How to Take Sexy Photos of Your Partner

It’s no secret that men are visual creatures — a quick glance at an erotic photo can be all it really takes to get turned on. And not that there’s anything wrong with looking at porn when you’re in a relationship — as long as you’re both on the same page, that is — wouldn’t it be nice if those visuals happened to feature your partner rather than a stranger? There’s something inherently thrilling about capturing a sexy photo of your partner, because it offers a glimpse back in time to an intimate experience you shared. One look and you’re transported back to that moment — what they smelled like, what their skin felt like, and what they whispered in your ear right before you finished. “Taking sexy photos of your partner can be really fun,” says Odi Caspi, a professional photographer and founder of Photographer For Hire. “It can boost the mood, inject another level of adventure with role play, and also be special to look at in the future either together or alone!” he adds. Sadly, The National Institute of Health estimates that up to 40% of women are dissatisfied with their bodies. So if you’re dating a woman, that can factor into the equation. The good news? Taking sexy photos of your partner — with their permission, of course — could have some added benefits for them, too. In looking back at those images, they’ll be able to see themselves through your eyes as the photographer, which could offer a much-needed self-esteem boost. “A lot of women are really critical of their physical appearance, and taking a photo of someone is essentially making someone into a work of art,” explains Suzannah Weiss, AASECT-certified sex educator, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject. All that said, sexy photos are only sexy if the person being photographed feels comfortable, safe, and free to express themselves and have fun. So, with that in mind, here are some considerations to make for a successful shoot. RELATED: How to Make a Home-Made Sex Tape With Your Phone 1. Make Sure They’re Into the Idea Before you even think about whipping out a camera, step one is always to make sure your partner is into the idea of having their photo taken. As with any intimate act, you shouldn’t have to talk them into it. You want enthusiastic consent , with no coercion involved of any kind. “Sadly, we live in a digital world where images can be used in a malicious manner, so both parties need to agree beforehand not only that it’s okay to take the photographs but also on where they will be stored and shared,” Caspi tells AskMen. “It is never acceptable to take photographs or footage of intimate moments without consent, so opting for a hidden camera or a photoshoot that your partner isn’t aware of is wrong on multiple levels. They may feel violated, and deceived and could even take legal action against you.” RELATED: Why Women & Men Feel Differently About Nudes, Explained Bringing it up in the heat of the moment — as in, when you’re already tearing each other’s clothes off — can feel a little too vulnerable for both you and your partner and add pressure to the situation. So, consider asking them how they’d feel about getting their photo taken during a time when you’re hanging outside the bedroom. If they seem open to the idea, you’ll want to talk specifics. Would they rather be photographed with lingerie, or are they excited about the prospect of being fully naked? If you take the photos on your phone, will you print them at home and then immediately delete them off your device? Trust us: it’s worth discussing all these types of details in depth to avoid any potential misunderstandings. Plus. the more you talk these aspects through, the more comfortable your partner is bound to feel during their sexy photo shoot — which will translate to even hotter images. “Conversations around preferences, desires, and consent can help to make them empowering instead of violating or triggering,” explains Weiss. RELATED: How to Talk About Sex With a Partner, Explained 2. Consider Using an Old-School Instant Camera While it may be tempting to rely on your trusty smartphone camera for this shoot, Nash Wright, a professional dating coach, advises otherwise. If you have access to one, he says, consider using an analog option like a Polaroid or Fuji instant camera. For one, the images are available to look at almost immediately — meaning you both get instant gratification. Not only that, but since there are no digital copies of the photos, your partner doesn’t have to worry about the photos being shared, hacked, or leaked in any way. Plus, there’s something undeniably sexy about images captured on film — because they’re lower-resolution, they’re a bit more forgiving and have an innately more artistic vibe. RELATED: Sexy Alternatives to the Dick Pic 5. Have a Plan It’s totally fine to improvise when taking these photos, but according to Caspi, chatting about shoot ahead of time can help you both to feel a bit more comfortable as well as increase the odds that your partner is pleased with the outcome. “If you are aiming for a higher standard of photography when taking intimate pictures of your partner make sure you chat about the plan beforehand to an extent,” says Caspi. Caspi recommends talking about what clothing, if any, will be worn, what room you’ll shoot in and what time of day, and whether they’d prefer to sit, stand, or lay down. “It’s also important to discuss what level of ‘sexy’ they want you to capture — whether it is tasteful and alluring or more explicit,” Caspi adds. 6. Be Mindful of the Lighting Ask any pro photographer about the most important element of a quality shoot and they’ll say it’s the lighting. That’s because the lighting has a heavy impact not only on the appearance of the subjects — the way their skin looks, how much detail is visible, and more — but also on the overall mood and vibe of the photos. “I’d always recommend switching off any standard overhead ceiling lights, as these tend to cast shadows that are less than flattering,” says Caspi. “Daylight is often a very workable light to use.” If you’re using natural lighting, Caspi strongly suggests timing the shoot with golden hour — which happens right before sunset — for a warm ambiance. “If taking the photos at night you will need to add more lighting than you may think — if the room has low light the images may end up grainy and unsharp,” he explains. “The lighting levels will need to be higher than if you were aiming for a cozy dark room or else your camera will struggle to pick up any detail.” Lastly, Caspi advises using a tripod so you can have a longer exposure without the camera shake you would get by holding the camera in your hands. 5. Give Your Partner the Control If you’re going to use a phone camera, one way to make an at-home photoshoot more empowering, Wright says, is to use your partner’s phone to take them — that way, they can have full control over which images are kept or deleted, and which ones they share with you. “This gives her a lot of choice and agency,” he explains. Caspi suggests having your partner choose the setting and the music for the shoot, too. This gives them even more control over the experience and may help to calm their nerves. RELATED: How to Ask Her to Send Nudes You can even hand your partner the camera at any point and encourage them to snap a few selfies so they can take charge of the aesthetic and control the angle. 6. Be Your Partner’s Hype Man While taking erotic photos of your partner, you have one job: make them feel like the sexiest person in the world. “Throughout the shoot, give her lots of praise,” says Karen Vaisman, founder of Karen Vaisman Photography. “Shooting intimate photos puts her in a vulnerable position, especially if it's the first time she's being photographed like this. Complimenting her will help her feel more confident and at ease.” It doesn’t take much — a simple, “You’re so sexy,” or “You look amazing — I can’t wait for you to see what I see” can go a long way. “Afterward, be sensitive to the fact that it’s often really hard for people to see photos of themselves,” says Weiss. “If she feels self-conscious or doesn’t like how she looks, remind her that a photo is an artistic rendering of someone and will never exactly match how they look in person.” You can also use this as a learning opportunity. Ask her if there’s anything you could have done differently — say, with the camera angle or the lighting — to make her feel more sexy. You Might Also Dig: How to Take a Dick Pic, ExplainedShould You Watch Porn With Your Partner?A Couples Boudoir Shoot Is a Super Awesome Romantic Gift