As a professional photographer, I've spent years building my business, and my reputation. I'm known to be totally professional, and highly proficient in my job. Recently, I was approached by a long time customer who was looking for someone to take some special pictures. She seemed embarrassed to even ask, so I offered her a cup of coffee while we talked. She sipped at it until she was ready to speak, and even then, I could see the effort it took to say the words. She told me that she was looking for a photographer who could take 'intimate portraits', as she put it.
"By 'intimate', I'm assuming you're leaning towards 'erotic'?"
She colored brightly, but met my eyes and nodded. I sat back, somewhat surprised. Jan has been a customer of mine for almost twenty years, and I've taken pictures at every major function she's ever had. I took her daughter's wedding pictures, and was booked to do the same at her son's wedding later in the year. What she was asking for threw for quite a loop. Jan never struck me as the type to even consider nude photos.
"I know it sounds awful, but I promised a friend I would ask you. She's been looking for a photographer to do these photos for a while, but the only one she found wanted $20,000 to do it. I told her she's nuts, but she really wants to do this."
I sat back, considering the options. I did know a photographer who did erotic and nude photography, but he lived over a thousand miles away, and it would be quite an effort to get him in town. The thought occurred to me that I could do them myself, but I wasn't sure I wanted to go into that type of work. Jan must have sensed the internal debate I was having, because she leaned forward and took my hands in hers.
"I think you should do it. I know you're professional, ethical and honest. You won't overcharge her, and you're the best photographer I've ever worked with. If you couldn't make it work for her, no one can."
"Let me ask you this, Jan. How much would your friend pay to do this?"
"I think she's thinking somewhere along the lines of $5,000. Is that a fair price?"
I sat back, nodding. I usually only get $600-700 for a shoot, so making five grand in one shot would be a huge bump in the bank account. I've been considering adding video equipment to the studio, and the money would go a long way towards making that happen.
"I'll consider it, Jan. Do I know who this person is? Have I taken shots of her before?"
Jan nodded.
"I'll tell you who it is, but you have to promise not to tell her I told you. She doesn't want the whole world to know she's doing this."
"Jan, you know I can keep a secret. Hell, I was the only one outside of your family who knew you were planning a surprise party for your husband. Tell me."
She grinned.
"It's my sister, Megan. She's been thinking of this for a while now."
Megan. Jan and Megan are twins. Jan spends hours every week at the gym, maintaining a spectacular body that she uses to full effect. Both girls are tall, and dark haired. That's where the similarities end. Megan was a full figured woman. She was close to two hundred pounds, if not more, and she carried it pretty well. Nice, large breasts and a full, plump rear. I've seen her at different family events in a bathing suit, and I've always thought she was an attractive woman. If I hadn't been friends with her family for so long, I might have made a play for her myself.
"Do you know why she wants to do this? Most women that have these kinds of shots done are planning on doing something specific with them. If she's planning on going public as a nude model or anything like that..."
Jan shook her head.
"I think she's planning on using them to seduce a guy she's been in love with for a long time. I know him too, and I know he's interested, but he's never acted on it."
"Do I know him?"
"That's not really pertinent to the discussion at hand, is it?"
I grinned.
"No, but I am curious as to who she's set her sights on."
We laughed, and I checked my calendar to make sure I had some free time. We set a date, and Jan promised to make sure she didn't chicken out at the last moment.
"I'm not too worried about that. I just want her to be comfortable. If she's nervous, or scared, it will show in the pictures, and they'll not be worth anything. Make sure she's okay with this..."
"She is, but I'll talk to her again."
"You never did tell me who she's doing this for...?"
Jan kissed my cheek, and left before I could say anything else. I started considering the lighting, and how best to pose her, and eventually, I realized I'd gotten myself aroused. I was picturing Megan naked, posed in all kinds of erotic ways, and I was finding myself becoming jealous of whoever it was she was doing this for. I shook my head, amused with myself, and went back to work.
A few days later, I was packing my gear to work a wedding when my office phone rang. It was Megan, asking if I was free this evening for her to come in and discuss the shoot.
"I am at your service, beautiful. Come on by whenever you'd like."
I heard a giggle on the other end, then the office door opened, and Megan walked in. She was wearing a sundress that hugged every luscious curve, and a big smile.
"I was in the neighborhood, so I took a chance. You're sure you don't have other plans?"