WELL, HELLO GORGEOUS!
THIS GUIDE IS GOING TO WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS OF WHAT A BOUDOIR SHOOT IS AND HOW THE PROCESS WORKS AT CANDACE GURLEY PHOTOGRAPHY. I AM EXCITED TO GET YOU IN THE STUDIO! ONCE YOU READ THROUGH THIS GUIDE, YOU'LL BE FULLY INFORMED AND READY TO SCHEDULE YOUR SESSION!
SIT DOWN, GRAB A GLASS OF (INSERT FAVORITE BEVERAGE HERE) AND READ THIS UNTIL THE VERY END!
First of all, WELCOME!
First, let me say that I am SOO excited that you have taken a very big step towards booking a boudoir shoot with me- inquiring! Literally 90% of the women I speak with about boudoir light up, and immediately say that they want to do it! But- I don't always have the chance to work with them right away because they never actually take that very important first step. Well lovely, YOU are in for a treat!! I like to think of it as an extended spa day – but better! A boudoir session is better because you get to take home images that remind you everyday of how amazing you truly are! Overall I want to create images that you would be proud to blow up & hang on your bedroom wall.
We believe that every woman is uniquely beautiful and should celebrate who she is, as she is, right now.
WHY BOUDOIR?
My name is Candace, I am the owner of Candace Gurley Photography. I have been specializing in boudoir portraits for almost 8 years, this genre is the only one I shoot 365 days a year. Boudoir is so special to me because I love helping women feel better. I love helping women learn to embrace and love their bodies exactly how they are. Not only will the session show you how beautiful and sensual you can be, but my goal is to change the way you feel about yourself. I want you to love that woman that you see in the mirror every day. We all struggle with self-image, and I want to help women overcome as much of that as I can. Almost every woman that comes to me is self-conscious about their body, but I make it my mission to show them that they're wrong. I believe all women deserve to feel this special and I hope you really consider treating yourself. You may be thinking of gifting these images to your spouse or loved one, but most importantly do this for YOU, you're worth it! Boudoir is the ultimate empowering experience and is revealing in more ways than one. After seeing yourself in a new light, you will have a new perspective on the strong and inspiring woman you are. I promise you will have no regrets in giving yourself this gift of confidence and beauty.
YOU DON'T NEED TO LOSE 15 POUNDS TO DO A SESSION WITH ME. YOU DON'T NEED TO BE BEYONCE CURVY. YOU JUST NEED TO BE YOU. HAVE FUN. AND ENJOY THIS MOMENT. YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!
“The entire experience was really life changing. I arrived that morning feeling like the number on my scale was going to determine how my pictures turned out. I left there an hour later and felt like a goddess. I felt free. The session made realize that I’m still sexy. I’ve still got a fierce lioness living inside me. The experience ended up being more of a gift for my wellbeing, my self worth, than it was a gift for my husband.” -Mrs. B”
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
Our studio is located in Vancleave, MS. We have a fully custom studio with multiple set ups. Our studio is full of gorgeous natural light from our large private windows, beautiful wood floors, and beautiful textured walls. Our hand selected décor is designed to fit our beautiful studio.
We do travel to other areas with a travel fee.
WHAT EXACTLY IS BOUDOIR?
To most people, boudoir means sexy, seductive photos of women in lingerie, or little to no clothing. The truth is, boudoir is a celebration of sensual beauty, which is hugely different for each woman on a personal level. I will talk with you about what makes YOU feel beautiful, and I'll customize your experience to bring that out in your photos. To some women, that WILL mean lingerie, but to others, it will mean knee high socks, bikini panties, and a tank top, and that's TOTALLY ok! So the answer is, boudoir is YOU, in your most beautiful state of mind and body. IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY JOINED OUR PRIVATE VIP GROUP ON FACEBOOK, I HIGHLY SUGGEST THAT YOU DO!
I'm nervous about posing...
DON'T BE! Every image that you've seen of mine has been posed and directed by me! I tell you exactly where to put your hands, when to look at the camera, when to breathe and show you how to arch. If you can follow simple directions, you CAN do this. I show you along the way so you don't feel "silly" in the poses and I promise to be your biggest hype girl, xoxo
What do I wear!?
That's the fun and exciting and SCARY part for some...but don't worry! I have a HUGE client closet filled with over 250 pieces from sizes XS-4X. I'll pull some pieces for you to try on the day based off your questionnaire. You'll also get a complete Lingerie Guide that'll help you shop locally and online if you'd like to bring your own pieces with you! We shoot anywhere from 3-4 lingerie pieces and then the white sheets at the end if you'd like! *more info below
Do I have to get naked?
