When Shawn Black launched his boudoir brand, Couture Black, it evolved from an already successful sister brand, Shawn Black Photography, where Black worked with brides to capture their vision. But then he was struck by how many women had body confidence issues and how much the media affected a woman’s attitude toward herself. This is where, he says, his skill behind the camera became so much more then about taking pretty pictures. Below, he shares his insight and advice for other photographers wanting to get started in boudoir photography.

Shawn Black on Building a Boudoir Brand:

Most artists have a point in their life when they knew this was meant for them. What was your moment?  

I have wanted to be a creative since I was young. Being a huge movie buff growing up, I was always intrigued with how they were made. I wanted to be Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Robert Zemeckis. I dreamed of winning an Academy Award. Being an 80’s child during the rise of the camcorder, I used to make movies any time I could. My VHS masterpieces never won me an Oscar, but they did put me on the path as an artist. The medium changed to still photography later on in life, but my love of imagery has always stemmed from my youth. 

What advice do you have for photographers who are just starting out? 

I think the most important thing to remember when first starting out is that success doesn’t happen overnight and that everyone’s definition of success in the photo industry varies widely. Surround yourself with people who inspire you artistically and others who you know run sound businesses. Learn from both. 

How did you push past fear when building your business?  

Almost 12 years ago when I started out as a full-time professional photographer, I was in the process of getting married and had starting a family on the horizon. I didn’t have the option of fear, as cliched as it sounds. With motivations like that, there isn’t room for fear of failure. If you want something bad enough, you will do whatever it takes to make it succeed. I hustled, learned, grew, and continue the process to this day. 

What has been your biggest breakthrough in business?  

One of the biggest breakthroughs in my business was very early on. Originally my boudoir brand, Couture Black, grew out of my wedding brand with brides wanting to give images as a gift. It wasn’t until I had my first non-bridal client that everything changed and my brand philosophy of female empowerment was born and still stands today. This new philosophy has rippled through all aspects of the brand and is at the core of everything I do with the business. This all coincided with being married for a couple of years and the birth of our daughter, which really opened my eyes to how warped our media, culture, and society is in their messaging to women. It became my passion to start to evoke change because I don’t ever want my wife, daughter, or any woman to not feel beautiful, powerful, strong, or confident. 

How do you make lasting connections with your clients?  

Boudoir photography, being a very intimate style of portraiture, requires a deep connection with your client to create truly transformative imagery. I look at my client as more than just a way that I make a living. I’m truly invested in them seeing themselves as they haven’t in a while, or if ever at all. From the moment they book a session, we guide them along and educate them on every aspect of the process— from what lingerie will work best for them to where they need to shop. As we go through the process, we genuinely get to know them, and they open up in a way far greater than just asking a bunch of questions. My aim is for the images I create to be more than just a pretty picture. When the client looks at it, I want them to connect in a deeper way that others don’t. I achieve that connection by taking our time and building a relationship with them before they are ever even in the studio. 

Join Shawn Black of Couture Black at WPPI 2023. His Photo Walk, “Boudoir on the Go” is on Monday, March 6, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., and his Photo Mastery class, “Dynamic Lighting and Posing for Boudoir” takes place Tuesday, March 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Register here.

Related Reading:

Tips for Boudoir Photography Success from Shawn Black

Boudoir Photography Ideas on Style, Location, Posing & More

The Boudoir Photography Empowerment Movement