I Booked an Erotic Boudoir Shoot... And Here's What Happened!

This is an account of one woman's boudoir story. Names have been changed to protect privacy.

Let’s be honest—erotic boudoir tends to get a bad rap. The word alone can make people raise their eyebrows, or assume it’s something far more explicit than it actually is. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had someone hear the phrase and instantly jump to the idea of an adult movie set. But that’s not what we’re doing here. At its core, erotic boudoir is still boudoir—elevated, artistic photography that highlights beauty, confidence, and personality. The difference is simply in the flavor. Erotic boudoir leans a little more into sexuality, while still leaving room for elegance and imagination.

For some women, that might mean incorporating subtle touches—suggestive poses, more revealing lingerie, or maybe a daring outfit change. For others, it can go further, but even then, it doesn’t have to cross into the graphic or over-the-top. In fact, I’ve found that sometimes what isn’t shown can be more impactful than what is. A well-placed hand, a sly smile, the curve of a hip caught in just the right light—those can be far sexier than laying it all out in front of the camera. It’s about balance, artistry, and, most importantly, creating something that feels true to the woman in front of the lens.

That’s why conversation is everything. When a client tells me they’re interested in adding an “erotic” element to their shoot, I always pause and ask them to define what that means to them. Erotic boudoir isn’t one-size-fits-all. For one woman, it might be posing topless with the sheets pulled just high enough to tease. For another, it might mean a sheer bodysuit that leaves almost nothing to the imagination. And for someone else, it could simply be a more playful attitude, a flirtatious look, or the inclusion of a prop that adds a little spice to the mood. There’s no “right” version—it’s completely personal.

At the end of the day, even when the session gets labeled as “erotic,” the mission doesn’t change. I’m still focused on high-quality images, flattering poses, and helping my clients look their absolute best. The label is just a word—it doesn’t mean the artistry gets lost. If anything, these sessions can challenge me creatively, because I’m constantly finding new ways to walk that line between seductive and tasteful. Done well, erotic boudoir is just as much about elegance and empowerment as any other type of boudoir session—it simply wears a spicier outfit.

And here’s the funny thing: the women who book these shoots aren’t always who you’d expect. In fact, more often than not, they’re women with very reserved day-to-day lives. Teachers, executives, busy moms—the ones you’d never guess have an adventurous streak. For them, an erotic boudoir session isn’t about shocking anyone or reinventing themselves. It’s about giving themselves that one opportunity to step outside their everyday routine and do something a little wild. It’s a chance to check a bold item off their life’s “to-do” list—and to create photos that remind them they’ve got that side of themselves whenever they want to see it again.

Let's get into Lauren's story...

Pt. 1 What Led to the Idea of an Erotic Boudoir Shoot

I guess the best way to start this story is by telling you a little about me. I’m 35, married, and mom to a sweet little girl who keeps me busy from the moment I wake up. I also own a small physical therapy office, which means my days are packed with patients, paperwork, and the never-ending juggle of running a business. To put it simply, my life is pretty structured. Most people who know me would describe me as responsible, steady, maybe even a little reserved. And honestly, they wouldn’t be wrong. Between my work and motherhood, there hasn’t been a lot of space for “wild.”

That’s not to say I don’t have passions outside of work and family. I love exercising—running and Pilates are my go-to ways to clear my head. And travel? That’s my weakness. The highlight of the past few years was our trip to Italy. There was just something about being there—wandering through little cobblestone streets, sipping wine in tiny piazzas, staring up at history that’s been standing for centuries—that woke something up in me. I kept thinking about how fleeting life is, how fast the years slip by. That trip changed me. I came home with this quiet determination to stop putting things off and start checking off the boxes on my personal “someday” list.

One of those “somedays” had always been a boudoir shoot. For years, I’d toyed with the idea—seen the photos, admired how confident and beautiful the women looked—but I always told myself it wasn’t the right time. I wasn’t toned enough, or I was too busy, or I’d just push it off for later. After Italy, I decided I was done with excuses. I reached out to Mike, and after chatting with him, I knew I was in good hands. He made me feel comfortable right away, and before I knew it, I had a session date on the calendar.

At first, and to be honest, I didn’t even realize there were different “kinds” of boudoir. To me, it was just lingerie, heels, and some glamorous photos. It wasn’t until after I booked that the idea of doing something… well, a little wilder, crept into my head. I started reading, looking at inspiration, and realizing that boudoir could have layers. Some shoots leaned more glamorous, some more playful, and some tipped toward the erotic side. The more I thought about it, the more intrigued I became. Could I really do something like that? Could I step outside of my everyday self—the mom, the business owner—and embrace a side of me I’d never really shown anyone before?

