Her Second Time ::: Orange County Boudoir ::: Grace and Lace Boudoir

This gorgeous client came in for her shoot with us - traveling from OREGON - for the second time! I was so happy to see her again because, truth be told, I was sick with the flu for her first shoot. Her first session was scheduled for a Friday and we had to push it back a couple of days because I was so sick - but she FLEW FROM OREGON and was only staying for the weekend, so there was no way we could reschedule to a completely different weekend. She was so incredibly sweet and accommodating to me that I sucked down a bunch of pills, tried not to breathe all over her and promptly passed out right after the shoot. We still got some killer images that first round. So when she reached out to us again for her second shoot, I was ecstatic. A chance for her to see the real me - not the sick me. lol I am so beyond thrilled with these images - she has this energy about her that just spills over. I swoon over her <3

3 Weeks Away ::: Orange County Boudoir ::: Grace and Lace Boudoir

We are exactly 3 weeks away from our EPIC Black Friday Sale! We are soooo excited about this - we go BIG with this sale because it’s our only sale of the year!

The sale will be live to the public for only 24 hours, UNLESS you are subscribed to our newsletter! We are opening it up a WHOLE 2 days earlier to our awesome subscribers to take advantage of first!

There will be only 15 spots available at this price!!

For the past 2 years, our Black Friday sessions have sold out within hours and with this year’s sale, the early birds will catch the worm with the biggest savings! If you haven’t already subscribed, sign up below and receive a free preparation guide when you do so.

And don’t forget to keep an eye on your inbox November 26!! :)

Investing in Yourself ::: Grace and Lace Boudoir ::: Orange County Boudoir

A boudoir session is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. It can remind you just how amazing you are and how hard you’ve worked to get to where you are RIGHT NOW. Every time you walk past your metal wall portrait, you’ll be reminded of how fierce you felt at your session. When you flip through your album pages, you’ll remember how powerful you felt when you left our studio. When you’re thumbing through your prints in your glass box, you’ll be transported back to your experience with us and the feelings of a strong, confident woman come flooding back in. All of this, we feel, is priceless. We understand that money is a big factor when deciding your boudoir photographer but please don’t let it be your ONLY factor.

We hear from women all the time, “I’d really like this experience with you but I just can’t afford it” Or worse, some women will hire an inexperienced photographer to save a few dollars - which might leave you with less self-confidence than when you walked in. I beg you, PLEASE DON’T DO THIS. A boudoir session is meant to build confidence, not break it. And make no mistake - an unexperienced photographer can destroy a woman’s self-esteem. We’ve seen it and we have remedied it for others.

When you’re shopping for a luxury item, you always want to make sure it’s worth your hard-earned money. It’s not a decision you take lightly. And neither should investing in a boudoir photographer. You pay for experience and expertise - a skilled photographer who has learned their craft, invests in their ongoing education, surpasses your expectations with their client service, knows how to pose ANY body type and is confident in their abilities. And, of course, gives you STUNNING images and products to showcase those images.

We never want you to settle for less than what you REALLY want … this is why we offer 3 different Payment Plan options and/or a Prepayment Plan option. , Like any good business, we also accept cash and credit cards (if you’re looking to get those extra points or mileage)

Payment Options

The quickest way to get your product is to pay in full on the day of your viewing. Your products will arrive roughly 2-4 weeks after payment is made.

PayPal Credit

Paypal offers a great way to finance your collection with 0% financing for the first 6 months. You can apply before your reveal session or we can help you set it up at your appointment. Products will arrive 2-4 weeks after payment is made through PayPal credit.

Square Installments

Wanna take your time and pay up to 12 months? Answer a few short questions to see if you're eligible (this is considered a "soft inquiry" and will not affect your credit rating). You'll see the cost & fees upfront, with total clarity. Then pick the plan that fits your budget. If you're approved, you'll instantly get a digital card to use that same day. Products will arrive 2-4 weeks after payment is made through Square Installments.

Studio Financing

We also offer interest-free financing through the studio for up to 10 months in most cases (and we don’t check your credit!). A credit card number will be required to be kept on file to make automatic payments. The downside? You cannot receive any product until payment is made in full.

