Considering Boudoir Photography in Colorado Springs? Read This First.
A real-world guide to choosing a boudoir photographer, what sessions cost, what to wear, posing, privacy, retouching, products—and what you should expect from the experience.
So, you’ve been looking at boudoir photography in Colorado Springs.
Maybe you’ve saved a few photographs. Looked at a few photographers. Checked some prices. Closed the browser. Opened it again.
And now you have approximately 847 questions.
Good. You should.
Boudoir photography is personal. Choosing the person you trust to photograph you this intimately should be personal, too. Beautiful photographs matter, of course, but so does everything that happens before, during and after they’re created.
I’ve photographed women for years, and if there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that almost nobody walks into this experience knowing exactly what to expect.
You don’t need to.
I created this guide to answer the questions women actually ask me about boudoir photography—the awkward ones, the practical ones, the money ones, and especially the ones that usually begin with, “Okay, but what if…”
If you’re brand new to all of this and want to start with the basics, I’ve also written about what boudoir photography actually is and why women choose to do it.
How Do You Choose a Boudoir Photographer in Colorado Springs?
Choosing a boudoir photographer is different from choosing someone to take family photos or update your headshot.
You’re trusting this person with your body, your insecurities, your privacy and ultimately the way you will see yourself in the finished photographs.
So yes, their portfolio should be beautiful.
But look closer.
Look at more than the three photographs at the top of the website. Do you see different women? Different bodies? Different ages? Can the photographer create beautiful images consistently, or do you keep seeing variations of the same pose on the same type of woman?
Pay attention to expression, too.
A beautiful photograph isn’t just about where someone’s leg is placed. The eyes, hands, mouth, posture and smallest movements can completely change the way a photograph feels.
And then there is something you can’t determine from an Instagram feed:
Do you trust this person?
Boudoir can feel vulnerable. You should feel comfortable asking questions about posing, privacy, retouching, what you’re expected to wear, what happens if you’re nervous, how your photographs are stored and exactly what you’re paying for.
I believe so strongly in this that I offer a complimentary studio preview before you ever have to decide whether I’m the photographer for you.
Come in. See the studio. Meet me. Ask the weird questions.
Seriously.
I’d rather you know exactly who you’re trusting before you take your clothes off. 😉
What Should a Professional Boudoir Experience Include?
There isn’t one correct way to offer boudoir photography.
Some photographers offer short sessions with a handful of digital photographs. Others create a full-service experience that begins long before the camera comes out and ends with handcrafted artwork.
Neither model is automatically right or wrong.
What matters is knowing what you’re booking before you book it.
A professional boudoir photographer should be able to clearly explain what happens before your session, what is included on the day you’re photographed, how much guidance you’ll receive, how your finished photographs are selected and what you’ll have the opportunity to purchase afterward.
At The Boudoir Experience, your session begins with planning.
We’ll talk about what you’re drawn to, what you want your photographs to feel like, wardrobe, and any concerns you have before your session ever begins.
Professional hair and makeup gives you time to settle in, relax and be taken care of for a minute before we start photographing.
And once you’re in front of my camera?
You don’t have to know a thing.
I guide your posing, expression and movement throughout the entire session. I pay attention to the details—the placement of your hands, the direction of your eyes, your posture, the light and the tiny adjustments that make an enormous difference in a photograph.
Your job isn’t to perform for me.
Your job is to show up.
I’ll take it from there.
How Much Does Boudoir Photography Cost in Colorado Springs?
This is probably one of the first questions you’ve had—and it is absolutely one you should ask.
Boudoir photography pricing can vary tremendously because the words boudoir session can describe completely different services.
One photographer may charge a few hundred dollars for a short photo shoot and a small collection of digital images. Another may charge a separate session fee with photographs, albums and artwork purchased afterward. A full-service studio may include professional hair and makeup, extensive posing and expression guidance, professional retouching, a private image reveal and custom artwork.
This is why comparing only the number attached to the words session fee can be incredibly misleading.
Session Fee vs. Photographs
Before booking, ask whether the price you’re paying includes your finished photographs.
Sometimes it does.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
At a full-service boudoir studio, the session itself and the photographs or artwork you choose afterward may be separate purchases.
That allows you to see your finished photographs before deciding what you actually want to own
Digital-Only vs. Full-Service Boudoir Photography
There is nothing wrong with wanting digital photographs. I always offer them myself.
But if you’re comparing photographers, make sure you’re actually comparing the same experience.
Ask whether professional hair and makeup is included. Ask how much time is reserved for your session. Ask whether you’re guided through every pose or expected to move independently. Ask how many photographs you’ll see. Ask about professional retouching.
