What to Expect During a Couples Boudoir Session | Oklahoma City Boudoir Photographer

Envisioning the day of a couples boudoir session can be scary for some. Especially for first-timers, there are a lot of unknowns that can lead to pre-shoot jitters. I’m here to assure you that this is totally normal, and am going to walk you through a typical couples session to help. There are, of course, elements that you and your better half will bring to the table, making the experience unique and special, but here is a list of moments to expect along the way.

Before the session

 I really mean it when I say that you can reach out via email or social media and ask me any questions about the experience. I’ve done this many times; I know what works. If there is anything you are unsure of, the answer is probably in the email of details I send out regarding your session. If for some reason it’s not, I’m happy to clarify. It’s okay to have a bunch of questions-I’ll have a bunch of answers. I’d rather you flood my inbox requesting info than showing up the day-of feeling like you wish you knew more ahead of time. I’m here to communicate; my inbox is always open. 

Starting Off

Call it expertise, call it magic, call it whatever you like; I have my toolbox of tricks to help you and your partner feel comfortable. That starts with you both wearing clothing that you feel good about wearing. Certain garments work better on camera, so it’s best that we keep an open dialogue so we’re on the same page. I want you both to feel good about your photos, so if an outfit doesn’t feel right, we’ll make any changes you or your partner may need. 

            Next, we’ll break the ice, but we’ll break the ice…gently, if that makes any sense. I usually start my couples sessions with casual conversation. “Tell me a funny story about your partner” “Hum a song in your partner’s ear and have them guess what it is”-we’ll keep it easygoing and fun. I might even have you two compete in a few rounds of thumb war (You’d be surprised how freakin’ adorable a thumb war photo can be).

You also get to pick the tunes, so just let me know what kind of music you like, and we’ll let that play in the background. If you’re vibing with a certain song, we can even have a little dance party. Some of the best photos come from you and your partner just goofing off. Don’t worry, the sexy-time photos are just around the corner. 

Halfway Point

             After the ice is broken, we’ll go step-by-step through different poses and prompts to photograph you and your partner together. The poses and prompts are based on the comfort level you and your partner shared with me during our pre-session video consultation. If that means you start to unbutton shirts or pants a little bit, great! If that means all clothes stay on, that’s great too!

My goal is never to push you and your partner beyond a place that leaves either one of you uncomfortable or unwilling to move forward with a couples boudoir session. All I ask is you keep an open mind, and stay engaged with your partner. Your time with me is a time for you and your partner to connect- I’m just there to capture that connection.

 I have a few rules for couples boudoir, and but one of my biggest is this: No kissing unless I say so. I make this rule because I’m evil and cruel….just kidding. Jokes aside, I want you and your partner to have a wide range of options for photos to choose from. Some amazing photos happen in the moments just before and just after a kiss. I promise you, if you follow my kissing rules, you will have plenty of choices. Does that mean you’ll never get to kiss your partner, or that kisses are limited? Nope! You’ll get so many smooches, and snuggles, and butt grabs and all the other goodness you and your partner have agreed upon. Just not all at once!

When we’ve reached the more intimate portion of the couples session, you may start to forget that I’m in the room, and that’s ok- that won’t hurt my feelings. You may be wondering, how in the world could you ever forget about me?!?! It may seem impossible, but it happens almost every time. The main reason is that I shoot with a mirrorless camera on silent mode. That means you will never hear the shutter clicking, so you’ll never know when I’ve started or stopped taking photos unless I’ve told you.  I also advise couples never to look directly at the camera unless I specifically ask (which is pretty rare for a couples session). At this point, I want you focused on your partner. I may chime in with where to move your hand or to turn your head a certain way, but it’s really about you maintaining the connection that you two have worked to build with each other. I’m there to capture the magic, so by all means, let your mind (and hands) wander with your partner, I’ll meet you at the end. 

End of session       

            I’m not going to lie, you will probably be exhausted after the shoot. Even though it’s a lot of lying around and snuggling, couples boudoir has a way of prepping you for a really good nap.

Be prepared to need to take some time to rest after your session. To some, it might not feel like work, but a lot of energy goes into the process. Allow you and your partner some time to recharge. Approximately two weeks after your couples boudoir session, we will have your reveal and purchasing appoint where we will go over your photos and you and your partner can pick out the ones you love. My preferences may be different than yours, so again, we will strive for an open dialogue to help you and your partner select the photos that you feel great about. 

             There you have it. A kind of “couples boudoir photo session skeleton”. Keep in mind, every couples session is different, so if you feel like straying from the norm, go for it! I provide my clients with general structure so that we have the option to stray from it as and when needed. The goal is to make the experience special for you and your partner, so know that I have a plan, but that plan is not set in stone.  Keep an open mind, and the rest will fall into place. 

Oklahoma City Male Boudoir | Halloween Creative Session

For this year’s Halloween creative photoshoot, I was inspired by the “sexy bunny” photoshoot done for Ariana Grande’s “Dangerous Woman” album, released in 2016. I loved the photos, and was inspired to do my own take on the “sexy bunny” theme, but with a more masculine theme.

