A few days ago, I was taking a little coffee break on a sunny afternoon, and I decided to enjoy some delightful chocolate biscuits with my coffee. And these biscuits got me thinking and dreaming about Paris… which launched me into a half hour of perusing our photos from our Paris trip last year… which made me start a blog post. All because of these little beauties. :)

Ahhhh…. Rue Picot…. you hold a very special place in my heart. Within walking distance to the Arc de Triomphe… with my favorite cafe around the corner… and the most beautiful Parisian flat. Rue Picot, you are a big part of the reason why I consider Paris to be my second home.

And we just LOVED having our mommas with us for the first week in Paris! They were the chefs extraordinaires during the workshop week 1, and they spoiled us rotten. Marissa & I also just loved having them be a part of our “Boudoir Diva lives” (which is actually quite different from our “normal lives!” It was amazing to be with them as they saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time, and it was just such a special time for us daughters to be with our moms in Paris. Thanks again, momma Carol & momma Cecilia, for all of your help. We love you!

And then there was the WORKSHOP! Day of shooting is always SO much fun – especially cramming into those little rooms in the flat. Thankfully last year we got a huge flat with lots more space. PS, take a look at that beautiful light coming through the windows! So gorgeous.

And here’s yours truly (Kimberlee), showing one of the #1 rules for boudoir posing: DEMONSTRATE. It’s so important to show your clients what you want them to do (don’t just try to tell them – SHOW them!)

And now here we have the outdoor shooting day… with our fabulous models struttin’ their stuff down the street on the way to the Arc de Triomphe! And take a look at that fun black & white striped dress. Made my Marissa’s mom! So amazing. I think we need to have her make another one soon… Cecelia, you up for that?!

What really ‘makes’ our workshops is… the PHOTOGRAPHERS! We LOVE meeting new photogs from around the world, and we love sharing some things we’ve learned along the way with our business, and we also love learning from our new friends. We all have experiences to share with each other, and it’s honestly a privilege to hang out w/ such wonderful people for a few days as we all talk about something we LOVE – boudoir photography!

“Excuse me, people who are entering this hundreds-of-years-old-church building on your way to Sunday mass… don’t mind us crazy group of photogs shooting a crazy model on the stairs out here….”

Cobblestones = L.O.V.E. I want to go back!!!

J’adore Paris.

And now for my favorite. This one ALWAYS makes me smile. We were walking back to our flat at the end of the shoot, Marissa had donned the top hat somewhere along the way, and on the side of a restaurant, someone had taken a piece of pink chalk to the wall and written this lovely note. It was the perfect setting for some priceless portraits of my bitner. Such a good reminder to us all… Don’t take yourself too seriously! :)

With dreams of Paris and hopes for the next time we will be in Paris (probably next year!)… xoxo, Kimberlee

Another workshop is just around the corner! Literally, it is next week and we are very excited to have another great group of photographers. If you can’t make this workshop, we are having another workshop at the beginning of June. You can go to our Boudoir Shop to see details and register! As always, we like to introduce our photographer/attendees by having them fill out a little questionnaire. Enjoy!

Website: www.TierraKendrick.com
Location: Albany, GA
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
I’m most excited about learning posing techniques and lighting to get the best photo. Hopefully improving my skills and expanding my reach to clients.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
Besides lighting and posing techniques, hopefully how to interact with clients and how to make everyone comfortable.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
I lived here before when I was stationed in Camp Pendleton back in 2003-05.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
I love to photograph children and very small babies. They’re super precious!
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
STARBUCKS!!!! I love the java chip!
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
On my ipod? Nothing. I’m watching iCarly with my 2 yr old (Don’t judge). But if I was listening to my Ipod it would be a mix of Maroon 5, Beyonce, and some early ’90s R&B.
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
I don’t have a favorite yet. I have my eye on the 85mm f1.4 Nikon lens. Sooooooo sweet!
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Right now I’m in love with Pistachios. This is recent. I eat those when I’m not sneaking a mini reese’s cup behind my toddler’s back.
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
It changed every year. From a teacher to doctor, nurse, lawyer, and somehow I ended up being a Marine. Now I’m thinking straight and can finally focus on photographer.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Just being a great mother.