And if you love albums or printed artwork, ask to see the actual products before you purchase them.
A photograph on a website cannot tell you what an album feels like in your hands.
What Should You Ask About Pricing Before You Book?
Before paying a booking or session fee, you should know:
* Does the session fee include photographs?
* If not, what do photographs or collections begin at?
* Is there a minimum purchase?
* Are digital photographs included with any collections?
* Is professional hair and makeup included?
* Are albums and artwork available?
* Are payment options available?
* When are purchases and payments due?
There should not be a financial ambush waiting for you after you’ve already been photographed.
At Nicole Fey Photography, I walk you through the experience and investment before you book your session, so you can decide whether it’s right for you without pressure.
My portrait collections currently begin at $995, with photographs and artwork selected after you see your finished images.
What Should You Wear for a Boudoir Session?
Lingerie is usually the first thing women think of when they hear the word boudoir.
And yes. Beautiful lingerie photographs beautifully.
But lingerie is certainly not required.
Bodysuits, an oversized sweater, a simple white shirt, stockings, bridal pieces, something belonging to your partner or even beautifully draped fabric can create completely different looks.
Sometimes the simplest pieces create my favorite photographs.
What you bring should ultimately feel like you.
I can help you decide what photographs well, what complements your body and how different pieces will work with the sets and photographs we’re creating.
You do not need to show up with a Victoria’s Secret store stuffed into your suitcase.
Although I have absolutely seen luggage arrive that suggests otherwise. 😂
Not sure where to begin? Read my complete guide to what to wear for boudoir photography.
“But I Don’t Know How to Pose.”
Good.
You aren’t supposed to.
This may be the sentence I hear more than any other before a boudoir session.
Women see finished photographs and assume the woman in them must naturally know how to arch her back, where to put her hands, what to do with her face and somehow magically make her legs look six miles long.
She doesn’t.
I posed her.
As a trained Pose & Expression Coach, I guide you through the entire process—from your feet to your fingertips and right through your expression.
Sometimes an adjustment is tiny.
Move your chin.
Relax your fingers.
Shift your hip.
Breathe through your mouth.
Look here.
And suddenly the photograph changes completely.
Professional posing isn’t about forcing every woman into the same five poses. Your body, mobility, proportions and comfort all matter.
My job is to understand how to photograph you.
Not to expect you to understand how to model for me.
Do I Need to Lose Weight Before Boudoir Photos?
No. But let me acknowledge WHY.
We're all women here. There will always be a thing or two we do not like about our bodies. I recognize and appreciate that. But hear me when I say: You do not need to lose or gain weight, tone up, get a tan, wait until your stomach is flatter or magically return to the body you had fifteen years ago.
I understand why women think about these things before being photographed. We are incredibly good at creating imaginary finish lines for ourselves.
I’ll do it when I lose 20 pounds.
I’ll book after I get back in shape.
Maybe next year.
But enjoying a professional boudoir photography session isn’t dependent on you arriving with a particular body.
It depends on your photographer understanding how to photograph the body you have.
Lighting matters. Angles matter. Lens choice matters. Wardrobe matters. And the way I position your shoulders, hips, legs, hands and face can completely change the way your body photographs.
None of that requires you to become anything first.
You are also allowed to want to change your body and have beautiful photographs of yourself right now. Those two things don’t have to fight with each other.
Life has a funny way of reminding us that our bodies are always changing.
There will never be a more accurate photograph of who you are today than one actually taken today. Let that sink in.
Is Boudoir Photography Just for Young Women?
Absolutely not.
Some of the most meaningful sessions I’ve photographed have been women who have lived enough life to have a story written all over them.
Women book boudoir sessions in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond.
Sometimes it’s a birthday.
Sometimes it’s an anniversary.
Sometimes the kids are finally older and she realizes she hasn’t done something completely for herself in years.
Sometimes she’s getting married.
Sometimes she’s getting divorced.
Sometimes her body has changed.
And sometimes she wakes up one morning and thinks, You know what? I’m doing the damn thing.
There isn’t an expiration date on sensuality, femininity or wanting to feel beautiful.
In fact, one of my favorite things about photographing women as they get older is that something often changes in the way they show up.
There is less interest in becoming somebody else.
She wants to see herself.
And that is exactly what I want to photograph.
What About Plus-Size or Curvy Boudoir Photography?
Every body photographs differently.
That’s not a problem.
That’s photography.
A professional boudoir photographer should understand how lighting, posing, camera angle and wardrobe interact with different body shapes and proportions.
This is one of the reasons I encourage women to look deeply through a photographer’s portfolio before booking.
Don’t just ask whether a photographer says she photographs women of every size.