Absolutely NOT! I'd never want you to do something you don't want to do. This is why I'll send over a questionnaire once you book in to get to know you and what you're comfortable with during your session. If at any time you'd like to change your mind and do white sheets (where you are naked and the sheet is covering you) or fully nude, tasteful shots, that is 100% your decision.
Is professional hair & make-up provided?
I have a very few select wonderful hair and make-up artist that I schedule for all my shoots. The cost is a part of each of the experience sessions. These stylists know how to do hair and make-up styled perfectly for the camera. I have noticed that make-up helps to give my clients the confidence they need to shine in their images. When a woman shines, this is where the real beauty shows through. If you feel more comfortable skipping this, that is fine too!
“The most important thing a woman can wear is her confidence”
The Booking Process:
If you're interested in booking a session there's just a couple things you need to know!
All my sessions are held on select weekdays starting at 9am and weekends starting at 8:30am or 11:45am. Hair and makeup takes about 1-1.5 hours, then we'll go through your outfits together and the shoot time is about 1-2.5 hours as well.
Sessions start at $350 to book your session and that includes all your prep information, Hair and Makeup provided by one of my professional artist, access to my boudoir lingerie closet and your viewing and ordering session (which happens 4-7 days AFTER your session. More about this below) *couples sessions are $500 to book
All prints and products are sold separately at your viewing and ordering session, starting at $1199. Some people stay around that minimum price and some spend more, but EVERYONE gets an option for payment plan to pay them off at your convenience.
How do I pay? You can scroll down until you see the {LET’S DO THIS} button below! This link will take you directly to the full investment menu as well as the booking calendar.
Once I receive your booking fee I'll be in contact with you within 24 hours with your confirmation email that'll include your; Boudoir Contract, Questionnaire and Prep Guide...this will help me get a better understand of what you're wanting for your session and help you prepare! I can't wait to meet you!
WHAT TYPE OF SESSIONS DO YOU OFFER?
YES, THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BOUDOIR SESSIONS YOU CAN BOOK!! AND OOOH GIRL, WE ARE ALWAYS CHANGING IT UP! WE ARE CURRENTLY OFFERING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF SESSIONS:
// TRADITIONAL STUDIO SESSIONS- there are three experience options for these
// COUPLES STUDIO SESSIONS
// OUTDOOR BOUDOIR SESSIONS (EXTREMELY LIMITED: MAY - SEPTEMBER)
// DESTINATION SESSIONS (IF WE HAVE ONE RUNNING AS A GROUP TRIP, OR YOU MAY FLY THE TEAM TO A DESTINATION OF YOUR CHOICE)
HAVE SOMETHING ELSE IN MIND? ASK US! WE ARE ALWAYS UP FOR NEW ADVENTURES.
WHAT IS THE TURN AROUND TIME TO GET MY PRODUCTS?
You will receive your images in approximately 3-5 weeks once your final payment is processed! So, just be mindful of that when planning your special occasions.
IT IS TIME TO INVEST IN YOU!
WHAT DO I NEED TO BOOK?
The session fee is all that is required to book your date. You will choose between our three experience sessions; the ultimate experience ($700 session booking fee), the luxury experience ($500 session booking fee) and the experience ($350 session booking fee). The session booking fee will be due to secure your date and time on the calendar. Once your date is secured we will then start the personalized boudoir experience with your very own boudoir prep guide, where we go over everything on how to prepare! *ALL EXPERIENCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR A PAYMENT PLAN.
Each portrait experience includes: your welcome + preparation guide, professional makeup application, individual lash application, professional dry hair styling, the boudoir shoot, standard retouching, pose and expression coaching, client closet access, wardrobe selection assistance, and concludes with a private photo reveal/ordering appointment.
THE SESSION FEE COVERS ONLY THE ITEMS LISTED ABOVE, THE TIME AND TALENT OF YOUR CREATIVE TEAM, AND OTHER OPERATIONAL COSTS TO PROVIDE SERVICES ON THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT.. IMAGES AND PRODUCTS ARE SOLD SEPARATELY AT YOUR IMAGE REVEAL.
THE INVESTMENT
We use the word Investment because that’s exactly what a boudoir experience with us is. An investment of money, yes. But more importantly, an investment in YOU. And you are worth every penny.
I offer my clients a beautiful selection of products, albums and digitals to show off their gorgeous images! I have hand selected each product to insure you have heirloom quality products to last lifetimes. YOU will get to hand select your photos and choose the products that are right for you!
