What does a Boutique Photographer mean?
You have seen the word “boutique” mentioned throughout my website and you may be thinking to yourself, what does that mean? Usually, you see the word boutique used when referencing a clothing boutique, jewelry store or a hair salon- so what does it mean when talking about photography?
My “why” for being a photographer has shifted and evolved over the 20+ years. When I first started, I was a film photographer. Printing 4×6’s at the local 1-hour photo and hand delivering to clients. In the early 2000’s, I started digital photography. I burned image files to a CD, USBs, or sent them through Dropbox. It was really convenient and took a lot of the responsibility out of my hands. I didn’t ask my clients many questions, especially what they wanted to do with the images after they received them. Eventually I realized, I was not serving my clients at all and I wasn’t fulfilling my “why.” I want my clients to love their images and I want the images to evoke positive emotions that they can reflect on when the days are hard and their patience is thin. A reminder of what their children used to look like, how small they were and how much love they have for them. The portraits may even be of someone who has passed and these photos can help them live on in our homes. Viewing an image on a screen just has a different effect than it does seeing it in physical print on the wall or in an album. I don’t capture memories for them to sit on a hard-drive or get a bunch of likes on social media just to be forgotten about the next week. I do this work to create a paper trail for generations to come.
So again you ask, what is boutique photography?
Some call it boutique, some call it luxury, but in terms of service, they essentially mean the same thing. It’s more than just meeting up for a photography session and then delivering all the edited images. It’s the difference between going to Nordstrom Rack and Nordstrom.
Here are some of the main services to expect from a boutique photography experience
- Personalized Care- The photographer takes the time to get to know you, your family and your needs. We provide a high end service that we customize to each client. We only take on a small number of clients each month because of the time we spend on each family. We may visit your home before a session or have you take pictures of your home to get a sense of your style so we can determine the best place to photograph your family, what color scheme you should dress in and what artwork to create for your home. We take measurements of your walls so we can then design a wall gallery. After your session, we will be present as you view your images. Whether we meet again in person or over a video call, we will talk you through your options once again to ensure you are getting everything you want.
- Printed Artwork- A big part of providing a boutique experience is delivering finished artwork. And not just finished artwork but artwork of heirloom quality that will live with your family for generations. A restaurant does not give you the ingredients to a recipe and leave you to prepare and cook it yourself- as boutique photographers, we’re not going to just give you the digital files and leave you to design albums or create gallery walls. We provide the full service from planning to printing and even to installing if desired. You’re not the expert and you don’t need to be.
- Specialty- If you’re working with a boutique photographer, you are likely working with someone who has specialized in the type of portraiture you are seeking. For example, I specialize in children, seniors & family portraiture. Not all photographers have the patience to photograph a toddler, capturing a seniors unique style or the know-how to posing family groups. In addition, I have curated a line of products that suits this genre of photography and reflects a clients milestones for every stage of life.
For some consumers, this level of service is not what they want or need. Some consumers are happy with receiving the high-resolution digital images and creating their own albums or artwork. Some don’t see the value in this level of service. Some need to prioritize other expenses because hiring a boutique photographer is definitely an investment. As boutique photographers we are here to serve as guides to our clients and do the creative work for them. We’re the photographers for the busy family who prioritizes service over doing it themselves.
