This is how we do it: ‘Erotic photography unleashed my exhibitionist streak’

Dylan, 57

Linda seems to revel in showing herself off, and I enjoy my wife looking utterly beautiful

My life changed on meeting Linda. I got introduced to a new way of life. She is a businesswoman; she wore Armani suits. It opened up a new world.

We’re now retired, but we had both been self-employed, so when I got paid for a project we’d go out and celebrate irresponsibly. We’d go to Harvey Nicks, drink far too many cocktails, and then end up buying a pair of Jimmy Choos and nice lingerie. It was fun, very erotic. Linda is so sexy and I get so much enjoyment from what she wears and how she shows off.

The boudoir photography started after we’d been together six months. We were at a hotel, and she had a little Sony camera, and I just took a picture of her bending over. She’s got a great bum and she knows it. Taking photos became quite an intense hobby for me. Linda seems to revel in showing herself off, and I enjoy my wife looking utterly beautiful. I’m trying to capture how amazing she looks and how amazing she is. And I get very turned on too.

We’d set up photo shoots on our holidays or free weekends. She would take her time dressing up. I’d set up my camera and we would spend a couple of hours trying different poses and experimenting with the light. As the night progressed, my excitement would grow, and after a couple of hours, she’d say something like: “Could you untie this?” And that would always lead to sex. Quickies have never been our thing. We enjoy quite intense, long nights, even if it’s just being naked and talking.

Boudoir photography has been a lot of fun. We’d go through the pictures together afterwards, and get down to the best 20 or 30 that we’ll save for ever. I have looked at them many times afterwards on my own and got pleasure from them.

We’re getting older now so we need a day for recovery time, but our sex life is very healthy. We used to do the photography sessions every couple of weeks, but now it’s probably every couple of months. There’s nothing too serious or pornographic about it, but it gives us both a lot of pleasure.

Linda, 67

I was married for 26 years before and had never done anything like this

I met Dylan at a festival 17 years ago, when I heard this big, raucous laugh from a bar. Within five minutes, he was laughing at my jokes – that’s always a good thing. He had the best chat-up line I’d ever heard: “I’d really like you to come up to my room and have sex with me.” I thought it was brilliant. We both fell in love that first night, even though there’s a lot of it I don’t remember. I didn’t remember his name the next day, but I remembered being completely open and intimate.

About six months later, he snapped a picture of me leaning out the hotel window, and I loved the way my bum looked! Not long after, he came home one day with lingerie that fitted me perfectly. Dylan just has an eye for what looks good. I started to really enjoy dressing up, and it blossomed into erotic photography that’s become a huge part of our sex life.

We regularly have sessions where I dress up in nice lingerie, put heels and makeup on, and he photographs me in sexy positions. He’d never taken photos before, but I thought: damn, I look good. He got me to like my legs and my butt.

I was married for 26 years before Dylan and had never done anything like this. My sex drive isn’t high, which could have been catastrophic with the wrong man, as it was in my first marriage. But taking photos boosts my drive as I do have a bit of an exhibitionist streak. It’s kept our sex life alive. It isn’t to do with frequency; it’s about really immersing yourself.

Some women my size want to lose weight, but these photographs have made me love my body. I’m also a breast cancer survivor, and I ended up with a very nice pair of NHS breasts after my mastectomy, so it’s fun to show them off. I enjoy the fact that I’ve been through this difficult experience, but I still feel attractive. It’s amazing to have this confidence.