The Nude Photoshoot

July 13, 2020.

“Why are we in Palo Alto?” Sofia asks, her German accent a pretty thing that I’d never thought I’d hear myself saying about the sound.

We’re standing in a cozy little photo studio tucked into the corner of the city. I’m setting up the equipment, waiting for the other two members of the family to arrive. Sofia, ever industrious, is helping out with the reflectors and light stands. She’s picked up a thing or two from the photographers on her many photoshoots, and I have to say, she looks absolutely delectable in that tiny white dress of hers. It does little to hide the curve of her bosom or ass, and I find myself wanting to spill the truth to those incisive blue eyes.

One of the ‘bodyguards’ accompanying us gives me a hard look, an unnecessary reminder that Sofia isn’t in the know. The bit of brilliance that I’ve shown hasn’t been enough to earn Irene’s trust yet. Not that it should have.

“I thought it would be good to get out of the mansion,” I say. “Out of the east coast, really. It’s kind of unfair that Tiffany has to keep flying all the way out to us, so I thought, why not change it up?”

“It is quite lovely out here,” Sofia says, brushing a strand of her loose blonde hair behind her ear. “But also quite different from the beaches of LA, no? With Stanford and Silicon Valley nearby… even the people on the streets look very brainy. It’s a nice atmosphere.”

“Well, if this shoot goes well, we can always schedule the next one for Cambridge,” I laugh.

“Oh, daring, are we?” she replies, a twinkle in her eye. “I don’t think Father would like that very much.”

Behind her, Irene is drawing a line across her throat with her good hand, but I only shrug with a good-natured smile in response to both of them, tightening up the screws on a beauty dish.

Just a minute later, there comes a knocking at the door. Irene takes a step out of the studio space to check on who it is, and, a minute later, Scarlet comes into the studio, giving me a hug as soon as she sees me.

“It’s been so long, Claude!” she says.

“I like the way you’re dressed today,” I say, gesturing to the long grey blouse that she’s wearing.

“Oh, this?” Scarlet points at herself, laughing. “I just threw this on. I was agonising this morning over what I should be wearing, you know, something that would be compatible for work, but also something that wouldn’t look bad when compared against a supermodel and a Hollywood actress… but then, I realised, it doesn’t matter!”

“I think it’s custom to take a few photos with clothes on,” I smile, “even if this is going to be a nude photoshoot.”

“Even just talking about it makes me a bit nervous,” Sofia says, twirling a lock of her hair between her fingers.

“Didn’t you volunteer yourself to join us?” Scarlet asks.

“Well, yes,” Sofia says. “But it was in the heat of the moment! I wanted to prove a point to Hyerim!”

Never a bad thing, I think to myself.

“It’s a good feeling,” Scarlet says, sympathising.

I notice Irene glancing at the two woman from her place at the side of the room. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hyerim were to hear about this conversation shortly. I can only thank my natural paranoia that I’ve always arranged for the bodyguards to be gone before divulging anything truly sensitive myself.

“When do you think Tiffany’s going to get here?” I ask.

Not a second later, there’s another knocking at the door. Irene goes to get it, and Tiffany flies into the room, somehow swift in her high heels. She gives me a big hug, planting a light kiss on my cheek. She looks stylish as ever in a chic black sundress, and she smells of fresh spring flowers and cinnamon, a combination that I don’t think she’s ever worn before.

“How are you the last to arrive?” I ask. “You’re the only one who lives in the state!”

“I got distracted,” Tiffany says, waving hello to Sofia and Scarlet.

She takes a second to rummage through her purse, and then pulls out a paper bag that’s the source of the cinnamon I was smelling earlier.

“My favourite churro place is here!” she says excitedly. She holds the bag out, offering them to us all. “Try them! They’re heavenly…”

Scarlet and Sofia grab one apiece, munching down on the sugary confections.

“These are really good,” Scarlet says, covering her mouth as she savours another bite of her churro. “Even if objectively terrible for my figure.”

“Worth every second of the wait,” Sofia agrees. “Not that it was a long wait, anyways. And a cheat snack every once in a while is okay, right?”

“Necessary, I would say,” Tiffany nods aggressively.

I, meanwhile, have snuck behind the tripod, subtly focusing the lens on the three beauties enjoying their forbidden fruit. There’s something phallic about the churros they’re eating, reminiscent of bananas or lollipops as I see Scarlet licking the tip of hers. I press down on the shutter, and the flash lighting goes off through the studio, startling the three of them.

“Wait! I didn’t know we’d started already,” Sofia cries out, the churro flopping over in her hand. “My hair isn’t even fully fixed up yet…”

“Just getting a few candid shots, testing the set-up. Besides, I think you look gorgeous already,” I say, smiling at her.

“You do,” Tiffany nods, patting her on the arm. “Don’t change the hair. It looks great right now.”

I take a look at the photograph through the viewer on my camera. The white balance might be a bit off, but that can be fixed in post. Most important is that I’ve captured the beauty of the subjects at hand, and of that, there can be no doubt. The three girls—siblings and step-mother—are smiling, churros thick in their mouths, hair tossed back and dresses radiant, the curves of their nubile bodies impossible to miss.

“You all look stunning,” I say, subtly adjusting the lens on the camera. “Shall we begin the photoshoot?”