An Empowering Bridal Party Experience That Goes Beyond A Traditional Bachelorette Trip
A Bachelorette Experience, Reimagined
Forget the party buses and packed nightclubs—what if your bachelorette weekend was about deep connection, personal transformation, and intentional celebration with your closest friends?
Picture a three-night getaway designed not just for fun, but for meaning. Think group photoshoots that capture your bond, paired with curated wellness practices like Reiki, Cacao Ceremonies, and Guided Forest Therapy. It’s the ultimate blend of laughter, reflection, and sisterhood.
This is your chance to:
Celebrate your love story in a way that feels true.
Be witnessed, supported, and empowered by your inner circle.
Create memories that are rooted in joy, presence, and authenticity.
Because the most unforgettable bachelorette parties don’t happen in bars—they happen in moments of clarity, connection, and wild, radiant self-expression.
Here are a few experiences you can have:
Maybe you’ve outgrown the tequila-shot version of celebration. Trade the hangover for the tranquility of the mountains in Murphy, North Carolina.
Join Graciela Laurent for a one-of-a-kind private photography retreat that blends bridal-party fun with transformative wellness experiences.
Before You Say “I Do,” Say “I Love Me.”
Why Should I Do A Boudoir Session?
It's luxurious, exclusive, and exciting.
Craving something bold? A boudoir portrait might be your style.
Prefer a more timeless look? An empowering fine art portrait might suit you like a glove.
No matter your style, you are daring to do something most wouldn't even consider, and you are doing it in precisely to your liking.
You are going to look at yourself and say, “Wow! Is that me?!”
It will be the most beautifully confident version of you. You are going to look and feel amazing.
Your experience is flawless. Your portraits are works of art. And every session is unique!
Why Graciela?
Graciela isn't just a photographer; she's a guiding spirit who curates unforgettable experiences. With over 15 years of expertise and a gift for making her clients feel celebrated, Graciela ensures each moment is infused with warmth, creativity, and intention.
Graciela is also the Co-Founder of Body & Soul Ministries, where it is her personal mission to create healing experiences that allow her clients to live authentically for a life of infinite possibilities and true freedom.
She holds Certifications as a Reiki Master (energy healing), a Sound Practitioner (think gongs, crystal bowls, drums), a Forest Therapy Guide, a Cacao Ceremonialist, she is also a Podcast Co-Host, and a Retreat Leader.
Why a Private Retreat?
Because This Moment Should Be All About You (and Your Girls)
This isn’t just any girls’ getaway—it’s a celebration of who you are, and who you’re becoming. You know that doing something intentional and soul-nourishing will leave you feeling radiant, confident, and fully celebrated.
Now imagine layering that feeling with fun, shared downtime, and deeply nurturing experiences. That’s not just a weekend—it’s a transformation.
In this private bachelorette retreat, every detail is curated with you in mind—your vision, your friendships, your energy.
Craving more love, more connection, more authenticity? Want to laugh ‘til you cry and cry when it’s real? It’s all welcome here.
Whether you're traveling solo or bringing your ride-or-dies, this retreat invites you to:
Reconnect with yourself and your people
Be fully seen, supported, and celebrated
Return home with a full heart, glowing skin, and memories that last a lifetime
This isn’t just a party. It’s a beginning.
Your Custom & Concierge Experience
Working together, we create your dream experience. We talk. We figure out your style and customize everything.
You get access to my expertise - A photography prep guide, a private consultation, and a customized all-inclusive itinerary for your retreat.
After your photoshoot, we get together and go over your images, order your products best suited to your style and home.
You only buy what you love…
Need inspiration?
This intimate retreat is fully customized for each guest, and to ensure every experience receives the time and care it deserves, we’re only offering 2 per month.
Let’s design your retreat. I’ll build it around you.
I offer mini-retreats and one-day custom shoots. We’ll make it work for your schedule.
Are you a local? A stay-cation is just as powerful. Let us take care of all the details for you. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your private retreat.
It’s ALL fully customized, so we can create whatever you need!
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive, unwind with a Reiki session or a casual stroll along the Murphy Riverwalk. Savor a downtown dinner under twinkling lights.
Day 2
Wake with coffee and a view. Hair & makeup begins. It’s photoshoot time—where the real you shines through. Then, indulge in a leisurely lunch, some free time, and end the evening with dinner and a stroll through downtown.
Day 3
After a delicious breakfast at one our favorite local spots, come in for your Image Reveal where you will meet the most glorious version of yourself again. A Guided Forest Therapy Experience follows, reconnecting and refreshing you. End the evening with a healing Sound Bath or Private Cacao Ceremony.
Day 4
Depart feeling refreshed and ready to embrace life's possibilities.
