Welcome
Session Guide
Hello Beautiful
This guide is going to walk you through the process of what a boudoir shoot is and how the process works over here at Intimates by Francesca. I am excited to get you in the studio! If you have any questions after reading this, please feel free to reach out and we will get back to you as soon as possible! Our studio hours are Wednesday-Saturday 9am-3pm. This guide is very thorough...which means its long! Sit down, grab a glass of (insert favorite beverage here) and read this until the very end!
Hi!
I have been a photographer for 5 years. My name is Francesca Murgia, a Chico, CA boudoir photographer. As a boudoir photographer my mission is to empower and invoke self-love with every subject I cross paths with. We are all unique individuals and ALL bodies deserve to be celebrated. As a fellow woman, in today’s society, I have recognized the mere impossible standards that are showcased in every outlet. With my photography, I encourage you to embrace your body in every and all forms. Each and every woman has had a different journey in our lives and each of us is deserving and worthy of it being documented. This experience is more than sexy pictures, when you leave my studio you will have a new and rejuvenated spark in your eye, a heart swollen with pride and joy, and the confidence of a goddess. I love delivering images to women and having them say, "I can't believe that's me! I have never felt so beautiful in my entire life!" It means so much to me to be able to offer that to women, and that women of all ages trust me to provide them with this experience. 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!! Thank you for being here and for supporting my amazing business - I can't wait to meet you and create some of the most gorgeous photographs of yourself that you will ever have.
The Studio
Where are you located? The studio is located in the North end of Chico, CA. Our studio is FULL of gorgeous natural light, hardwood floors, and hand selected decor.
So, what is boudoir? Boudoir technically is a French word which means 'a woman's dressing room or bedroom', but I like to think of it as just a fancy word for women's intimate portraiture. Boudoir can be fun, flirty, beautiful, cute, sexy, feminine, intimate, candid, posed, or really anything else you want it to be. If you have not already joined our private VIP group on Facebook, I highly suggest that you do!
Empowered women empower women. This group is high vibe, fun games, a place to share your portrait experience, and also to fix each other’s crowns.
What would I do with boudoir portraits? I actually believe that boudoir is the best gift you can give YOURSELF, to capture your essence as you are now. When you need a reminder of the strong, beautiful woman that you are, you will have a collection of amazing portraits to look upon. I love it when women come to me for themselves. The images we create together will boost your self esteem and your confidence, and that should be celebrated by YOU! It will help you reclaim your femininity, your sexuality, two things that are often lost as we get consumed with our lives, our jobs, our families. Put that pep back in your step, and reflect on the bodacious babe you are. Celebrate the body that you live in!
I don't look like the women in your portfolio! There is no such thing as the perfect body. You are never too big, too small, too old, too young (well, I only accept boudoir clients who are 18+) to do a boudoir session. Boudoir is for every BODY.
Let me show you. Can you make me look thinner? I want to help you feel beautiful now, just the way you are. With professional make-up, wardrobe that compliments your figure, amazing lighting and posing techniques to highlight your best ass-sets (see what I did there?).
I do not believe in heavy photoshopping. Don't get me wrong, we will gladly remove all of your bruises and pimples, but we don't want to over manipulate your body to make you look like someone you are not. We already live in a time where we are consumed with unrealistic bodies in the media, I want to show you that you are beautiful at this very moment.
What about retouching? We are happy to retouch your images! All of our images will have pimples, bruises, scratches, and under eye circles removed. Honestly, most of our clients are WOW-ed at how amazing their images look straight out of camera and opt for less retouching than they thought they needed. It's all a very personal decision, and one that we leave up to you once you have viewed your images. We do not remove tan lines or correct skin tone from tanning beds or spray tans, so proceed with caution.
Wardrobe
What will I wear? I have a beautiful and comprehensive wardrobe guide that should give you the 411 on how to look and feel like a bombshell for your session. My policy is always "when in doubt, bring it"! You are welcome to make a Pinterest board and share it with me, so I can help you make your dream shoot a reality. I have an expanding client wardrobe that you are welcome to browse as well.
