There’s something about a blizzardy, gray Minnesota day that makes the warmth inside feel that much more intense and this session at Bonita Muze Studios in Saint Paul was pure heat. While snow whipped outside the windows and the world turned white, we created something moody, cozy, and deeply intimate inside the studio. The winters there are nothing like the winters here in Colorado, where it can be snowing one morning and warm and sunny in the afternoon. They bring the mood and prompt you to dive right into snuggle season.
From the moment this couple stepped in, I knew we were about to make magic. They came fully prepared with a connection made for the kind of steamy session that makes you forget the storm outside even exists. Bonita Muze provided the perfect space for it too: soft light, textured walls, and a calm atmosphere that lets you drop into the moment and just be.
These two were some of the most natural people I’ve ever had in front of my lens. I barely had to direct them. They moved together like they forgot I was even in the room. I always tell my couples: keep moving, keep your hands on each other, no space between you, and interact the way you naturally do. Because honestly, how could I possibly create something so personal? What works for one couple would never feel authentic for another. The magic happens when you show up as you and give the camera exactly what you came there for it to capture.
I also like to tell couples that if I’m quiet during a session, that’s a good thing! It means you're in your bubble, doing everything right, and I don’t want to interrupt something so real. I am just focused on capturing it to the best of my ability before the moment is gone. Quiet noticing = the magic moments.
This session reminded me why I love these steamy sessions so much. They’re raw. They’re real. And when couples trust me and each other fully, we get to capture something that’s not just beautiful - it’s alive, even in the moody winter lighting.
I cannot wait to do more of these here in Colorado! I am finally getting the itch back and hope to find more couples soon.
