Our Mission
Greg Kiser Photography intends to provide a very personalized experience that celebrates the uniqueness of our client and showcases their individual beauty. We will work together to create imagery that evokes something beyond just a photograph and ultimately will empower you.
Why I Love Boudoir Photography?
I have always been captivated by the human form, which is truly art in its own right. I mean look at all of the sculptures from the Classical Period that focused on the nuances of the body. Each body is unique and beautiful. After 20 years as a police officer, I’ve become very comfortable with seeing people at their most vulnerable. It is this vulnerability that produces the best connection with the camera and allows the real person to be truly seen. Far too often, people lose themselves in trying to be like or look like other people. Boudoir and other intimate photography casts comparisons aside and allows somebody to see their own beauty through the eyes of somebody else. Face it, we all feel insecure about how we look to ourselves as we are our own worst critics. Being photographed by somebody else gives us the unique opportunity to see ourselves in a completely different light.
Why You Should Do a Session!
Because there will always be that thought in your mind that after I lose another 10 pounds, or once the kids grow up, I’ll do it. You are beautiful right now and you deserve to celebrate that fact. Any form of intimate photography seems daunting, but in reality, it is a freeing and empowering event in your life. After your session, you will have a little extra strut to your step, a little more confidence, and dare I say it, you will see yourself as the true badass you are for doing a session.
Our client’s comfort is of utmost importance to us. Long before the session you will have many chances to speak with me in order to get the expectations established. We will talk about what types of photos you are interested in, the mood that you want established, we will also discuss wardrobe, hair, and makeup. There will be clear boundaries set taking into account the client’s personal level of modesty. Client comfort and trust is the best way to get those perfect photos that represent just how awesome you are. On the day of the shoot, we won’t be limited to a specific time window because nobody wants to feel rushed. This is your day, and I’m happy to go at your pace to make the session everything that you want. When I say, “your day,” I mean just that. I don’t book multiple shoots for a day because I want to focus all my attention on your session, not the clock. We can take breaks as you need them, and there is no pressure to get things done quickly.
I recognize that you will be putting a lot of trust in me, and I don’t take that for granted. Throughout the session, you will have the final say on poses and wardrobe. We will only do what you are comfortable with in order to create beautiful art.
FAQ’s
Is a male boudoir photographer safe? This is the question that I want to address first because it is the one that is always in the back of our minds. I get it, women are taught from an early age to be cautious around men. There are plenty of examples out there to support that teaching. In the boudoir industry, there is a certain vulnerability that is a key aspect of the experience. This is where trust comes in. I don’t take your trust lightly and seek to build that trust from our very first interaction. Your safety and comfort are of paramount importance to me, and I’ve found the best way to achieve that is through total transparency, communication, and genuine respect for you. From the beginning, I will call this “your session,” not because you are the client though. This is “your session” because you are in control of how the session goes. I will actively encourage you voice your opinions and thoughts throughout the creative process from beginning to end. What I am photographing is what you want captured.
Not only do I encourage you to bring a friend to your session as a hype person and for an added level of safety, I will also have my wife present during these sessions. It never hurts to have the female perspective on things, and she brings another level of safety and security to the set.
There is a surprise benefit to having a male boudoir photographer as it turns out. Women know what they love about themselves, but on occasion they might be doing the boudoir session as a gift for a male partner and can be at a loss for what appeals to him. Guys aren’t the best at talking about these things. As a married man of well over a decade, I have a unique insight into what your partner might find most attractive and how they might appreciate that quality being photographed.
Do I have to wear lingerie? Not at all! Boudoir photography is more about attitude and atmosphere than what you are wearing. For your boudoir shoot, we will discuss what makes you feel powerful and sexy whether it is blue jeans and a football jersey, lingerie, a bra and panty set, or even nude. That decision is all up to you. You don’t have to buy anything special for your boudoir session, but that doesn’t mean you can’t splurge and use it as an excuse to update your intimate wardrobe.
Do I have to do the session for somebody else? Absolutely not! While many clients will choose to create a collection of photographs for a significant other, there are many more out there that do these sessions just for themselves. It is a great way of telling yourself that you are beautiful and giving you the chance to fall in love with yourself again, or possibly for the first time.
