Modern NJ Boudoir Stories: I Used My Boudoir Shoot as an Excuse to Hook Up with My BFF

Hey gang. Boudoir photography isn’t just about the photos—it’s an experience that can bring out emotions and ideas you may not have realized were bubbling beneath the surface. For many women, it’s a chance to step outside of their everyday lives, celebrate themselves, and explore something new. Ashley, a marketing director in her early 30s, found herself in just that situation when she booked a boudoir shoot with her best friend, Dana. What started as a fun idea between friends turned into an unexpected and unforgettable experience.

Ashley had thought about doing a boudoir shoot for her wedding a few years ago but got cold feet and never followed through. However, the idea stayed with her. Life kept her busy, but as someone who always made time for things she enjoyed—like hot yoga—Ashley eventually found herself reconnecting with the idea. When she mentioned her boudoir idea to Dana, her yoga buddy and close friend, Dana revealed she’d always though about doing something like that, too. The two began plotting a shared session.

What makes this story stand out is what happened during the shoot. Ashley and Dana, who’d always shared a bit of flirty banter, found themselves wondering if this might be the moment to take things a step further. Their session, which started innocently enough, became a chance for both women to explore the connection they had been dancing around for years.

The Interview: Ashley’s Boudoir Adventure

Mike: Oh, hey Ashley. Nice to see you again. You made it! Thank you for sharing your story. Can you tell us what initially inspired you to book a boudoir session?

Ashley: Thanks for having me! Honestly, it’s something I’ve thought about for years. I wanted to do a boudoir shoot before my wedding, but I chickened out. It always stayed in the back of my mind, though. I knew I wanted to try it someday, especially before starting a family, and it just felt like the right time.

Mike: Yeah, that can happen. How's Dana? How did she become part of the plan?

Ashley: She's great and says hi. Dana and I met at a hot yoga class a few years ago and hit it off right away and became friends. We’ve always had this fun, flirty, girly friendship—nothing serious, but when you stop to look back at it there was a lot of teasing. When I told her about my idea about the session, she was like "Oh yeah, me too!" and said she’d love to do something like that, too. Next thing you know, we talked about it a bit here and there, and at one point we were scheming up this boudoir session.

Mike: Did you plan for the session to go beyond individual photos at this point?

Ashley: Not really, at least not consciously. I didn't even know that was a thing! LOL. We just thought the photo session was a fun idea. So, I was the brave one and reached out to you.

Mike: Yes, I remember chatting, and you mentioned you a friend were both talking about it...

Ashley: Yes! ...And it never even dawned on me that two people could schedule an appointment on the same day! I was just thinking like OK, I'll go, and she would go like a week after and we'd have fun looking at each others photos.

Mike: Right...

Ashley: Then you asked if we wanted to schedule on the same day, and my brain was just like I never even though of that, but it makes total sense... I get how girls would completely have fun doing that. Such a good idea.

Mike: Yeah, it's happens all the time.

Ashley: Right. But I don't know, this was all new. So, everything sounded good, and I was more excited after we talked, and I literally called her like 10 minutes later and was like "You know, I didn't even know this was an option, but we can do our photos on the same day..." That makes it easier and more supportive to have a friend there. She was like "I'm in..." It just clicked. I was excited.

Mike: So what happened next?

Ashley: Well, we both went into girl-mode and started talking about outfits and ideas but kept it pretty separate. I'm not a fancy lingerie person, but I started texting her outfits... it was fun. The funny part is my brain started going through the session, and I can’t deny there was a little part of me wondering, "What if?" Dana and I have always teased each other about our bodies, and there was definitely some attraction there. It felt like the session could be an opportunity to explore that, even though it’s so out of character for me.

Mike: So, she didn't mention anything about it?

Ashley: Um, no. We really didn't' see each other, I don't think, before the session. We mostly texted, or maybe had a call or two.

Mike: Ah, so the suspense was killing you! LOL.

Ashley: It was! OMG, so funny.

Mike: So, how did it unfold during the session?

