Caroline Juliana Russell

Caroline Juliana could very well be the archetypal dignified woman. She is an open and feisty woman, to say the least, AND the icing on the cake is that she is a boudoir photographer. So in a rare installment of Women + Sex, we hear a woman in her own words and through her own eyes. We recently took some time to sit down with Caroline to talk sex, men, photography and the cliché of complex women. Enjoy, gentlemen…

So tell us a little about yourself.

Caroline Juliana Russell: I’ve actually never moved out of the county I was born in, Brevard. I’ve relocated to different cities throughout, but I’ve never left my roots.. yet. I went to Brevard Community College and received an associate’s degree in art and then transferred to Daytona State College to pursue a technological degree in photography, which I received in 2011.

What kind of family did you come from? What did your parents do for a living?

CJR: My father was laid off his job when I was very young. He worked for a company that built army tanks. My mother didn’t work until he was laid off, but had a degree in the medical field and became a Physician’s Assistant. At the time it seemed hard for my dad to transition into a bread winner to a stay at home dad, but it really was a blessing. My father passed away last year from multiple sclerosis and although I only got 22 years with him, I feel like I’ve had considerably more daddy time than most women, since was a stay home dad.

Was your dad protective of you?

CJR: Well, unfortunately since he was sick during my teen years, he didn’t have much opportunity to watch over what I was doing. But I know if he was able to, he would have had my ass. I have an older sister and he was definitely strict with her when she was growing up.

So are you a self-confessed wild woman?

CJR: I’ve had my moments.. I’ve always just wanted to go and do and make my own rules. I didn’t really like having to explain my every move, which really irritated my poor mother.

So let’s talk about you now? How do you define yourself as a woman?

CJR: Let me think for a second, I don’t think I’ve ever had to defined myself before.

Well, then this should be good?

CJR: I am definitely strong willed. If you tell me I can’t do something, trust me I will. I don’t want to say I am complex because that is just too cliché, but I definitely have my layers. I’m fun, super cheesy, hard working and confident.

How do you think men define you?

CJR: Complicated (laughs). I don’t want to say I’m rude, but if you are trying too hard to impress me, trust me I won’t give you the time of day. The men that do actually know me I’m sure would say I am sweet and a big nerd.

And what about other women? How would they define you? Women are not always kind to other women.

CJR: Honestly, I don’t really feel that I’ve ever had that issue. Maybe I just haven’t paid any attention. I have six very close, very attractive girlfriends and I’ve never felt judged by them. I even work with random beautiful women all the time with my job as a photographer and I never sense a feeling of superiority in the room or jealousy from either myself or them.

How did you get into a career in boudoir photography?

CJR: I love photographing women! I deal with women of all shapes and sizes. Some are confident and others are not. I like the challenge of breaking a shy woman’s demeanor and capturing her inner sexy. It makes me feel good when they feel beautiful.

But how did you find yourself in this line of work?

CJR: I did some research, built a portfolio using my hot friends and opened a studio in Melbourne, Florida. It was kind of a crazy idea at the time, but I was confident in my work so I went for it full force.

How do you feel about women and how they are portrayed in the media?

CJR: I am in an industry that does portray women in a certain light, I do deal with a lot of grief from time to time. I don’t see anything wrong with a woman who is confident enough in herself to share – it’s sexy. In my opinion those that don’t agree shouldn’t look. It’s a new day and age, women are stronger than ever.

We couldn’t agree more! So it sounds like you’re the woman to ask… what makes a woman attractive from a physical standpoint?

JCR: I really like butts and the overall shape of a woman’s body. I see a lot of boobs, too, in my job, but it’s hard to tell what you are going to get with clothes on. At least with an ass you pretty much get what you see. (laughs) I sound like a perve.

So, since this is an interview about you we should say (and it’s rare here on the DD) that you shot yourself in terms of the images we used. We have to know, how did you approach yourself as a sexual woman? How do you see yourself as a sexual being? What do you want to show our readers?

JCR: Well, of course I hope my confidence shows through. I wouldn’t want to come off as timid or shy, because I’m not. I’m definitely showing off and accentuating my assets: my butt and flat tummy. I also have small boobs, which I think some women see as a negative thing.. I actually don’t mind at all, so I tried to incorporate that into my shoot. Showing that you have a big rack isn’t always where it’s at! (laughs)

So if you had to list your best and worst “assets,” in your opinion, what would they be?

