About Ayla Quellhorst Photography
Our boudoir studio opened in 2018 to serve women and has grown to be one of the biggest luxury boudoir studios in the United States. We focus on allowing women to express themselves and their sexuality in any way they see fit. Without judgment and in a safe environment. Our shoots give women the tools they need to find their confidence and take that out into the world and they’re every day life.
Founding Our Studio
Meet Ayla! Our Founder, Owner, and Lead Photographer. She puts her heart and soul into this business and into every client that comes through our door. To her, it’s not just “work.” It’s the opportunity to give the gift of self-love. When she’s not at work, she pouring her love and energy into her daughter, family, and the people she holds closest.
June 2018 -
The Beginning
We were shooting in a 600 sq ft shared studio in Lakewood. It was just big enough for one bed and a tiny couch. We kept our client’s wardrobe in two duffle bags, and our makeup artists had to do the client’s hair and makeup on the sofa! Because it was a shared space, we were only allowed to do four sessions a month. But even with all these hurdles, we produced images and an experience like no other. Some of our clients from this time still come to us year after year.
July 2018 -
Meet Rob
Rob joined us! He became our shibari artist, photographer, and resident jokester! He brings light, laughter, and creativity to our studio every day.
“From the start, I never planned on being full-time here at the studio. But after seeing the positive impact the sessions have on women, I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life “-Rob
February of 2019 - Our Own Space
We finally acquired our own space! We now had 1500 sq ft to better serve our clients. When you walked in, you were met with our office space that was coupled with a viewing area. Then you walked through sliding barn doors which led to a giant room. We had it sectioned off in the front for hair and makeup. There was a closet to the left that held wardrobe pieces for us to have on hand. Exploring farther into the room, we had a complete bedroom set. The room ended with a massive window in which we loved photographing our clients in front of. Upgrading to this space allowed us to serve more clients, with a space tailored to boudoir, that aligned more with our creative vision.
March 2020 -
Covid
We had to close the studio entirely for three months because of the global pandemic. But that didn’t stop us, we worked behind the scenes and founded the program “Boudoir for a Change”. We raised over 2000 dollars. The proceeds went to The Thurston County Food Bank, and to service-based small businesses that weren’t able to work during this time.
June 2020 -
The Pivot!
June 2020 -
The Pivot!
June 2020 -
The Pivot!
We thankfully had the opportunity to serve our clients again. It just looked a little different! We rented a charming ranch house in Thurston county to shoot in until we could get back to our studio in Tacoma. We’re so blessed to have the ability to pivot when needed and make the best out of the situation at hand. We used our prior knowledge from destination shoots and were able to fine-tune it to still provide impactful experiences and images for our clients here at home during this trying time.
July 2020 -
Our Big Return
July 2020 -
Our Big Return
July 2020 -
Our Big Return
We finally were able to return to the studio after being closed for months due to Covid!
November 2020 -
A Bigger Studio
November 2020 -
A Bigger Studio
Our studio was bursting at the seams! After serving so many beautiful ladies in our old space, it was time to expand the business to better serve more women! In exactly the way we wanted to. So we moved down the street to the Harmon building! Now having 3000 sqft our space had room for so much more! This upgrade allowed us to have plenty of office space for our growing staff. More importantly, it was a huge expansion for our shooting space, which now comfortably holds two complete bedroom sets. With upgrades like artificial LED windows, and a faux brick wall. Trading our two duffle bags for a walk-in closet, we now have ample space for all 400 pieces of our client wardrobe. Including sizes from xs-4x. With room for hair and makeup!
June 2021 -
Meet Jessica
June 2021 - Meet Jessica
It’s June of 2021 and we just hired the lovely Jessica as our in-house cosmetologist. Another step on our path to positively impact as many lives as we can. She brings so much to the table every day, personally and professionally. Being around her is a blessing.
“The people I meet every day when I come into work make such a big impact on me. The smiles, and the tears, just from some makeup and hair are something that I’ll always remember. Not only that, I’ve built a bond with everyone here at the studio, and I consider them family. A family I’m excited to see every day when coming into work.” – Jessica
January 2022 -
Kat
January 2022 -
Kat
The amazing and talented Kat joined us as our Product Advisor. She is the perfect person to help clients figure out how they should have their images printed and how to display them in the way that fits each individual client. Plus her dirty dad jokes keep the laughs flowing around here!
“After doing my photoshoot, I knew I wanted to work with the staff! The team here is like a little family and I absolutely love coming into work every day. Being able to show clients their true self and building them up to the best they can be is a highlight. Working 20+ years in the theatre has helped being able to work in any situation and interact with everyone in helping them pick out their images and loving themselves.” – Kat
Summer 2026 -
Austin Texas
Summer 2026 - Austin Texas
This chapter started with family. After years of building something we love in the Pacific Northwest, life pointed us toward Austin — closer to the people who matter most to us. And the more we sat with the decision, the more it made sense for our clients, too.
Austin puts us in the heart of the country. For the women who fly in from across the U.S. to work with us, that means shorter flights, easier logistics, and a whole lot less travel day exhaustion before their session. For the women of Texas and the surrounding states, it means we’re finally in your backyard.
Everything you’ve come to know and love about our experience is coming with us — the same team energy, the same attention to detail, the same commitment to helping you find your inner warrior. Just with a whole lot more women able to reach us.
Looking At The Future
Our studio is only continuing to grow! With help from our incredible team and support from our amazing clients, we’re going to be expanding even further. So we can have the opportunity to capture moments and create art outside of the boudoir. From Maternity to families, to engagements, We’ll be here to provide you with a standard of excellence for all of life’s important moments.
