I am planning on doing a boudoir marathon at a swanky hotel next month but I'm trying to figure out the logistics...

So obviously hotels have a usual check in time of 3 and check out of noon, which kind of takes up the whole day! How do you take advantage of that time frame? I guess what I'm really trying to figure out is how do you time them so people don't "bump" into each other, especially if you've got hair and makeup to do? But at the same time get everyone done quickly so you can fit in a lot of ladies? Do you arrange something with the hotel beforehand? I've done marathon sessions before... but... normal... outside... portraits.

it would be easy if all the participants were friends, but i'd like to hear tips on how to schedule if folks don't know each other.... i'm watching the thread hoping others share their secrets.

Two rooms.

The best is to get adjoining rooms. The first is the prep room. This room has a makeup and hair section. The bathrooms are typically too small. I also bring 2 rolling racks for the models to hang their clothes on. I bring a steamer and my own iron and ironing board. Hotels can have dirty boards and irons that have bad calcium issues.

In the prep room, I also have a spare camera tethered to a laptop. This way my MUA can snap a quick shot of the model to test what the room light and makeup does in camera. This is also a great way for MUA to get before and after shots of her work, and allows the model to see how truly cool they look. The room also has fresh water and coffee. Lint brushes, stain removers, aspirin, and lots of magazines.

Once the model is ready to shoot their gear is packed up and moved into the shooting room. 1 rolling rack is typically moved into the bathroom. The other is for the next model. Once we start shooting another model is brought up from the lobby and into the prep room and the process starts again.

As far as the check in and check out times go - it really depends on how many you want to shoot and your session length. I have made friends with lots of hotel staff.

If you play by standard hotel rules, you check in by 3pm, I book the first shoot for 4pm and go until 10pm. Then I have my first shoot scheduled for 9 am and my last at session ends by 11:30 (if checkout time is noon).

By knowing staff I can generally check in at 11am and check out at 2pm.

Don't forget to bring a little small hand mirror. So many times, models want to look at their face *really* quickly but I have them in a great pose that I don't want to lose. I just hold the mirror to their face and they don't need to move.

Also my model releases and info is kept in the prep room. Oh and if you are shooting 30 minute sessions, that means a lot of models on your memory cards. Get a little dry erase board (8x10 size) and write the models name on it for the first frame. Mug shot style is so cool.

Hope this helps. Please feel free to ask anything else.

-Bill

i've never done this.....but if I were to do it many hotels offer their loyalty program members late checkouts (starwood, marriot, hilton etc) at like 4pm - 5pm. If the hotel is not busy too you can often check in much earlier. So ideally I think your window could be as early as 9 or 10am - as late as 4pm the next day so u have 2 "full" days of shooting. Make sure to request late checkout ASAP so they can confirm availability.

i always ask for early check in - i'm now a regular at my preferred hotel so they always accommodate me - so i get to check in as early as 9:00 a.m. - it never hurts to ask and you may be surprised at hteir response - so i arrive at 9 and am set up and ready to go by 10:00 so my first girl usually arrives at 9:30 along with mua.

i schedule my appts. for every 1.5 hours. rarely have i ever had anyone bummp into the others.

mua usually takes about 30 minutes - i'm not too fussy on the look i want and some girls prefer to do their own.

SCHEDULE A BREAK FOR YOURSELF!!!

i also provide snacks throughout the day - fruit (strawberries, raspberries, etc), bottled water and wine, and juice

I'd like to do one of these at some point so this is great information. Thanks guys!

Actually I like the sound of this too - would be great experience for me!! How do you go about getting people to model? Is it paid for models ? (Sorry if thats a dumb question!)

i'm sorry... i just have to ask........


who irons their underwear?????????????????????

wow that took you awhile...

I am always amazed out how many people show up with silk pieces that have been tucked away in their dressers forEVER.

Just call me prepared. If I don't bring, it it is needed.

Bill

I try to use bed & breakfasts or hotel suites. I try to use places with good waiting areas and that will allow for early check-in.

have you ever had a situation where a hotel didnt want to work with you considering the nature of the photography? or simply because you were using their rooms to conduct business?