So I partnered with one of my amazing muses Jon Stombres who accepted the “sexy bunny” challenge.

To say I had a blast during this photoshoot would be an understatement; it was a combination of leather, fairy dust, and lace, and made for an overall winning combination.

My makeup artist Gaby Zegans started the transformation by giving Jon a smokey eye/glowly look makeover. After makeup, and once Jon put on the stockings, harness, leather jacket and bunny mask, I know it would be amazing. And the 5 inch heels taking Jon from his already tall 6’2 height to 6’7 was just icing on the cake.

We played with different poses and expressions for a mixture of serious, funny, masculine, feminine, and I also photographed Jon while he was eating snacks. So it was definitely a well rounded photoshoot. I hope you enjoy!

Oklahoma City Intimate Lifestyle Portrait | Riza

This was Riza’s second time to step in front of my camera for a boudoir session, and I know it was going to be even better than the first boudoir session she did with me back in 2018. For this second time, Riza was up for anything. She was ready to shed her inhibitions and push past her comfort zones, while also knowing she was in safe hands with me.

Even though it was her second boudoir experience, she was still nervous at the beginning of her session. Those initial butterflies are completely normal and expected. But after giving her direct and coaching her through the first couple of poses, I saw her visibly start to relax and start to let go and trust the process.

You can see the result of her letting go and allowing herself to shine bright in the photos below, as well as read about her second boudoir experience with Intimate Lens Studio.

What 3 things were you most nervous about going into your session?

Like always, my body. I’m comfortable enough for nudity or implied nudity around [Ore] but I always worry about my body having too many lumps and bumps based on how I pose. My facial expressions, I feel like the line between RBF, dead eyes and sexy face is very thin and I worry I fall more into dead eyes when I try to relax my facial expression… I want to be confident in my body so that my poses/posture is more relaxed or confident rather than my body language showing how nervous I can get. But [Ore] did such a great job with making me feel relaxed! Never in a million years could I have foreseen me being naked on a couch without feeling some type of way about it!

How did the reality of your session compare to your expectations going into it?

I always expect myself to do pain face the further along into our session because I know I worry about whether or not I’m photogenic. I know you …[help]… with posing so I wasn’t expected to know how to pose but when I started sinking into the couch cushions I was worried I’d just look like a girl slouching on the couch with lingerie on. Instead [Ore] transformed me into this sensual woman who looks so sure and confident of herself. That is some sorcery woman!

What was your favorite part of the experience?

Listen, when [Ore] grabbed that red harness bodysuit deal I kinda gave [her] a mental side eye but I knew [she was] the professional so I took a little side detour from my comfort zone and trusted [her] and I’m so glad I did! I was terrified I’d look like we’d done pot roast or something but the pictures with that outfit turned out so good!! Just speaks volumes on [her] creativity and how well [she] photographs/poses [her] clients!!

How do you feel now that you've completed the session?

I feel beautiful and empowered! The first session I did with [Ore] I had no idea at all what to expect but this second time was a lot smoother since I kinda knew the process. I trusted [Ore] during the session but seeing the fruits of [her] direction in the photos and seeing how they turned out really amped up feelings of confidence I didn’t think I had.

Would you recommend Intimate Lens Studio to others?

I always do! Especially after this last session, I was showing everyone the photos and encouraging everyone to get “the gift that keeps on giving” by booking a session with [Ore]! I even tell some of the gals that they can bring their significant others for a couples session if they’re too nervous to do it by themselves!

Would you do a boudoir session again?

Abso-fucking-lutely!

What was your absolute most favorite photo from your boudoir session, and what makes it special?

The photo of me on the couch looking out the window was absolutely breathtaking because I feel sexy, classy and beautiful. I mean I’m not sure what magazine I would be featured in, but I almost feel like this could maybbeee go in one. The pose also looks natural and relaxed considering I was sinking into the cushions! All those couch shots turned out beautifully with the warmth of the couch leather and my skin against the background of the wall and the plants just made me look so confident as if I wasn’t sitting there mentally chanting “be photogenic” over and over in my head.

Toronto Couples Intimate Lifestyle Portraits (Part II) | Rob and Mark-Che

I had the opportunity to work with two amazing souls, Rob and Mark-Che, on a creative couples boudoir session. Today, I’m sharing photos from the morning of the couples boudoir session. This is Part II of the series. In Part I, I shared more about my initial idea for this creative couples boudoir session, and shared more editorial style photos from the shoot in the second part of the day. To check out Part I, click here.

While this was a couples boudoir “strangers session” - with Rob and Mark-ché only meeting for the very first time the morning of the session - their chemistry was instantaneous and amazing to capture.

Before we even got started photographing, we all discussed personal boundaries, comfort levels, and making sure that the photoshoot would be a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. In addition, Rob and Mark-Che had some one-on-one time together before the photoshoot to grab food and hang out, which really helped them to be able to relax and get comfortable with each other in front of the camera.

That being said, they were both nervous in the beginning of the session. However, we were all open to experimenting, having fun, and seeing how things would unfold. There were no expectations for how the creative session would turn out, and that really helped us all to let loose, play, and let the magic unfold.

