Budoir Photography- Hotel Question

[amanda_cook2]

Hello,

 

My friend and I are interested in taking boudoir photography photos. Nothing

too scandalous, just fun innocent pictures for women interested in getting

photos done for their men. Currently I do wedding and portrait photography,

but over time, I have had a few inquiries from women interested in getting

photos like this.

Anyways? my question is

We would like to set up in a nice hotel room to do the shoot. Kind of like a

marathon, rent the hotel room and have a bunch of appointments set up for that

day.

I?m wondering?.

 

Would we need to tell the hotel what we are doing?

If we did, would they charge us more $ or tell us that we can?t shoot there?

Is there anything else we would need to worry about?in regards to the hotel?

 

Thanks!

[richsimmons]

I would worry about someone thinking you're shooting porn or soliciting prostitution and calling the cops with all the different women walking through for short periods of time. Getting the permission of the hotel would be good. At least they would be in the know. Other than that, people rent hotel rooms for shoots all the time. They might even give you more appropriate accomodations.

[kali goddess]

Also, make sure you leave plenty of time per appointment. I've done some glamour type work and it usually takes the client a little while to relax and feel comfortable, especially since they are doing something so "daring." And we all know the best images come from relaxed and confident subjects. I'm olny saying this because youpost sounds like you're planning a marathon shoot. ;)

[joemig]

I've done this a few times. I've never told the hotel anything, I don't think it's really any of their concern, we're doing nothing illegal in any way. Just get the room, set up and shoot. As long as they are being paid for the room, and you're not doing anything against the law, what happens in it really is none of their business.

[rnt]

Err... Um... Before you print up the ads and send out the announcements, it's 'boudoir'.

[amanda_cook2]

oups! but I spelt it right in the actual post. :)

[john_h.1]

Why not rent a studio? You won't get questions about why you are having people arrive to be photographed. Since this concerns wmonen with significant others, I suggest you have female attendant who could help with make-up or something.

[william_fong]

Just because it's not illegal doesn't mean law enforcement or hotel staff won't get involved and ruin things.

 

Because it's private property, I think going over any of the hotel policies should be a start. They may have restrictions on these kinds of things. I don't think they'll allow me to rent a room for the purpose of setting up a retail shop.

 

I agree with the studio idea. I think it's easier for a studio to get a bed than it is to haul all the other gear for a professional shoot past hotel staff.

[john_h.1]

"I suggest you have female attendant who could help with make-up or something."

 

Oops. In my haste I was thinking that thee was a different author for this thread.

[nicko]

I also support the studio unless you have a definite permission from the hotel, but even in this case it's more straight forward to go for a studio without having to explain and ask for permission. It also depends on the law in your country. In my country, the owner of the place (the hotel room) has some rights on the photos, in case they are traded or used for any commercial purpose, if he/she can prove that his hotel is recognisable by any means. As you understand this could mean anything and above all potential troubles. If you have aquired permission (in written form) there is no problem. On the other hand a studio solution bypasses all these issues.

[craig_shearman1]

Running a bunch of semi-clad women through a hotel room in the middle of the day is just asking for trouble whether it's warranted or not. Shoot in a studio or in the homes of each woman, and be sure that there are other people around, preferably the woman's significant other so that there is absolutely no question as to what is going on. Boudoir photos were very popular back in the 80s but I think the market has largely faded away.

[beauh44]

People do this all the time - it's no big deal. You're not using the room for anything illegal, so unless someone asks, I wouldn't feel compelled to say anything. You're paying for the room and assuming you don't damage anything, what you do there is your business. It also isn't necessary for anyone to be running around the rest of the hotel/motel in a "semi-clad" state. You can, of course, get dressed/undressed in the room and be perfectly presentable when leaving it.

 

My .02 cents: Find a *nice* hotel. Yes, it'll be more expensive but there should be much nicer furniture, bed etc., and you won't have tasteless "Dogs Playing Poker" paintings hanging on the wall and a TV remote bolted to the nightstand in any of your shots. ;-)