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Do Your Homework: Why Researching Your Photographer Matters (Now More Than Ever)

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Boudoir photography is personal. Vulnerable. It’s an investment not just of money, but of trust. When you book a session, you’re not just hiring someone to take pretty pictures… you’re trusting them to create a safe, supportive, and empowering experience from start to finish.

Unfortunately, there’s a reason I’m writing this post today.

Recently, a company called Bodyscape Boudoir has been scamming (IMO) clients and vendors out of thousands of dollars. People have paid for sessions that never happened, purchased products that were never delivered, and worked for them without getting paid. It’s heartbreaking… not just because of the money lost, but because it robs people of the excitement, confidence, and transformation they were promised.

If you’ve been affected by this (or anything like it), here’s what I want you to know:

  1. You deserve better. What happened to you is not normal and not acceptable.
  2. You can still have your dream session. This doesn’t have to be the end of your boudoir journey.
  3. You can fight for your money back. If you paid by credit card, you can often file a chargeback for services not rendered. If you paid another way, still gather your documentation and contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Do not stop until you get a refund, it may take time – so be ready to (possibly) fight.

My Offer to Scammed Clients

I’m not here to profit from your loss. I’m here to help you still get the experience you deserve.

If you were scammed (IMO) by Bodyscape Boudoir (or a similar situation) and can provide proof of your booking and payment, I will honor the same deal you had with them… within reason… so you can still have the boudoir session you’ve been dreaming about.

**For context: my session fee is $750, and products start at $990, with my average client investing around $3,500. If your original package was for only a couple hundred dollars, that unfortunately isn’t realistic for the level of service, time, and product quality I deliver. But if your investment was in a reasonable range, I will work with you to match it so you don’t have to give up on this dream.

Whether you choose me or another reputable photographer, I want you to know: this industry has incredible, trustworthy professionals who will deliver what they promise.

How to Research a Photographer Before Booking

To protect yourself in the future:

  • Check their reviews: and not just the ones on their own website. Look at Google and Facebook. (This specific company (B.B.) has what appears to be perfect reviews everywhere, while yes this is possible, it can also be a sign of bought reviews. This is when it gets hard to determine “legit” businesses vs scammers, so make sure to follow all of these and not just one).
  • Ask to see full galleries from actual clients, not just highlight reels.
  • Look for a contract: no legitimate photographer will take your money without one (there are exceptions to this, but they are very rare).
  • Watch how they communicate: consistent, professional communication is key.
  • Ask about timelines for delivery and policies for cancellations, reschedules, and refunds. This should all be outlined explicitly in the contract too.

If anything feels off… trust that gut feeling. Ask more questions. And if the answers are vague, defensive, or inconsistent, walk away.

Don’t Give Up

If you’ve been burned by someone shady, it’s tempting to just give up on the idea altogether. Please don’t. Your dream boudoir session is still out there waiting for you, and you deserve the full, beautiful, confidence-boosting experience you were promised.

You can still have the transformation you wanted… with a photographer who values you, respects you, and delivers on their word.

If you’re ready to reclaim that dream, I’m here for you.

Disclaimer: This post is based on my personal opinions, informed by both my own and friends’ experiences. I don’t name names lightly. Do your own research and don’t take this as legal advice.

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