Ashley: It started totally normal—we were having fun, laughing, and just enjoying the experience. You make it so easy. At one point, almost as a joke, I teased Dana that we should take some photos together.

Mike: You see-- that's the move!

Ashley: Right! To my surprise, she was like, “Yeah, let’s do it!” We checked in with you, and when you said it was up to us, we just went for it. I mean, here’s Dana, looking amazing, barely dressed—how could I resist? OMG. I'm so bad. Oh well. Is that what happens? LOL.

Mike: Yes! I think boudoir sessions are right up there near the top as an excuse to get your hands on someone. Well-- let me clarify. Its very common for women to come in to do concurrent sessions. There's one group that is just friends, the come in to do their photos and have a fun afternoon-- with no interest or intention of any extra-curricular activities, then there is the other group, which has steadily grown over the years, who pretty much are coming in hoping maybe... possibly... something may happen--

Ashley: That makes sense. Or women who know that's what they want-- So, you're responsible for a lot of hook ups? LOL

Mike: OMG. It's not really the purpose of my business.... LOL. That's like trying to blame the pool for people wanting to skinny dip. LOL. I understand what you mean, and actually I've had this conversation with quite a few women. The bottom line is I think there's this section of women, who just, I don't know, are in to other women's bodies-- and both women are kind of on the same wavelength, but they just don't ever get in the setting that provides the comfort space--

Ashley: --Yeah, I get it. I just think that's actually a lot more women than people think. I don't think they want to date other women, or be in relationships, I know I don't, but they have this cute sexy thing for other women. I don't know. Girls are cute.

Mike: In some way it's just become a lot more normalized, and no one really bats an eye now.

Ashley: So, that explains how you know like 200 different poses for women to do together?

Mike: Well, a lot of those poses are couples poses and are pretty interchangeable...LOL

Ashley: Aw, yeah, that makes sense.

Mike: Was it what you expected?

Ashley: Yeah, well, I guess I hooked up with my BFF. So that was a win! Ha. Ha. It was way more fun than I expected. It felt natural, like something we both wanted but hadn’t acknowledged before. We’ve always had this playful energy, and the session gave us a chance to take it to a different level. I’m not going into details, but let’s just say it was a great way to explore those thoughts we’d been joking about for years. --Not to mention the photos the photos were great. Love it.

Mike: You guys kept it pretty "PG"-- Well maybe "R"....LOL. How did you husband react?

Ashley: Oh, he was fine. He loved the photos.... err, I guess what guy wouldn't. Ha ha. He knows I'm not running off with another chick. It's just a girl fantasy type of thing, then you go back to the real world. But I want to tell you it really was a great time. You make it so much fun, and we were both so at ease.

Mike: How do you feel about the experience now after a few months?

Ashley: Good. Well, that's the interesting part. I didn't want to feel awkward after with Dana, and maybe I stressed out about that a small bit immediately-- but it wasn't. I’m really happy we did it. It’s not something I ever thought I’d do, but it felt right in the moment. The session was fun, exciting, and definitely something I’ll remember forever. Plus, Dana and I are even closer now, which is amazing.

Mike: Do you have any advice for others thinking about doing a boudoir session?

Ashley: Just go for it! Whether it’s for yourself, a partner, or something completely unexpected, it’s such a fun and empowering experience. And if you’re doing it with a friend, be open to where the moment takes you. You never know what might happen!

Conclusion

Ashley’s story is a unique example of how boudoir sessions can bring out connections and emotions you might not expect. It’s about more than the photos; it’s about the experience and what you discover along the way.

Over the years, I've run into quite a few friends who were excited about their boudoir sessions and were hoping they would turn into something more than just a standard boudoir shoot. Although this certainly isn't for all friends, and plenty certain come in for sessions together with no intention of doing photos with each other, the number of BFFs who want to do this kind of session has certainly grown.

For Ashley and Dana, their boudoir shoot became a chance to explore an unspoken bond and create memories they’ll never forget. Boudoir is more than just an opportunity to celebrate yourself—it can also be a way to celebrate relationships in all their unexpected forms.