That’s when the idea of making my boudoir shoot an erotic boudoir shoot started to take shape. It wasn’t about shocking anyone, or even about the photos themselves, really. It was about giving myself permission to step into a different version of me, even if just for a day. The timing felt right, and deep down, I knew this was my chance to finally check off something bold on my list.

Pt. 2 How it All Came Together

Once I made up my mind that I was finally going to book a boudoir shoot, I did what most people do—I hit the internet. I wanted someone local, but more importantly, someone who seemed professional and who I could actually feel comfortable with. That’s when I found Mike. His website stood out right away. The photos looked classy and beautiful, but what really hooked me were his words. He came across as experienced, down-to-earth, and someone who genuinely cared about the women he worked with. I decided to give him a call, and within minutes of talking, I just felt at ease. He answered my questions without any pressure and made me feel like this wasn’t some crazy idea I had—but something totally normal and even exciting. By the end of the call, I had officially booked my first boudoir session.

At that point, I wasn’t thinking about anything beyond a “standard” boudoir shoot. In my head, that meant pretty lingerie, maybe some heels, and a set of gorgeous photos I could give to my husband. I thought it would be a fun surprise, even though it wasn’t tied to a birthday, anniversary, or Valentine’s Day. Honestly, part of the thrill was in the secrecy. My husband would never in a million years expect me to do something like this. If I told him, he’d probably laugh and say, “Yeah, right.” Keeping it under wraps was half the fun—it felt like this little secret mission I had just for me.

Somewhere in the middle of my planning, though, I got an email from Mike about the upcoming session. It was one of those informational emails meant to help clients prepare, but there was a line in there that stopped me in my tracks. It mentioned that if I had any specific ideas for poses—or if I wanted to try anything more on the erotic side—I should feel free to share that with him so he could tailor the session to my comfort level. Erotic? I remember staring at that word. My first thought was, Isn’t all boudoir erotic? But apparently, there was more to it than I realized.

So, naturally, I started Googling. And wow—there was this entire other side of boudoir photography that I hadn’t even known existed. The images were bolder, sexier, and definitely more daring than the ones I’d seen before. I have to admit, I was intrigued. I didn’t rush to decide anything, but the idea stuck with me. It kept circling in the back of my mind while I planned outfits and got ready.

I even brought it up during one of my calls with Mike. I asked him what exactly made a session “erotic” compared to regular boudoir. He explained it in such a straightforward way—that erotic boudoir could mean different things to different people. For some, it was just suggestive poses or more skin; for others, it went further. There wasn’t a rigid definition—it was about comfort level and personal expression. That explanation made sense to me, but I still wasn’t sure if I had the guts to go through with it. Still, the idea sounded thrilling. So I came up with a little plan: if the mood felt right and I had the courage, I’d push my shoot in that direction. Nothing set in stone, just… an option in my back pocket.

Pt. 3 Session Day Arrives

Before I knew it, the big day was here. Honestly, I’d been so wrapped up with work in the weeks leading up to my session that it almost snuck up on me. One minute I was running between patients and managing my office, and the next I was standing in my bedroom staring at a pile of lingerie I’d picked out just for this shoot. I’ve always enjoyed lingerie—there’s just something fun about slipping into something pretty—so shopping for my session was a treat. I didn’t go crazy, but I did splurge on two or three new pieces. Of course, tucked away in the bag was my little “secret outfit” and, um… a certain prop I’d been both nervous and excited about.

Walking into the studio, I was more excited than scared. Mike made everything feel so natural right from the start. You can just tell he genuinely enjoys what he does, and it’s not about anything other than making women look and feel their best. That energy put me completely at ease. Once we started shooting, the nerves melted away and I was actually having fun. I mean, it’s not every day you get to roll around in your underwear for the camera. We even joked that I could call my husband right then and tell him what I was doing—and he’d probably laugh and say, “Yeah, right.”

What really boosted my confidence was getting little sneak peeks at the photos as we went along. Seeing myself on the back of the camera and realizing, wow, I actually look amazing, gave me a rush I wasn’t expecting. I’ve always thought my booty was my best asset, and Mike helped highlight it in some really fun shots. Those photos alone would’ve been worth it. But then came the bigger question—the one that had been sitting in the back of my mind the whole time: Do I dare cross the line into the erotic side? Could I actually pull this off?

