Why I Keep Boudoir Photos Private

What to Know Before Booking A Boudoir Photographer

April 02, 2025•7 min read

Introduction:
If you’ve been browsing boudoir photography websites, you’ve probably noticed that most photographers showcase their work publicly. But when you visit my website or social media, you won’t see any boudoir images at all. And no, it’s not because I don’t have a portfolio—I do! I’ve simply made the decision to keep my boudoir images private, available only to those who are genuinely interested in booking a session.

Why? Because boudoir is a deeply personal experience, and I believe every woman deserves to feel safe, empowered, and in control of her images.

If you’re curious about my work or wondering whether this approach is right for you, keep reading! In this blog, I’ll share why I made this shift, how it benefits YOU as a potential client, and how you can still see my work if you’re considering booking a session.

The Shift: Why I No Longer Share Boudoir Photos Publicly

For years, the standard in boudoir photography has been to post client images on websites, social media, and ads. It’s how photographers showcase their skills in hopes of attracting new clients. But as I reflected on my mission, I realized that this approach didn’t align with the way I want women to experience boudoir.

Here’s what led me to change my approach:

1. Boudoir Is About Your Confidence, Not Public Validation

Boudoir is a celebration of YOU and your personal journey with loving and accepting your body. It’s not about how many likes a photo gets on Instagram or whether others approve of your images—it’s about how you feel in your own skin. By keeping my portfolio private, I ensure that your images remain about YOUR journey, not public consumption, and I get to uphold my values as well. If my clients desire to share their images, I want to leave that up to them. Your body, Your rules.

2. I Want You to Feel 100% Safe and Comfortable

A lot of women hesitate to book a boudoir session because they worry about where their images might end up. Even with client permission, I know that the decision to share such intimate photos can be nerve-wracking. My goal is to create a space where you feel completely comfortable, knowing that your photos are yours alone to cherish. You have full control over your body so you should also have full control over what happens with images of your body. I have heard horror stories of other boudoir photographers who's information accidentally got leaked and now their precious work is in the hands of someone with ill intent.

3. Privacy Encourages More Women to Say YES to Themselves

As a mother, wife, Christian and former educator. I understand the need for privacy. Privacy not only protects the character of me and my clients (it's nobodies business what we do in the bedroom) it protects the hearts and minds of little ones we may directly influence. Some women dream of doing a boudoir session but hesitate because they don’t want their images online. And while most, if not all, Boudoir photographers give their clients the option of signing a model release or not, once the choice is made to share your images, it cannot be unmade. By keeping my work private, I not only remove that barrier that keeps many women from taking that step, I eliminate the guess work all together. This way, more women feel empowered to experience boudoir without the fear of public exposure.

How Can Potential Clients See My Work?

I understand that before women book a session, they might want to see examples of my style, posing, and editing. I still have a portfolio—but it’s private and available by request.

How to Request Access:

I’ve created a Private Portfolio Request Form, where I personally review each request to ensure I’m sharing my work with those who are seriously considering a session. This private portfolio is curated of clients who have signed a model release giving me permission to show their images in a private and secure way.

To gain access, clients answer a few quick questions:
✅ What interests you about boudoir photography
✅ What concerns or hesitations you might have
✅ Your budget range for a session

If their a great fit, I’ll personally send them a link to my private portfolio so they can explore my work in a secure, one-on-one setting.

Why Choose A Photographer Who Keeps Their Boudoir Images Private

So you've heard my story and my reasoning for not sharing my client's images, but how is choosing a photographer with a full privacy policy different (and better) than simply picking a photographer who offers an “opt-in” model for sharing images? By choosing a photographer who keeps images private, you gain more than just discretion—you gain full control of your experience. Here are some of the biggest benefits:

1. You’re in Charge of Who Sees Your Images

With a private portfolio, your boudoir photos remain yours to share (or not share!) on your terms. Whether you keep them completely personal or choose to share them with a partner, YOU make the decision—not a photographer or social media audience. Once an image is online, it’s out of your control. Even if you initially feel comfortable granting permission, things can change—your personal situation, your job, or even how you feel about sharing intimate photos. A photographer with a privacy-first policy eliminates this risk entirely, ensuring you always have complete ownership of your images.

2. You Can Fully Relax During Your Session

Even when photographers say you have a choice, there can still be subtle pressure to allow your images to be shared—whether it’s through verbal encouragement, seeing others do it, or simply wanting to please your photographer. When you choose a photographer with a strict no-sharing policy, you never have to second-guess your decision or feel like you need to justify keeping your photos private. When you know your photos won’t be shared publicly, it creates a different kind of confidence. You’re free to be yourself, let go of insecurities, and fully embrace the experience—without worrying about where your images might end up.

3. Your Session Is a Personal Celebration, Not a Public Display

Boudoir is about how you feel, not how others perceive you. By keeping images private, you reinforce that this session is a personal and intimate gift to yourself—not something that needs external validation. Boudoir photography is an intimate, vulnerable experience. The last thing you should be thinking about during your session is whether your photos will end up on social media or a website. When you work with a photographer who guarantees full privacy, you can let go, be present, and fully embrace the moment—without any lingering worries about where your images might appear.

At the end of the day, boudoir should be about you, not about marketing. Choosing a photographer who prioritizes privacy means choosing peace of mind, respect, and an experience that’s truly about celebrating you—without any outside expectations.

Common Questions About My Private Portfolio Policy

❓ Does this mean I can’t share my own photos?
Not at all! Your photos are YOURS, and if you choose to share them, that’s entirely up to you. Some clients love posting their images, while others prefer to keep them private. I support whatever choice makes you feel most empowered.

❓ Will I still get professional edits and high-quality images?
Absolutely! The only thing that has changed is how I showcase my work. Your session experience, posing guidance, editing quality, and image delivery remain the same. You can also have peace of mind that all of my editing is done in-house. With no outsourcing of editing or retouching, you can be sure that you and I will be the only person who will be viewing your images.

❓ I just want to browse. Can I see your portfolio without filling out a form?
Because I value privacy, I only provide access to serious inquiries. If you’re truly considering booking a session, I’d love to share my work with you through a private, one-on-one experience. If not, I do have other work on my website that you can view that will give you an idea of my editing style.

Is a Boudoir Session Right for You?

If you’ve been curious about boudoir but hesitated due to concerns about privacy, this is your sign to go for it!

Imagine having a confidence-boosting experience that reminds you of your power, beauty, and worth—without worrying about public exposure. That’s exactly what I want for you.

If you’re ready to take the next step, let’s chat!

➡️ Book a consultation call

I can’t wait to help you fall in love with yourself all over again. 💕

With Love & Colorful Joy,

Keya

[email protected]