they arrive by having a chat with them about their reason for doing their shoot, and looking through their outfit choices together.

Also, a friendly and bubbly makeup artist to chat with the client during her hair and makeup is another important component. The client will start to forget about the fact that they are about to pose half-naked in front of a stranger.

It is normal for clients to feel vulnerable, so as boudoir photographers we need to be conscious of everything we say and do and how it may affect our clients. For example, if we tell our client to constantly put her chin down and out, she may feel that she is flawed and become self conscious, so it is important to reassure her that you ask that of every client.

Show care for your client’s needs and feelings. Check in if she is thirsty or hungry, or if she needs a break, and make sure to follow through with any of her requests. If she can see that you are paying attention to detail, and working hard to get the best shots for her, she will trust you and feel at ease.

I also believe in giving clients genuine compliments. No false niceties, people can see through that a mile away and can sense falseness. It is so important to show respect to clients and aim for zero judgement. I once did work experience at a glamour studio that made fun of every client after they left the studio. It didn’t take long for that studio to go out of business.

That experience always stuck with me. Even without being communicated in front of the client, that sort of negativity seeps through, and people can innately feel it when they are being judged.

I don’t show the client any photos at the shoot. So a lot of their empowerment comes after they view their images. That is part of the reason I don’t retouch my gallery images, because I want them to see that the beauty they see in the images is all theirs.

Also check out: Boudoir Outfit Ideas For Your Next Photoshoot

Q.8 If not photography, what profession would you like to pursue?

Ans. It would definitely involve working for myself. I think once you have your own photography business, it is very hard to go back to working for someone else. I really enjoy the freedom that having my own business provides, and the ability to make all my own decisions.

However, I also really love kids as they are so honest and fun to be around, so I could also see myself working with them in some capacity.

Q.9 Which photographers/artists do you look up to for inspiration?

Ans. Jennifer Williams in Canada. She really is an amazing boudoir photographer and her work is very inspiring. I also really like Jan Scholz black-and-white images of women.

I tend to have favorite photographers in each genre. And I used to be obsessed with the newborn photography work of Baby as Art’s Carrie Sandoval and Brittany Woodall. For children photographers it was Jinky Art. For documentary photography I love Vivian Maier’s work.

Also check out: What Is Boudoir Photography: All You Need To Know

Q.10 What are your thoughts on men’s boudoir photography? Do you think it is starting to become a trend?

Ans. Men’s boudoir or ‘dudoir’ used to just be considered funny. Although it hasn’t become popular in my area, I do get some inquiries requesting male boudoir. However, it’s not a style I am personally interested in offering.

It all comes down to comfort level. And I have never been interested in offering either men’s or couple’s boudoir. However, any photographer that does offer those styles will definitely have a unique point of difference.

Q.11 Any new plans on the business front? Any new boudoir guides coming out?

Ans. I currently have 5 boudoir guides (Curvy Posing Guide, Boudoir Posing Guide, White Sheets Boudoir Photography Posing Guide, Boudoir Photo Guide, and Boudoir Business Guide). So I have already covered most aspects of boudoir photography.

I am always making improvements to these guides and expanding on them in order to provide more value. However, every now and then inspiration strikes, and I create another e-book. If I had to guess, I would say it is likely to be an outdoor boudoir photography guide.

Conclusion: Professional Boudoir Photography by Nikki

As we wrap up this interview with Nikki Brown, we’re left inspired with lots of boudoir shoot tips.

Nikki’s passion for her craft shines through, and her generosity in sharing her expertise in boudoir photography is truly commendable.

Thank you, Nikki Brown, for taking us on this enlightening journey through your professional life and sharing your invaluable boudoir shoot tips with us!

Check out more of Nikki Brown’s work here.