What about sexy/nude photographs of one’s spouse?

• Depending on the comfort levels of both spouses, pictures can be taken both at home or in a more professional setting. There are studios that specifically focus on this type of photography and that take appropriate precautions. Things you may want to discuss and be clear about before getting started is who will take the pictures (i.e. does it matter to you as a couple that the photographer be the same gender?), who will be seeing and developing the pictures, how long does the studio keep the photos, what control do you have of what will eventually happen to the photos?
• If a spouse is uncomfortable having pictures taken completely in the nude, there are other options such as taking photos in special attire (i.e. lingerie, wrapped in sheets, wearing limited clothing) or nude but while covering certain anatomical areas (i.e. breasts or genitals) with your hands/arms, crossing legs and/or positioning the body in certain ways. Again, a good photographer who clearly understands what you want should be able to help you feel comfortable.
• If uncomfortable with the idea of someone unknown taking these types of pictures, have fun being the photographer yourselves. This can be a fun and erotic activity in of itself. Playing with lighting, different poses, different backdrops, and different editing tools (i.e. blurring and softening of backgrounds) can be part of sharing vulnerabilities not previously known. Make sure that you study tips on angles and lighting that help the “attractiveness” of the photos. You want your spouse to like these images of themselves – where both you and he/she can enjoy their best attributes. Hardly anyone looks good under direct or harsh lighting. Take it on as a learning artistic project.
• On a tangent, a developmental time where nudity or partial nudity can be very touching in photography is during pregnancy or while photographing a new baby with parents.

Just because I am open to this being a fun, creative way for a couple to enjoy a form of appropriate erotica – I hope no one would use my opinion to coerce or guilt their spouse with going forward with this type of decision if they are not legitimately comfortable themselves. Doing that will do nothing towards increasing intimacy. And increasing intimacy is the only reason this type of activity should be approached to begin with.