The Invite-Only Experience
Take your understanding of “traditional boudoir photography” and throw it out the window.
Wait ok don’t throw all of it out, just the dated stuff.
The old ideas that center men or make you think the only reason to take hot photos of yourself is to give them to your partner as a gift.
This is not traditional boudoir, but it’s born from that.
An Invite-Only session takes what you’ve heard and makes it more modern, more fun, more inclusive, and more about WOMEN and what makes them incredible and unique.
This offering is intended to flip the script on traditional “boudoir,” removing the male gaze through an intentional focus on whatever makes you feel your best, and literally nothing else. (NO MORE male-centric beauty standards or “ideal picture of what makes a woman sexy)!
I just want to celebrate women and all the incredibly unique ways that womanhood can be expressed, through creative portraiture.
Step-by-Step
Inquiry & Consult
First things first — fill out my contact form! When you reach out, you can share any ideas you already have for your shoot. We’ll either schedule a consult call (phone or video) or work out your session details over email if that’s easier. I do love chatting in real time before we shoot so we’re already familiar.
We’ll go over any booking questions you have, finalize your date, and choose your session location — my studio, your home, or a hotel suite, depending on the vibe you’re after. This is also where we talk through any vision or goals you have for the shoot.
Booking
After we chat and finalize your details, I’ll send everything you need to officially book your session — contract, invoice, and your model release (you’ll choose between full, partial, or no release).
Below, you can explore the package options and choose what feels right for how you want to view, share, and print your images. Most Invite-Only clients spend $1,200–$2,200 total, including their session fee and any additional fine art print products purchased from their gallery store.
Shoot Day
Before your session, you’ll receive an email with directions to the studio or our shoot location, along with preparation tips so you know exactly what to expect the day of.
You’re welcome to book your own hair and makeup. Ask your artist for specifics, but you can typically plan for 1–2 hours for professional hair and makeup. If we’re shooting in my studio, your HMUA is welcome to meet you there—just let me know in advance. There’s no extra charge to get ready in the studio, I just need a heads-up. ;)
When you arrive, we’ll pour a glass of champagne (if you’d like) and hang your lingerie and accessories. I’ll take a few behind-the-scenes photos of your wardrobe, and you can explore the studio and settle in.
Once we start shooting, we’ll spend about 20–30 minutes in each outfit, depending on what you bring. I’m great at posing all body types and keeping you feeling comfortable and confident throughout. I’ll walk you through and demonstrate every pose, and I’ll let you know if anything needs adjusting. If you want to do any completely nude photos, we’ll photograph those at the end of your session.
Gallery Day
You’ll receive your final gallery within 6 weeks of your session, and all of your fully edited images will be available to view and download. You can explore your gallery store and order prints or albums at this point.
Once you place your print orders, everything is custom made and shipped straight to you. If your package includes a print credit, you’ll receive your code at this time. If your package includes an album, I’ll design it for you, we’ll do one round of revisions, and I’ll place your order using your album credit.
Mail Day
And finally, the best part of an Invite-Only session besides the shoot itself… mail day. Whether you ordered framed prints for your bedroom, beautiful books for your coffee table, or a keepsake linen box of fine art prints for your nightstand, you get to relive the experience again — this time in your hands.
There is something truly magical about prints and albums and the nostalgia of flipping through your images on fine art paper. Prints are made on museum-quality stock, and albums are linen-bound and designed to last for years and years.
Choose Your Experience
01. $399+tx
Up to 30-minute session
1 look
6-week gallery turnaround
Web-resolution digital downloads included
High-resolution digital downloads available for purchase
No print release — a la carte fine art print products available through your gallery
02. $799+tx
Up to 90-minute session
2 looks
Priority editing with a 4-week gallery turnaround
$100 non-transferrable print credit for your gallery print store
A la carte fine art print products also available
Print release and print-resolution digital downloads included — print your images anywhere
03. $1899+tx
Up to 3-hour session
3–4 looks
First-in-line editing with a 2-week gallery turnaround
Includes a 20-page 10×10 fine art linen layflat album ($800+ value)
Additional album spreads available for purchase
A la carte fine art print products also available from your gallery
Print release and print-resolution digital downloads included — print your images anywhere
You have full control over how you want to experience your Invite-Only session. Whether you want a simple session with web-resolution files and à la carte fine art prints, a package that includes print-resolution downloads and built-in print credit, or the full experience with a fine art album and complete printing freedom, each option gives you the flexibility to choose what fits you best.
All packages include a pre-session consultation with Alyssa, a shopping & styling guide to help you choose your looks, a keepsake Polaroid to take home from your session, and a password-protected online gallery with fully edited downloads.