I cannot say enough about the mountains and rivers in this area! No matter the season, there is something to see, do and experience in this area. There is no doubt that Murphy is on magical land and, when we take care of it, she shows us many possibilities for healing and adventure both. Murphy is a hidden gem, especially for women traveling solo. It’s a place where you can feel safe, inspired, and deeply at peace with yourself.
Video by Visit Cherokee County from Cherokee County Facebook
Murphy Riverwalk
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Festivals
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Places for all Foodies
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Wineries
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Spa treatments
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Hotels, Air BnBs, Cabins
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Scenic highways
Murphy Riverwalk - Festivals - Places for all Foodies - Wineries - Spa treatments - Hotels, Air BnBs, Cabins - Scenic highways
Mountain biking
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White water rafting
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Fly fishing
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Camping or Glamping
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Museums, Tours, Small Town Charm
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Mountain biking - White water rafting - Fly fishing - Camping or Glamping - Museums, Tours, Small Town Charm -
The Graciela Laurent Studio & Private Retreat Property sits on 4-wooded acres of magical, historic land. Bountiful flora, fauna and sounds of the rushing rivers fill the peninsula with an energy that simply must be felt. Completely private, indoor and outdoor spaces hold unlimited potential for beautiful photography as well as a reconnection with oneself through nature.
Get in touch.
Fill out the form below! I’ll be in touch via phone, email, or text with pricing & other session details!
Not a fan of forms?
I’ll tell you exactly what you need to know.
Our private, By-Appointment-Only studio is situated on 4 wooded acres just a few minutes from Downtown Murphy, North Carolina. We are also available for on-location portraiture photography in the Western North Carolina and Northern Georgia regions as well as travel to destinations beyond.
Murphy Boudoir Photography
A boudoir shoot will help you own your power, push your boundaries and build unshakable confidence. It’s an experience of a lifetime!
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived… I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.”
― Henry David Thoreau
It’s Your Story… I Want to Help You Tell It…
“I was at that stage in my life where I needed to bring out that sexiness in myself… She more than did that for me!”
“You have an image of yourself, and you don’t think you can dream to be THAT sexy… What Graciela does is she makes you feel SO comfortable, she dreams with you! When those pictures came out, I was like… Is that me? They were so sexy!
I was at that stage in my life where I needed to bring out that sexiness in myself, bring back the sexiness. She more than did that for me, so get off the couch! Give her a call! She’s an AMAZING person to work with. She brought out my queendom.
Thank you Graciela! I will love my pictures for the rest of my life!”
— Colleen
“Any hesitations I had going in were squashed before I even got in front of the camera.”
“I didn’t see people like myself represented in boudoir, so I went into this trusting Graciela’s professionalism, skills, and creative process.
So I had no expectations going in. Graciela and I talked at length about what things seemed too feminine and what seemed more comfortable for me, and there were NO hesitations for me when it came to the day of the shoot because Graciela answered all my questions and more importantly was willing to listen...
I now have some amazing, amazing photographs of myself that I never in a million years would have dreamed that I would have taken, and I could have never done that without Graciela.”
— Gabby
“Up until that day, I ALMOST canceled my boudoir session…”
“Let me tell you about my experience with my boudoir session with Graciela. I and I'm sure a few of you probably had some doubts about doing something like this.
My hesitations were:
“I'm not in the body that I want to be in.”
“It's not the right time to do something like this.”
"I don't even know what to wear.”
But I went ahead, I scheduled it, and the day wind up landing on my birthday. I just felt like that was meant to be. She walked me through the process, what to wear, what to bring, and just alleviated some of my fears.
Now, I'm not going to lie. Up until that day, I almost canceled…
But I'm so glad that I didn't. The experience was what I needed, what my soul needed, what the inner diva in me needed…”
— Arraina
“When I saw my images, I literally cried…”
“I thought I was going to do this for my husband and give him this fabulous anniversary present, which it was. But in the end, I know that it was really for me that the power and the strength and the joy that I felt there, that was all me.
A lot of it was Gracie, but it was mostly me. I think she captures what you put out there, and she makes you feel so comfortable and empowered.
So when I saw my images, I literally cried.
I had to expand the album, and I haven't stopped thinking about it on an almost weekly basis. It's something that everyone should do at least once. I think I will probably do it again. And my husband, who is also Gracie's new BFF, would love that, but I would love it even more.
So I am grateful. And I hope that if you're thinking about it, you will have the courage to do so as well. It is truly worth every penny.”
— Christy
Albums and Products
Your boudoir experiences will be memorialized forever with our gorgeous products ranging from prints, to albums, and more— all of the highest quality.
About Graciela
I create a completely custom experience that honors who you are as a person.
It’s not just about what you look like, although, yeah, you’re gonna look amazing – but it’s more about the feeling you want to capture as to celebrate this time of your life.
