Sheryl Warwick is a boudoir and pinup photographer from Houston, TX.
She started off with the goal of shooting weddings as her profession. Eventually she had a few clients ask for some boudoir photos as wedding presents, so she chose to make a change and through the years she has found her niche in boudoir studio photography.
Warwick Boudoir specializes in celebrating the beauty that lies inside every woman. Her goal is to make boudoir and pinup photography accessible to all women.
Tell us something about yourself?
I do pinup and boudoir photography in Houston, Texas in my 2 story studio. I’m originally from Boston but moved because I hate the cold. I have two dogs that sit under my feet while I do all my photo editing.
Can you tell us about the path you took to become a professional photographer?
Skydiving was my start out. I would videotape and take stills of people doing their first skydive. I then started taking pictures for peoples parties and such. Eventually I was asked to do a wedding and I really stepped up my gear with lighting and lens. The wedding stuff kept my busy and earning a check until I started doing boudoir for brides. That prompted me to get my own studio where I could start doing pinups. Now it’s just pinups and boudoir, just the way I like it.
What advice do you have for amateurs wanting to become professional?
Two things. Commit to be a professional, as in do it full time. The day I took the plunge and got a studio things steam rolled for me. The other thing would be to be a businessperson first and a photographer second. There are a lot of starving artists out there, bad business practice as a photographer will put you back in a work cubicle fast.
The first photographer that comes to your mind and why?
Ansell Adams. I have him all over my house. It’s amazing what he can do with such limited equipment. A testament to those photographers today that think they are the best because their equipment is the best. The best camera will help you out like 5% maybe.
In general, during a session, how many pics would you say you take to find “the right one”?
That’s a tough question! It depends what I’m shooting really. I find that portraits are generally harder as I’m very picky about facial expressions. I can shoot wide scenes in a snap because I have my lighting down to a science. In general I shoot 300 pictures a setting and plan on editing 10% for 30 keepers.
Which one item of equipment would you say is the most important to you?
My computer is by far my favorite. I love my Mac for editing and it keeps me in contact with my clients and fans. But I really like my new backdrop system though. I can change things in a snap and it holds my heavy vinyl backdrop very well.
Are you a self taught photographer or did you have a mentor that showed you the ropes?
Self taught all the way.
Is there anything you would like to tell?
My college degree is in aviation and I have my commercial pilot’s license. It’s funny where lifes takes yout, I couldn’t be anymore content in what I dor for a living.
More info: http://www.warwickboudoir.com/
