My recent boudoir shoot in New York with Julie started as a perfect example of my typical shoot and client.
Julie is a mother of three, has been with her husband for 25 years, and was traveling to NYC to do a shoot with me to celebrate turning 41. Her husband, Jim, had wanted her to get boudoir photos done for several years, but she resisted. She’s a self-described plain Jane, and had all the same hesitations and doubts that all women do who eventually approach me for a shoot.
The day of the shoot, the make-up artist and I came to the couple’s hotel, the husband begs to stay and watch, I refuse, he takes off, and the usual silliness, sexiness and girly fun ensues.
We were having a blast, and I was just posing Julie on the bed, adjusting her arm and saying “Move your arm more to the right so I can see more boob,” when all of a sudden from behind me a male’s voice says “That’s what I like to hear!” I turn to see Jim peeking out from behind a wall, crashing our party.
Here’s the look on Julie’s face when that happened:
Jim’s jaw was on the floor, startled and thrilled to see his wife half-naked and loving it. We all cracked up for a bit, and I began to notice Julie getting even saucier with her husband present. He promised to watch quietly from the sidelines, so I agreed to keep shooting with him there and see how it went.
Well it went beyond great – it was the most gratifying shoot to date. To see Julie strut around half-naked in front of her husband with bold confidence… to see Jim smile from ear to ear and watch his wife so lovingly with such adoration and barely able to keep his hands off of her… that’s the most rewarding part of my job.
To couples everywhere:
Julie and Jim wrote letters to me describing their experience because they wanted to inspire all couples out there thinking about doing a boudoir shoot to do it!
Here’s Julie’s letter to all women:
First, let me say, that I am a 41 year old, mother of three and librarian, living in a suburb of Boston – typical in every way. My husband had been talking about having Boudoir photos taken of me for several years, and I was a bit resistant. This summer, I suggested we spend a few nights in New York City, and he suggested that I book a photo shoot with Christa. I thought about it and decided that if after 19 years of marriage, he wanted to look at pictures of me in sexy lingerie, rather than other women, that was a good thing and what the hell, it might be fun.
I spoke with Christa on the phone. She asked me tons of questions about myself, what I love about my body, what I want the pictures to say about me, what activities my husband and I enjoy together, etc. We talked about different set up possibilities and what to expect. She also spoke of the importance of doing the photo shoot for myself as much as for my husband. After our first phone conversation, I felt totally comfortable and was actually getting excited about the shoot.
Two weeks before our trip to New York, my husband and I went on a date to a lingerie boutique, where I tried on different sets and we picked out a few. A fashion show ensued once we got home and it was at that point that I realized what a great idea this was.
On the day of the shoot, my husband had the foresight to leave behind a bottle of white wine to calm the last little bit of nerves. The make-up stylist and Christa arrived, and we toasted the day’s adventure to come.
Once Christa started shooting the time flew by. She was a great coach, telling me exactly what to do, how to sit, where to look, what to do with my hands. I changed outfits, hairstyles and makeup several times. We even snuck out into the hallway and stairwell for a few shots with the make up artist standing guard, ready to throw a robe over me.
It was an absolute blast. Honestly, more fun than than I had ever imagined. I felt beautiful and sexy and confident in a way that I haven’t since before our kids were born and It was nothing less than magical.
The pictures were everything we had hoped for and more. Christa did an amazing job capturing everything that was physically and emotionally on display that day. I love my new photos and will treasure them and the memories of that day for a long time to come.
A letter from Jim:
Dear Christa,
The whole experience from beginning to end was so memorable for both of us.
A couple of weeks prior to the shoot, we went shopping for her various outfits she wanted to wear. Julie had so much fun trying everything on and I had a great time watching her in all of the dresses and sexy outfits! There might be a couple of stores we can longer go back to but it was worth it.
Julie spent some time before the shoot looking at a lot of images of other sexy moms on your blog as well as your coaching articles, which really helped. Soon, she was looking forward to the shoot even more than I was!
When I joined you at the end of the shoot, it was so thrilling to witness my wife transformed from the girl I know and love into a sexy vixen. Seeing her confidence in herself build was so wonderful to see.
Just as you tout, Christa, sexiness is not about being a perfect ten, it’s about assuredness and attitude. You made her feel so relaxed, comfortable, sexy and beautiful.
We went out that evening while she was still all made up with one of her new sexy dresses. It was such a wonderful night and the shoot was just about all we talked about.
In fact, we’ve been talking about it for days and wondering when we can do it again!
This is the kind of experience that, unfortunately, not many couples get to have. We are so lucky. Not only was it fun but it was intimate and it made a very strong marriage even better.
Being over 40 or not a supermodel is not a reason to deprive yourself of having this amazing experience. We’re so grateful you were able to capture her beauty and provide us both with a day we’ll never forget.
All the best,
Jim
Having the man present is now something I will consider for future shoots. There are fun ways to incorporate the husband… I asked Julie to flirt with Jim off-camera while I shot, and those pics are some of my favorites. We even had Jim holding the fan at one point, to which he said “I’m glad this fan is between me and my wife because I would attack her right now.”
A big thank you to Julie and Jim, for a memorable experience, making every moment of my time with you so fantastic and fun, your heartfelt letters, and your generosity in allowing me to post a couple of images here.
I hope their story inspires you!
xoxo Christa