You can see how the creative session unfolded in the photos below. Stay tuned for Part III, where I’ll share some of my favorite intimate couples portraits utilizing a bathtub. You definitely won’t want to miss it!

Oklahoma City Couples Boudoir | Nick and Amanda

Nick and Amanda's session was full of lots of laughter and fun. Both Amanda and Nick described their relationship as goofy, fun and very playful, and it was evident throughout their couples boudoir session how comfortable they were together. After being in a relationship for over two years, it was clear to see the genuine love and affection they had for each other.

 I like to incorporate couples personal interests into a couples boudoir session as much as possible, and Nick and Amanda's couples boudoir session was no exception. 

They brought collars, harnesses and chains with them, and we were able to incorporate them into their couples boudoir session for some light BDSM, while also focusing on capturing the connection and intimacy between the two of them.

 You can see all of the goodness from their session below!

Oklahoma City Intimate Lifestyle Portrait | Danielle

Danielle and I had the opportunity to experience delayed gratification for her boudoir session. Danielle’s session was originally scheduled for March, but because of the pandemic and businesses in Oklahoma City having to close as a result of statewide stay-at-home orders, we had to wait several months for the magic to happen.

She was my first client to photograph once my doors opened back up in May, and we were both so ready and so excited to get started! After getting all glammed up, she absolutely rocked her session. We both had fun as she tried on different lingerie outfits in my extensive client style closet. When she came out in a new red velvet bodysuit that I had recently purchased for my client style closet and we put her in the studio’s gun metal gray angel wings, I knew were were going to create something amazing.

And we did! You can see all the goodness in the boudoir portraits below, as well as read, in Danielle’s own words, about her boudoir experience with Intimate Lens Studio:

What 3 things were you most nervous about going into your session?

I was nervous about my body image, being authentic, and my comfort level.

How did the reality of your session compare to your expectations going into it?

The reality of my session exceeded all my expectations. The moment the session started, I knew I had nothing to worry about.

What was your favorite part of the experience?

My favorite part of the experience was being in the moment and feeling comfortable in my skin.

What was your absolute most favorite photo from your boudoir session, and what makes it special?

My absolute most favorite photo has to be the black and white one where I'm lying on the couch. I love my smile as well as how blissful I feel.

How do you feel now that you’ve completed the session?

I feel confident and empowered. “Like Wow, I did that!

Is there anything at all you wish we would have done differently or think we could do to further enhance the experience in the future?

I wish we had experimented a little more. I'm definitely rethinking glitter, now. LOL

If you've been thinking about booking a boudoir session with Intimate Lens Studio, do it! Ore is amazing. You're gonna be in great hands.

Capturing Intimate and Connection between Couples - Las Vegas Shootout with Taylor and Mitch

Sometimes I want to pinch myself, I'm so thrilled. Why? As a couples boudoir photographer I have the opportunity to give couples a tangible reminder of the passion, love and intimacy they've built with each other. Even better? I recently had the opportunity to share my love of all things couples boudoir photography in Las Vegas this past February, 2020, at a boudoir event organized by Do More Photographers, the leading educational online platform for intimate lifestyle photographers organized and lead by longtime expert boudoir photographers Brianna and Ewan Phelan.

Over several days, I had the opportunity to lead two shootouts sharing my advice on capturing connection and intimacy in relationships. My take on intimate couples portraits is a little different than the norm. I’m focused less about getting portraits with the “perfect pose” or the "correct angle", putting more emphasis on portraying the unique closeness and affection between couples. My goal is to provide couples with a gallery of portraits in which they can see their relationship reflected back at them in the best light. When a couple says, “this is so us!” after viewing their gallery, I know I’ve done my job. 

 During each Las Vegas shootout, I covered getting couples prepared prior to the couples boudoir session, tips and tricks for getting couples to relax in front of the camera, setting boundaries before the session, what I use to get emotion out of couples during the session, and we also do a live shoot. 

 The first shootout I photographed Taylor and Mitch, a Las Vegas local couple and my friends, who agreed to be intimate and get naked in front of a group of 13 boudoir photographers! Not an easy feet, but they did an amazing job, and were able to relax and get comfortable in front of the camera allowing students to get some truly beautiful moments of them interacting with each other.

 The images I've shared below are from the before the first shootout (I had them come early to get comfortable and do some test shots before my students arrived), during the shootout, and then after the shootout where I had the opportunity to photograph them one-on-one, where we turned up the heat and let it burn.

Las Vegas Dance Inspired Intimate Lifestyle Portraits | Tom

I traveled to Las Vegas back earlier this year in February to teach a class on capturing intimacy and connection with couples boudoir (I’ll be sharing more about that in a future blog post), and while there I had the opportunity to work with and photograph an amazing dancer/performer by the name of Duy Phat (Tom) Le. We were connected by a mutual friend, who I am eternally grateful for helping us meet, and were able to create some dancer inspired boudoir magic on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.

 Tom was open to experimenting and playing around to see what we could create. No expectations, no pressure, just an opportunity to play outside the box with no pressure to do anything other than experiment and see what we could come up with.

 And now I’m excited for the opportunity to share our results with you!