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Does anyone read our boudoir blog any more?

By Personal, Sales & Contests, Workshops

I’m guessing probably not since we never update it. He he. But today we had the urge to do just that, give whoever it is out there who may still take a peek at this boudoir blog a little update on us and our business. (Side note, I did just check our analytics and plenty of you folks do take a lookie at this blog. So hey now, we’re even more motivated to write this post).

Because of our silence on this blog, it may have seemed as though we dipped out of the photographer spotlight that we were so grateful to for so long. But it’s with good reason. After 8 years of that ‘put your head down, work your booty off’ season of your life, Kimberlee and I decided it was time to reap a little bit from what we sowed. K really reaped her harvest, pumping out two gorgeous children in two years (see evidence of that incredible feat below). Arie and Maelee are such a blessing to us, I can’t wait to get them into trouble and have lots of adventures with them & K when they are older.

And as for me (Marissa)… I meandered the globe taking in all kinds of amazing sights and sounds, one of those things that’s necessary after even the most amicable of divorces. I roamed South East Asia with a kindred spirit for a month, hit up my second home in Paris twice with Kimberlee and friends (not literally MY second house, I wish)! I lived in the bellows of a cruise ship for a few weeks with a friend hitting up every port in the Caribbean (that was actually my favorite), hiking the trails off Cinque Terre in Italy, and even doing big Yosemite Half Dome hike. And  I even did a little good, creating this video and fundraising campaign for a hero of mine.  I’ll pop the video in my ‘show and tell’ collage below. And, last but not least, and so necessary in all break ups, the cutting and dying of my hair 😉 All the while we were taking care of our studio (Kimberlee mostly remotely) and just kinda rolling with it. Still doing some pretty dang cool things photography wise if we do say so, again, evidence below.

So all that to say, you didn’t see us around, cuz, well, we were  too busy kinda living the simple(ish) life for awhile. Taking time to raise a family and be present, and travel the world, all the while so grateful to the staff at the studio who was okay with me just popping into the studio an average of about 30 hours a week at that time. Erin taking care of all the typical biz owner’s responsibilities, so much love for her.

But then something happened around January. The wind shifted, and all of a sudden here we are again. In drive mode. And once again we were all about that very hands on biz life. Myself especially, really putting every bit on my focus on the studio.

And when you focus, it pays off.  Last month our boudoir studio had one of it’s most successful months ever (if we don’t count the times we do our big annual sale – and we don’t actually count that sale in our monthly gross). In just one month, June 2016, we grossed over $31,000.

And all in that time frame of ‘aha’, we also saw some of our past boudoir workshop attendees killing it! That got us even more excited! This is one of the most rewarding parts of being educators in this industry: seeing our teachings being implemented, and turned into success stories! There are a ton of you, but a few of the most notable ones that we see out there are Jen Rosenbaum and Denise Birdsong, just doing amazing things. Then we got a few workshop testimonials that just hit us…. for instance Jenny Taylor wrote us this on Facebook: “Hi. Just wanted to stop by and say thank u for all the informational advise you have put out in the world. 7 years ago when I started you were so inspirational and still are today! I owe some of my credit to you.” I love how all of us boudoir photographers cheer each other on. It’s infectious.
boudoir business
And messages of gratitude from other photographers keep coming in, on a regular basis. And then we thought, man, we have all these resources that are still SO valuable, especially our new online workshop. We need to start telling the newer boudoir people about this stuff.

I mean after the success of last month, my goodness we REALLY want you all to know how we did it. So all that to say, please stop by our shop and see all the updated resources and then do check our newly launched, more affordable than ever Online Boudoir Workshop which we’ve broken down into pieces. Use PROMO CODE: AUGBLOG to get an additional $35 off your online workshop purchase. Expires Aug 31, 2016.

So now I welcome you to the show and tell portion of this blog post. Here our studio decided we wanted to add some flair to the back of our studio (see all our shinanigans at @theboudoirdivas …..

A recent outdoor boudoir shoot, styled with Peggy of @feathersandfox
boudoir outdoor
My gorgeous biz partner and bestie, Kimberlee, and her sweet new adventure in mamahood….
boudoir divas studio
Some of my faves from my wanderings,
marissa boucher boudoir
Meet my hero Josie, it was an immense honor to tell her story in the Philippines….

Paris photo shoots for our clients this past May 2016, email us if you wanna know when the next trip is!
We also gave away a trip to Paris and a photo shoot packages to a lucky client! Kirsitie Ennis won the drawing. See www.parisgiveway.com to see how we did it!
boudoir paris
Meet the awesome Jenny Chambers! She flew all the way to Paris for a mentor session. We talked shop then went out and photographed a model together! This is the stuff dreams are made of.
paris boudoir

WPPI 2016 Recap & SALE! Free Boudoir Goodies too!

