San Diego's Premier Boudoir Photography Specialist
Melisa Ford Boudoir is a luxury boudoir photography studio that specializes in creating art to help women feel empowered and sexy as they learn to embrace their unique beauty and own their fierce femininity. My client's describe their experience as "once-in-a-life-time, liberating, freeing, and empowering".
This guide will take you through all of the details about what a boudoir experience is like, including:
- How it all Works
- Before and Afters
- The Studio & Client Closet
- FAQ's
- Reviews
- Pre-Session Payment Plans
- The Investment (scroll down)
THE PROCESS: HOW IT ALL WORKS
Book your session about 8 weeks before your deadline to ensure we have plenty of time to get your fancy album in!
Your pre-session consultation includes wardrobe planning and shopping help. Want to know what I think of an outfit? Text me! I want to provide an amazing experience for you, and that means I'm invested from the beginning to end!
Arrive for your session and be ready to get pampered! After hair and makeup, you'll definitely be feeling like a goddess, and then it's time to get started! For the next hour and a half it's photoshoot time! Don't worry, I'll guide you the entire way and coach you through each pose.
Right after your session, you'll take a break for lunch, and then it's time for your view & order meeting. We'll watch a slideshow of your images and admire what a babe you are! Together we'll narrow down your favorites and choose your favorite products. You'll pay in full, and then 4-6 weeks later your order arrives!
TOTAL TIME INVESTMENT ON THE DAY OF THE SESSION:
Hair and makeup + session time is about 3 hours. 1 hour break for lunch. 45 min to 1 hour view and order meeting. You can expect to spend 4.5-5 hours with Melisa Ford Boudoir on the day of your session, so please plan accordingly!
BEFORE & AFTERS
Can you imagine what it would feel like to see yourself as others see you, for perhaps the first time in your life - through a boudoir session?
THE STUDIO
All sessions take place in our gorgeous and magnificently unique natural light studio, the Boudoir Barn. We provide the perfect setting for getting pampered, feeling sexy and sensual, and having the experience of a life time. Located in Valley Center, CA, minutes from interstate 15 and highway 76, our studio is unique and unlike anything you'll find in Southern California. We are about 30 min from Oceanside, Escondido, and Temecula.
THE CLIENT CLOSET
You’ll have full access to our client lingerie closet, complete with accessories like body jewelry. New pieces are added often, with sizes currently available from XS to 3X.
Once you’re booked, we send over a complete prep + lingerie guide to make sure you feel 100% ready.
Are you a bride? Can you imagine how amazing it would feel to see your groom's face light up with love and appreciation when he receives a boudoir album as a gift from you on your wedding day?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: I'm not a size 2, is boudoir for me? A: You might be surprised to hear that many of my clients are moms, over the age of 30, and definitely NOT a size 2, or even a 10! Posing & lighting for everyBODY is my specialty.
Q: Do you share all of my images on the internet? A: Absolutely not! I only share images that my clients sign a release for allowing me to share. There are different levels of sharing too. You can choose share only anonymous images. You can choose to share publicly. Or you can keep your images completely private.
Q: How long does it take to get my album? A: It usually takes about 3-4 weeks. Some products take a bit longer.
Q: I don't know what to wear. Can you help me with that? A: Absolutely! We have a full client closet ranging from XS-3X. We provide an extensive lingerie guide, and provide wardrobe consultation and styling so that you can shop for your own pieces! It's really not as scary as it seems.
Q: I'm unsure about the investment. Do you offer payment plans? A: Absolutely. I offer interest-free Pre-Session Payment Plans that let you save toward your products before your session. You choose the monthly amount, and everything you pay becomes credit toward your final order. Boudoir is an investment — and you’re 100% worth investing in.
Q: Do you sell digital images? A: Yes! All of our collections include digitals, we also have the Black Label Digital Collection, and you can create your own collection by adding digitals on to an album.
