The Photographer: Anniversary Shoot

Andrea squinted in the bright sunshine as she strode across the quad on the way to her next class. The sun warmed her skin and filled her with a special kind of joy.

Ahh, lots of vitamin D today!

she thought to herself. She loved spending time outdoors, and these brief walks between classes helped make up for the hours spent indoors. Lecture halls and classrooms were not where she wanted to spend her time, but they were necessary for her to earn her degree.

Ryan sat on the steps in front of the Engineering building. The sun beat down on him, so his cap was pulled down low over his eyes. This was not his usual resting spot, but he took a liking to it after spotting the comely young woman who walked past every day. She never dawdled, seeming to have somewhere to go. Probably her next class. He peered side-eyed at her as she approached, then turned his head and openly stared as she walked away.

That is one fine ass,

he thought to himself as he watched the coed pass by. The young woman was shapely, with curves in all the right places.

"Just the way I like them," Ryan murmured to himself.

Ryan observed her for several days. Then, finally, he made eye contact with her and smiled. She looked at him and smiled back but immediately diverted her eyes and continued on her way without hesitation. Ryan couldn't help but be drawn to her. He waited several heartbeats before rising to follow her. He kept his distance, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable. Eventually, she entered the library. Ryan increased his pace so he would not lose her in the stacks.

He made his way through the narrow aisles, his footsteps soft on the carpeted floor. There she was! As he approached, she looked up, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment before she returned to her book. Ryan felt a spark of curiosity ignite within him.

"Excuse me," he said softly, not wanting to startle her. "I couldn't help but notice the book you're reading. It's one of my favorites."

She looked up again, this time holding his gaze for a moment longer. Her eyes were filled with a quiet intelligence. "Yes, it's beautiful," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I've always loved the way the author weaves words into magic," Ryan continued, trying to keep the conversation going.

She smiled, a gentle curve of her lips. "I think that's what draws me to it. The way words can transport us to another world."

Ryan nodded, feeling a connection form between them. "I'm Ryan," he said, extending his hand.

Her hand was small and cool in his, but it held a firmness that surprised him. "I'm Andrea," she replied, her eyes never leaving his.

As they continued discussing the book, their surroundings faded away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a moment of mutual understanding. Ryan knew he wanted to spend more time with Andrea to unravel the mysteries hidden behind her soft smile.

"Would you like to grab a cup of coffee with me?" he asked, his heart pounding slightly in anticipation.

Andrea hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I'd like that."

Ryan smiled, feeling a sense of joy he hadn't experienced in a long time. "Great," he said, leading her out of the bookstore and into the afternoon, where the world seemed full of possibilities.

⭐︎ ⭐︎ ⭐︎

My name is Jacob, and I am a photographer. I've had a camera in my hands for most of my life. I attended college and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in photography. I'm quite good at it, and my work has appeared in major publications. Landscape photography is my joy. Growing up, I spent hours enjoying the outdoors, hiking, camping, and hunting. I've traveled the world for outdoor experiences. But Creation doesn't pay you to take its photo, and while I have been published in some outdoor magazines, it is a highly competitive field. Nowadays, everyone has a camera in their pocket, and they can rival some of my portable professional equipment. What pays the bills are portraits. Weddings are lucrative, but bridezillas and momzillas do exist and are stressful to deal with. What I'm best known for is my boudoir and erotic photography. I have a knack for making anyone look sexy in a photograph. They say sex sells, and that is true. I've done everything from dating profile photos to full nudes. I have even photographed for men's magazines. Having been a photographer for about twelve years, I've seen, and experienced, many things.

On a recent day, my phone rang when I was working on post-processing a set of images for a client.

"Iconic Imagery, this is Jacob speaking."

"Yes, um, my name is Ryan, and I'm looking for someone to take boudoir photos of my wife. I hear you're one of the best."

"That is the opinion of quite a few people, Ryan. What matters is what I can do for you and your wife. She does know about this, doesn't she?"

"Well, um, no. Not yet, at least. I want to surprise her for our twentieth wedding anniversary."

"So, you'll be telling her well before you arrive at my studio? That is

IF

we come to an agreement. Women don't like to be surprised with a boudoir shoot. They need to work up the nerve, especially if the photographer is a man."

