How I Faked A "Couples" Boudoir Shoot With A Client... And The Results Surprised Me!

Note: The images used in this blog post are not from the session described. Privacy!

As a New Jersey boudoir photographer with over 15 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of women, helping them feel confident, empowered, and beautiful in front of the camera. I’ve always believed in the power of boudoir photography to offer a unique gift—not just in the form of photos but also in the form of a memorable experience that celebrates self-expression. Over the years, I’ve seen almost every request under the sun, but recently I’ve noticed a trend that piqued my curiosity: women asking for "light versions" of couples or "cuckold" boudoir sessions with men who aren’t their husbands, often with the intent of presenting these images as a gift to their partner.

Hmmm... what's going on here!?

If you're familiar with the boudoir world, you may have heard whispers of this trend. I started getting these requests about 2018 or so, and anything can happen once-- but I kept getting maybe 2 or so inquiries per year about this type of session since.

It’s almost like a more intimate, visual representation of the “cuckold” fantasy, but honestly, it's a lot more tame than you might imagine. Instead of focusing on blatant sexuality, these sessions are more about capturing intimacy—two bodies in sexy, sometimes daring poses, with a lot left to the imagination. When I first heard of this request, I admit I was skeptical. After all, it’s crucial that everyone involved is comfortable, and that no one’s boundaries are crossed. I try not to say "no" to clients, and curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to take on one of these unique requests several years ago.

In regards to couples sessions, I learned a lesson over ten years ago. I ran into a few sessions booked by the husband, and when session day arrived and the couple came in, it was clear the wife really had no interest in being there and was purely doing it just to get him off her back. This was painfully evident throughout the course of the session with the woman having the constant "when is this going to be over" look on her face... that you can't photoshop away. It was really awkward.

So, since then I started asking some more probing questions, and talking to all parties involved to make sure they are on board.

When I started getting these "cuckold" requests, I knew exactly what to ask, and I didn't receive any of the typical pre-session red flags, and it seemed everyone was genuinely excited about the opportunity.

...And just a side note: If you're a man, don't call your local boudoir photographer looking to arrange a cuckold shoot and be gross. This is so common it's almost laughable. Boudoir "cuckold" sessions are not about blatant sex, they are more about sensuality and leaving more to the imagination.

The Unexpected Request: Finding the "Guy"

Not long ago, I received an inquiry from a client named Emily (not her real name). Emily was a repeat client and she reached out because she wanted to create something special for her husband—a boudoir session that included the presence of another man. She was intrigued by the idea of simulating a “light cuckold” experience, and after several conversations, I became comfortable with her vision. It felt genuine, and Emily was very clear about her motivations. She wanted to gift her husband a set of photos that hinted at a fantasy, but with a tasteful approach that focused more on artistic intimacy rather than anything explicitly sexual. The intent was playful, yet sensual—and I felt it was something I could help bring to life.

The biggest challenge? Finding the right "guy" to be in the photos. It’s not exactly as easy as most women think it will be, and Emily had tried to reach out to someone she trusted, but he ended up backing out at the last moment. When session day arrived, she came in, visibly disappointed. She had put a lot of effort into planning, and it was frustrating for her to feel like her idea was falling apart. We decided to start the session anyway, focusing on some classic solo boudoir poses. As we moved through the shoot, I could sense that she still really wanted to create those “couples” shots. I wanted to find a way to say “yes”—to make her vision a reality, even if we had to improvise a bit.

Making It Happen: Faking the Couples Session

That’s when an idea struck me—why not try faking the “couples” aspect of the shoot? I thought, “What if I step in as the stand-in guy, and then edit myself to look like someone else?” It wasn’t something I’d ever done before, but one of the joys of my job is finding creative ways to bring my clients’ ideas to life. I ran the idea by Emily-- it was more of a stream of consciousness idea as we were chatting-- and I would make myself look as different as possible in the final images. Her face lit up—she was intrigued by the idea.

"Can you do that?" she asked. "I don't know... but I can try!" I told her and explained the process I had in mind.

The photos she was looking for were relatively tame, and we had a good relationship via our previous session, and she was the one actually pushing the idea forward... I have no problem with being in photos in a general sense, but I've always been hyper-aware of my boundaries during a session and never want to intrude into a client's space, nor do I want the appearance of pushing a client in a direction they don't want to go in. Over my career I've been the random hand tugging on a pair of undies in a popular shot from about 10 years ago, and maybe the "torso" for another popular boudoir shot once or twice... but never been involved to this extent... nor did I really want to be! (Trust me...there's nothing about putting me in a photo that will make me better! 🤣)

I set up a camera on a tripod with a remote app on my phone and hopped into the frame. We kept the poses simple—the kind of close, intimate poses you’d expect from a traditional couples session, but nothing overly suggestive. A few shots of us kneeling on the bed, her leaning against me while I kept my face turned away, and some shots of hands interlocking. It was more about the essence of intimacy—the suggestion of closeness rather than anything explicit. After a few takes, we paused to look at the images, and honestly? I thought, “I think I can actually make this work.” She was surprised.

We ran through about maybe 20 poses kneeling on the bed, standing by the bed, and even tried a few laying down on the bed, as well.

When I got back home and started editing, I found myself enjoying the process more than I expected. I used AI tools to digitally disguise myself. I added some bulk to my frame—let’s just say I’m more on the lean side at 6’1” and 165 lbs, so a little extra muscle was needed to fit the fantasy. I even added tattoos, changed my facial features, and worked to make sure that no one could recognize it was me in those photos. More importantly, I gave myself hair! 🤣🤣 The goal was to create the illusion of a “hot guy”—someone mysterious, someone her husband wouldn’t recognize, but would still find intriguing.

The final images were, frankly, a lot better than I thought. It did take, however, a lot more time, because the AI image part is a lot more random than you may think, and can take many tries to get something along the lines you wanted. Emily was thrilled. She loved the way the photos turned out, and she couldn’t wait to show them to her husband. For me, it was a learning experience. Not only did I discover a new editing trick that I’d never even considered before, but I also learned something about the boundaries of intimacy that boudoir photography can explore. It wasn’t about me being in the photos—it was about me helping someone create something meaningful, something playful, and something that spoke to a deeper layer of their relationship.

Conclusion: Boudoir Is About Saying Yes to Creativity

This experience reminded me why I love boudoir photography so much. It’s not just about the photos; it’s about the experience, the creativity, and the collaboration between photographer and client. When Emily first presented her idea, I could have easily said no—it would have been simpler to turn her away. But part of what makes boudoir so rewarding is the opportunity to say “yes” to new ideas, even if they’re a little outside the box.

These types of “cuckold” sessions, as they’re sometimes called, are often misunderstood. In reality, they’re more about exploring intimacy and connection rather than overt sexuality. They’re about crafting a fantasy that’s personal and meaningful for the client and their partner. It’s about allowing someone to express a side of themselves that they might not get to in their everyday life—in a safe, comfortable, and creative environment.

In the end, faking a couples boudoir shoot turned out to be an incredibly fulfilling experience, both for my client and for myself. Is it something I plan to add my menu of offerings? ...Probably not. Once was fine, but I don't think it's something I'm genuinely interested in repeating.

I learned a lot, though, and had fun pushing my creative boundaries, and ultimately helped someone bring their vision to life in a way that was beautiful and impactful. And that, to me, is what boudoir photography is all about—capturing moments of beauty, however they may be imagined, and always being open to the surprises that come along the way.

Think that this type of session may be for you? You can reach out to me on my Contact Page.