Boudoir Isn’t About Being Naked. It’s About Owning the Damn Room—or Beach, Waterfall, Wherever the Hell You Are!

Boudoir Photography in Hood River & the Columbia River Gorge

Being a boudoir photographer in Hood River, Oregon, means we have one hell of a playground right outside the door.

The Columbia River Gorge gives us mountains, waterfalls, forests, cliffs, beaches, river views, and some of the most incredible scenery in the Pacific Northwest!

And when I say we have options, I mean we have OPTIONS!

Want a lake with Mount Hood towering in the background? Let’s go to Lost Lake! I already know how beautiful that view is—I have a photograph of myself doing the splits on a paddleboard there with Mount Hood behind me. So yes, I’m pretty sure we could cause some serious photographic trouble there!

Want something that requires a little more adventure? Mirror Lake would be freaking epic! It takes a hike to get there, so you’re going to have to work for this one, but once we’re at the lake we have Mount Hood, water, mountains, and the possibility of those gorgeous reflections to play with.

Worth the hike? Hell yes!

And let me make one thing clear: these are only SOME of the places I can take you!

If I listed every location I have in my head, this would stop being a boudoir blog and turn into a freaking novel. 😂 There are so many incredible places throughout the Columbia River Gorge, around Mount Hood, and all over the Pacific Northwest that the possibilities are seriously endless!

So consider this the highlight reel—not the entire damn list.

Have a location you’ve been dreaming about that I haven’t mentioned? Tell me! Or tell me the kind of scenery you want, and we’ll figure out where the hell we’re going.

Want waterfalls? Welcome to the Columbia River Gorge! We can choose a waterfall that fits the look and adventure level you want, check access and any permit requirements, and build the session around it.

Want something moodier, weathered, wild, and completely different? We even have a few really cool ghost towns we can explore!

And then there are the volcanoes.

Oh yes. We have volcanoes!

Mount Hood.

Mount Adams.

Mount St. Helens.

Mount Jefferson.

And the Three Sisters—North Sister, Middle Sister, and South Sister!

Pick your freaking volcano and let’s go!

Because honestly, what’s more badass than doing your boudoir session with a volcano in the background?!

Okay, But What the Hell Do I Wear?!

First of all, you do NOT need to show up with an entire boudoir wardrobe.

I have a shopping addiction.

There. I said it. 😂

And because of that shopping addiction, I have a gigantic client closet with a ridiculous amount of options!

For above-the-water sessions, I have lingerie, outfits, accessories, gowns, fun pieces and all kinds of things we can play with. Honestly, the amount of stuff I have for above-water sessions is just ridiculous.

And yes, I own SO MANY pairs of fancy, beautiful cowboy boots and lots of really pretty cowboy hats!

If you happen to wear around a women’s size 7.5 boot, congratulations—you just hit the cowboy-boot jackpot. 😂 And if you have a smaller head like I do, there’s a pretty good chance my cowboy hats will work for you too!

For underwater sessions, I have an entirely different collection of exquisite pieces specifically chosen because they photograph beautifully underwater—lightweight gowns, fluffy and flowy fabrics, and outfits that move beautifully through the water while still being light and safe to work with underwater.

Some of those pieces are freaking magical once they hit the water!

And we can absolutely mix things up.

Cowboy boots with lingerie? Yes.

A flowing gown in the forest? Hell yes.

Something sexy on a beach? Obviously.

We are not following some stupid rulebook about what boudoir is supposed to look like.

“But I Don’t Know How to Pose!”

GOOD.

You don’t need to.

That’s my job!

I will direct you throughout your session—from your hands and feet to your face, your posture, where to look and what the hell to do with your body.

And because sometimes hearing somebody explain a pose and actually being able to visualize it are two completely different things, I keep a MASSIVE folder of posing inspiration on my phone.

Even when we’re out adventuring somewhere, I have it with me.

If there’s a pose I want you to try, I can literally pull out my phone and show you an example so you can SEE what I’m talking about. Then I’ll describe it, pose you and adjust it specifically for YOUR body, YOUR location and whatever looks incredible on YOU.

You are never expected to walk into one of my sessions already knowing how to model.

I Know Exactly What It Feels Like to Be on the Other Side of the Camera

I would much rather be behind the camera than in front of it.

Seriously.

The first boudoir session I ever did was when I was 26 years old.

I’m 54 now.

Do I have the same body I had at 26?

NOPE! 😂

I’ve had two kids. Bodies change. Things move around. Gravity starts getting involved. And some things just fucking fall off and you’re standing there wondering, “Where did THAT come from? Put it back on!”