Somewhere between outfit changes and laughter, I decided to go for it. I admitted that, honestly, this was so unlike me, but after reading about erotic boudoir and doing a little late-night internet digging, I had stumbled across photos that completely intrigued me. In particular, I saw a set of images of a woman posing with a jeweled booty plug. As wild as it sounds, something about it struck me—it was bold, sexy, and strangely empowering. And since my husband and I both kind of joke that my booty is “our favorite part,” it felt like the perfect way to test those waters.

So yes—my big secret purchase was one of those jeweled plugs. Half of me couldn’t believe I’d actually brought it along. But if not now, when? Mike didn’t even flinch when I told him; in fact, he mentioned he’d done similar photos before. We hatched a quick plan, and I laughed and said, “That’s it—that’s exactly the kind of shot I want.” In the moment, I wasn’t sure if it would live up to the vision in my head. But when I saw the results—boom. It was every bit as hot as I had imagined, maybe even more.

Between those daring shots and the super-sheer outfit I saved for last, I’d officially crossed into erotic boudoir territory. And you know what? It was fun—like, really fun. There’s a first time for everything, right? I still laugh wondering if it’s okay to say I was having the time of my life with a booty plug in. 🤣 But hey—life’s short. And I’ll never forget how bold and alive I felt that day.

Pt. 4 Reflecting on the Experience

You know how sometimes you get caught up in the moment, and then a few days later you look back and think, what on earth was I doing? Yeah—this wasn’t one of those times. Not even close. When my online gallery came through and I started scrolling through the photos, I was floored. I loved them. I loved all of them. Seeing myself that way—confident, sexy, and a little daring—was such a rush.

I had planned on keeping everything a secret for a while, but honestly, I didn’t last long. The excitement got the better of me. One night I caved, pulled my husband aside, and said, “Okay, I have something to show you.” His reaction? Let’s just say he had a lot of fun flipping through those photos with me. I laughed and told him, “You only live once, so I went for it.” Instead of being shocked, he was incredibly supportive. He loved the images, loved that I took the leap, and thought I looked super sexy. Now, it’s become our little secret—and I have to admit, that makes it even hotter.

I realize this kind of thing isn’t for everyone. A year ago, I would have said it definitely wasn’t for me either. I get it. But here’s the surprising part: doing something so bold gave us both an unexpected spark. It reignited a connection between us in a way I didn’t even see coming. And at the same time, it gave me this private little thrill, knowing I’d stepped outside my usual “reserved” self and done something just for me. It was like I unlocked a little secret side of myself I didn’t even know was there.

In the end—(and wow, I can’t believe I just used that phrase!)—I’m so glad I went that extra step. Because honestly, if I hadn’t, I think I’d always be left wondering, what if? Now, instead of wondering, I have the photos, the memories, and the story of that one day I decided to be a little wild. And that’s something I’ll never regret.

Conclusion

I want to thank Lauren for sharing her experience and her honesty. My boudoir career has been quite a journey—I never imagined I’d be photographing “erotic” sessions when I first started. But over time, it became clear that there’s a certain group of wonderful women here in New Jersey, including right in Ocean County, who are curious to try something a little wilder, even if it’s just for that one day before they slip back into their everyday roles.

Is this type of session for everyone? No, and that’s perfectly fine. The real joy in my work comes from creating a safe, judgment-free space where women can express themselves however they choose—whether that means playful, glamorous, or stepping into something a bit more daring.

If Lauren’s story has sparked your curiosity, I’d encourage you to poke around my website and reach out with any questions. Whether you’re in Ocean County or anywhere else in New Jersey, boudoir photography is about so much more than just photos. It’s about creating moments, memories, and connections that last a lifetime.

FAQ

Is erotic boudoir for everyone?

Not really—and that’s the beauty of it. Some women love adding a little edge, while others prefer to keep it classic. There’s no right or wrong, just what feels fun to you.

Do I have to get completely naked?

Nope! Erotic boudoir isn’t about crossing lines you’re not ready for. Lingerie, implied shots, or going further—it’s always your choice.

What are the “limits” of erotic boudoir?

Think of it this way: it’s about suggestion and artistry, not crossing into por.... We’ll focus on what turns the dial up for you while keeping it tasteful, flattering, and something you’ll be proud of later.

Will anyone else ever see my photos?

Absolutely not. Your images are private, secure, and shared only with you. Who you show them to (if anyone!) is 100% up to you.

Where do you offer erotic boudoir sessions?

I work with women all across New Jersey, and many of my clients are right here in Ocean County. The studio is private, relaxed, and set up so you can let loose without worry.