Session Type
What types of boudoir 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
• Couples Boudoir Sessions (you+your partner)
• After-Dark Sessions (think 50-shades of Grey, November - February only)
• Destination Sessions
Have something else in mind? Ask us! We are always up for new adventures.
The Process
How does this work?? Your entire experience will last 6 hours. You will receive complimentary makeup, access to the client wardrobe, and much more! I will pose you from head to pointed toe, and help you with a variety of facial expressions! Prepare to be sore after your session, we do a LOT of bending and twisting (it's quite the workout!). Studio Sessions begin at 10AM Thursday - Saturday, we break for lunch at 1PM, and you will return to the studio no later than 3PM for your Image Reveal & Ordering Appointment! You will select which images you would like to purchase and how you would like to display them at home! Ordering appointments take approximately 1-2 hours, so please plan to be at the studio until 4-5PM! Come prepared to pay in full at your viewing session unless you are taking advantage of our payment plans (more info on this coming to you soon!). How long does it take to get the albums and prints back? You will receive your images in about 6-8 weeks once your final payment is processed! We do not offer online galleries or multiple appointments for your reveal, all ordering decisions must be made at your reveal appointment
So what do I need to do to book? The Session Fee is $400 and is required to reserve a space on our calendar.
Session Fee- $400
Our Session Fee can be paid in full or split into 2 payments of $200. If the payment is split, the first half is due to reserve the session space on the calendar, the second half is due within 30 days of the first. Failure to complete the payment in 30 days will result in forfeiture of the session space and $200 payment.
The Session Fee includes:
30 Minute Pre-Session Consultation
Private Use of the Boudoir Studio
Professional Makeup Application
Access to Client Wardrobe
60 Minutes of Photography with Francesca
Complete Posing and Expression Coaching
Minimum of 3 Wardrobe Changes
2-Hour Private In-Person Reveal & Image Ordering Appointment
**All images are purchased separately from the Session Fee at the Reveal & Image Ordering Appointment
** I need my images by XX date, when should I book? Our studio books up 6-12 months in advance and our printed products can take up to 8 weeks for delivery. If you have a special occasion coming up or wish to book a holiday appointment, I recommend booking at least 6 months in advance of that date.
Can my spouse/friend/mom come to my session or my ordering appointment? We do not allow guests to be present for any portion of the time you spend with us. Our services are best delivered in an 1-on-1 atmosphere with your complete undivided attention.
What can I expect to spend at my Reveal & Ordering Appointment? Before we have created your images, it is hard for me to give you an exact figure as to what to expect. Some women come to me and just get a basic album, others come to me and want it all and invest several thousands on a variety of products. Keep in mind what you spend is up to you. You can purchase from our Collection Menu or the A La Carte Menu, both which will be sent to you immediately following the completion of your booking process. What I can say is this, if you are looking for a "quick shoot" or "just a few images," this is not the session for you. We offer an entire day experience and will show you anywhere from 50-100 final images that will be printed on luxury products. It is certainly an investment, one that is worth its weight in gold. You'll never tire of looking at your images or forget the way the session day made you feel.
Our albums begin at $1200 on the a la carte menu and our collections begin at $950.
I know that this experience is an investment and therefore I offer several different payment plan options. You can split up the cost of any of our products via our interest free in-house payment plan “boudie bank”and make smaller monthly or weekly payments towards your purchase leading up to your shoot (usually 6-12 months) or you can get financing through PayPal Credit.
Ready to book?
If you've made it this far and are ready to take the next step, you can click the link to book your session! If you have further questions, we can always set up a phone call if needed - just simply reply to this email that you'd like to chat with us before taking the leap.
I truly hope you've enjoyed reading this guide, and it's left you feeling excited about the thought of having your very own session with me! Please feel free to ask ANY questions, I want you to be 100% comfortable and EMPOWERED during your session
xoxo
Francesca Murgia