Siren Boudoir Photography, Beaumont

Melanie Ramiro's work isn't all about airbrushed Hollywood glamour. "I probably find more beauty in the primal nature of things than in an artificially created façade," she explained to Steve Robles, a former coworker. This devotion to realness is evident in the work she's done with women from all walks of life—including single moms, married women, and breast cancer survivors. No matter the clientele, Melanie caters her shoot to individual visions, be they sweet—filled with softly lit, high angle shots of women in classic pinup poses or tangled in sheets—or sultry, featuring darker lighting, higher contrast, and a larger dose of femme fatale. "I like my work to tease and tempt but never give it all away," she says, and her work achieves this through the use of plain backdrops, minimal props, keeping the focus solely on her subjects. As a former dancer and acrobat, Melanie's eye is naturally drawn to interesting lines and flattering poses, a skill that helps women of all shapes and sizes feel comfortable in front of the camera. "I want my images to be show-stoppers," she exclaims, "I want people to be breathless for a moment when they first see them. I want a strong reaction."