For Caleb Lim and Gladys Ng, fashion photography is a specialized form of fantasy theater. Their model—posed, perhaps, as a beguiling enchantress from a renaissance painting or a Tarantino-esque femme fatale—is invariably “dressed to kill,” but it’s the body language, not the clothes, that ultimately sells the shot.

Their high-drama imagery has garnered the attention of couture labels and fashion magazines in New York, prompting the couple’s recent move to the Big Apple from Singapore. The pair met in college—she studied economics, he majored in business IT—as both were developing hobbies in photography outside school. Realizing their extraordinary compatibility as both a romantic couple and business partners, they joined forces in 2012 and conceived a bold new artistic direction as a team.

On set, they share equally in the technical and artistic work, alternating in the roles of shooter and art director. Despite the theatrics in front of the camera, Caleb & Gladys foster a purposeful, professional work environment behind the scenes, says Ng. “Everyone knows their role, focuses on getting their job done and respects one another.”