By Sales & Contests, Speaking Programs

A little recap and then more info about free boudoir photography goodies….

Things have certainly changed at WPPI, a few years back we were the only ones talking about boudoir photography, now it’s all the rage, and we are honored to still be a part of it. WPPI, as always, was full of some seriously good, door opening, exciting information for those of us who dream of pushing the limits with our photography business. To think that I got to speak about what K and I do, the business that we have made, it feels… just good. Good that the hours we have spent on business and marketing and what we have learned in those sometimes long, sometimes difficult hours gets to be shared with others and maybe make a difference in their dreams. Save them some trouble. Like I said, it just makes us feel the warm and fuzzies.

Now there were some more difficult moments. And that was speaking WITHOUT Kimberlee! I know. WHOA. Could you imagine such a thing? I couldn’t, seriously it was hard. But it was for an exceptional reason, Maelee. Get to know Maelee, this gorgeous bundle of joy here on K’s beautiful post.

Ok so now I leave you with some photos people took of the presentation and tagged us @theboudoirdivas.com on Instagram but more importantly I leave you with free boudoir goodies…

free boudoir downloads

We are also super excited about our WPPI SALE and giveaways!!! In case you hadn’t heard about it yet, go check out this page for all the details!

Boudoir Divas speaking WPPI 2016-2
Boudoir Divas speaking WPPI 2016
Boudoir Divas speaking WPPI 2016-4
wppi free boudoir goodies

Again, go check out this page for all the details or listen to Kimberlee explain all the wonderful freebies and new products in this video below! You can even watch the intro of our Online Boudoir Photography Workshop for free on this link!

Thank you so much to all of you who came out to our platform class. I saw so many familiar faces and it always feels like a fun boudoir high school reunion or something. And in VEGAS no less!

xoxo- Marissa & Kimberlee, The Boudoir Divas

 

 

She’s here!

By Personal

Hi everyone! K here today – just wanted to drop in and write a quick post to let you all know that we have a new ‘Baby Diva’ here. My new baby girl arrived this past week and I am already SO in love. A week later than her due date, she entered the world with just 4.5 hours of labor, start to finish. It was an intense day but gosh she is SO worth every moment. She’s such a precious little thing (although, 9lbs 2oz isn’t SO little), and she is already melting our hearts. It is incredible to see how your heart can expand and find room in it to love another baby. Daddy, big sis, big brother, and I are all loving having her home and figuring out our new normal. Thanks to all of you who have already sent over sweet notes on social media! Being a mom + business owner at the same time is something I’m still learning how to maneuver – it has been such a fun/crazy/hectic juggling adventure these past 2 years, and I feel like I’m going to have to learn all over again to get into my ‘groove’ with a toddler and a newborn. But I am super excited about this new stage of life, and also looking forward to new adventures and projects on the horizon with the Boudoir Divas!
Kimberlee West

We are speaking at WPPI 2016

By Speaking Programs

Holy moly we, The Boudoir Divas, are STOKED to let you all know that we are speaking at WPPI March 6, 2016 at 12pm! Yippee! Two things, first, I made a really lame video to let you know about said speaking thingy as we have a lot of thoughts on this, that leave us in turn wanting YOUR thoughts on this…..

Second, we made a Facebook  group so that we can see who’s planning on coming, pick your brain on boudoir photography stuffts, AND stay in touch after the event. Maybe even orchestrate a time for us all to meet up in Vegas and hang out. WPPI is by far one of the most educational and inspiring photography events. Our business and our dreams would never be as big as they are if it weren’t for this stellar convention. If you are on the fence about going we say DO IT!!!!
WPPI-Boudoir-Divas-2-web3

Click on the image above or visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/855099424588109/, as we would love for you to join our group even if you totally certain you can come, we still wanna chat with you!

Here’s the official description of our platform class, however we really want to tailor it to specifically what you guys want. So please share your thoughts with us.

The Boudoir Divas studio in San Diego has two to three shoots booked every day, five days a week. But getting to this point in an ever-changing industry has been no easy feat. Marissa & Kimberlee will share what has and hasn’t worked to keep clients booking while remaining highly profitable. Their candid advice should be helpful for both boutique and high-volume businesses alike. – See more at or pre-board for the class to save your seat by clicking here.

 

Our business segment is ready to watch….

