Holy moly, this post is so long overdue that I think Beyonce was still in Destiny's Child when I needed to write it. I cannot believe it has taken me this long to introduce this new face to you all, but I can tell you that I am ecstatic to do so! The past 6 months have been spent testing and trying out a series of different roles for those of us here at OWN. By those of us I mean myself (duh, hello), Larissa (whom you met a bit ago), and....drumroll..... KELSEY!!! 

I brought Kelsey on to the team in January to test out her abilities to basically be your boudoir-version of Siri.

'Kelsey, what is a corset?' 

'Kelsey, tell me the difference between a balconette and a demi-bra?'

'Kelsey, how do I pronounce "boudoir"?'

Needless to say, it did not take long for us to realize that she was A) Killer at being boudoir-Siri and B) Much appreciated by everyone. While I welcome texts, calls, and emails...it can be hard for me to answer while I am being a kick-ass photographer, and sometimes you REALLY need an answer within 5 seconds (like if you're standing in line at a store with 5 min to spare before you have to jet off to a meeting). This is one reason, among a bazillion others, that Kelsey is a great part of the team. 

Read below to find out more about her, and to put a face to a name!

1) Where are you from?

I am originally from McDonough, Georgia but now I live in Charleston, South Carolina.

2) What's the worst job you've ever had?

I worked at a day care in the 2 year old room… I lasted two weeks! 

3) What is your role here at OWN?

I am the client manager for OWN. Once you book your shoot, you and I become best friends. Our fun texts will consist of advice, wardrobe discussions, amazing lingerie pieces, what wardrobe pieces will fit your OWN style, hair and makeup, tips and tricks to use before your shoot, what to expect, and a lot of exclamation marks. I get really excited about talking with new people!!!! 

4) What can a client expect from you throughout their experience with OWN?

A client can expect to find their OWN style and confidence by talking with me. Every woman is beautiful and has a different aspect to bring to the studio, it is my job to help clients find what that aspect is so they can “rock it” on camera with Sarah. 

5) What is the #1 question that you get from clients?

"Where should I shop?" This is a great question and I hear it a lot. As great as Victoria’s Secret may be, there are a ton of other lingerie shops! Once we chat, I can give you a list of stores that will fit your body type and wants. When you are shopping, I would always recommend buying pieces that look good from all angles. If your lingerie looks great from all angles, you wont be worried about hiding certain places during your shoot. Also, if you're going to buy lingerie, buy one piece you really, really love and let’s figure the other items out. Heck, if you can, go on a lingerie shopping spree and buy all the pieces that you love and we can get super excited and be totally girly girls as we swoon over your purchase(s).

6) How can clients get the most out of you? 

Be honest! I have heard it all before, I promise! Don’t be shy, lay it all on the table and let's have a blast together picking out your wardrobe and what makes you feel beautiful and confident. Every woman is different and that’s ok, lets celebrate you!!! Tell me what you are thinking or what you want no matter how kinky, strange, or conservative you think it may be...if you want it, lets talk about it. Don’t be shy!

7) Have you ever done a boudoir session before?

YES, and I LOVED every second of it. I want to do another one so badly! I felt so beautiful and empowered. I walked away from my session with Sarah feeling ten feet taller. I originally bought the session for my husband, but it ended up being for me! I even have one of the images framed in our master bathroom. I find myself looking at it often saying, “dang, that’s me!”. 

8) What is your #1 piece of advice that you have for clients?

It is okay to be nervous. It is not everyday that you pose in front of a camera wearing lingerie. It is normal to have butterflies. We can work through the nerves together by finding inspirational pictures and wardrobe pieces that fit your body type and overall “look”. 

9) What is one thing that you'd like clients to know about you?

I live in Charleston, South Carolina. As much as I would love to meet up or see you in person; phone calls, text, email, and social media are the only way we can chat. If you ever happen to be in Charleston though, hit me up and I can give you the low down on this gorgeous city or you can stalk me at any local coffee shop! I also teach first grade at an amazing Christian school. I am teacher by day, boudoir client manager by night!

10) Favorite food?

Popcorn with truffle oil and garlic salt… YUM!!!

11) Guilty pleasure?