Each private session is its own work of fine art. Luxurious albums, stunning wall art, and even charcoal drawings are available.
“Graciela truly listens to her clients!” - Amanda
“She creates a very personal experience that makes you feel so special!” - MD
“Her exceptional eye for photography is so evident in her work.” - Tina C.
“Graciela is amazingly talented!” - C.C.
“There are glorious moments where you feel your power and sensuality welling up to the surface - that's the good stuff. We are capturing emotions - the depth and breadth of our human condition wrapped up in a magnificient experience.”
— Graciela
What Clients Are Saying!
“She was very open, affirming and accepting. I felt loved and I never felt judged.”
“I like that Graciela made me feel comfortable. Graciela is obviously comfortable working with large and lovely women and transgender women.
She’s also clearly comfortable working with heterosexual straight cis gendered men like my husband. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed shooting together.”
— Misty A.
“Growing up I suffered from years of self-esteem issues. This shoot solidified everything that I am. And my inner child is healed!”
“Our Boudoir shoot with Graciela Valdes was nothing short of AMAZING! The experience was professional, fun, healing, and EVERYTHING we imagined it would be.
Graciela goes above and beyond to ensure her clients get all the tools we need from the initial consultation to the picking of the perfect photo package! Our shoot coincided with our anniversary and it is a memory we can share for many years.
If you are looking for a photographer with vision, professionalism, commitment, and excellence,
LOOK NO FURTHER!
Thank you, Graciela!”
-ShaRhonda G
“From the moment you reach out to her, to the day you receive her album, she will be your biggest fan!”
“I couldn’t write enough to express how grateful I am to have met and been a client of Graciela Valdes. She was extremely professional, talented and genuinely caring. Her exceptional eye for photography is so evident in her work and the photos that I received.
She took my Pinterest board and brought it to life with so much depth! I was so floored with my photos it made me emotional. She wants to make you feel and look your best and I think that’s so important when choosing a photographer. Thank you so much again for everything. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Graciela!!”
— Ms. C
“The Boudoir Experience was amazing! I expected to be pampered and the center of the session, but my expectations were thoroughly exceeded!”
“I vetted many photographers and chose Graciela because:
1. Her work is exquisite, as her images capture her clients’ natural beauty. 2. Her customer reviews are compelling, expressing that her clients love working with her, are free to be themselves, and love her finished products. 3. Her boudoir photo shoot offering would allow me to express my authentic level of sexiness, which is more mind/attitude-centric.
Every interaction thereafter up to the “logistics” zoom call was top-notch, and the call ended with me being quite relaxed and open-minded to the shoot.
I’m telling you if you’re considering a Boudoir Photo Shoot, I highly recommend the team at Graciela [Laurent] Photography!”
-Deborah M
“Having a boudoir shoot really made me think about how I feel and how I want to see myself.”
“When I booked the shoot, I was really excited as this would be my first time being photographed for myself.
Having a boudoir shoot really made me think about how I feel and how I want to see myself. Graciela was able to go at my pace and make me feel comfortable the whole time. She’s a great help for first-timers.”
— Freya R.
“The afternoon was a blur but what I know with complete certainty is that I felt invincible. I didn't even need liquid courage. It was joyful to my core. I couldn't stop smiling. Gracie made me feel beautiful.”
Gracie sent me loads of fabulous info, about styling, ideas, and thoughts about a Pinterest board. When I arrived at Gracie's studio, it was heavenly. The amazing Scharon did my makeup just enough for me. And then I got to watch Gracie's genius at work. She planned out each part of my shoot based on the outfits I brought. The studio transformed into 5 different vignettes, each with its own personality.
Fast forward to my reveal. Does everyone cry? No seriously. I need to know. I was stunned. It was me. But Gracie performed absolute magic. And my husband? He couldn't believe it. He said, "You can see in your face how happy you were that day." Which is funny as I didn't think he would notice I had a face in them.
If you are on the fence about treating yourself to this experience, I beg you to jump off and start trying on lingerie. I promise you will not regret it. Whatever you are hoping for, Gracie will ensure that you find it.
-Christy K
Love After Love
The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.
Your Story Told Your Way
“I choose to do a boudoir shoot because I wanted to reconnect with who I am as a woman and it was an absolutely amazing experience but honestly I was really, really nervous in the beginning since I’ve never done this before.”
“I had this preconceived idea that boudoir was you go and take your clothes off in front of a stranger and wear crazy lingerie, it wasn’t what I wanted.
But one of the greatest things about Graciela she takes so much time to connect with you as a person and what I envisioned… It resonated with who I am and with the image I wanted to convey and connect with… It was absolutely phenomenal.