Website: eyeonlifephotography.com
Location: Pilesgrove, NJ (South Jersey)
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Opportunity to see your work flow, from start to finish. Not to sound like I’m kissing up, but shooting and discussing the craft of true leaders in your field. Shooting a totally new genre for me.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
Selling aspects, I am fairly comfortable with the camera and lighting subjects, I am hoping to get a strong understanding of your pose flow and reasons you choose certain poses. Very interested in your “tricks o’ the trade” pose hints, selling hints etc.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
ONCE! and it was 45 degrees and hailing and I was only there for a day, I was very disappointed!! Hoping for classically renowned San Diego weather this time!
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
I have grown to really try to capture the  emotions of photographing people. Hence my switch to Boudoir, I can’t think of a more emotional intimate thing to photograph than a woman trying to be her absolute sexiest and beautiful either for her or her partner. I’ve done the wedding thing and while its an emotional day there is a hectic nature that tends to take me and the subjects out of the “mood”.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
As long as its strong and black! My blood is type O-caffinated
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Jeffrey Gaines, and Michael Franti
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
24-70 f2.8L lens — it’s my go to lens for just about everything and one I find on my camera 90% of the time & my latest addition – the “Rapid Strap”!
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Chocolate! and/or Jalapeno Cheetos — they were in stores for a while now they are gone! They were soooo good!
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
Yawn – engineer – the practical nature of my parents driven into my head! I’ve learned!
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Compassion and Generosity

Website:  www.janeengs.com
Location: Las Vegas, NV

1.What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Learning some boudoir photo techniques.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
Their cool, fun style.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Too many to count.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
People and travel.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Starbucks
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Moby, Train, Adele
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
70-200mm 2.8
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Chocolate
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
Flight attendant
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Being a great parent.

Website: KarenWilsonPhotography.com
Twitter: 1kittyclick
Location: Westbury, LongIsland, NewYork
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Learning to run a successful Boudoir Business.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
About the mistakes so I do not make any. Saving time is very important.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Never.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
Clothing details.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Starbucks.
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Keith Sweat, Christina Aguillera.
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
Canon 135L Lens.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Raisins.
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to work in a Museum.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
My Kindness.

Website: www.MapuanaPhoto.com
Twitter: MapuanaPhoto
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Learning the shoot the Diva Boudoir Style.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
Shooting style, editing, lighting and posing.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Only twice.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
Showing someone how beautiful they.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Trying to kick the habit…. but Coffee Bean has a killer Iced Dark Chocolate…. I’m drooling….
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Adel, Duffy and Katy Perry.
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
Still adding to my collection but as of now I only own a 5D Mark2 and a 50mm 1.4, but the 85 1.2 is a killer lens to shoot with.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Chocolate.
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Being a kick butt photographer and making others feel BEAUTIFUL.

Website: www.claireandsamphotographers.com
Twitter: claired707
Location: Petaluma Ca (outside San Francisco)
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Meeting other workshop attendees and of course meeting the DIVAS!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
How to strengthen my brand and marketing abilities. Most of all getting my clients to feel safe and comfortable with me :)
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
I can’t even count! I went to Fresno State so we would always go to San Diego when we wanted to do something fun!
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
I love photographing women and making them feel beautiful about themselves.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Starbucks… I have a bad addiction
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
I like really weird independent bands. Any thing form the 80′s and a little bit of country. But I will have to say my favorite band right now is Florence + the Machine
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
My 85 1.2
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Trail mix but not the healthy kind ,the kind with lots of chocolate.
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
A horse trainer. I did that but after having my son needed to get something a little more stable.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Being Awesome!!!!!

Website: http://www.MeribellaPhotography.com
Location: Brownsville, TX
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Visiting a new place, getting to meet the awesome Boudoir Divas, and knowing that after the workshop I will be a completely, much more knowledgeable photographer, and will see women from a different perspective.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
-lighting: different affects, exposure, etc.
-posing: different body types, how to hide flaws
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
zero!
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
The eyes, and people’s expressions (close-up)
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Either one
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
S&M by Rhianna
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
My camera… just kidding, my expo disc
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Trail mix, yogurt, or fruit (snickers would be great, LOL!)
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
A photographer, teacher, or cosmetologist
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Being a good person