Hair, for example. 😂

But you know what?

That stuff happens.

This body is mine.

And whatever phase of life you’re in, yours is yours too.

There is something pretty damn powerful about loving yourself and your body in whatever phase of life you’re in instead of constantly waiting for some imaginary future version of yourself.

“But I Need to Lose Weight First.”

Oh, I understand this one because I literally did it to myself.

I had two boudoir experiences with photographer Marco Ibáñez this year—one indoors in a gorgeous Las Vegas penthouse and another outdoors on a beach with a horse in Costa Rica.

Marco Ibáñez Photography

And before those sessions, I had a goal.

I wanted to lose 15 pounds.

Guess what?

I didn’t.

Thanks, menopause! 😂

And I did the sessions anyway!

And you know what else?

I LOVE the photographs.

I love them just as much as I would have if I had lost those 15 pounds.

I don’t look at them and think, “Damn, I wish I had lost the weight first.”

I’m just fucking glad I did it.

Because if I had waited until my body checked every imaginary box in my head, I might not have those photographs at all.

Yes, I Was Nervous as Hell Too

For my indoor session with Marco in Las Vegas, I was nervous.

And it wasn’t because Marco made me nervous.

It wasn’t because of his friend who was also in the room filming my session for me either.

Those guys made me feel completely at ease.

They were amazing.

The problem was ME. 😂

I don’t like being in front of the camera.

I’d rather be behind it. That’s much more my pace.

Marco’s friend has a really cool name that I have trouble pronouncing, so I nicknamed him Mitch because I decided he looks like the Spanish version of Mitch from Baywatch. 😂

So there I am in this fancy Las Vegas penthouse with two hot guys, wearing lingerie, and now I’m supposed to pose and look sexy?

Are you fucking kidding me?! 😂

I was thinking, “Why am I doing this to myself?!”

I was so nervous about having that camera aimed at ME that I needed about half a bottle of wine before I finally relaxed enough to settle into it.

And again—it wasn’t them! 🙂

Marco and Mitch made me feel incredibly comfortable.

It was simply that weird feeling of suddenly being the person standing on the OTHER side of the camera.

And now I understand that feeling even better when one of my own clients tells me she’s nervous.

Now, when I did my outdoor session with the horse in Costa Rica?

No wine.

Because I don’t drink and horse. 😂

And Marco Did Something I Absolutely Loved

Marco demonstrated the poses himself.

Every. Damn. One.

If he wanted me in some sexy girl pose, that man got himself into the sexy girl pose first and showed me exactly what he wanted me to do.

And I would just bust up laughing.

It was so damn cute watching a man get himself into these sexy feminine poses. 😂

But you know what?

It WORKED!

I could SEE what he wanted.

Then he would get me into position, adjust me and photograph me.

And THAT is exactly why I believe so strongly in showing you what I mean instead of expecting you to magically understand photographer language.

Photographed by David Vance

These photographs of me at 26 were taken in Florida by the incredible David Vance. David has spent more than 40 years photographing advertising, editorial, celebrities and portraits, and his work has appeared in publications including Cosmopolitan, Rolling Stone, Interview and Harper’s Bazaar Italia.

Looking back now, I think it’s pretty damn cool that long before I became a photographer myself, I had the opportunity to experience being in front of the camera of someone with that kind of talent and career.

See David Vance’s photography

I’ve Learned From Both Sides of the Camera

And here’s something else I think is important!

I haven’t only been photographed by Marco Ibáñez—I’ve also taken many of his photography workshops and learned from him behind the camera.

So I’ve gotten to experience both sides.

I’ve been the woman standing in front of his camera, watching how he directs me, demonstrates poses, adjusts the tiniest details and uses light to completely transform a photograph.

And then I’ve gotten to turn around, pick up my own camera and learn from him as a photographer—especially the dark, moody lighting and dramatic style that I absolutely LOVE!

There is something pretty damn fantastic about getting to learn from one of the best in the boudoir business.

And everything I learn comes home with me and becomes another tool I can use when I photograph YOU.

Sometimes seeing a pose makes it click in your brain immediately.

That’s why I keep that giant pose folder on my phone.

You get the visual AND you get me directing you.

Hair & Makeup Made a Huge Difference for Me Too

I had my hair AND makeup professionally done for BOTH of those experiences—my indoor Vegas boudoir session and my outdoor beach-and-horse session in Costa Rica.

And I loved it.

It made me feel pampered.

It made me feel like I was getting closer and closer to looking like the role I wanted to step into when I got in front of that camera.

