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Typically, most proposals and engagements happen between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, which means we're about to head into engagement photo season.
Insert the gauzy shots of couples smiling at each other, and the photos of folks holding hands in the park, with the engagement ring showing just so. We've all seen a million of these poses. But what if you could get the photos you need for your save-the-date cards and social media engagement announcements, while also getting shots LIKE THIS?!
Ok, wait WHAT!? One minute we're talking about holding hands and the next minute we're talking about juicy booties?! What just happened?
Couples boudoir photography just happened, or rather it's been happening for years, and now Philadelphia photographer Mike Allebach is offering engagement photo shoots that roll into couples boudoir sessions.
How's that work? We'll let Mike explain:
We’ll start your couples boudoir session with a few “parent approved” photos — the perfect family-friendly engagement announcements you want to plaster all over social media. You (and your mom) still get the photos you need all while getting the photos you actually really want.
Starting the session off clothed and posing for your save-the-date images will help build the anticipation of ripping off each other’s clothes and stripping down into what you really came here for – the couples boudoir. Take off as much or as little as you like and get up close and personal with the love of your life.
The goal of a couple's session is to focus on the connection and love you share with your partner. It used to be that engagement shoots were just about capturing a nice photo for your save-the-date cards, and some couples skip the engagement photos completely because it’s just another thing on the checklist of things to do in preparation for their wedding.
With a couples boudoir session, you get to celebrate the passion of your engagement — no cheese, just fire! Years down the road, you want photos that capture your true selves. Not just the holding hands, but the, uh, holding other stuff.
So, to answer the question in the headline: no-one's actually suggesting you send a photo of the love of your life ripping off your red laceys — but Mike and his team at Allebach Photography are combining engagement shoots with couples boudoir photography sessions, and that's just smart. And hot. But also smart.
Couples boudoir has emerged over the past few years as a fun, sexy, daring way to capture your love on camera. Not the sweet “we go for walks in the park” side, but the passionate romantic side. And the fact that you can also get those G-rated, traditional engagement photos during the same sultry session? True efficiency!
If you're still just like, “OMG WUT do people actually do this?!” maybe it'd be nice to share some stories from REAL couples talking about their couples sessions with Mike Allebach:
If you think couples boudoir would feel embarrassing or awkward, think again! Couples report feeling confident and connected in ways that last long after they've left the studio.
As Kayte said after her session:
Feeling connected and focused on my partner during a session was captivating, motivating and liberating. Allebach Photography not only gets to capture the feelings that were had, but makes you feel like you are the only people in the room. You think that the session is it? Nope — wrong. It trickles home with you. You get to talk about it. And soon enough, you get your artwork revealed to you and get to relive the moment all over and bring THAT feeling home with you too. It's truly incredible.
Can photos of you holding hands on the beach say the same?
Folks of all gender identities vibe with these shoots. Sam had this to say about the couples session he and his partner did with Mike:
“The world we live in is so busy and fast-paced, we often forget to stop and truly connect with our partners. Having five hours to completely focus on each other and our passion was priceless and a life-long memory!”
…Couples boudoir isn't just for the newly-engaged, either! As Kellianne said:
A year after becoming new parents, my husband and I wanted to reconnect in an exciting, sexy new way. Boudoir was something I had always wanted to do, and after talking it through we decided to let loose and go for it. It was a freeing, empowering experience, and from it we received an album of beautiful, intimate photos we will be able to look through for the rest of our lives.
If you're concerned about covid safetly, Mike notes that he and his assistants are always fully masked during photo sessions, with air purifiers in every room. Sexy, AND safe.
So yeah, this is truly the 21st-century naked engagement session… you start with your nice suit on, and then after you get those perfect shots for the save-the-date magnets you're gonna send out to your guests, you get to strip down and get shots that are a bit more spicy.
As Catherine said:
We are adventure-seekers, and we wanted to try something out-of-the-box and found Mike right when we needed him the most! You will never regret the sexy time with your husband or partner, and you will never regret the amazing images that Mike captures.
And we know we have a lot of polyamorous readers, and Mike is totally down with shooting throuples, or bring the whole polycule!
Ok, ok. Now we all need a cold shower. Whew. If you're feeling hot and bothered and want to give it a shot for yourself, you can request a free consultation. Mike is even offering a discount just for Offbeat Bride readers:
Offbeat Discount:
Offbeat Bride readers get $100 off the session fee! Just mention Offbeat Bride when you book your couples boudoir session.
And it's not just Philly folks who are booking sessions: Mike reports that folks are planning socially-distanced road trips, and doing the couples shoot is the highlight of the vacation!
Ok, ok. What are you waiting for, friends? Get the ball rolling your 2-in-1 engagement photo & couples boudoir session with Allebach Photography: book with Mike today!
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