What if I don’t look like the people in other boudoir photos? Well, you aren’t supposed to. You are supposed to be you! Boudoir and figure study photography is not about your shape or size. It is about your individuality and what is beautiful about you. I will spend my time focusing on those aspects that you love about yourself while minimizing those aspects that you might not be as thrilled about.
How much does it cost? This can vary but expect the session fee to start around $650.00 which includes everything during the shoot. A deposit of $200.00 will be required to lock in the date with the balance due on the date of the session. Digital prints and physical products will be extra depending on the number of images you select and will be due prior to delivery of those products. Clients typically invest around $1500 for the entire experience, but this is completely up to you. Payment plans are available in some situations.
What products are offered? I am still fine tuning what is offered based on what clients generally want. There are several different album sizes that can be selected, as well as prints (paper, metal, and canvas) for those that wish to have something to hang. For a typical session, you should expect to have around 35 edited photos to choose from which can be presented in these products.
What do I need to do/have/bring to the session? This will all be covered in the questionnaire that I will send you to help both of us get prepared for the shoot. You will find helpful hints like hydrating the day before, what accessories to bring, and little extras like bringing your favorite music selection and a robe for those times when I am not actively photographing you. I will make sure that you are completely prepared for the shoot so that when you arrive, you just have to relax and have fun with it.
What can I expect? I try to make sure there are no surprises during these sessions. We will have the opportunity for a phone or video meeting well before your session where we will talk about your expectations and discuss details. If your session will be at my studio, you are welcome to come by for a tour before your session date. On the day of the session, you will have coaching for the various poses that we have discussed, and plenty of breaks as needed. I won’t limit you to a certain time and am happy to spend as long as needed to ensure that we get all the photos that you want. A typical session will last between 2-4 hours depending on the number of sets and wardrobe changes you are wanting. After the shoot, you will generally have fully edited proofs available within two days. We will go over these in person at the studio, on a video call, or the proofs can be delivered through a secure online location such as Dropbox. Digital files will be delivered within 24 hours from proof approval, and physical products will be delivered within 2-6 weeks depending on product selection and production lead times.
Can I do this if I’ve never modeled before? Absolutely, and I much prefer to work with non-models. I am here to help get you into poses, but my style is more about tweaking what is already comfortable for you to get that most flattering angle possible. You don’t have to have any experience at all to do this. You will always have the final say about what poses you are comfortable with, and there are many techniques that can be used to stay within your personal level of modesty.
What if I can’t get into the pose, or don’t feel comfortable with what is being directed? The way I see it, this is your shoot, and your opinions are the most important. If at any time, you don’t feel comfortable in any way, stop what you are doing. We can adjust the pose, wardrobe, or setting to make it more comfortable for you or for your personal level of modesty. Your level of comfort is paramount to me because if you aren’t comfortable, the photos will show it.
Are you going to share my photos? This is completely up to you. I will give you the option of signing a permission slip (model release) that allows me to share your images (only those that you agree to), or you can choose to keep your images completely private. In fact, I take your privacy so seriously, that I am able to offer physical prints that are done in my studio up to 13×19″ in size so that your images don’t even have to go to a lab for printing. All digital files are shared through a secure platform that will be accessible to the client only. The images are removed after you have taken delivery of them.
Can I bring a friend? Absolutely! Feel free to bring an adult friend with you if that will make you more comfortable. All that I ask is that they be a cheerleader for you and not be judgmental. In most cases, and unless otherwise specified, my wife Toni will be present during these sessions. She is a great cheerleader and is fantastic when it comes to helping with wardrobe, hair, and even makeup during the session.
I’m ready to book, what’s next? Give me a call (336-681-0220) or send me an email ([email protected]) and we can get started, or answer any of your questions.
Studio location: Purlear, NC (near Wilkesboro, off of US 421). By appointment only.
Location shoots available: I am conveniently located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, but willing to travel within reason to meet your needs.
Specific services available: Professional headshots, individual and family sessions, maternity photos, couples’ portraits, engagement photos, senior photos, boudoir, figure studies, and other creative or themed sessions.
Contact me for a consultation: 336-681-0220, or email at [email protected]
Privacy Policy: My client’s privacy is of the utmost concern for me. I will not share any images, or client names without prior approval from the client and with a model release signed. All digitally delivered photographs will be done through a secure and password protected method.