Hi there

I'm Alayna, the owner and photographer behind Belle Etoile Boudoir.

I'm married to my high school sweetheart, Chase, and together we have two daughters (ages 5 & 8). Like many of my clients, I'm in the thick of mom life. Between homeschooling, dance, t-ball, work, grocery shopping, laundry (soooo much laundry), trying to keep the house at least somewhat presentable, and keeping everyone fed, most days are a blur. If you're wondering whether I understand what it's like to put yourself last, I absolutely do.

Growing up, I truly had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I wanted to be a mom, but that was about the extent of it. Looking back now, it all kind of makes sense. Psychology was one of my favorite subjects in school. I loved learning about how people think, why we do the things we do, and what makes us who we are. At the same time, I was drawn to anything creative. Art, jewelry class, choir (music in general), really anything where I got to make something. Even now, in my "free time" (I use that term lightly because it doesn't really exist LOL), I love crocheting, being crafty, and creating things. My only other hobbies are shopping (I fully support retail therapy hehe), binging TV shows with my husband, and eating snacks after my kids go to sleep.

It's kind of funny how life has a way of plopping you exactly where you belong. A few years into photography, I came across a course about coaching clients for emotion. I signed up because I thought it would help me take better photos. I had no idea it was going to completely change the way I saw people, and myself too.  I ended up taking the course again, then flying out to California for an in person workshop because I just couldn't get enough. That course taught me to slow down, to ask better questions, and stop focusing on creating "pretty" photos and start creating images that actually felt like the person standing in front of me. Somewhere along the way, I realized this experience was never really only about the photos. Don't get me wrong, I want you to absolutely LOVE your photos! But if you leave my studio feeling more confident, more connected to yourself, or seeing yourself a little differently than when you walked in, that's the part that sticks with me.

Now I get to sit down with women, hear their stories, learn what makes them feel beautiful, what they're insecure about, and create artwork that reflects who they are. Somehow, my job ended up being the perfect mix of everything I've always loved and I genuinely can't imagine doing anything else.

I know booking a boudoir session can feel intimidating. I also know you're trusting me with something really personal, and I don't take that lightly. That said, I've also been told a session with me feels like spending the day hanging out with a friend who just happens to have a camera, and I think that's one of the best compliments I could ever receive ❤️

I can't wait to meet you.