I didn’t take off all my clothes but it was a very sexy, intimate experience and it blew my mind. I was able to connect with a part of me that I kind of knew was there but was buried and she brought it out - SHINING, the end result blew me away and every time I look at these pictures I tap back into that power I have within.”
— Allison
“She knew exactly the perfect angles, the perfect light… perfect everything. In the end when she showed me the pictures… I was floored. In my mind, I never thought I looked that way, and looking at those pictures, it was very emotional.”
“I wanted to experience something that was out of my comfort zone... My hesitations at first were obviously that, “how could I portray a boudoir shot without showing so much and feeling unconfident?”
I have a lot of body issues and I know a lot of women have a lot of body issues that they deal with… But just going through the process with Graciela and really pinpointing what I wanted and what I didn’t, brought a lot to the table.
She was willing to work with me and wanted to tell MY story about what made me who I am, I am a military woman, I am a mother, and I love Disney… The end result was unimaginable… The whole experience was incredible.”
— Natalie
“She takes a picture of who you are.”
“I've always been one of those people that hated having my picture taken. It's unbelievable to me, the images that she captures. And one of the things that she always says is she doesn't take a picture of what you look like. She takes a picture of who you are.
One of the pictures that Graciela took for me is this picture that I have right here. And I would say, when I'm struggling, when things are tough, I look at that picture to remind me of who I really am and how powerful I am and that I am capable of anything.
That's how a session with Graciela makes you feel, that you can conquer the world and you can do anything.”
— Julietta
“So it's not just about pictures. It's about discovering yourself.”
“I chose to do a boudoir session with Graciela to get vulnerable with myself and to learn a lot from myself and from the session.
You know, we all think that we're not enough, and that's what I thought, that my body is not good enough.
I chose Graciela because Graciela brings that extra energy that makes you feel comfortable, that create not just good pictures, but an awesome experience in which you can look back, feel the love.
So it's not just about pictures. It's about discovering yourself. And I highly encourage everybody to do that, and to do that with Graciela. Because you deserve that.”
— Ivan
Why Wait?
This isn't just a photoshoot; it's a journey of self-discovery and rejuvenation. Book your private retreat with Graciela Laurent today and discover the magic of the mountains.
Ready to transform? Contact Graciela to start your journey.
“Find the love you seek, by first finding the love within yourself. Learn to rest in that place within you that is your true home.”
― Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Testimonials
“My absolute favorite part, was the reveal of my proofs with Graciela… We both cried.”
“I loved doing the shoot, I was in the zone and Graciela really made me feel so comfortable. I have never been so blown away in my life. She brought my vision to life with my shoot. I will cherish this forever.””
— C.B.
“She has an amazing, positive energy which is infectious when you're working with her.”
“She makes you feel relaxed when you are nervous and knows all the right things to say so you can be comfortable - therefore she can get that most authentic, perfect shot of you.”
— A.G.
“The studio atmosphere was peaceful and the setup was amazing. It made me feel at my best when I posed for the shoot.”
“Graciela is one of the best Photographers I've encountered. The photos were outstanding and she handled with the spirit of excellence. The makeup artist did an outstanding job as well. She was amazing. My face was flawless. Everything was very professional and worth it every minute.”
— L.W.
“A celebration of strength, power, beauty, and confidence! This session changed my life!”
It is, Graciela, as you say, a celebration of femininity. I feel it every day! Meeting women like you and those you touch is so inspiring! Makes the indefatigable part of us keep going!
— Mrs. A
“You don’t have to look a certain way and it doesn’t have to be perfect. Just be yourself.”
“I loved that the portraits were classy with a little bit of sexy at the same time. I even did a little bit of nudity! I would 100% recommend this experience to anyone! It’s all about having fun and being yourself.”
— Mrs. L
“I now have a set of pictures I am proud to display and that will always remind me of what a positive and professional experience I had.”
It was evident that the experience would be transformational. Any insecurities I had about my physical appearance were put at ease. She and her team made me feel beautiful. We laughed and even came to tears at times as we shared stories, that clearly informed her in getting to know you better to help bring out your best in front of the camera.”
— C.F.C.
“When I think back to the session, this slight wave of confidence comes over me... It’s pretty powerful”
— Mrs. L
“Graciela’s incredible talent is obvious when you see her work. That she gives self-confidence to her clients makes the entire process priceless.”
— Mrs. C
“Graciela is a fantastic photographer. She made me feel so comfortable and empowered and the pictures came out amazing. Truly a gem!”
— Mrs. V
THE EMPOWERMENT, THE TRANSFORMATION, THE CONFIDENCE – IT’S ALL TRUE.
It’s not about lingerie, it’s about authenticity.
North Carolina portrait boudoir and branding photography studio. Graciela is a published, award-winning, and professionally certified portrait photographer.
Graciela Laurent Photography
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