Should your boudoir photography Instagram page be public or private?

The do’s and don’ts of sharing your boudoir portfolio on Instagram!

“Emma, should my boudoir photography Instagram page be private?”

If you had asked me this a few months ago, I would have told you:

“Boo, listen up. A business should NEVER be ‘private.’ Always have your models sign a release form, and then open that boudoir Instagram page up and make it visible to the public.” 

End of story. Put a lid on this convo, ‘cuz we finished it. Done. 

However!!

I’ve now changed my tune completely. Well, kind of. 

I know this topic is super important if you’re a boudoir photographer and you want new clients to find you on Instagram while also being respectful of the privacy of your current clients. 

So, without further ado, let’s answer the question that’s keepin’ you awake at night:

Should your boudoir photography Instagram page be public or private?

First things first: Your boudoir photography services need their own Instagram account.

This one is non-negotiable. If you want to shoot boudoir and other types of photography, the Instagram page for your boudoir services must be separate from your families, weddings, and portraits. 

I mean, think about your clients! Could there be anything weirder than going to book a boudoir shoot as you scroll past images of seniors or toddlers in their Christmas pajamas? I don’t think so!

Trust me on this one: You gotta create a separate Instagram account for your boudoir services.

Another important thing to note: Always, always have your models sign a release form before their shoot, and always be upfront with them about how and where you plan to share their images. 

Now that we have those two caveats out of the way, let’s get into it:

Pros of a Private Boudoir Instagram Page

1- People who want to see your work have to first send you a follow request, which you then can approve (or not!). This allows you to ‘vet’ your page viewers, and create a more curated, exclusive audience.

2 – Your clients may appreciate having this ‘extra’ layer of privacy. =

Cons of a Private Boudoir Instagram Page

1- You won’t show up in hashtag searches or location tags. Meaning it will be harder for women who are searching for boudoir in your area to find you. 

2 – Even if you have a ‘private’ Instagram page, nothing on the Internet is really private. Don’t lead your clients to believe that their grandpa will never see their photos because your page is private. Privacy settings can serve as an extra ‘barrier’ to outside viewers, but they don’t guarantee complete privacy by any means. 

Pros of a Public Boudoir Instagram Page

1-  You can show up in hashtag searches and location tags, making it easier for new clients to find you.

2 – When a new client lands on your page, she can take a quick scroll through your work and know instantly if she wants to book with you. This allows her to find you and take action when she’s ready, versus making her wait for approval to even see what you do. 

Cons of a Public Boudoir Instagram Page

1 –  Since your page is public, you have to be mindful of keeping an eye on who follows you and making sure your community is filled with women who are interested in boudoir.

2 – Depending on your clientele, the women you shoot may prefer a private Instagram page over a public one. 

The Final Say: Which Is Best: A Private or Public Boudoir Instagram Page?

My boudoir Instagram page is a public business page, and that has always worked for me.

I get client inquiries all the time from women who typed in keywords for their location, found me on Instagram, took a quick scroll through my feed, and booked with me straight away. That ease of booking and portfolio browsing is SO important for my clients, and for me. Not to mention, it just fits with my business model. I don’t believe boudoir is this super-secret, overly sexualized thing that women have to hide. I believe boudoir is empowering and beautiful, and that it should be celebrated and shared. 

However! I have boudoir photography students who have private Instagram pages with thousands of followers, and the private page method works really, really well for them too! Their clients prefer a private page, and they appreciate the chance to curate their community up front. 

So, my best advice for you if you’re just starting your boudoir photography biz? Always do what feels right for you and your business, but I recommend starting out with a public Instagram page so clients can find you more easily, and then go from there.

And, like I said before, always, always have your models sign a release form if they agree to have their images shared, and always be upfront about how you plan to share them. 

Alright, I’m passing the mic to you!

Do you think boudoir photography pages on Instagram should be private, or public? Let me know in the comments!

PS – If you’re brand new to the world of boudoir photography, my Free Beginner’s Boudoir Ebook will walk you through everything you need to to know to shoot your first sessions and confidently begin a profitable boudoir photography business that delivers a luxury experience for your clients. Click here to get the Free Beginner’s Boudoir Ebook!