The BOUDIE Bank

The Boudie bank allows you to EASILY pre-pay toward your future boudoir session. Unlike plans which are for paying off product purchases AFTER your session, the Boudie Bank is set up for saving money towards products BEFORE your session, and it’s INTEREST-FREE! So you can save money that will go towards your products, which you can receive sooner rather than later. (Hello instant gratification!) The Boudie Bank is for anyone who wishes to have their boudoir session without any upfront cost. (Goodbye guilt!)

1. Pay and book your session, after that we will contact you to set up your Boudie account and start saving for your products! I recommend booking your session far enough in advance so that you have ample time to save for the collection you want.

2. Determine a comfortable payment plan. This is totally up to you. You can deposit as much as you want, but we require a minimum of $100 to start your account. Remember, the more you pay upfront, the less your monthly payments will be! You can choose bi-weekly or monthly installments over a period of 3, 6 or 9 months.

3. Choose from 2 different payment options, 1 or 2 pre-payments per month. Average product investment is $1,700 - $2,400.

Before & Afters ::: Orange County Boudoir ::: Grace and Lace Boudoir

We are firm believers that all women are beautiful – and WE LOVE giving our clients an experience where they can see themselves in a new light and celebrate themselves. We don’t share before and afters to show how different you can look for your session or to insinuate that you are not enough in your day to day look - the reason why we share these is that we hear over and over again from women who say, ‘I could never look like that’… Ummm, YES YOU CAN! Our boudoir clients come from all over and they are everyday women just like you – of all ages, all shapes and sizes, and from all walks of life. These women ARE YOU!

We also believe that you are in control of the entire shoot. You have a say in how you would like your makeup - you’ll let us know when you fill out your questionnaire by choosing from below (multiple answers are allowed, too ;)

Natural (Freckles are still visible, minimal eye makeup, neutral lip color)

Natural with a touch of sexy (Soft glam with glowy skin and a soft smokey eye; almost bridal like makeup)

Full Glam (Sultry smokey eye, glowy contoured skin, bronzed)

Dramatic (Sultry smokey eye, contoured face with a dramatic lip)

I have no idea, I trust the makeup artist

Before & After photos are here so that you can see that ANYONE can do this!

Our Epic Black Friday Sale is Backkkkk ::: Orange County Boudoir ::: Grace and Lace Boudoir

It’s BACKKKKK! It’s our only sale of the year and this year it’s only for 24 hours UNLESS you are signed up for our newsletter where we’ll give you the first crack at it. Sign up below to get on the list …

More details about the sale are coming later this month.

Spots are VERY limited!

What Do I Wear For My Boudoir Session?? ::: Orange County Boudoir ::: Grace and Lace Boudoir

Our favorite question is "what do I wear for my shoot?" The answer to this depends on the mood you are trying to convey - some clients like to bare it all and some are more conservative. Think about the mood you want for your session - are you looking to spice it up or are you looking to keep it playfully seductive? Maybe you want both? The key is finding lingerie that fits your style and that is a good fit to show off your beautiful shape!

Don't worry about bringing in too many options, we will help you narrow down your wardrobe choices while you're sitting in hair & makeup. We select up to 4 different outfits and choose shoes, jewelry, and any props you brought.

Ideas for wardrobe:

1. Corsets, stockings, and heels are great for shaping and accentuating the body and breast.

2. Cut Off tank tops and crop tops are great for showing a toned midsection and can help give an "edgier" look

3. Garter belts and stockings are perfect to make any outfit a little bit sexier. Don’t worry about knowing how to fasten them, we’ll help you if you need it!

4. Bra and panty sets are classic. Choose a softer cup with a color that is flattering to your skin tone. Push up bras can gap if you're laying down or it's not sized correctly, so get your bra professionally fitted before your session.

5. Topless with just panties - High Waist, Cheeky, or Thongs look amazing.

6. A man's dress shirt can be sexy, but if you find it is too big for you, find one that is closer to your size.

7. Long necklaces with jeans or cut off shorts

8. Bodysuits and teddies are designed to look much like a one-piece swimsuit and therefore will cover your midsection. The amount of coverage provided by a teddy can vary from thong to brief, sheer to opaque, triangle to underwire. A teddy with underwire will help if you're looking for a little lift for the girls but also want to minimize your tummy area.