"Yes, yes. I'll let her know well beforehand."

"Why this, Ryan? Why a boudoir shoot?"

I knew the typical answer I would get. It always involved the husband's desire more than the wife's. If she truly wanted this, she would be calling.

"Honestly, Jacob, I'm concerned for her. As I said, our twentieth anniversary is approaching, and I've never seen her so depressed. I think the subtle signs of aging, as well as her approaching menopause, are weighing on her mind. Of course, I think she is gorgeous, but she's never really acknowledged her own beauty. I mean, we're both in our mid-forties so we should expect to see the first signs of aging. Myself, I'm starting to go grey, and I have crow's feet. But my Andrea looks at herself in the mirror and mumbles about every little flaw she can see and some she can't."

"And you want her to see that she's the beautiful girl you married twenty years ago," I said, fully expecting him to respond in the affirmative, and ask me to airbrush away the flaws.

"No, not at all! I mean, I can see the signs, the flaws. They are real. What I want her to see is that she's beautiful despite the flaws."

"So no heavy makeup, no post-processing to hide lines and wrinkles?"

"What? No! I want the real Andrea to shine through. I don't want her made up to be something she's not, like some Influencer with filters on all her posts."

Well, that was a little different. He didn't want me to hide her flaws with makeup and computer trickery but to capture her beauty as-is. I found that sweet, and unusual.

"You should know that my approach to boudoir is a little different, and it may make you uncomfortable if you plan to be here. I attempt to seduce my subjects. I find that sexual tension between us translates into sexual tension between her and the camera. That's how I've become so well known."

"You don't actually…"

"I have with a very few. Some of them were married. It just happened, I don't go into a job expecting to have sex."

"Wow. Okay. Well, I suppose I'd better attend the shoot."

I laughed at that. I had no idea what his wife looked like and no expectation other than I would work my normal magic with her.

"I think I can help you, Ryan," I told him. "Give me a moment to pull up my standard contract and we'll discuss it."

We reviewed my boilerplate boudoir contract and made a few changes to customize it for the shoot he wanted. He declined to use a makeup artist or hairstylist. Ultimately, we agreed on the cost, date, and time for the shoot.

⭐︎ ⭐︎ ⭐︎

The day finally came for Andrea's shoot. I had scheduled them as the last appointment of the day, so it was late afternoon when they came through my door. I was instantly taken aback. The woman who walked through the door bore the initial signs of aging, but she was obviously doing her best to hide them. Being a photographer, you learn to notice things about people. It appeared to me that she was taking great care of herself and her skin in particular. She clearly had a skin regimen that included moisturizers, and she did not make the mistake of using too much makeup. Plump skin and light makeup are best for minimizing the inevitable wrinkles.

Ryan had opened the door for her, and when she entered she stepped aside and let him by. He approached me with an outstretched hand, but she held back. I could tell she was nervous.

"Good afternoon, you must be Ryan," I said as I shook his hand. "And that vision by the door must be Andrea."

"Yes. A pleasure to meet you, Jacob! Honey, come here and meet Jacob," he said as he turned to her and reached out his other hand.

Andrea put on a brave face and approached me. She timidly held out her hand, and I took it gently in mine.

"Welcome to my studio, Andrea," I said softly.

"Thank you, Jacob," she smiled up through her long lashes.

"Are you excited for your boudoir shoot?" I asked. My question was more to expose whether Ryan had told her the purpose of their visit.

"Nervous," she replied.

"Well, we'll work on that. It's typical for a woman to be nervous about this. I deal with it all the time. I'll do my very best to ease your mind. We'll talk a lot about poses and clothing. We'll go as slow as you need. If at any time you need to take a break or even want to stop, just say so. I am here for you. Ryan might have arranged this, but you are my subject. It's my goal to make you comfortable so that together we can create some amazing images of you."

She let out a long sigh as if she'd been holding her breath. She looked around the space we were in. There was my desk and computer, some comfortable sofas and chairs, and a round table and chairs for consultations.

"Would you like to see the studio where we'll be working today?"

She nodded affirmatively, chewing her lip in the process.

"Stop that, Andrea," I commanded her.

