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!  

Oklahoma City Intimate Couples Maternity Boudoir Session

These partners were looking for a way to celebrate their soon to arrive new bundle of joy, and reached out to me for a couples maternity boudoir session to document their pregnancy journey in an intimate and loving way. I photographed their surprise engagement session several years ago, and was more than thrilled to photograph their love, intimacy and connection with one another as they celebrated having a baby together (who is now the cutest, chunkiest, adorable, makes you want to squish their cheeks…. okay, getting distracted, let me get back to the story…….).

They were both nervous going into their couples maternity boudoir session (getting naked in front of a camera isn’t easy, even if you’re doing it with your wife), but they decided to step outside of their comfort zone, do something a little risky, and relax and enjoy the overall boudoir experience, knowing they were in good hands.

They had an amazing emotional connection, as you can see from their photos below. And the best part for me was watching them see their reaction to the photos from their boudoir session during their portrait reveal appointment. I asked them which photo was their favorite, and they couldn’t decide. But they were drawn to several… ”the ones that just get me in the guts are the ones that just nail a look or a feeling that makes us US.”

Here is what both of them had to say about their experience:

“We're so happy we went for it, the photo book is beautiful and the photos just get more and more special to us as time goes by. If you're toying with the idea [of a couples boudoir session], just throw caution to the wind and book it. You'll treasure these photos forever AND you'll have the memory of the photo shoot to giggle and reconnect about. Plus you'll be proud of yourselves and know you're way cooler than your friends who don't have the guts (hint: it doesn't hurt I promise, it's fun!).”

Oklahoma City Intimate Lifestyle and Glamour Portraits | Elizabeth

I had the opportunity to photograph a more glamour inspired boudoir session with Elizabeth last year. We always have fun when she comes to the studio, and I knew this time wasn’t going to be an exception. While this wasn’t her first boudoir session with me, this was her first time with me using studio strobes and not just natural light photography. I incorporated studio strobes (a form of artificial light) to create a more dramatic/fashion style feel to her portraits. To say she brought her A game would be an understatement. I don’t know how many squeals I made while photographing her, but I know it was a lot. I believe the words, fierce, fabulous and hell yes were used, and the phrase “I don't even know who you are right now” was said multiple times. Check out the amazing portraits we created, and read from Elizabeth’s own words her experience with Intimate Lens Studio.

What was your motivation for scheduling a boudoir session?

I’ve worked with Ore in the past and know she can make me feel so amazing and glamorous!

What made you choose Intimate Lens Studio?

Ore’s images are more than the typical boudoir pictures. There’s a sense of raw and candid imagery that isn’t over retouched and still shows off my natural beautiful self!

What were you nervous about going into your session?

Body positivity and self-image, but Ore knew all of the right poses and angles where I felt amazing during the session.

What was your favorite part of the experience?

All of the laughter and wardrobe changes. Ore has such a beautiful closet of lingerie and dresses that made me feel like a rockstar!

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

I feel excited that I have stunning images of myself and want to complete another session later in the year.

Would you recommend Intimate Lens Studio to others?

Absolutely! It’s a wonderful way for my friends and other women to express their own natural beauty through her photography.

Would you do a boudoir session again?

Absolutely! I would do more sessions if money wasn’t an issue.

In 250 words or less, based on your experience, what would you tell someone who was thinking about booking a boudoir session with Intimate Lens Studio?

Ore will make you feel at ease with her laughter and posing expertise, she will capture your personality and beauty in the most natural and authentic candid images. The outfits she suggests will make you feel fierce and look your absolute best.

Las Vegas Intimate Couples studio and lifestyle portraits | mark and brett

I had an amazing time photographing Mark and Brett in Las Vegas, Nevada earlier this fall.

This couples boudoir session was extra special, because it was one of my first couples boudoir sessions to offer two types of shooting styles in one session - a more formal studio portrait session, along with a lifestyle couples boudoir session that is part of my current offerings.

The love, respect and playfulness between these two was evident throughout the entire session, creating beautiful intimate photos of their amazing connection.

The photos below are highlights from their couples boudoir session, along with reflections on their overall experience.

Enjoy!

What was your motivation for scheduling a couples session?

“…wanting more intimate photos of us together.”

What made you choose Intimate Lens Studio?

“Classy and beautiful photography that seemed personal.”

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

“Being intimate in front of the camera, the process being authentic, and looking good but authentic.”

What was your favorite part of the experience?

“The laughing and joking.”

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

“I feel great! It was fun and relaxing and learned a lot.”

Would you recommend Intimate Lens Studio to others? Would you do a couples boudoir session again?

“Yes!”

Based on your experience, what would you tell someone who was thinking about booking a couples session with Intimate Lens Studio?

“I would say, be prepared to understand what it is you’re looking for, and then let go of expectations. Be ready to play and the camera makes no noise! Haha”