Website: WWW.XOXOBOUDOIRPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Twitter: XOXOBOUDOIR
Location: SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Oh my goodness, what am I not! Seeing the studio, meeting all the girls, SUNNY WEATHER!! That, and my personal shoot!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
I am really excited to learn about the best way to grow quickly and stay organized. And just learning from the best in the business.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Never :(
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
My 3 month old son and 5 year old daughter. And a tight second is the way a woman transforms in front of the lens from the beginning of the shoot when she is unsure, to the end where she feels like a celebrity.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Starbucks
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Lately I have LOVED Lady Gaga’s BORN THIS WAY.
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
Currently it is my White balance lens! Ha ha, I know that sounds a bit silly, but it really helps me create a grey card in the camera and has saved me a lot of time in LR.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Goodness, what is my favorite snack food. Oh, its gotta be tortilla chips and a really yummy spinach artichoke dip. Hmmm, or Chips Ahoy cookies though I have to be careful because I can eat an ENTIRE bag!!
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
I vaguely remember wanting to be many things. . . a ballerina, an acrobat, a model an actress. It seems like the most common thing was that I wanted to be KNOWN, I wanted to be famous. I wanted people to hear my name and smile in recognition. Then I became “MOM” and suddenly I realized that in my home this is exactly what happens!
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Wow, so many things flood into my mind. Good mom, good wife, good business woman, good friend. All of these would be wonderful to be remembered as, but yet not entirely fulfilling. They are all pieces of a whole, scattered around inside, things that I strive to be. The one thing in life that is continuous throughout my day to day, is who I am inside. I am happy, I am proud, I am stronger than even I realize. I want to be known for the person that I am to everyone else around me, whether that is different or the same for each person. It is all the same inside, it is me.

Location: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Learning to work with people, I have a fear of people when I shoot.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
How to make women feel comfortable in front of my camera, and of course how to be divalicious. ;)
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
A lot…my hubby is a comic geek so about every summer for comic con.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
My dog, sunsets, buildings and just about anything that catches my eye.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Starbucks all the way!
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
The Chromatics “I want your love”
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
My Lensbaby, baby…it’s soooo fun.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Grapes and or goldfish
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
A NatGeo photographer…inspired by the Afghan girl on the cover circa 1985.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Living it to it’s fullest with lots of love and compassion.

Website: cindysdigitalcreations.com
Location: Pocatello, Idaho
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Posing and post-production.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
Everything!
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Once before
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
My kids
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Coffee Bean, usually.
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Adele
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
Since my camera and favorite lens aren’t in there, it would have to be my MacBook.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Dark Chocolate
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
Veterinarian
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Being a great mother.

Website: eticketphotography.com or CourtneyEats.com/blog
Twitter: @courtneycaplin
Location: Orange County (Orange)
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
So excited to go through this so I can better help my fiancé as he begins a business in photography! Also super stoked to meet some new people and have fun!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
Boudoir technique and composition, lighting for portraiture, and the business aspect in general
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
I’ve visited San Diego a few times through the years; I’ve never spent more then a day at a time there though.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
I really like taking pictures of life around the city, any city really. I love how people and things fit into the spaces and textures of a cityscape.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Ooh Peets is so good!
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Bob Dylan, Mumford and Sons, Benny Goodman, Fred Astaire, Cloud Cult, Regina Spektor, Dropkick Murphys, Bad Religion, The Pogues…The list goes on – Shuffle is a beautiful thing!
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
Hhhmmm, I’m just starting out so the list is small. I’d have to say my 50mm Matt gave me.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
French Fries with melted cheddar cheese, hands down! Otherwise potato chips and home made onion dip ;-)
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an actor for a really long time
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
The way I treat people. I never want to be remembered for being rude or arrogant. I always try to treat others with respect and understanding.

Name: Tess Pierson
Website: studioalameda.com
Location: SF Bay Area

1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Pretty much everything. Including sunshine. Watching the divas at work, flowing.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
How to shoot boudoir, how to get the models to relax, you know, the usual stuff, posing
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
About a hundred. My aunt and uncle live in Rancho Santa Fe
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
Kids, food, flowers, interiors–so this is a whole new thing yes
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Peppermint tea. Caffeine gets me into a jackass frenzy. So I usually choose to just skip the drama.
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Frank, Elton, MJ, Bossa Nova, 80′s, Lady G, Johnny, REM, Reba
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
My macro last couple of months. And my camera grip changed. my. life.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Crudite and hummus. (And chocolate raisins lets face it.)
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
A librarian. I was convinced of it. My boring second choice was a designer or artist.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Kindness and humor? Terrible at karaoke? Math whiz? Made her bed everyday? Likes the scent of lemons? Who knows dude.

Location:Oxnard, CA
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
EVERYTHING! I know I will learn so much and I can’t wait to meet all girls from
The Boudoir Divas…you seem to be already a positive group of women that already inspire me
to go after my goals!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
How to build my business and gather any all skills I can I obtain.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Many…I have family that lives there.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
My children
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Either
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
I love to dance so I have everything from Black eye pees to 80′s dance/disco
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
I guess my camera
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Lays sour cream/onion chips but I haven’t had any since January, been on the Adkins diet since then…miss them lots!
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
I didn’t really have a clue!
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
That I did it all…that nothing ever stopped from conquering my dreams…nothing!

