Interview of Candace Perry
01) What does boudoir photography mean to you?
Every woman has insecurities…skinny women feel too skinny, curvy women too curvy…boudoir photography is about helping women love their bodies & feel beautiful just as they are.
02) Why did you choose to pursue a career as a boudoir / fine art photographer? What got you started in boudoir?
I was bullied when I was younger & didn’t feel beautiful until I had a professional makeover followed by a fashion shoot. I wanted to give that same feeling to others & chose to specialize in boudoir photography. I absolutely love the moment I get to show my client the back of my camera & see the lightbulb go off when they realize that they’re beautiful, some for the first time in their lives. Seeing the joy light up on their faces is just as empowering for me as it is for them.
03) What kind of creative process is there behind boudoir photography?
I have a set of poses I flow through & once I get through those, I always try to throw in something new for each client. I also like to capture candid moments & do something new that I haven’t ever done before on every session whether that’s a new angle, new lighting, whatever. I can’t stand getting stuck in a rut so I try to change it up every session.
04) How do you communicate with a client or model you’ve just met to make them comfortable for boudoir / nude photography?
I talk to them about their lives, laugh, & am the best hype girl…I model being calm to get them calm and do breathing exercises if that doesn’t work. A lot of my clients say they feel like they just spent the day with a new bestie, but really I’m doing nothing more than being kind…I guess kindness & showing empathy goes a long way in helping folks feel comfortable.
05) How do you educate yourself to take better photos?
I attended at least one photography workshop a year for the past 3 or 4 years. Going forward, I feel like I’ve been to everything out there & now it’s time to stop going & just practice what I’ve been taught. Too many times I go to workshops as an excuse to travel then don’t practice what I learned lol, so this year my goal is to practice what I’ve learned. Back in March of this year I went to Vegas to learn how to do cinematic style boudoir photography & this Barbie shoot was my first attempt at doing it on my own. I had such a blast bringing a new form style of photography for me to life!!
06) How would you describe your photography style?
To be honest, I don’t have a consistent style. I shoot black & white, dark, & moody, colorful, bright & airy. My main goal is to create magazine-worthy images regardless of what style it falls into.
07) What type of cameras do you shoot with, boudoir and/vs other?
Canon 5D Mark IV. I also have a Canon mirrorless camera but haven’t had time to learn how to use it…
08) What kind of other gear do you use for boudoir and/vs other?
I own a ton of lenses but really only shoot with my 24-70 mm & sometimes use my Stella Pro continuous lights for fill.
09) Among your works, which one is your favorite? Why?
In the past, my black & white work was my favorite surprisingly…but now, maybe these. They’re more creative than the images I normally shoot & they gave me life.
10) What is the most difficult part of being a boudoir photographer for you?
Marketing…even with help, I feel like all I do is marketing 24/7. If I could find someone with a proven track record of producing leads to take it completely off my hands I would hire them in a heartbeat not matter the cost. If I’m honest, marketing may be the end of me as I really hate marketing…maybe because I did it for 15 years before I became a photographer, so now I’m just burned out. I wish there was a way to get clients without it.
11) What is the most rewarding part of being a boudoir photographer for you?
Beyond the thrill I get empowering women, I love that I make a really rewarding income doing something creative. Ten years ago, I never could’ve imagined doing anything besides wedding photography to make a living & I feel very blessed to have stumbled into boudoir.
12) Just for fun, if you could shoot in any location, what would it be?
Someplace in Europe…boudoir on the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland or on the Amalfi Coast in Italy!
13) Do you have any other profession or anything you are passionate about?
When I’m not busy working (which is almost never), I’m pretty active at my church & enjoy live music, good food, outdoorsy things, & travel!