By Uncategorized, Workshops

So if you follow us, you know that our Online Workshop was launched just last month. This means that you have instant access to all the content that we’ve taught at highly successful workshops here in San Diego (which we’ve recent;y replaced with our more intensive 5 day Retreats). We have just uploaded the boudoir business portion for all of our online attendees to watch, one of many, and we wanted to give those of you who are mulling over joining a “sneak peek” into this VERY informative section. This point we drive home more than any other point; “you could be the most sought after photographer on the planet, with gobs of money coming in, but if your money making machine isn’t tuned in, you could very well make more money sitting on your couch watching soap operas everyday.” We go through at length how to tune that in and how to write yourself a paycheck every month.

 

WATCH THE BOUDOIR BUSINESS SNEAK PEEK….

 

We would love for you to join us and be a part of this online workshop. Click her for more info about everything we offer in the instant workshop….

online boudoir workshop

IT’S HERE!!! | Online Boudoir Workshop

By Boudoir Tips, Workshops

FINALLY, the day has arrived! The Online Boudoir Workshop is officially launched, and the first 2 lessons are now live and available for you to watch – from the comfort of your own home! If you were pre-registered then you can now login and watch these lessons. And if you haven’t signed up yet, what are you waiting for? There are just a couple more days for you to sign up and get the $150 DISCOUNT!

The first 2 lessons that are now available are:
#1 – Introduction & The Supermodel Experience (1 hour)
#2 – Posing (2 hours)

Want to get a little taste of what Lesson #1 is like? Check out this teaser video!

Countdown: 1 MORE DAY | Online Boudoir Workshop

By Workshops

TOMORROW IS THE DAY!!!!

We can hardly believe it’s finally here. But we are SO ready to launch this bad boy. 🙂

Today’s prize is our Workshop in a Book… which is the PERFECT companion to the Online Workshop!
online-countdown-sun-winner
AND THE WINNER IS…….. MICHELLE FREDMAN! Congrats, Michelle! We’ll be getting in touch with you soon to send you the marketing book.

To all of you signed up for the Online Workshop – we can’t wait for you to tune in tomorrow and watch the first 2 lessons! And then be sure to post a pic of yourself on social media (use #OnlineBoudoirWorkshop), AND also send us questions so we can start working on our Q&A video that we’ll be filming at sharing after all the videos are released in December. YAY! See you all online tomorrow! 🙂 xoxo, K&M

Countdown: 2 More Days | Online Boudoir Workshop

By Workshops

We are getting so close… just 2 more days until it’s finally here!

Today’s prize is the Marketing Vault! A 128-page ebook sharing a TON of marketing ideas for your boudoir biz.
online-countdown-sat-winner
AND THE WINNER IS…….. SIOBHAN EDMONDS! Congrats, Siobhan! We’ll be getting in touch with you soon to send you the marketing book.

Happy Saturday, everyone, and check back tomorrow for the last prize and the last day in the countdown!

Countdown: 3 More Days | Online Boudoir Workshop

By Workshops

Happy Friday, everyone……. only 3 more days to go!

On Monday, the first lesson is a 1-hour (or, actually, 57 minute) video to be released is the Intro Lesson. We’ll start by sharing a bit about ourselves, the history of the Boudoir Divas, and how we were able to realize our dream. Then we’ll dive into the Supermodel Experience™ and share all of the little details that we do at our studio to help our clients feel welcomed and relaxed.

And so in honor of the Supermodel Experience, today’s winner gets this custom metal print (from Bay Photo) – so that you can use a dry erase marker & write in your client’s name to greet her at her shoot.
online-countdown-fri-winner
AND THE WINNER IS…….. LAURA MATTHEWS! Congrats, Laura! We’ll be getting in touch with you soon to send you your new signage. Have a fabulous weekend, but don’t forget – we will announce the a new winner tomorrow!

Countdown: 4 More Days | Online Boudoir Workshop

By Workshops

4 days to go!

During this Online Boudoir Workshop, Marissa & I will be talking and talking and talking to you. About ALL kinds of stuff. For approximately NINE HOURS when all is said and done. In our minds, you’ll be sitting at home or at a coffee shop, taking notes and listening and writing down questions to ask us for our follow-up Q&A video. And so, today, we’re giving away this cute mug & a Starbucks gift card, so that you can enjoy your favorite coffee drink while you’re listening to us share.

2016 boudoir divas workshop
AND THE WINNER IS…….. TINA DERUSHA! Congrats, Tina! We’ll be getting in touch with you soon to send you your mug & Starbucks card. We hope you enjoy the Online Workshop – thank you for pre-registering!

For the rest of you – check in tomorrow to see the new prize & winner! xoxo, K&M