A Dannette Boudoir - South Louisiana's Boudoir Studio

Important Announcement | A New Chapter

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:37:09 -0700

To the women who made this studio what it is,

I have some news to share. This is a pivot I made from a place of clarity and purpose and a decision I did not come to quickly or lightly.

I am intentionally closing A. Dannette Photography.

I want to thank everyone who trusted me, who believed in me, who cheered me on. It really does take a village.

Here is what you need to know:

All sessions currently on the calendar are confirmed and will not be affected. Client orders will be delivered as agreed upon.
I am accepting four final boudoir sessions between now and the end of June. If you've been thinking about this or know someone who has - this is it! This really is your last chance (with me at least).
After June 30, 2026, I will no longer be scheduling photography sessions.

This studio has been one of the greatest honors and accomplishments of my professional life. You walked through that door, sometimes nervous, always brave, and let me show you something true about yourself. That trust clarified exactly what I am meant to do next.

A New Chapter

I am stepping fully into independent marketing consulting, working exclusively with female business owners who are ready to attract the right clients and build a brand that actually reflects who they are. The through-line is the same as it has always been: I help women recognize their worth. I am just...Read More

How One Acadiana Woman Turned Love, Loss, and Courage into the Most Powerful Gift of Her Life

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:04:36 -0800

There are boudoir sessions, and then there are boudoir sessions. The kind that stop you mid-edit because you realize you are looking at someone's whole heart, laid bare and luminous.

Monica's session was that kind.

What Does It Look Like When a Woman Celebrates a Love Worth Keeping?

Monica and her husband said "I do" in March, 2025 and if you ask her, this one was written in the stars. She calls it her last marriage. Her God-given marriage. The kind of love that shows up quietly, consistently, and without condition.

He is the kind of man who makes every single day feel like it matters. He tells her she is beautiful. He shows up. And in a season of life that has asked more of Monica than most people will ever face, that kind of love is not small. It is everything.

For women across Acadiana, Lake Charles, and Breaux Bridge who are looking for a way to honor the person who holds them up, Monica found her answer in a boudoir photography session. Not diamonds. Not a gift card. A piece of herself, wrapped in silk and soft light, given with her whole heart.

Can a Boudoir Session Be an Act of Courage?

Monica's story is not a simple one. In the same month she got married, she had a malignant brain tumor removed. And when she thought the hardest part was behind her, she learned the cancer had spread. On top of that, the couple navigated buying a new home, an unexpected car loss after a collision with a deer, and the full sprint of Monica's busiest season running her business from home.

They decided together to skip Christmas gifts that year. Because time together had become the only gift...Read More

Luxury Studio Rental in Lafayette, LA | Acadiana's Premier Photography Studio

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:19:52 -0800

You already know that the right environment changes everything. The lighting, the space, the energy in the room — it all shows up in every single frame. That's exactly why we built something Acadiana has never had before: a luxury studio rental in the heart of Lafayette, Louisiana, designed for photographers and creatives who refuse to settle for ordinary.

Whether you're a seasoned professional photographer or stepping behind the lens for the first time, this studio was made for you.

A Lafayette Photo Studio Rental Built for the Work That Actually Matters

This isn't a spare bedroom with a ring light. This is a fully equipped, intentionally designed luxury studio rental in Lafayette, LA — curated for the kind of work that demands a beautiful backdrop. From editorial fashion photography to deeply personal boudoir sessions, every inch of this space was built with purpose.

Located in Lafayette and serving all of Acadiana, the studio features multiple backdrops, enriched textures and colors and professional-grade amenities to wow your clients.

Perfect for Boudoir Photography, Fashion or High School Senior Portraits

Boudoir photography is one of the most intimate and transformative experiences a woman can gift herself. And it deserves a space that feels just as elevated as she does. Our Lafayette studio rental was designed with boudoir in mind — think soft, flattering light; private, comfortable surroundings; and an atmosphere...Read More

Turning 40, 50, or Beyond? Here's Why a Birthday Photoshoot in Louisiana Is the Ultimate Celebration

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:32:29 -0800

At some point, birthdays stopped being about streamers and sheet cake and started being about something far more dreadful - aging. But they don't have to be! Instead, why not celebrate your birthday with grace and pride. And if you've been quietly thinking about doing a photoshoot for your birthday, let this be the sign you've been waiting for.