Kaileen Galhouse
Website: www.galhousephotography.com
Location: Fairfax VA
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Getting ideas for my studio
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
portfolio building, lighting and posing, marketing
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
0
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
newborns
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
either
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
I don’t listen to music!
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
50mm 1.4 and 100mm macro
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
sour cream and onion chips
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
advertising executive

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen… the highly-anticipated date has FINALLY ARRIVED!!!! Woo-hoo! We are happy to announce that the Divas’ Lighting and Shooting DVD is finally available for PRE-SALE!!!!!! If you would like to pre-purchase the Divas’ DVD, go visit TheBoudoirShop.com.


This is for the PRE-SALE of the Boudoir Divas’ Lighting & Shooting DVD. Your DVD will be mailed to you as soon as the Divas’ shipment has arrived. We are anticipating shipping all DVDs on Feb 10, 2011, HOWEVER, this date is subject to change. Please visit http://www.thedivasblog.com/lightingdvd/ for updates on when the Divas will be shipping the DVDs.

PRE-SALE PRICE: $275 for the first 200 DVDs sold
PLUS FREE SHIPPING ON ALL PRE-ORDERS!
(REGULAR PRICE: $325 + additional shipping)

Announcing… The Boudoir Divas’ newest product: their Lighting & Shooting DVD. This highly-anticipated product is already in high demand among boudoir photographers around the world who are on the waiting list to purchase is. This is a 1-hour educational DVD that gives you a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse at how the Divas’ have created their signature ‘look’ for their boudoir clients, in their 4,500 studio that is dedicated solely to Boudoir.
*The DVD also includes a ‘Recipe Booklet’!
*This product is not available for purchase in Southern California.
*ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

SPECIAL THANKS TO PHOTOFLEX!

We here at The Boudoir Divas are super duper excited that we had the opportunity to film a DVD with Ed Pierce and the rest of the Photovision team!  This DVD will give you a behind the scenes look at how we do boudoir shoots here in our San Diego studio.  You can check out a teaser video below and if you want to register for your 2011 DVDs now, go HERE.  Make sure to enter the code DIVAS at check out to get a savings of $119 off the annual price!

I CAN’T believe Christmas is this Saturday!  I know we all say it every year, but it seriously came so fast!  We have had a very busy holiday season and are excited to have a little R & R (as I am sure you are all as well).  We just wanted to post our holiday business hours, as it may affect an order you place on our Boudoir Shop…so PLEASE READ!

Remember, we ship USPS PRIORITY mail (2-3 business days for domestic, 6-10 business days for international).  The HOLIDAY SALE is still going on at the shop, and will continue while we are closed.  Pricing will go back to normal when we come back into the office on JANUARY 3rd. So if you want to take advantage of the awesome deals (as well as get a digital copy of the Workshop in a Book before it goes into the Diva Vault), then make sure to place your order BEFORE January 3rd!

(also note that while we are closed, we will not be checking voice mails or emails; those will be responded to on January 3rd) :)

Many of you are asking about the Lighting DVD and we are hoping to have definite answers soon!  The overall DVD is finally finished!  We just have to figure out how long until we get copies at our studio.  We will send out an update once pre-sale is available on the boudoir shop!

I can’t believe it’s already that time of year again; time to start putting up the holiday decorations, light the cinnamon candles, bake cookies and pies, spend time with family, and buy gifts for all your loved ones! The last one in that list can definitely be stressful (not to mention pricey) and so we want to help out by offering our most popular educational resources at a discounted price during the holiday season. This sale is going on now at our www.boudoirshop.com and will run through January 3rd.  Check out the awesome deals below!

POSEBOOK INFO: We are very excited to announce that the SLR Lounge has written a review on the Posebook and we are officially “SLR Approved!”  If you want to see what they have to say about our book, you can check out the article HERE

Click below if you want to check out a video of Marissa and Kimberlee explaining the difference educational resources we offer to photographers!

Happy Holidays everyone!

That’s right…. it’s the BIGGEST SALE we’ve ever had!!!! We’re trying to get our inventory out the door before the end of the year… go check out the amazing prices on THE BOUDOIR SHOP! And if you’re interested to hear more about all of the different products, check out this video below:

And… I can’t help myself… gotta end this post with a little boudoir inspiration for the whole “Pretty In Pink” vibe! Have a FABULOUS weekend, friends & fellow photographers!
xoxo, Kimberlee

Pretty In Pink by Kimeewest featuring Miss Selfridge