Q: What is the average cost of a boudoir shoot? A: Boudoir photography prices vary wildly across the U.S., but here’s the honest average: For a professional, reputable boudoir photographer, you can expect to invest between $2,000–$8,000+ total for your session and the products you choose. Luxury studios (like mine) generally fall within this range because of the experience, expertise, and high-end artwork included. My studio uses a Session Fee + Products model — and here’s why it works so well: • Your session is one flat fee ($549) and includes your entire experience: pro hair & makeup, wardrobe styling, access to my lingerie closet, your session, and your same-day reveal. • Products are purchased separately, starting at $2,000 — so you’re never locked into a package before you even know what you’ll love. • You only buy the images that make you say “holy sh*t… that’s me?!” • And with interest-free Pre-Session Payment Plans, you can save up for your products month by month before your shoot, making the investment easier and stress-free. Some photographers offer all-inclusive “packages” that bundle the session and a set number of images together for one price. In short: Package-based studios tell you what you’re getting. My model lets you decide what you love — and what you take home.
Get to Know the Artist
ABOUT MELISA. I’ve been photographing women for over 20 years, but what matters most is this: I get what it feels like to lose yourself in the chaos of motherhood, only to crave feeling like “you” again. As a mom of three boys, I’ve been there—navigating body changes, exhaustion, and that tug-of-war between giving it all to your family and wanting something for yourself.
That’s exactly why I stepped in front of the camera, too (yep, that’s me above!). I know how vulnerable it feels, but I also know the power of seeing yourself through someone else’s lens. My job isn’t just to take beautiful photos—it’s to guide you through every pose, show off what you love most, and downplay the parts you don’t. Around here, it’s not about perfection—it’s about rediscovering you.
- THE INVESTMENT -
THE EXPERIENCE - $549
- 3 hour experience with up to 4 wardrobe changes + implied nude/ nude set
- On-Site Professional Makeup and Hair Styling by one of our talented artists
- Wardrobe consultation and styling
- Access to my Client Lingerie Closet, size XS-3X
- SAME DAY View & Order Appointment
- Gallery-worthy image retouching
(Session fee covers the experience. Products are purchased separately.)
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WHAT YOU TAKE HOME - from $2000
Every woman deserves to see her beauty in print. Albums begin at $2000. Collections begin at $2900. You only purchase what you love — no pressure, ever. Most clients use our interest-free Pre-Session Payment Plans to prepare for their product purchase.
COLLECTIONS 20 IMAGES $2900 30 IMAGES $3850 40 IMAGES $4200 50 IMAGES $4900 75+ IMAGES $6500 Customize your collection with a selection of thoughtfully curated heirloom pieces designed to last a lifetime. From handcrafted albums to beautifully stored digitals and the always-popular mobile app, you’ll choose the options that make your collection truly yours.
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NOTE: The detailed product menu will be available at your View & Order Appointment. We do not sell individual digital images. All prices subject to change. Payment plan information below.
PRE-SESSION PAYMENT PLANS
Save for your products BEFORE your session — stress-free and interest-free.
After booking your session, you’ll set up an interest-free Pre-Session Payment Plan within 14 days. You choose the monthly amount, and every payment builds a balance you’ll use toward your order. Example: Book 4 months out and pay $350/month → You’ll have $1,400 ready to spend on your reveal day. Important: • Product orders are placed on your reveal day right after your session. • Payment is due in full at that appointment. • Products start at $2,000, so please plan your payment plan accordingly. • Booking last-minute? No worries — I accept all major credit cards + Affirm. 👉 CLICK HERE for full details on payment plan options.
"The payment plans Melisa offers was huge selling point for me. I absolutely loved that I could easily save for my products before the session and I didn't even have to think about it!" -Lindsay R.
THE PRODUCT LINE
Once you have had the amazing experience and transformation of a boudoir shoot with us, you will take a quick lunch break and then have your SAME DAY View & Order Appointment, where you will fall head over heels in love with your images. We will custom design luxury products, beautifully crafted to perfection.
REVIEWS
Click the button below to read our 5 star reviews on Google
So what's the next step?
Maternity Boudoir
I got my start 20+ years ago with fine-art maternity portraiture, so needless to say I ADORE maternity portraits. Capture this time in your life with a maternity boudoir session celebrating how vibrant and beautiful you are during this amazing time in your life.
*Prices herein are subject to change at any time. Session fee + pre-payment plan is required to book a date on my calendar. All payments are final and non-refundable. Once you reserve your session date, it can not be changed; cancellations/ reschedules are not permitted and require a new session fee and portrait product deposit to switch dates.