That startled her and she looked up at me, wide-eyed.

"Don't chew your lips," I said, softening my tone. "You'll end up with one puffy lip, while the other is natural."

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

"Ryan, did you bring some outfits from home?" I asked over my shoulder as I admired Andrea.

"I did!" he responded.

"Go retrieve them and bring them into the studio, just through the red door," I told him. "Andrea and I will get acquainted with the space."

"Come with me, dear," I said with a smile as I took her hand and led her through the door to the studio.

Just through the door, she paused, her eyes wide and her mouth agape.

"Wow, I had no idea."

"Would you care for some champagne before I show you around?"

"That would be nice," she smiled. "I didn't know what to expect, but this is definitely not it."

My boudoir studio is a large space consisting of several vignettes of common household rooms. There are the obvious bedrooms, two in fact, with lush furnishings, plump pillows, and rich fabrics; there are also some unexpected vignettes. There is a kitchen where I can capture sexy chef images, a laundry room for sexy housewife images, a sitting room with antique reproduction chairs and a fireplace, and another vignette for faux outdoors shots. I even have one vignette with a screen for getting crazy creative in post-processing. Of course, there are racks upon racks of clothes of all sizes and colors and a dresser full of accessories. We wandered from one vignette to the next as she sipped her champagne, and I described my process to her. Once we completed our quick walk-through, we stood in the center of the studio near my equipment as we waited for Ryan.

"So, Andrea, what do

you

want from today?" I asked.

"I don't really know. I guess I want some sexy photos."

"Boudoir photography is not so much about the photos. It's about the experience. It's about celebrating your personal beauty. Sure, I'll deliver the photos, but, all kinds of women have boudoir photos taken. Some that might surprise you, here, take a look at some of my past work."

I took her hand and led her to a table and chair in the corner, where I had an album of past clients who had agreed to share their images. She began flipping through the pages. In this album, I had a wide variety of clients represented. There were young brides, athletes, and models, as well as clients older than her. Some obviously surprised her. Those are the ones I'm most proud of because they require the most effort and skill: the overweight women, the handicapped, the disfigured. I revel in the challenge of drawing out the beauty in those who society wouldn't consider beautiful.

"They're all so gorgeous. Every one of them," she murmured.

"There is beauty in every one of us, and my challenge is to draw it out and show it to my clients. Honestly, Andrea, that will be no challenge at all with you."

"Thank you," she said as her cheeks turned pink and she glanced away. "I don't always feel attractive."

"I'm confident you get quite a few looks when you're out in public."

"That's what Ryan says. He's always pointing out guys that are checking me out."

"What about Ryan? I take it that he finds you attractive. After all, he did arrange this photo shoot."

"Oh, yes. He's constantly going on about my looks, but he has to, doesn't he? He is my husband, after all."

Just then, Ryan came into the studio carrying some clothes over his arm and a bag over his shoulder.

"Here are the clothes we brought!" he said with a huff as he dropped everything onto a sofa.

I had to chuckle at the volume of his burden. I'd told him to bring their favorite outfits, including lingerie. Judging by the quantity of clothing, I surmised that

his

favorites and

her

favorites did not align. I pulled over an empty garment rack and hung her clothes on it.

"Let's get started if you're ready," I said, looking at both of them. I want to start with some simple headshots to get you comfortable in front of the camera."

I pulled an adjustable stool to the central part of the studio, right in front of my equipment. Once I had everything arranged, I reached out to Andrea and motioned her to join me.

"There's champagne in the refrigerator under the countertop, Ryan. Pour yourself a glass and then make yourself comfortable on the sofa."

I took Andrea's hand and sat her on the stool.

"As I told you earlier, I'll be giving you a lot of direction. I find it can be easier and quicker with clients who are not used to being in front of the camera if I touch them to guide them into position. Do I have your permission to touch you, Andrea?"

"Um…sure?" she said.

"It'll be okay. I'm going to touch your chin and shoulder."

I did so as I explained how I wanted her to move. With her in position, I took two steps back and pressed the shutter button on the wireless camera remote in my hand. She flinched.

"If you keep flinching we might be here until midnight!" I laughingly scolded her.

