Behind Closed Doors

Photographing a couple can be an intimate experience if the photographer and client have good chemistry. When these photographers followed their couples into the bedroom and beyond the end result was off the charts. For the couple that is looking for an alternative idea to a traditional engagement shoot or just to capture some private moments with one another on film, couples boudoir sessions are the perfect option.

Andrea and Marcus
Andrea & Marcus, New York, NY

Our work has been called beautiful, emotional, and “like something out of a magazine.” Andrea's fashion and design background ensures that every shot is perfectly styled with a clever couture touch. We want to make every women or couple say "Wow, that’s me?!?" But as important as taking spectacular photographs is to us, we also want our lovely brides (and sometimes grooms) to have the best time in front of our camera. It’s all about glamour, feeling sexy and being relaxed at the same time, as well as taking home some lifetime memories that you can share with your loved ones or just look at yourself every day! 

Angelica Glass 
Angelica Glass Photography, New York, NY

My goal for these sessions is to make my clients feel the most beautiful that they have ever felt. It is so important to me to carefully pose my clients while shooting so that any retouching is minimal. This helps to maintain a natural look. I want my client's skin to look like real skin — not over-processed plastic. I'm a minimalist at heart and often opt for everyday clothing: blouses that fall off the shoulder, tank tops and flowy dresses. This helps my client feel more comfortable. They aren't trying to play dress up in over-the-top lingerie sets.

Rita Ramirez 
Besa Boudoir, Houston, TX 

I'd have to say the approach to my photography is to be sure that the clients have fun and are relaxed. Before we even begin to shoot, we discuss their outfit choices, talk about what parts of their bodies they're comfortable with and not so comfortable with. I ask them what kind of music they like and then make changes to the playlist if necessary. I strive to make every client laugh both before the session and during. I also tend to direct a lot during a session, explaining to each client where I want their hands placed, body moved, etc. And if I can't show them what it is I want, I just move them into the position myself. One client said to me during a session, "Wow, you're kinda bossy, but I like it!" — we're still friends to this day. As a woman that's not very comfortable with her own body, I'd want someone to place me in the most flattering light and pose possible in order to enhance what I have. So, I feel that it is my duty as a boudoir photographer to do this for my clients. Overall, I want my clients to feel like they've known me for years, instead of just the past few hours; I want them to think of me as both a professional photographer and as a friend, so that I'm able to capture their true beauty and essence.  

Caroline Tran 
Caroline Tran Photographer, Los Angeles, CA 

My shoots begin with a vision. Before I start clicking, I figure out what's the story that I want told, the mood I want to set. With such an intimate shoot, the key is to get my subjects comfortable. I want to focus my energy on connecting with them instead of anything technical. To achieve this, I first look for the best lighting and place them there. Then I can focus on getting them comfortable and evoke the emotions that I want from them. My whole goal is to bring out their true self, their story. With boudoir, I truly believe that less is more. It's much sexier to imply the nudity than to put it all out there. I want to leave much to the imagination and give a sense of anticipation. 

Katya Nova and Rob 
Katya Nova Photography, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Edmonton, AB, Canada

We are a husband and wife photography team and are intensely passionate about each other and what we do! Coming from a European background, we infuse our images with a sensual, emotional and highly charged, yet playful energy. We draw inspiration from our own romance, the universality of “love language,” as well as my experience teaching yoga. Essentially, what we are capturing is “union in practice,” inviting openness, trust and communication. Our sessions are about letting an experience unfold naturally in the safe and sacred space of our artistic vision. Couples are encouraged to engage their imagination, loosen their inhibitions and show us a part of themselves that shines through when there's no one else around. All of our couples are nervous and excited to do this; yet without exception, after just a few minutes, the nervousness melts away and surrenders to a sense of adventure and ease of being. I knew we stumbled upon something remarkable after the very first “Intimate Portrait” session I photographed. We are so excited to continue exploring that mysterious edge where two people connect physically, emotionally and spiritually. 

Katyna Nova and Rob on working with Becker of Becker Photographer: We were so thrilled to be on the other side, in front of Becker's lens. The experience was exhilarating. The images stir so many emotions and bring tears of joy, time and time again. It's amazing. We never get tired of looking at them! 

