If you believed everything my mates told you you'd be convinced that I've shagged most of the world's most beautiful women. Nothing could be further from the truth, but when they've had a few pints on a Friday night after our regular five-a-side football session, they're even more certain that I must be lying when I deny it.
Some of their comments are pretty crude β "C'mon Dave you old fucker, tell us ... does so-and-so suck your dick?" or "I bet S...'s got a nice tight cunt," or "Do you fuck them up the arse?" β all fairly typical of their filthy minds. And they're always asking whether I've got any pussy photos on my smart phone. It usually shuts them up when I ask who their wives bought that sexy lingerie for β a shot in the dark of course, but it gets them wondering.
Before you get the wrong idea about what I do for a living I should explain that I am a professional glamour photographer specialising in what is known as boudoir photography. I am forty five years old and single β well divorced actually. After college I went to work for a glossy magazine, but I decided to go freelance after I discovered my wife was having an affair with my boss. I had wondered why I was given so many overseas assignments in exotic locations, but it wasn't until I came home a few days earlier than planned that I discovered the truth when I caught them in flagrante in our marital bed. Since the uncontested divorce on the ground of adultery I have had a few girlfriends but I have never remarried and frankly enjoy the freedom of an unattached life.
Much of my work is privately commissioned but my pictures also regularly appear in top fashion magazines. These days I generally work indoors β a bedroom or a private dressing room for example β but mainly in my studio, where I can control the lighting, depth of field etc. to produce the right artistic effect. Although I do shoot my subjects in the nude with results that might be considered erotic, they are definitely not pornographic, which means no overtly sexual poses or open crotch pictures. Over the years I have developed my own distinctive style which is much in demand and I often have to refuse commissions, otherwise I would be working all the hours in the day.
However, whatever my friends may think, I do not mix business with pleasure. If I did overstep the mark and got sexually involved with my subjects, the word would soon get around, and the commissions would quickly dry up. I make a good living out of what I do and I want that to continue. I might add that I do not find what I do remotely sexually arousing β my mind is far too busy thinking about composition, lighting, skin tone and all the other elements that make up a good photograph.
Photography is also my hobby as well as my profession, but in the field of photojournalism, which is a total contrast to what I do to earn my bread and butter. Unlike my professional work where conditions are highly controlled, it is capturing the fleeting moment that appeals to me and the challenge of creating a coherent story about the human condition by reacting to what I see through the viewfinder. I am too much of a coward to consider working in war zones but I have covered many elections and demonstrations in the U.K. and overseas, and sporting events are always a good source of human interest stories. I have sold a few pictures to newspapers and weekly journals such as Time magazine, and every couple of years I hire a gallery for a week for a show.
ooOoo
Until recently I had been very strict about keeping my professional and private lives separate, but events of a few months ago changed all that. A young couple in their twenties had moved into the next door apartment and out of neighbourliness I invited them round for dinner one evening. Peter was tall and very thin, but not bad looking. His wife Veronica on the other hand was stunning, with what can only be described as a voluptuous figure β some people would unkindly describe her as short and plump, but I thought she was gorgeous. Although the modern fashion is for skinny girls personally I have always preferred something more cuddly. With her large firm breasts, broad hips and ample bottom, I privately thought Veronica would make a good subject for a study of real femininity β a modern Venus if you like.
The walls of my apartment are hung with large format copies of many of my photographs β essays in photojournalism in the hall and dining room, but pictures of my favourite female subjects in the sitting room β some in lingerie, but also artistic nudes, all shot against a black background. After dinner when we were relaxing over coffee and drinks β gin and tonic for Veronica and a good single malt whisky for Peter and me β Veronica asked where I had purchased the pictures. I explained that I was a professional photographer and that they were all examples of my work, and went on to tell them a little about my work. After a pregnant pause Peter asked what my fee would be to photograph his wife, purely for their personal consumption of course. I told him what I usually charged for private commissions, and when he indicated that they were comfortable with that I suggested that we should make an appointment for a sitting.
"Why not tonight," Peter said, and looking across at Veronica, "if that is okay with you dear," and turning back to me, "and I would like to watch you at work if you don't mind."
This was rather a novel request, but I replied that as long as he sat quietly in the background I had no objections.
Veronica then chipped in, "I think it would be rather exciting to be photographed in an intimate way, but what colour lingerie would you prefer me to wear?"
"If I was working in colour I would suggest lingerie in rich colours such as dark crimson or rich blues, or alternatively pale colours if I wished to create an air of innocence. However as I normally shoot in black and white I use a dark background and suggest lingerie from a limited colour palette depending upon the effect I am after, and also the skin colour of the model. With your pale skin and long black hair you are already a very interesting subject, so I would suggest something which is basically black. I will choose lighting to make that effect even more dramatic, which will emphasise the curves of your amazing figure and make your skin glow as if it lit from within, almost like alabaster."
Veronica thought for a moment and then said, "I have some new things I bought the other day from Victoria's Secret which think would be ideal. If you will give me a moment or two, I will slip back home and change."