I could watch the transformation happening and think, “Okay…there she is.”

Basically, I got to be queen for a day!

And that felt freaking GREAT.

In Las Vegas, my hair and makeup were done by Janessa Mazzeo, the Las Vegas beauty stylist behind @lvbodyartist. She also runs @vegasbraiders.

Janessa Mazzeo — lvbodyartist on Instagram

Vegas Braiders — @vegasbraiders on Instagram

And in Costa Rica, my hair and makeup were done by Nadia Cambronero, @makeupbynadiacambronero.

Nadia Cambronero — @makeupbynadiacambronero on Instagram

Getting professionally styled didn’t magically make every nervous feeling disappear, but holy hell did it help me step into the experience feeling polished, sexy and ready.

And Then There’s Editing…

We should talk about this because everybody has different feelings about retouching.

Some people want a completely natural approach.

Perfect.

Some people want a little polish.

Also perfect.

And some people look at something on their body and say, “Tobi, I don’t like that. I don’t want to see it.”

Okay!

I basically have a black belt in Photoshop and Lightroom. 😂

I can make just about anything happen.

Skin, temporary blemishes, little distractions, body shaping, tattoos—whatever it is, we talk about what YOU want.

Want your tattoos left completely alone?

Absolutely.

Want one removed?

We can do that too.

Want more flowy hair?

Yep.

Want your boobs a little bigger?

LOL. I can do that too. 😂

The point isn’t for ME to decide what your body should look like.

YOU decide how you want to see yourself.

If you want natural, we’ll keep it natural.

If you want a little polish, we’ll polish.

And if you want me to pull out the Photoshop black belt and make some freaking magic happen?

I’ve got you.

And Yes—I’ve Been the Underwater Model Too

And there’s something else I think matters when it comes to my underwater work.

I am a bona fide underwater model myself.

Behind the lens and in front of it! Tobi Rose Rabaliati modeling underwater in Gainesville, Florida, photographed by Kimber Greenwood of Water Bear Photography. She is a total bad ass photographer and my teacher, you should check out her work!

And yes—you really are hearing music underwater in that video!

Kimber’s pool has an Oceanears underwater sound system, so the music actually plays beneath the surface while we’re working. Between the music, the bubbles and everything happening underwater, it makes the whole experience even cooler!

I loved the system so damn much that I have Oceanears myself now—and it is friggin amazing!

I’ve been photographed underwater.

I’ve modeled underwater.

I’ve been the person holding my breath in front of the camera.

So when I photograph someone underwater, I’m not standing safely on dry land asking them to do something I’ve never experienced myself.

I know what it feels like to hold your breath, position your body, control your face, work with flowing fabric and try to look graceful while your hair is doing whatever the hell it wants. 😂

I understand how those few seconds underwater actually FEEL.

I know what I’m asking you to do because I’ve done it myself!

I won’t ask you to do something underwater that I haven’t been willing to do myself.

And I think that matters.

Whether we’re underwater, in a penthouse, standing near a waterfall, lying on a beach, climbing onto a horse or running around the freaking desert—I don’t want you to feel like I’m just standing there pointing a camera at you.

I’m in this with you!

Want a horse in the Gorge? Let’s find one.

Want to head into the desert? Pack your boots.

Want an old ghost town? Oh, we can absolutely do that!

Want Lost Lake with Mount Hood behind you? I know the spot.

Want to hike into Mirror Lake for something a little more adventurous? Lace up your boots!

And if your dream session isn’t in Oregon?

Pack a bag!

I photograph destination sessions too.

Because the experience isn’t about fitting yourself into some predetermined idea of what boudoir is supposed to look like.

It’s about creating something that feels like you.

So, where are we doing yours?

A room?

A beach?

A waterfall?

Lost Lake?

Mirror Lake?

Underwater?

On a horse?

In the desert?

A ghost town?

A freaking volcano?!

Or somewhere completely different that we haven’t even talked about yet?

Talk to me, Goose. Let’s make some trouble!

Stay wild! Make some trouble!

💙 Tobi

Talk to me, Goose!

Tobi Rose Photography

Hood River, Oregon

THE Columbia River Gorge, Windsurfing Capital Of The World!

Drone Photography & Video • Weddings • Elopements • Events • Adventure

Follow along on Instagram: @tobirosephotography for photography, adventures, weddings, events & drone work and @roseandlacebytobirose for boudoir & underwater portraits! 💙

Want to see what a boudoir or underwater session with me is actually like? Explore The Experience.

Not quite ready to jump in? Grab my free Underwater Portrait Guide and start there.