In this pilot episode we meet Marissa who specializes in erotic photographs (or as she says photos of love) and Allison who crashed the opening of her show. Challenged by Allison on the artistic merit of her work Marissa shares the story of her encounter with Hernan, a Spanish sculptor, who opened her mind to the erotic nature of art. This leads to Marissa offering Allison a position of artist in residence at her gallery.
A photo of an unknown couple is the centerpiece for a discussion between Marissa and Allison. Allison sees the photo as two models posing for a “garden variety” photographer and imagines action off camera. Marissa suggests that the couple might be the sole survivors of a shipwreck and describes the growing love between the two castaways. Switching back and forth between these narratives the two women display their different artistic viewpoints.
When Marissa is unavailable to book an erotic photo session with a married couple, Allison volunteers. However, before turning her protégé loose for he first nude photo session Marissa teaches five of her six rules for erotic photo sessions. Taking her subjects to a secluded setting Allison learns that there is more to her art than she thought.
Alison is having trouble getting to sleep so Marissa tells her the story behind a photo of a couple taken in the 40’s. Edward is stranded in the south of France with car trouble when a young French girl named Lily who comes by on her bicycle. Caught by a rain shower Edward and the girl find shelter in a barn. Edward tells Lily the story of his grandfather who was in France during World War II. He shows her a set of pearls that a French girl named Babette had given him for his grandmother to help keep their marriage strong.
A single photograph of a Brazilian beauty named Astrud attracts major intention from a New York based agent who lures her with promises of an international modeling career. Soon fame and riches are heaped upon Astrud. When Javier comes to New York and demands that Astrud return to Jimena, marry him and start a family, Astrud must make a choice. She chooses her career but soon finds her life empty without her soul mate.
A broken air conditioner and a hot day cause Marissa to reminisce of her college days when she spent a couple of weeks in the Egyptian desert with a classmate named Antoinette. Distracted by the hot nights and handsome men Marissa loses focus until Annie and an archeology student named M.J. inspire her first erotic photographs.
An African tribal mask triggers Marissa’s story of erotic masked cabaret dancer in early twentieth century Paris and a young American photographer who finds romance and erotic excitement from a French woman who dances wearing only stockings and a cheetah mask.
Marissa is nervously getting ready for a date with a much younger man, which leads into Allison’s story about her trip to Bali. While there she stayed with an old friend, Andy Bomberg. Andy was teaching where he met an older woman named Talia LaPeci and began a romance. Andy is smitten but after one date Talia becomes uncomfortable about being with a much younger man. Allison uses her photographic talents to convince Talia that she is still young and hot enough to be with a man Andy’s age.
A bird feather left when a photo is stolen from the Midlands gallery which brings Sheriff Clayton back into Marissa’s life. This clue that leads Marissa and the Sheriff to a nearby Native American reservation where they learn that tribal elders blame the stolen photograph for Johnny Lonetree’s loss of “passion” for his lover Wenona.
A heartbroken man longs for his true love and his lost musical inspiration until he finds his new muse dancing on the beach. Newly confident, he regains his musical ability and a new love.
Declining sales are causing financial troubles for the midlands gallery. Marissa and Allison get no help when Jake and Denise come in and demand a refund for a photograph they say they purchased from Allison. Denise says, “The dam picture started everything”. Not wanting to giver a refund Allison prompts the couple to tell their story of the picture and how “it started everything”. As Jake and Denise take turns telling their version of the story and Allison relates her part in their fateful intersection.
Allison returns from lunch and brags to Marissa about a “quickie” she caught with a stranger. Marissa criticizes her for acting in such a reckless manner but then admits that she had a similar experience while working in Spain.
As Allison prepares for her first gallery show in New York moving stirs up memories from previous episodes. Once in New York she renews old friendships. Meanwhile, Marissa takes an impulsive road trip with a handsome sheriff.