Binge watching Netflix in my pajamas all day with my husband and dog while eating handfuls of salty popcorn. This doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it is glorious! 

12) One thing that drives you bat-shit insane?

Lying. Don't do it. 

13) Favorite item of clothing?

My Longchamp bag. I am Mary Poppins with my purses. I love how much junk - I mean stuff - I can fit into my Longchamp purse. I carry it everywhere with me. It is water proof, sturdy, and stylish…win! 

14) One thing you wish existed but hasn't been invented yet?

A teleporter. I love traveling and going new places, but I am not a big fan of driving or riding on air planes so I wish I could teleport myself places whenever I wanted to, in less then five minutes! Boom… Ireland, Boom… New York. Come one Georgia Tech graduates, you can do that! 

Kelsey and Larissa (our studio manager!)

First off... if you missed Part 1, you can catch that here. 

Secondly, this series is so much fun to write about! The feedback has been great! It's common to imagine that you're the only one panicking over a specific question that you might have about boudoir. Luckily, I can promise you that you're not the only one getting the nervous shakes over the possibility that you will have to get naked! 

One of the most hilarious stories that I have from what I will call "the naked assumption" is when a client of mine showed up SHAKING in her rain boots obviously avoiding eye-contact with me. As I tried to get her to look me in the eye just ONCE I finally threw my hands up in concession and asked her what was going on. In my mind I could swear that she was about to flee my studio because she thought I smelled, hated the setting, or needed to SUPER go to the bathroom. It was only after I practically shook a confession out of her that she finally blurted out:

"PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME GET MY VAGINA PHOTOGRAPHED!!!!"

After a brief pause followed by a little laughter (ok, a LOT of laughter) I assured her that I would never make her line up a Glamour Shot session for her vagina. Most of my style of boudoir is about suggestion and not capturing images that I could sell to a textbook on female anatomy. 

This outfit was borrowed by the client from my studio's closet! You can borrow whatever you'd like as well...that way you're not having to purchase lingerie!

Speaking of suggestion, your wardrobe (or lack of wardrobe) plays a huge part in your boudoir session. This brings us to misconception #2:

You have to buy an entirely new lingerie wardrobe for your boudoir session.

1. One of the last things that I would want you to panic about is the idea that you’re going to have to shop for lingerie and be subjected to hours of trying on bras and body-suits in awful lighting, on days when you’re bloated, and when you’re over exhausted from life itself. Let us help you.

2. Did you know that by 'us' I mean my team? The benefit of having a dedicated team to help you guys out is that you can leave the wardrobe stress up to us. We will shop for you (or WITH YOU!) if you’d like. Do you want our recommendations? We’ll send them over. Is there a specific look that you want to try out but have no idea where to find it? We’ve got you. Do you want help in picking the best items from your closet? We can do that too! I feel like someone needs to write a jingle for us titled “We can do that and we can also do that and that and that!”. 

3. Circling back to the idea of pulling items from your own closet, what I mean is that we can help you pick out items that you already own that would be perfect for boudoir photography. We've got the eye and the experience to know what works well, and how fun would it be to see that black blazer in a COMPLETELY different way. Purchasing items for your boudoir session is not necessary. We can even make your nursing scrubs look hot :) 

4. While you do not have to buy lingerie/clothing for your session, If you do want to treat yourself to a few new items then I would recommend spending money ONLY on what you love. Buying a piece because you “love the front but hate the back” is a terrible investment. You basically paid full price for half of a thing. Stop that. 

5. Photoshop is a TERRIBLE tailor. Along the same lines as the 'buying half of a thing' problem, if you are purchasing items for your session then please only buy items that actually fit. I know that you found a great deal on that 80% off of 50% off silk-gown and the fact that it is now -$5.20 is a plus, but does it FIT? More than fitting, it needs to fit well. Clothing that is too big, too small, or pulls in the wrong areas is not worth it, even if the store is basically paying you to purchase it. Revert back to your closet and let us help you. If you aren't sure about how lingerie should fit at all, take a trip up to Anna Bella Fine Lingerie (our favorite!) or another fine lingerie store and have them measure you. There is no need to purchase, but sometimes just knowing WHERE a corset should fit will make all of the difference.