A 50% retainer is due at booking, with the remaining balance due one week before your session.
You’ll have complete freedom to choose the model release that feels right for you — full release, partial release (no face/identity), or no release at all (only behind-the-scenes details like clothing on the rack, set/studio details, etc).
Free your photos from the screen.
There’s something so nostalgic and special about flipping through a physical album from your session instead of scrolling past your images on your phone.
Included in Package 03, a linen-bound layflat album is my favorite way to experience your images. Each book is handcrafted using archival materials that are designed to last. The images are printed on thick, matte paper and finished with a custom linen cover. The pages open completely flat, so a single image can stretch across a full spread if you want, or we can build more playful layouts to feature all your favorites like in the mockup below.
Package 03 includes a 20-page album, with the option to add additional spreads if you want to expand your book (up to 50 pages total).
Ready for your main character moment?
Can’t wait to hear from you, bb — tell me a little about what you’re dreaming up and I’ll be in touch soon.
Frequently
Asked
Questions.
Who are Invite-Only sessions for?
Invite-Only is for you, because you deserve to feel your truest, hottest, most powerful, coolest self, because you can, and because you deserve it. Invite-Only sessions are limited to women ages 21+ only.
What do I wear?
You can wear something you already own, or skip lingerie altogether if you’d rather. Classic Calvin’s? A slinky robe or a vintage coat with nothing underneath? Just a bodysuit and tights? There are a million options. Once I know the vibe you’re going for, I’ll help you narrow it down and build the look. After you book, I’ll send you my lingerie shopping guide, and you’re welcome to browse my small client closet on session day, too (mostly vintage slips and fun drapey silky things).
What if I don’t know how to pose?
Ultimately, the best photos happen when you lean into what makes you you, focus on having fun, and put your trust in me. You don’t need to know any poses at all. I’ll walk you through everything, demonstrate and mirror you whenever needed, and I’ll adjust you as we go so you can feel confident and relaxed. I play a curated playlist during every session, or you can bring your own for us to play (highly recommend). Music has a magic effect on everyone in the studio and truly helps you feel so carefree during your session.
Will you photoshop or liquefy my body?
I am happy to remove temporary blemishes so don’t worry about things like bruises or pimples, it happens to everyone! However, we are leaning into and celebrating you and your body, and I don’t do liquefying or facetune or whatever. There is absolutely no such thing as the “correct” body type, proportions, weight, etc. for Invite-Only sessions. Come as you are, you’re perfect as-is and I mean it!
Can my partner or friend come to my session?
Invite-Only sessions are meant for you to have the freedom to fully be and explore what it is to be you, and what makes you feel powerful. I do recommend coming to your session solo so you can let go of any distractions and get the most out of your experience, but if you need a friend there with you to feel safe and secure, we can chat about what makes a good support person. If you change your mind and don’t want an audience after settling in, we can send your friend next door to Horizon Line for coffee or the Cave for wine while we shoot.
Where will my session take place?
Most sessions happen in my studio in downtown Des Moines. We can also shoot in your home, or in an Airbnb or hotel suite if you want a specific look, I love shooting in new places and we can discuss what location will be best for your aesthetic goals.
Will my photos be private?
You have the full control over selecting your model release, it doesn’t matter which package you book. You, and only you, get to choose whether I can share all of your photos, only your faceless/non-identifying photos, or strictly behind-the-scenes photos that do not show your face or body in any way (such as lingerie on a hanger in my studio). Invite-Only sessions are personal and intimate and I deeply respect that and value your trust.
What if I’m shy or nervous, will it come across in photos?
Honestly, most of my clients are doing this for the first time. It can feel intimidating through a screen, like you need to look or be a certain way, or show up knowing poses, but none of that is true.
You don’t need to perform or have modeling experience to have an amazing Invite-Only session or to look and feel hot, powerful, cool… you just need to show up as yourself and lean into it. You deserve that. It’s freeing and fun.
You can trust me with the rest. I love helping you pose and I’m great at it (gotta toot my own horn a little…). I give lots of feedback and encouragement throughout the session so you feel confident and relaxed. We take our time, and I help with adjustments as we go. I’ll demonstrate poses and mirror you in real time. We’ll put on a vibey playlist–I’ve got one ready, or you can make your own (highly recommend).
Most clients tell me their nerves disappear within the first five minutes and that they’re actually having fun. By the time they walk out of the studio, they’re feeling a totally renewed LOVE for themselves and just radiating joy. That’s the goal every single time. Imagining yourself in the studio now?
