Pulling the trigger

I was going through my analytics just now, looking at what sort of things were working and what sort of things weren’t.

Things like “Grande Prairie Boudoir” and “boudoir photography alberta” were up there, along with, oddly enough “Saskatoon Boudoir Photography” and “Boudoir Saskatoon”. (I am originally from the Saskatoon area, and maybe because I once told a story about growing up there, now I show up in searches for Saskatoon and Boudoir. If my cunning plan to lace this story with keywords has worked, and you are reading this as you sit in your house just off Idllwyld, know that I no longer live there, but if you wanted to head to the rocky mountains for an epic outdoor boudoir shoot near Jasper/Hinton, then I am the photographer for you.)

As I was looking at how many people had visited what pages for how long, I decided to try something different. Rather than look at the pages with the most hits, I decided to sort by the pages that the people spent the most time on. As expected, a lot of people loitered in the image gallery, and a couple of you even read some of my stories all the way through (or forgot your browser on that page while you ran off to get something to eat).

However, the second longest time spent on average? Was on the “Free Consultation page.” People who click onto the free consultation page stay there on average nearly four minutes.

And then they leave, without sending in the request for consultation. I was worried that the send button wasn’t working, so I tried it, and it worked. It wasn’t something at this end (at least, not that I can tell; if it doesn’t work for you, send me an email letting me know what’s not working).

If this is you, I’d like to offer you some encouragement.

It’s okay to pull the trigger. It’s okay to hit submit. Even if you’re not sure. Even if you’re only boudoir-curious, it’s okay. you’ve got this. Even if you love the idea of an epic outdoor shoot at the top of the mountain but aren’t sure about doing it in your underwear, it’s okay to hit submit and ask: “hey, would you be interested in shooting if I were in a flying dress instead?” (I totally would be.)

Because the word free? Means exactly that.

There are no strings, no obligations and no cost.

There is also no judgement, no expectation and no commitment.

This is just a chance for us to get together and talk and dream and come up with ideas that resonate with your soul.

And yes, I am coming at this in the hopes and expectations that you will want to shoot with me.

But if you decide that you aren’t ready? Then you can say “not at this time,” and that’s okay. If you’d prefer to shoot with a female boudoir photographer? That’s your prerogative. If you would prefer to shoot with someone who has their own client closet, or studio, or has these ten poses you really like? Far be it from me to stop you. Heck, if we have a consultation and you decide the photographer is kinda funny looking and had a piece of celery stuck between his teeth that was throwing you off? You can choose not to shoot with me because of that, too, and I’m perfectly fine with that.

What I’m not fine with is if you are listening to those voices that society whispers at you, saying that you’re not beautiful enough or bold enough or skinny enough or young enough. Don’t let fear determine who you are. I know that I am not the right photographer for everyone. I’m okay with that. But I would hate to miss the opportunity to work with you simply because you think you need to lose 10 lbs.

That 10 lbs? May go. Or another 10 lbs may come. And you know what? It doesn’t change your value as a human being. It doesn’t make you any more or less you. And it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do the shoot.

So, if you need the link, here it is. Go, fill it out and book a session. Or just send me an email, letting me know what your worries and concerns are. It’s okay to be nervous. It’s okay to even be scared. But overcoming that fear? Can be one of the most powerful decisions you ever make.

Or maybe you have a different reason for wanting to do the shoot, or for being nervous about doing the shoot. You can tell me that, too. Let’s find a way to make this happen. To overcome those fears, to silence those voices and to celebrate you.