Never. I did have a hotel manager come up to the room. I met her at the door and she was trying to peek in. She said "I heard you are doing a photo session in here. Are they planned for all night?" I said "Nope, this is my last one (10pm)." She then handed me a note that said she would be available after midnight. You bet I did a shoot for her. What was my compensation? Free rooms for 2 nights.

-Bill

I just got a BIG room. A suite usually works well, that way you have a 'living room' of sorts for people to hang out and get hair/makeup done, and a bedroom/master bath to do most of the shooting. Basically I was shooting one girl while another was getting hair/makeup done in the living room. Also, the girls knew it was a marathon so they weren't expecting to be the only one there. I did some outside the bedroom but it was never a problem for the girls 'running into' each other. It was definitely a long day but sooo much fun.

I would love to do something like this. Can you share how you go about marketing and booking clients for these sessions. What's your shooting fee for this type of session?

I have done Boudoir only in homes or more recently in an open concept warehouse, but I would like to rent a nice hotel for the day as well. Do you all pay the hotel fee or have your client pay it?

if its a marathon session - i pay primarily becuase if its something like a 'hen' night celebration, i figure in the cost when i give the package price so its basically hidden.

if its private, then that is figured into the package - i have created packages with this in mind - i have one package though for a couples boudoir, which includes a 4-5 star hotel room that they keep for the night.

dont forget to ask about a 'day rate' or day office - sometimes a hotel will rent you the room for the day time only at a significant discount. the hotel i use in london gives me a rate of approx. $40 for 6-7 hours.

Thanks Tami, this is great information! I a going to go scout for a good location this week. The loft/warehouse that I have used has wonderful, beautiful light, but is kind of seedy looking. I don't want to scare new people away!
Your boudoir site looks great

oh i dont knw angela, i bet you could go to town with that loft! why dont you try a b&b? i know there are tons there.

I totally forgot that they call bachelorette parties "hen" parties over there. That's so cute!

hey just saw this bc I only ever click "view new post" ! But you are so right.. up and down Heights Blvd..
gonna check it out, thanks!

there is also another area - did you see the movie, jason's lyric? it was filmed in houston, in the 5th ward area i believe, but there is a scene when they are in the country part and its beautiful, absolutely beautiful - i would so love to do an outdoor boudoir there. now i have no idea where they went to film that part, but its there, somewhere.

Bill, are you sure it was a photo shoot she was coming back for?

Hmm... Maybe that is why I'm still single. Not so good at the hints. She did give me a nice tip though.

-Bill

ohhh! no, I haven't seen it! I will though just to see that area. Have you ever done an outdoor boudoir? I have done one outside in someone's back yard. I would love to do a beach boudoir session, and very nearly have.

I want to do one of these . . . thinking of how to market it as well.

i'm thinking of getting one together for paris next spring - working with chris who is in france. i just need a few girls from here and a few girls there and it could really be fantastic. i'm just a train ride away so its uber easy.

advertise something on your blog? maybe a bachelorette party thing or something?

all i know is that these are loads of fun and one of my main focuses right now.

Hi,

Been away for a couple of days, so I just saw this post. Time prevents me from reading all the replies, so if I duplicate answers - sorry.

We did it recently with 1 room, actually a suite. It was in a very nice hotel, the room was big enough to have stuff going on at either end, two bathrooms assisted with make up for one girl, while another could change/be shot in the second.

The large bed had a tall wooden surround which was great for creating separation and offering privacy.


IMPORTANT. Go to a couple of hotels and ask to see the suites. Make sure that you can have a room that will meet your needs.

We gave a set price to twelve girls, and the money was enough for the room, stylist and about $2,000 profit. On top of that the girls had albums that they could choose from. Prices gave us about $450 profit per album.

We did it over 2 days, Sat & Sun, and if we would have changed one thing, it would be more break time for ourselves. It was a hard slog and pretty continuos for both days.

Anyway, if I can be of any help, let me know.

Hugh