Most clients invest between $1500-3000 for their custom boudoir portraits. Our packages are thoughtfully customized based on our client's most frequent purchases. Our a la carte menu begins at $399 for wall art and $1199 for albums. Collections begin at $1300.
Cash or Credit Card payments are always accepted.
MOST OF OUR CLIENTS OPT FOR A TRADITIONAL CREDIT CARD WITH A LOW APR OR ONE THAT EARNS POINTS. WE TAKE ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS FROM ANY TRADITIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.
But for those of you who need some time to pay off your order, I do offer a few options.
DO YOU OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?
Payment plans are a great option for any client. You can purchase amazing heirloom products and not stress over the cost. Payment plans are a way to get EVERYTHING you want in an affordable monthly payment! Here are just a few ways to get it all:
FINANCING OPTIONS:
WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS. FOR MANY OF OUR CLIENTS, THEY OPT TO UTILIZE THE BETTER FINANCING PERKS PROVIDED BY MAJOR CREDIT CARD COMPANIES WHERE THEIR PURCHASE WILL EARN POINTS TOWARD FREQUENT FLYER MILES, CASH BACK, AND OTHER BONUS INCENTIVES.
OPTION 1: PAYPAL CREDIT
Our 3rd party financing partners over at PayPal Credit have an awesome 6 month zero interest program for those approved. Depending on your traditional credit lender, if you’re looking to finance your purchase, the 6 months zero interest is often times better than the APR rates that come with normal credit cards. And if you need more time, they’ll offer easy flexible payments for you to manage beyond the 6 month period. PayPal will determine your eligibility and credit limit immediately after submitting an application. If you’d like to apply to see what credit limit you’ll be given prior to booking, I’ll leave the link below. With this option you get to pick up your products in about 3-6 weeks! Are you ready to invest in yourself? See if you qualify below...it will only take a few seconds!
OPTION 2: AFFIRM
AFFIRM ALLOWS YOU TO PAY OVER TIME WITH FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS. YOU'LL APPLY FOR A VIRTUAL CREDIT CARD THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO SHOP SPECIFICALLY WITH CGP.
YOU'LL GET AN IMMEDIATE DECISION AND A PRE-APPROVAL AMOUNT WITHOUT A HARD INQUIRY ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT.
THIS OPTION IS BASED ON CREDIT APPROVAL. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SAY IN WHO IS APPROVED FOR FINANCING.
No late fees, no prepayment fees, no annual fees, and no fees to open or close your account. Depending on the size of your purchase, your payment plan may include interest.
1. Create an account.
Go to https://www.affirm.com/ or download the affirm app.
2. Get prequalified.
You will put in what you are shopping for - photography - they will tell you how much you are pre approved, you will put in how much of that amount you wish to spend, and then they will give you a one-time-use virtual card you can use to complete your purchase.
https://www.affirm.com/
OPTION 3: PRE-SESSION PAYMENT PLANS
Our pre-session payment plans are ideal for ladies who want to pay off their products prior to the session. It’s an auto-debit system that will charge your card on file on a monthly or bi-weekly basis. You’ll be able to designate your preference in your payment agreement contract. We will take all of the available monthly (or bi-weekly) payments from the day you book to your session date and split them into payments so you can take a few months to make smaller payments, instead of making a purchase in full at your image reveal. You may book up to 8 months out to take advantage of the pre-session payment plan.
Option 4: POST-SESSION PAYMENT PLAN
If you are not approved for PayPal Credit, or there is not enough time to do a pre-session payment plan, you can still do an automatic payment plan through me after your session! C'mon girl. I'm not gonna leave you hangin'! Here's the lowdown:
There is a minimum of $300 deposit on the day of your reveal session. The more you put down, the less your monthly payments will be.
I offer payment plans starting at $150 a month (also available in biweekly payments). This is an automatic payment system, which requires a primary and backup credit/debit card to be kept on file, with a signed contract, and payments are automatically charged on a recurring schedule.
There is a onetime payment plan fee of $200 added to your total product purchase.
Payments can be spread out up to 9 months after your session date.
Please note: Products are only delivered once your payment plan is paid in full.
When you book a session at Candace Gurley Photography, you not only enjoy an experience that will help you reconnect with yourself as a woman, but you also have the opportunity to invest in preserving the memories of that experience in a luxurious way.
I firmly believe in the power a boudoir session has to transform a woman's doubt in herself, into confidence. I've seen it happen before my eyes, and I know it will happen for you. Give me the chance to show you that you are a unique, beautiful woman, and you will walk away from this experience more confident and powerful than you were.