Look for the evidence.
Can you see women with different bodies in her work?
Are they being thoughtfully posed?
Do the photographs look flattering without looking like the photographer is trying to hide the woman inside them?
Curvy and plus-size women do not need a special version of boudoir photography.
They need a photographer who understands bodies.
When I’m photographing you, I’m paying attention to your proportions, your movement and your best angles.
I’m not trying to squeeze your body into a pose because it happened to work beautifully for somebody else.
That’s the difference between knowing poses and knowing how to pose a person.
What About Bridal Boudoir Photography?
Bridal boudoir is often thought of as a wedding gift. But there is nuance here.
Yes—a handcrafted album or intimate collection of photographs can make one hell of a wedding gift.
But I think the bride gets something pretty spectacular out of this deal, too.
Wedding planning can become incredibly focused on everyone else: the venue, the guests, the flowers, the seating chart, the dress, the timeline and approximately nine thousand tiny decisions nobody warned you about.
A bridal boudoir session gives you a moment where the wedding experience is completely about you.
Bring the veil.
Bring the wedding lingerie.
Bring the shoes, jewelry or something meaningful from your relationship.
Or bring none of it and simply create photographs that happen to mark this particular chapter of your life.
If you’re planning to give your finished artwork as a wedding gift, though, don’t wait until the week before the wedding.
Albums and handcrafted products require production time, so bridal sessions should be planned well in advance.
Planning a wedding? You can explore my complete Colorado Springs bridal boudoir experience here.
Are My Boudoir Photographs Private?
They absolutely can be.
This is something you should discuss with any boudoir photographer before your session.
The photographs you see on photographers’ websites and social media exist because those women have given permission for them to be shared.
That doesn’t mean you have to.
Some women finish their session, fall completely in love with their photographs and happily give me permission to share them.
Others want their photographs kept entirely private.
Both choices are completely valid.
Your comfort and privacy matter more than whether I have another photograph to post on Instagram.
Before booking a photographer, ask how image sharing works. Read the model release. Ask whether sharing is required, optional or connected to any discount or promotion.
You should know exactly what you’re agreeing to.
Your boudoir photographs belong to your experience. Public sharing should always be a choice you understand.
What Does Boudoir Retouching Actually Mean?
Retouching should make a beautiful photograph look finished.
It shouldn’t make you wonder who the woman in the photograph is.
Professional retouching can address temporary blemishes, stray hairs, distractions, skin finishing and all of the little details that pull attention away from the photograph.
But there’s an important difference between retouching a photograph and rebuilding a body.
My goal isn’t to photograph you and then digitally create someone else.
I want beautiful skin.
I want beautiful light.
I want the photograph polished.
But I also want you.
This is another reason posing and lighting matter so much. When a photographer understands how to create flattering photographs in-camera, she doesn’t have to depend on extreme editing afterward to manufacture the result.
And in a world where AI can create a technically “perfect” woman in approximately six seconds, I think photographs of real women have become even more valuable.
Your freckles and lines.
Your expression.
Your little details.
Those are not mistakes in the photograph.
They’re evidence that the woman in it actually exists.
What Happens After the Photo Shoot?
This is the part nobody really thinks about when they’re nervously preparing for their session.
But it’s one of my favorites.
After your photographs have been professionally retouched, you’ll return to my Downtown Colorado Springs studio for your private image reveal.
And then you get to see them.
I begin with a slideshow because I want you to experience your photographs before you start analyzing them one by one.
Then we go through everything together.
Yes. No. Maybe.
No trying to choose your favorites from a tiny online gallery while you’re sitting alone on your couch wondering whether photograph 47 or photograph 63 has the better expression.
We’ll narrow them down together.
Once you’ve chosen the photographs you love, you decide how you want to keep them.
That may simply be my signature handcrafted album.
Perhaps just the collection of digital images.
A Beautiful wall art piece.
My portrait collections combine them all.
Remember: The photo shoot may last a day.
The photographs are the part that gets to stay.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Boudoir Photographer
You don’t need to interrogate your photographer under a bare light bulb.
But you should ask questions. 😉
Before booking a boudoir session, make sure you understand:
* Can I see a variety of your work?
* Will you guide me through posing and expression?
* Where will my session take place?
* Is the studio private?
* Is professional hair and makeup included or available?
* How are my photographs retouched?
* Will my photographs ever be shared without my permission?
* What exactly does the session or booking fee include?
* Are photographs purchased separately?
* Is there a minimum purchase?
* What should I realistically budget for the photographs I want?
* When will I see my finished photographs?
* How long does album or artwork production take?
* Can I meet you before I book?