9. Waist cinchers/pasties/harness bras/fishnet tights are all great if you are looking to have a spicier session.

10. A white sheet (we'll provide that!) Less is more and it's also one less thing you have to think about bringing.

11. If you and/or your significant other are sports fans, bring in a jersey. Jerseys that are made for women are much more flattering.

12. A cardigan/sweater is great if you are going for a fall/winter cozy look.

13. A tank top and panties will give a much more casual, relaxed vibe.

14. Consider going fully nude -this may sound intimidating but sometimes this is where you'll learn to love yourself completely.

15. Don’t forget to bring some killer high heels! Nude heels can go with many outfit choices. Black heels are a MUST. However, anything strappy, studded or with bling is great. The higher the better. Try to stay away from platform and wedges for your shoot - they can shorten the look of your legs.

16. Baby Dolls are NOT recommended as they tend to hide your figure and make you look boxy. They don't photograph as well as they look in person, unfortunately.

17. Confidence and a smile.

A list of our fave places to shop:

Yandy www.yandy.com

Hips & Curves www.hipsandcurves.com

Forever 21 www.forever21.com

H&M www.hm.com

Adore Me www.adoreme.com

Journelle www.journelle.com

Victoria's Secret www.victoriassecret.com

True & Co www.trueandco.com

Naja www.naja.co

Honey Birdette www.honeybirdette.com

A list of Do's & Don'ts for your boudoir session ::: Orange County Boudoir ::: Grace and Lace Boudoir

Whether you’re coming in for your first boudoir session or your 5th, you’ll want to get the most out of your experience. Despite boudoir photography popularity, most women know very little about how to prepare for their session. I never like going into something new without knowing as much information as humanly possible. If you’re wired the same way, you’ll want to pour over the information we send you when you book because it’s chock full of goodness like tips & tricks, do’s and don’ts, a lingerie guide, etc. We’ve been told a time or two how much better clients feel coming into the studio because they felt PREPARED. If you’re not wired that way, that’s fine, too … you can just skim over the information we send.

If you’re deliberating on having a session done for yourself (with ANY photographer), here are a couple of Do’s and Don'ts to consider:

DO: Deliberate on which photographer you will go with. This is a very vulnerable session and not every photographer is up to the task. Money is usually a big deciding factor, and while I completely understand that, it should NOT be your only factor. Boudoir is an investment in yourself - treat it as such. Please take the time to save for the photographer you feel will fit you best, not the cheapest around. A lot of photographers will have payment plan options to help with the cost - we do here at Grace and Lace, as well. We also offer a Boudie Bank option to help you SAVE for your session and not be tempted to use the $$ elsewhere.

DO: HYDRATE. I can’t stress this enough. Please drink plenty of water a couple of weeks leading up to your session. We want you to feel as good as you look.

DO: Exfoliate skin and face 2-3 times each week. This will help your skin to glow.

DO: Moisturize your body, face, and lips. Glow, glow, glow!!

DO: Scrub the bottom of your feet. They’ll be in the photos and it’s an area that a lot of us tend to neglect.

DO: Practice stretching or do yoga weeks leading up to your session. You’ll thank me after your session, trust me!

DO: Wear loose-fitting clothes to your session. The fewer lines and indentations on your body, the better.

DON’T: Try new products right before your shoot. You won’t know how your skin or hair will react and there’s only so much Photoshop that I can & will do.

DON’T: Drink alcohol a couple of days before your session - we’ll have champagne/wine ready for you here if you’d like.

DON’T: Spray tan or self-tan UNLESS you are familiar with and love the results. Also, stay out of the sun unless it's unavoidable. A sunburn is not the first thing you want to notice in your photos.

DON’T: Wear bright or bold nail colors. I like to stay with neutral or dark colors so they’re not the focus of the photo.

DON’T: Forget your beauty rest! Be sure to get plenty of sleep the night before your session.

DON’T: Skip breakfast the morning of your session. This can feel like a strenuous workout and your body will need fuel. You’ll want to eat a light meal, nothing heavy so you don’t feel bloated or lethargic.