Kelley Walker Chance 
Kelley Photo, Kansas City, MO

I absolutely love shooting boudoir photos or “Coquettes,” as I like to call them. They're a wonderful boost of self-confidence and a great memory to have down the road. I think every girl (and couple) should do them at least once in her life. If you're thinking of doing a shoot like this, be sure to find someone whose style and personality you're very comfortable with. There is just no way to get great sexy images if you aren't 100% at home with the photographer. It's normal to be nervous, but the right shooter will put you at ease and bring out your best features. Also, be sure to wear clothes that are flattering to your coloring and figure. It doesn't matter how gorgeous the outfit is if it doesn't fit you. Above all else, have fun with it! 

Kyle Hepp 
Kyle Hepp Photographer, Santiago, Chile, Grand Rapids, MI and Miami, FL 

The approach to my photography style, whether I'm photographing weddings, boudoir or anything else, is always the same. I want to get to know the couple, figure out who they are, what makes them tick, and then figure out how I can translate that into photos. With couples' boudoir in particular, getting to know them is even more important since they absolutely need to feel comfortable in front of the camera. It's not every day that you strip down to your undies and invite a photographer in to document that and possibly display it on the internet. So, arriving at the shoot, I don't jump straight into photographing. We talk for a little bit and I try to find out more about what the couple wants to get, not only out of the photos, but out of the whole experience. Why are they doing these pictures? What style are they aiming for? What do these pictures mean to them? Again, in essence, who is this couple and how I can show that in their pictures? I don't want someone to look at a photo and think, "Wow, that's a great Kyle Hepp style photo!" I want friends of theirs to look at the photos and think, "This picture is so perfectly them!" Or if the viewer doesn't actually know the couple in real life, I want them to be able to look at the couple and feel like they know them through the photos.

Melissa Diep 
Melissa Diep Photography, Chicago, IL

My style for boudoir photography is risqué, sensual and sexy. I love for the viewers to see my photos as if they can imagine themselves in that moment as well. Almost like my photos are screen shots of a movie. I always say that risqué or nude boudoir sessions can be done tastefully so it can look very sensual, yet classy. I like to give my subject(s) lots of direction during these sessions. I find it helps them to relax more knowing that they're counting on me, not themselves, for guidance.  

Becker
Becker Photographer, Mission Viejo, CA

Whenever I am photographing people, whether it's at a wedding, a fashion shoot, or fine art nudes, it is always my goal to help my subject(s) feel relaxed. When people are relaxed and not worried about posing they look better in their photos. I have a casual, comfortable approach and, combined with my use of natural lighting, I think I am able to capture people looking their best. This is especially important when shooting boudoir style photos. Most people get extra self conscious when there's a camera around, not to mention when they are hardly wearing anything. There's a rapport that develops between me and my subjects and I just try to keep the mood light and fun. They trust me; they know I’m going to make them look amazing and I do my best not to let them down.

Becker on working with Katya Nova and Rob of Katya Nova Photography: Working with Katya and Rob on this particular shoot was actually really easy. They are obviously photogenic, but since they also shoot this kind of work, they knew what to expect. Even though they mentioned that it was awkward at first being on the other side of the camera, they quickly got over it and we had a super fun and sexy shoot! I can't wait to shoot their wedding in Punta Cana next year!

Tiffany Stern 
Tiffany Photography, San Francisco, CA

Photojournalists tell an in-depth photo story by capturing candid images of an event from many angles, including details, over-all shots of the event and candid images of the participants and crowd reactions. Editorial photographers are also storytellers, but they tend to direct the subjects and manipulate lighting to create a dramatic artistic effect. I soften my photojournalism by adding a touch of editorial glamour. Working with this particular couple was amazing. They rented a hotel room at the W and the three of us worked together for hours shooting this boudoir engagement session. I find that boudoir engagement sessions are particularly fun to shoot because they are in a private setting and couples tend to feel less inhibited, whereas in a traditional engagement shoot setting, the couples are in public and we aren’t able to achieve the same level of intimacy.

Max Freeman and Margaret Singer
Unusually Fine, Brooklyn, NY

We started shooting “Stripped” sessions almost a couple of years ago. They're our take on the long tradition of boudoir photography, but we wanted to add a little of our own style and personality to the mix. So, we like to shoot them on a white backdrop rather than in a hotel room. We think this gives the images a cleaner, sleeker look resulting in a more high fashion look. It also focuses attention on whoever's sitting for the portrait, not the duvet. We encourage clients to bring their lingerie, yes, but also a few surprises/some things they love: rain boots, their Miu Mius, their malamute, whatever. This is how we capture the hot wedding body they've been working for and so much more.