And pay attention to how those questions are answered.
You shouldn’t feel rushed, embarrassed or ridiculous for asking them.
A professional photographer should be comfortable explaining exactly what you’re purchasing and exactly what will happen when you walk through the door.
Why Choose a Boudoir Studio in Downtown Colorado Springs?
Where you’re photographed matters.
Boudoir is intimate photography, and privacy and comfort can completely change the way you experience your session.
My studio is located in Downtown Colorado Springs and was created specifically for portrait and boudoir photography. This isn’t a hotel room rented for the afternoon or a temporary space I’ve never photographed in before.
It’s my studio.
I know how the light moves through it. I know which sets work beautifully at different times of day. I know exactly where I need to position you and how every corner photographs.
More importantly, it’s a space where you can settle in.
We meet here on the emerald couch. Your professional hair and makeup happens here. Your session happens here. And when your photographs are finished, you return here for your private reveal on that same emerald couch.
There’s something reassuring about knowing exactly where you’re going, who will be there and what to expect before you ever take the first photograph.
What Makes The Boudoir Experience Different?
I’ve been a photographer for more than 16 years, and I’ve learned that beautiful photographs are only one part of this.
How you feel while they’re being created matters.
I’m a trained posing coach, which means I’m not standing behind my camera hoping you magically know what to do. I guide you through the details from beginning to end.
Professional hair and makeup is part of your experience.
Your session isn’t rushed through a revolving door of appointments.
Your finished photographs are professionally retouched.
You’ll return to the studio to see them privately and choose the photographs you genuinely love.
And when you choose your album or artwork, those photographs become something tangible that was created to last.
But perhaps the biggest difference is what I’m not trying to do.
I’m not trying to turn you into somebody else.
As a Navy veteran, mom and breast cancer survivor, I understand that our relationships with our bodies can be complicated. Bodies change. Life changes them.
I don’t believe you need to erase all of that before you’re worthy of a beautiful photograph.
I’ve had the privilege of photographing hundreds of women here in Colorado, and they haven’t walked through my door because they’re professional models who already know exactly how to pose and feel completely fearless in lingerie.
They’re women.
That’s who I photograph.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boudoir Photography in Colorado Springs
-When should I book my boudoir session?
If you’re doing this just for you, there really isn’t a wrong time. I typically book sessions several months in advance, so the earlier you reach out, the more flexibility you’ll have when choosing your date.
If your photographs are intended for a wedding, anniversary, birthday or another special occasion, you’ll want to plan ahead. Your session is only the beginning—your photographs are professionally retouched, you’ll return for your private reveal, and handcrafted albums and artwork require additional production time.
If you have a specific date you need your finished photographs by, tell me when you inquire. I’ll help you determine when your session should take place so we’re not racing the calendar.
View current session availability
-Can I bring someone with me to my boudoir session?
Yes! One person aged 18+ is welcome to come for your session and your Reveal appointment. Before you session date, let me know who you want so we can prepare.
-Do I have to be completely nude?
Nude is an option, never a requirement. Your session is yours to express yourself in a natural and confident way. No pressure ever.
-Can I bring more than one outfit?
Please do. There is no limit to what you should bring or wear. I always suggest bringing what you feel sexy and confident in. Start with a lingerie piece then sprinkle in your favorite sweater/jeans, a hat, even one of your partner's clothing items if you'd like to include them. If we don't use it all, you take it home. Better too much than not enough.
-Where is your Colorado Springs boudoir studio?
Nicole Fey Photography is located in Downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado in the Boulder Crescent Office Suites on Cascade between Boulder and Platte.
Your professional hair and makeup, photography session and private image reveal all take place at the studio.
You Don’t Have to Be Ready. You Just Have to Be Curious.
If you’ve made it this far, there’s probably a reason you’ve been thinking about doing this.
You don’t have to feel 100% ready.
You don’t need to lose weight first.
You don’t need to know how to pose.
And you definitely don’t need to suddenly become the kind of woman who feels completely comfortable taking her clothes off in front of a camera.
That’s not a prerequisite.
Come see the studio.
Meet me.
Look through the albums.
Ask your questions.
Then decide.
There is no pressure to know how to do any of this.
That’s my job.
Today, you only need to decide whether you’re curious enough to have the conversation.
I’ll take it from there.
About Nicole Fey
Nicole Fey is a Colorado Springs boudoir and portrait photographer and the owner of The Boudoir Experience in Downtown Colorado Springs. A Navy veteran, trained Pose & Expression Coach and photographer with more than 16 years of experience, Nicole has photographed hundreds of women and specializes in creating comfortable, guided portrait experiences for everyday women.
