Carlotta Kohl is no stranger to taking pictures of women. A photographer, Kohl has captured countless naked ladies through her lens, deploying the female gaze to make her subjects feel and look powerful. But her latest set of photos is different. This time, Kohl flipped the lens on herself, making history while she did it.

Kohl is Playboy’s Miss January 2026, the first ever Playmate to shoot her own pictorial. The process was challenging, as Kohl lugged photo equipment and clothes to Costa Rica to shoot by the beach, inspired by the legendary photographer (and Playboy alum) Bunny Yeager, whose pinups of Bettie Page and other icons once took the world by storm. But for any roadblocks Kohl faced, the result was well worth the trouble. Her Miss January spread is something she’s very proud of—and she very much wants you to enjoy. 

For now, we’re offering you a sneak peek at the safe-for-work version of Carlotta Kohl’s Miss January photoshoot. To see the rest—and our Playmate in all her glory—pre-order our Spring Issue now.

What does it mean for you to be selected as a Playmate?

I’m so excited to be Miss January. I never thought this would ever be possible, and along with the fact that I got to shoot my own story, it’s such a dream come true. And I’m excited that I made Playboy history.

How do you approach sexuality when you’re with women who are sitting for you as a photographer?

I shoot a lot of women and I want there to be a sense of control. I want them to seem like they’re in control of their own sexuality, and I want there to be a power that comes through the photograph.

Why do you think it’s important for women to be behind the camera for nude shoots for Playboy?

We understand what each other needs and the energy that we give and how we want to be portrayed.

Can you tell us a story about shooting yourself for Playboy?

My favorite photo from my shoot is of me laying down at the tide pools, and there’s a reflection of myself that was kind of a happy accident. First, when I walked to the rocks, there was movement in the water, but as I just laid there in the stillness, you could see the reflection. I only saw that afterwards in the camera. So it was a really, really happy accident and surprise. I set up a tripod in the water. I had it on a self-timer that was shooting continuously. It took me a very long time to get that shot, to be honest. And it just became hotter and hotter and brighter and brighter. But we got some good photos.

What was your inspiration for the shoot?

I really wanted to go to Costa Rica because I just think it’s such a beautiful environment and pretty untouched and wild. And I was really inspired by Bunny Yeager’s photographs, and she shot a lot by the beach and by water and in nature. So I thought that was a beautiful tie-in, an homage to her. I didn’t realize how challenging it would be to get to Costa Rica with all this rental equipment and I was self-styling, but I think it turned out really special. 

What does it mean for you to be in Playboy? Do you have any nerves or any feelings about these images being out in the world?

For me, being in Playboy is really, really exciting. I don’t have any issues with nudity and self-expression, so I’m really excited for them to be out in the world. I look at [the photos] more as art pieces.

What’s something you do that might give someone the ick?

I will sing to myself or get hyperfocused on one word and maybe just repeat that all day.

What’s one thing you hope your parents never find out about you?

I feel like I’m an open book with my parents, but I hope my parents never find out all the things I got up to in high school. Sneaking out, being naughty, smoking cigarettes while I waited for the bus. Not good.

If you could give every single man one piece of advice, what would it be and why?

I think that men should be asking more questions and listening more. I’ve had some nightmare dates where there’s been no engaging conversation and it’s only been me listening to a man speak [for an hour] about themselves. Or it just always comes back to them. No follow-up questions. I like the bird theory on Instagram, where you tell a man or your partner, ‘oh, I saw a bird today.’ And if they ask questions about the bird, like, ‘what kind of bird was it?’ That means they really care. That’s really sweet. I volunteered at the Wild Bird Fund, so it’s even deeper. It hits close to home.

What would you bring to a dinner party?

Maybe Twister. That would be fun. Maybe along with Twister, a bottle of tequila and see how it goes.

What do you hope people take away from your January photo shoot?

I hope that people think I’m hot. No, just kidding. I hope people appreciate all the effort that went in and can see the artistry behind it, but then also think they’re beautiful, sexy images. I hope you enjoy it.