Where Can I Print My Boudoir Photos?

Can I get my Boudoir Photos printed at CVS or Walgreens?

In short, maybe, but we don’t recommend it. But let’s really break this down so you can make an informed decision.

First, in order to print your photos at a general consumer printing company you will need two things. You need a copyright and print release from your photographer, allowing you to handle the images yourself. Furthermore, you will need some form of a digital gallery.

ALMOST ALL established, professional, Boudoir Photographers will not provide a copyright and print release. Also, the majority do not offer digital galleries, and if they do, they do not come with sharing or download capabilities. They exist only on a USB or digital gallery meant for private viewing.

WHY?

Boudoir photographers are deeply invested in creating Fine Art. They understand their mission is to show you that you are a work of art and your photos deserve nothing short of luxury displays. This means are not likely to let anything leave their studio that is not of the highest quality, or what they would consider unfinished artwork.

#1 Boudoir is fine art

Like any true artist, photographers understand that Boudoir is so much more than the ill labeled “sexy photos”. Boudoir is a fine art honoring women’s stories. This means, the artistry does not end with just taking your photo, editing for style, and retouching for continuity. This is just part of the process. Designing beautiful storytelling albums, creating boutique prints, or perfecting wall art displays to truly embody a luxury product takes skill, knowledge, time, and HEART!

#2 Boudoir Photographers want to protect the anonymity of clients

Boudoir photographers work exclusively with professional printing companies. These companies have high liability and accountability standards to protect the anonymity of clients and images. Furthermore, if your photos are being hosted in online galleries they are always at risk of being hacked, regardless of privacy settings.

#3 Boudoir photographers want to preserve the quality of the art over time

General consumer printing companies such as CVS or Shutterfly are using low quality materials. They try to pump out large amounts of print products for a “get it quick and cheap” business model. This results in print products that do not stand the test of time.

Boudoir Photographers use printing companies who work exclusively with professional photographers and often specialize in Boudoir prints. These are not accessible to the general public because they often require specific designing programs which are not easy for the general public to gain access to or use, and they cost money.

Why you shouldn’t get your photos printed at CVS, Walgreens, Shutterfly, etc…

So let’s say you find a boudoir photographer who does offer digital galleries ALONG WITH a copyright and print release. Should you take this option and just get your photos printed at CVS to save money? Probably not…

Why?

#1 It’s most likely just as expensive as using your photographer’s print options

Photographers who release digital galleries, whether in USB (or some sort of card storage) or online form, have to pay for those hosting services. Therefore, they usually will only sell digital images for similar, if not more expensive prices than prints.

#2 You need in depth knowledge to create a quality product

There are a few main pillars of the differences between print friendly images and web friendly images. These differences include file type and size, color profile, and bits. However, there are some other crucial aspects specific to print that can affect the overall quality of the photo. For example, bleed, safety margins, and aspect ratio. In general…

If you do not understand Bleed and Safety Margins you could loose important aspects of a photo, or end up with a weird crop.
If you do not understand Aspect Ratio your photos could end up distorted or warped. This means your entire body or face shape could change.
If you do not understand File Size and File Type your photos could end up looking pixelated, grainy, and low quality.
If you do not understand Color Profile for Print vs. Web and how to make these conversions your photos could end up looking muddied and not true to life color.
If you do not understand 8 bit vs. 16 bit images the overall quality of your photos could seriously suffer. In short, there are 3 colors used to create all images. 8 bit images have 256 versions of each of those 3 shades. 16 bit on the other hand, have 65,536 versions of those 3 shades. Most digital galleries are only capable of hosting 8 bit images. Therefore, your images lose significant depth when shared from digital galleries, to online printing companies.

#3 You do not know who is handling your images

As we mentioned before, established photographers will work with professional printing companies. They usually will have an exclusive relationship with this company. Having such a relationship guarantees a high level of accountability for the printing company. This accountability extends to quality of the finished product, turn around times, privacy, and customer service.

Most photographers will have the prints shipped to themselves first to ensure the finished product they hand over to you is FLAWLESS. This also means you do not have to deal with any of the hassle. If there are shipping delays, if products need to be returned, if the wrong or incomplete item was delivered, etc. you do not have to deal with it.

Furthermore, these companies have to uphold a standard of professionalism as the community of photographers working with them will hold them accountable. If you have your images printed somewhere like CVS, you do not know who is handling the images, who all will see them, and how they will treat or view those images. Using your photographer is an added layer of protection for your intimate experience.

#4 It will not be the beautiful luxury display you deserve

Let’s be frank, YOU ARE ARTWORK. These are not senior photos, or annual family photos. You are creating Fine Art with your boudoir photos. Therefore, you deserve to be displayed with luxury products, not google generated grids on flimsy shiny photo paper. Most Boudoir photographers have gone through a long arduous process of selecting the right printing company. This includes paying for large quantities of diverse sample products to ensure quality. They have purchased material samples to be able to present to clients. (You will often be able to customize your prints directly with your photographer). A close working relationship with consistent communication has been established with the printers. Your photographer is looking out for both you and themselves by handling the design and printing process.

#5 Your photographer wants to honor you!

Most well intentioned Boudoir Photographers chose this niche because they genuinely care about the mission! Empowerment! Moreover, they are true artists. Boudoir Photographers treat every aspect of the process as creating fine art. They understand the end product is about YOU, not them. This means they have every reason to design a beautiful album that tells the story of a strong, complex woman. They have every reason to spend extra time inspecting every detail of the prints they have created to ensure perfection. Boudoir Photographers have honed their craft, and they treat it and you with a deep respect. Your prints will be handled with care, and artfully designed.

What are the different print options for Boudoir photos?

This depends on the Boudoir Photographer you end up working with! Most have a very curated selection of what they have found to best honor Boudoir photos. You can often expect Albums, Boutique Prints, and Wall Art. Albums are a great way to showcase multiple images at once and tell a story. Boutique prints will give each image its own individual platform. Wall Art is a way to honor yourself daily and remind yourself you are a work of art! Some photographers will offer a large menu, or other A La Carte print options you can add on to these main staples. Furthermore, you can often receive bundling discounts for purchasing multiple print options. At Boudoir By Cipriani this is what we refer to as Collections.

Our Collections are what we consider to be the most beautiful, high quality, display options for Boudoir photos. We offer Collection pricing for any client who makes their final image and print selection within 48 hours of their session. These discount prices reward our clients for purchasing multiple images, and for making prompt selections. We pride ourselves on quick turn around times for print products. We are able to maintain these turn around times when we do not have multiple sessions of photos in our que. Therefore, prompt selection keeps us on our editing deadlines. To learn about our A La Carte print options and Collections visit our Investment page!

What are the financing options for Boudoir photos?

Again, this depend on the Boudoir Photographer you end up working with. Most established photographers understand that Boudoir is an investment, like any luxury item. Therefore, offering different options for paying is extremely important for clients. At Boudoir By Cipriani we have three different flexible payment options. They include pre-pay, in-house financing, and outside financing. Pre-pay is great for those who are booked in advance and already know what print options they want. In-house financing is a good choice for clients who are not in a rush to receive their prints and would like to take their time making payments after their session. Finally, outside financing options are best for clients who need their photos on a deadline, but are not comfortable paying in one lump sum. For more in-depth explanations of OUR specific financing options visit out Investment page!