Whether you're celebrating in Lake Charles, Mandeville, Covington, Slidell, Lafayette, or Alexandria, a birthday photoshoot is one of the most powerful gifts you can give yourself this year. Not as a before-and-after. Not because you've earned it by shrinking or changing. Because you exist right now, in this body, in this season of life, and that is worth documenting in the most stunning way possible.

Why Women Over 40 Are Choosing Photoshoots to Celebrate Their Birthdays

There's something that shifts when a woman crosses into her 40s, 50s, and beyond. The need to perform softens. The care about what people think? Mostly gone. What rises in its place is something richer, a desire to be seen on your own terms.

A birthday photoshoot with the right photographer isn't about looking like someone else's version of beautiful. It's about capturing the real you, the laugh lines that come from a life well-lived, the wisdom that took decades to earn, the personality that fills a room before you even say a word.

Our sessions are imperfect on purpose. Fun, full of personality, and absolutely stunning. We're not manufacturing a magazine cover. This isnt AI slop. We're capturing you.

What to Expect From a Birthday Portrait Session

From the moment you inquire, you'll know exactly what you're walking into. Clear pricing, thoughtful guidance on what to bring, how to prep, and...Read More

Mardi Gras Boudoir - A. Dannette Photography

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:18:00 -0800

Mardi Gras 2023 is upon us!

If you live anywhere near South Louisiana or South Texas you know this time of year is filled with balls, parades, barricades, music, beads, kind cake and fun!

To express our excitement, a few friends and I got together for a little project. Why not combine Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras in the most fun / sexy way?

>>ENTER MARDI GRAS BOUDOIR<<

Where are the beads and purple, gold and green colors? If you aren't from Acadiana area, you may be wondering what this getup is about. This costume is part of the Cajun Mardi Gras tradition, worn for a Courir de Mardi Gras, where costumes are made from brightly colored strips of fabric, tattered and fringed. The costume includes a mask that is meant to protect your identity and a hat or capuchon. The capuchons are meant to mock or make fun of figures of authority.

People in Acadiana get really creative when making their costumes for the Courir or "run". Adding flare of personality and style to a costume is a growing trend. The women of Acadiana are really stepping it up, and our friend Rachel had the cutest dress, hat and mask that she made herself!

Sexy Mardi Gras fox? Why not! Sexy Courir runner? Who says that's not a thing?!?

It was super fun incorporating all of my fun poses I use for my boudoir clients with my good friend Hailey for our Mardi Gras Boudoir session. I really like how the bright colors photographed against the dark/ moody background, typically reserved for boudoir.

Our photographer, April Courville decided to change up the mask from full coverage to just to be more foxy. Some masks cover the entire face and others only cover partial face. Note: these masks also protect you from embarrassment if (when, honestly) you make a fool out of yourself on Mardi Gras day.

We hope wherever you are, you take a little Mardi Gras spirit and celebrate with us! After all, you can still pass a good time, eat king cake,...Read More

Essential Wedding Planning Hacks from a Pro (and Recent Louisiana Bride Over 30)

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:41:15 -0800

After years of second-shooting weddings across Louisiana and finally planning my own celebration in 2024, I've learned that wedding planning doesn't have to drain your bank account or your sanity. If you're a bride over 30 in Louisiana, whether you're in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Covington, Mandeville, or any of the beautiful communities in between, you already know what matters to you. You want a stunning wedding that reflects your style without feeling drained (emotionally or financially).

Here's exactly what I wish someone had told me before I started planning, straight from someone who's seen it all from behind the camera and lived it as a bride.

1. Decide What's Non-Negotiable (Then Cut Everything Else)

This is the single most important conversation you'll have with your fiancé, and it needs to happen before you book anything.

For us, the priorities were crystal clear: I knew I wanted a...Read More

Finding Your Authentic Self: A Conversation with Life Coach JaWand Morris

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:52:04 -0800

When it comes to making big leaps in life, whether starting a business, setting boundaries, or simply saying yes to yourself, the biggest obstacle often isn't external circumstances. It's the voice inside your head telling you that you can't, shouldn't, or aren't ready.

I recently sat down with certified life coach Jawand Morris to talk about what holds women back from living authentically and how to overcome those barriers. What struck me most about our conversation was how much her work parallels what I see with boudoir photography clients: women who know they want something more but need support to take that leap.