CJR: My best like I said before is my butt, tummy, eyes, and my smile. The worst? hmmmm.. My lips. I wish they were bigger. Oh, and I love my nose.

What do you like about your nose?

CJR: It’s small and I think it has a cute shape. And if I didn’t have this nose, my boyfriend probably wouldn’t be dating me! (laughs) he’s a nose guy.

A nose guy… I would guess those are rare?

CJR: I guess! (laughs)

So let’s get back to you as a woman for a second. Men look at the pictures you take of others, and the ones you take of yourself. They are going to make certain assumptions about you as a sexual person. Number 1: What do you think they think of what you do for a living? Number 2: What do you think would surprise men about you as a sexual woman?

CJR: Well, first off I understand my career choice is somewhat scandalous, but I personally love the challenges that I face within it. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

As for the second part of your question, I feel like I am super gifted in the reading of a man’s mind. Sexually I do actually know what they’re thinking. ALWAYS. I swear it! And I can actually turn the table to get what I want, without them even realizing it. I also love watching movies with nudity, again I am a perve (laughs) but those type of things don’t make me jealous. It’s more of a turn on. I am probably one of the rare women that enjoy going to the strip club with my boyfriend or even meeting up with him after he’s gone with his guy friends.

So I have to ask since you brought up nudity in film, what’s a character from a film that you think best represents your sex life?

CJR: (laughs) Probably Cameron Diaz in Bad Teacher.

Well, since we are on the topic of sex, there are a few questions that we think reveal a lot about a woman. Are you ready?

CJR: Let’s hear it.

When do you lie when it comes to sex?

CJR: Hmm.. I really don’t feel like I have to lie when it comes to sex.

You must have lied at least ONCE in the arena of sex?

CJR: I may have over exaggerated the amazingness of sex with a guy before to make him feel better about himself.

That’s what we thought.

CJR: But other than that I am pretty up front and open.

Anything else you want to come clean on?

CJR: Hmmmm… nothing is ringing any bells. I just had an ex that sucked at sex, so I guess most of my lying took place with him. And then I let someone else take his place.

How about something that turns you on, but might be too taboo to actually do in your sex life?

CJR: A threesome, definitely.

What’s so appealing to you about a threesome, and what makes it such a taboo in your mind?

CJR: Just the fact that it is super scandalous makes it appealing. You never know what the outcome of it would be though, therefore making it taboo. It could ruin a relationship or bond it for life.

What about verbal skills. do you over use a word or phrase during sex?

CJR: Well, thank you. I always say that afterwards. (laughs)

That’s very polite of you!

CJR: Well, of course. I’m a lady.

Of course! The next set of questions is a challenge and it’s a good thing you’re a photographer because you have to answer the next five question in pictures, not words.

CJR: Okay.

What do you wear to bed?

What do you wear on a lazy Sunday around the house?

What is your favorite thing to wear from your boyfriends closet?

What’s in your top dresser drawer?

So let’s finish this up by talking about men.

CJR: OK!

What’s your opinion of the modern man?

CJR: Honestly, I think the modern man is sexy. Tattoos are huge in men now a days and I am talking GOOD tattoos, not crappy navy ones. I like a modern man who can sport a sleeve in a suit and handle business at the same time.

What makes a man dignified in your opinion?

CJR: A man who can call the shots and takes the lead. I don’t like to play the man role in my relationships, so I really like a guy who wears the pants.

What’s one thing men get right about women?

CJR: We think too much. We over analyze EVERYTHING. I’ve never met a woman who didn’t.

What do men get wrong about women?

CJR: That we love flowers. I mean, I know some women do, but they are going to die. Get me something else!

Like?

CJR: Surprise me and take me shopping. Or take me on a random date.

How should a man dress?

CJR: I personally like a sophisticated man. Any guy looks sexier in a colored dress shirt and slacks. There are just so many ways to make a dress shirt work for a casual day as well.

OK, time for the big wrap up. Bring it home with your favorite dirty joke! And go…

CJR: (laughs) Okay! What do you get when you cross a penis and a potato?… A dicktator! (laughs)