DON’T: Don’t wear makeup to the session. You’ll have hair & makeup done here, so there is no need to do your own. You also don’t have to bring ANY of your own makeup. We have plenty here and our questionnaire we send out beforehand will help Sarah with any information she needs to know about your skin and/or allergies.

Going Commando ::: Orange County Boudoir ::: Grace and Lace Boudoir

Ohhh how I love a tattooed body! I, myself, only have one but I live vicariously through my clients who have their bodies covered. I think it’s gorgeous and so expressive. I looooved her session so much! I love when a client trusts us completely and decides to do some photos commando. It’s so liberating.

Seriously, this girl knocked it outta the park!

“I seriously don't even know where to begin! First of all, I owe a huge thank you to Jeni and Sarah. I originally found them on yelp. I wanted to do a shoot for a gift but also for myself. Even if you don't plan on this before for yourself, it really is. You will no doubt fall in love with yourself all over again. From the initial email, I knew I was in good hands.
These ladies are experts at what they do! When you first arrive, they have a welcome sign on the door with your name. You literally feel like you have known them forever and they yea treat you like a queen. I wasn't nervous but for someone that may be, you will feel right at home. I have never had my makeup professionally done so I wanted full glam. Sarah did an amazing job without it being over the top. It lasted all day so you bet I went out that evening!
Jeni is very direct at how to have you pose. This for me was great because the last thing you want to do is look or feel awkward not knowing what to do with your hands or where to look. She knows what looks good and how to have fun doing it.
I went to view my photos today and I seriously have no words for how amazing the photos are. Like hot damn, that's me?! Seeing yourself from a different angle really is eye opening at how beautiful we all are. I think every woman should have this experience. I know I will enjoy these photos for years to come. When I finish some more tattoos, I'm definitely booking another session.” Miss H

Bombshell Bride ::: Orange County Boudoir ::: Grace and Lace Boudoir

Miss S came to us wanting to give her fiance a gift she’d never expect! And, boy, did she kill the session! She’s a total babe and I know her fiance loved the surprise.

Expectation VS Reality ::: Orange County Boudoir ::: Grace and Lace Boudoir

Expectation: I’m going to feel sexy while having my photos taken!

Reality: Ummmmm, hate to break it to you, sister, but … no you won’t. The process isn’t sexy but the photos ALWAYS are. You’re going to be thinking to yourself, “There’s no freaking way this looks good. How much further does she want me to stick out my tush?? Mouth breathing is sexy? I am literally shaking like a leaf. Seriously, there’s NO WAY this looks good!”

Just put your trust in me. I promise I’m not gonna make you look stupid and there’s ALWAYS a reason for the madness.

Expectation: This is going to be easy, peasy!

Reality: This one makes me LOL. It’s… a lot of work. You’re gonna get sweaty, you’re gonna get shaky in poses, you’re gonna be sore. When I say stretch in the weeks leading up to your boudoir session, I mean STRETCH. It will be a work out. You have to arch, bend, reach, stretch, squeeze. And if you’re not sore, I have not done my job! Just think of me as your one on one trainer for the day. Hate me today, love me tomorrow, babe.

Expectation: Photoshop fixes everything!

Reality: Nope, it doesn’t. Because I don’t photoshop. Photoshop is an amazing program that can do amazing things, but I don’t wanna learn it. I’ve barely scratched the surface of what you can do in PS. I’ll smooth your skin a tad but you’ll still look like a real human being and not a doll. I’ll remove anything that isn’t permanent like bruises or blemishes but beyond that, I’m NOT your girl. There’s nothing wrong with wanting that but you’ll have to go to another photographer for it. I believe that you need to see you how others see you. This is not about making yourself into something you aren’t. This is about your body love journey.

Expectation: I’m so awkward in front of the camera!

Reality: Friend, we may not have met yet but I promise you, you’re not more awkward than I am in front of a lens. As a result, I just assume everyone else is too. This is why I tell you EXACTLY what to do with every portion of your body - including fingertips and toes. I even tell you how to breathe. I am not leaving you on an island here - NO WAY.

Expectation: There’s no way I’m going to look good or like any of my photos.

Reality: I’ve lost count of how many women I’ve proven wrong who have thought that!! I’ll prove you wrong too. Come and see…