This caused her to laugh and expose a radiant smile for the first time since they had arrived. I quickly captured the candid photo.

"Some of my clients claim that squeezing your cheeks together helps," I chuckled.

My comment elicited a snort and a full belly laugh from Andrea. I snapped another photo. I even heard Ryan laugh. The ice was successfully broken, and I sensed it in her body language.

After two more portrait poses, I asked her to change into her favorite dress. She selected the red mid-thigh length dress from the rack and disappeared into the dressing room.

Ryan and I were sitting on the sofa chatting when Andrea re-entered the studio. She walked to us and reached into their bag. She pulled out a pair of black stiletto heels and slipped them on.

"I'm ready," she said, and she turned in a circle.

"Oh, you are not ready. Not nearly ready," I smiled.

I rose and walked to my chest of drawers and selected black stockings and some jewelry.

Returning to them, I handed her the stockings.

"I've never worn stockings. How do I put them on without ruining them?"

"I'll show you," I said.

I had a plan for not only getting her used to having my hands on her but also increasing the sexual tension between us and, by extension, between her and the camera. Kneeling in front of her, I grasped each shoe and slowly slipped each off her foot. Then, I took a stocking and began gathering it over my finger into my palm. I held it up to her foot.

"Point your toes for me," I told her.

I noticed that she had a fresh French pedicure. With the stocking pulled over her toes, I began slowly working it up her leg. I heard a small moan from Ryan as my hands approached the hem of her dress.

"Stand for me, please, and spread your feet."

She stood for me, and I rolled the stocking up her thigh. When fully unrolled, my hands were on her thigh, and I could feel her heat radiating against the back of my hand. I paused momentarily and looked up at her. Her cheeks were flushed, her mouth slightly ajar, and her eyes were hooded. I was confident that no man other than Ryan had touched her so sensually in more than twenty years.

"Shall I put the other on?" I asked while running my fingers lightly against the lace top of the stocking.

She only nodded. Ryan answered with barely audible, "Yes."

I gathered the other stocking, she sat, and we repeated the process. In my peripheral vision, I caught Ryan adjusting himself while I returned the shoes to her feet.

I stood, took her hand, and led her toward the green screen. I had a few ideas for post-production that could prove interesting. Starting here also allowed her to increase her comfort in front of the camera without a lot of props. I guided her through several poses, touching her gently on her face, arms, hands, and waist as I whispered instructions. She had arrived with her hair in a messy bun, low on the back of her head. Mid-shoot, I pulled a few tendrils of hair free to frame her face. Ryan sat on the edge of the sofa in rapt attention.

I next took her to the sitting room. I had her pose in front of the fireplace, next to a faux window, and finally on one of the chairs. For the last pose, I had her place a foot on one of the chair seats and slowly roll a stocking down her leg. She could not have done better with this. She took her time not only lifting her skirt to grasp the top of the stocking but also as she rolled it down to her ankle. At one point I heard Ryan behind me softly whisper, "Fuuuuck." I captured multiple images of her sensuous motions.

I had spied a leopard print slip dress when I hung her clothes on the rack, and I asked her to change into it. I handed her a pair of black strappy heels and a black leather jacket. When she returned, I took my time putting a necklace around her neck and bracelets on her wrists.

After a few shots in the sitting room, I took her to the kitchen vignette and had her remove the jacket. We moved around the island, gathering images. Her leaning over the island, her elbow on the surface and a hand under her chin. It gave a clear view of her cleavage. Her standing at the island, one leg kicked back, her head tilted back, and looking at the camera.

Now to the bedroom. First, a shot with a shoe dangling off her toes. Next, a shot of her kneeling on the bed with her elbows up and hands clasped behind her neck. Then, arms extended, one hand on the opposite wrist, looking upward. This raised and emphasized her breasts. For the last set of shots, I had her sit on the edge of the bed with her hands clasped in her lap.

"I'm going to move one of your dress straps," I said softly.

I reached for the spaghetti strap on one shoulder and pulled it down. We went through several head and eye positions. Next, I moved the strap lower and repeated. I then had her lean back, supporting herself with her arms, and I slid the strap lower. I looked into her eyes as I revealed the top and side of her breast.