From Corporate to Coaching: An Unexpected Journey

While working as a director of leadership development at MidSouth Bank in 2017, her boss asked if she wanted to attend coaching school. "I was like, sure," she laughs. The bank wanted an internal coach, and though Jawan had always wanted to do something similar, she hadn't known exactly what or how to get there.

After about a year of internal coaching, she got laid off, an experience that would repeat itself and eventually force her hand into full-time entrepreneurship. "The universe said you have these skills, let's do it," she reflects. About three years ago, she committed fully to her coaching practice, and she hasn't looked back since.

The Universal Challenge: Believing in Yourself

When I asked Jawand what brings most clients to her, her answer was immediate: fear. "They're afraid to even trust or believe...Read More

Branding Photos or Headshots: What's the Difference?

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 16:13:01 -0700

Why Professional Photography Matters for Your Business

Professional photography is an investment in your success, whether you're building your LinkedIn profile, launching a real estate career, or establishing your personal brand as an entrepreneur. It builds instant credibility and trust, signaling that you're invested in your professional image.

What’s the difference between headshots and branding photography?

A headshot is a professional photo primarily focused on your face and upper body. It's designed to build instant credibility and trust, signaling your investment in your professional image. Headshots are ideal for platforms like LinkedIn or a quick refresh of your professional photo.

Branding photography goes beyond a simple headshot to offer comprehensive visual storytelling. It aims to capture the essence of you and your business. A branding photoshoot typically includes multiple professional headshots, lifestyle images of you working, detailed shots of your workspace, products, or tools, and content ready for various marketing materials like websites, social media, and email campaigns. It's a more extensive investment designed to provide content for an extended period, often two to three years.

How much do professional headshots typically cost?

Pricing varies based on location, photographer experience, and what's included.

Basic...Read More

Soul-Stirring Conversation: Why You Deserve to Say "YES" to Yourself

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 14:04:23 -0700

These powerful words kicked off my recent chat with Carly and Kirsten, the inspiring women behind Soul Secrets,a podcast, retreat experience, and mentorship program dedicated to helping midlife women rediscover their spark. And let me tell you, their story is pure gold.
From College Roommates to Life-Changing Retreat Visionaries
The Soul Secrets journey started like many great friendships do: at a college party way back in 2000. Carly and Kirsten clicked as roommates, and even though life pulled them in different directions for nearly two decades, their paths reconnected in the most beautiful, transformative way.
Fast forward 18 years. Carly had followed the "Southern lady" playbook to a T: degree, marriage, kids, the perfect house and car, the 8-to-5 job. From the outside, everything looked picture-perfect. But deep down, something was missing.
"I gave away my free will to expectation," Carly shared, a sentiment so many of us can relate to. "The expectation of the culture, the expectation of the South. It brought me to the end of what I needed to do... But there wasn't, what about the creativity inside? What about my body? What about the pleasure that I take just in existing?"
The Photo Shoot That Ignited a Transformation
The turning point for Carly came when she reached out to Kirsten, a photographer, for a photo session. Looking at those images, something profound clicked. "She looked at them and thought, that's me," Kirsten recalled. "This really woke her up. And she...Read More

The Life of a REAL Showgirl: Cherry Belle’s Story

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 10:35:05 -0700

Not long ago, at A. Dannette Boudoir Studio in Lafayette, LA, we had the honor of photographing Cherry Belle, a local burlesque dancer whose story is as bold, radiant, and unforgettable as her performances. More than a showgirl, she is a living example of what it means to embrace courage, body confidence, and unapologetic self-expression.
This is her story—a journey of reinvention, resilience, and celebrating womanhood at every stage of life.
Discovering Burlesque at 32
For many, burlesque feels like an art reserved for the young or the daring. But Cherry Belle breaks that myth wide open.
“I was 32 when I first got involved in burlesque.”
She wasn’t new to performing—her background in ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical dance had already shaped her as an artist. But burlesque was different. It wasn’t just choreography, it was storytelling. It was vulnerability. It was the fearless act of showing the world not just movement, but your femininity, confidence, and spirit.
At first, the leap was intimidating. But Cherry Belle quickly discovered that burlesque wasn’t about judgment. It was about admiration, artistry, and connection.
“After attending many shows and seeing how receptive the audience was, it helped me realize that people don’t go to burlesque shows to judge. They go to admire and to enjoy the art. Attending burlesque classes made a huge impact on my confidence...Read More