Maya Lekach

At some point or another, we could all use a sexual tune-up in our lives. That’s where these professionals come in. From a cam girl who gets paid to sit on cakes to a hypnotherapist who aims to up your sexual prowess, these professionals are doing their part to improve New Yorkers’ sex lives. Need more ways to spice things up? Check out our favorite sex songs, unique date ideas, sex classes, and burlesque shows.   Sex-shop worker Cake-sitter camgirl Phone-sex operator Sex instructor Sex hypnotherapist     Photograph: Andrew Tess ↑ Sex-shop worker Deborah Pannell, 56, Riverdale, Bronx You transitioned from being a writer to selling sex toys at SHAG. What’s the new gig like?It’s been a lot of fun. We had to go through weeks of training before we were allowed to be alone in the shop. You have to know about the inventory, the toys. I also had to get comfortable talking about this stuff with strangers. Has the job affected you personally?I think it’s made me a little less shy about my desires, my body and my need for a satisfying sex life. It’s made me a bit bolder. I’m better at giving direction. I have a 14-year-old son, and I’m a lot more comfortable talking to him about sex now. I don’t want to send him into adulthood with any hang-ups. Any interesting experiences at the shop?An Orthodox Jewish man came in the other day asking me about clitoral stimulation creams, and he was getting some massage oil candles. It was probably my happiest day yet. —Carrie Wei

Photograph: Ryan Duffin Allegra Meshuggah 29, neocabaret clown living in Bushwick Your job title is a little hard to decipher. I’ve been trying to describe my work for years and the closest I’ve gotten is neo-clown-costumed-cabaret-drag-physical-comedy artist. But that’s a bit of a mouthful. Tell me about your drag clown troupe, Fou York. We’re the East Coast branch of a long-standing San Francisco troupe called Fou Fou Ha! When I moved here two years ago, I brought all of my knowledge and learning from my clown family in the Bay and started teaching a new brood to embrace their shadow side and the ridiculous. We’ve got some festivals under our belts, have done some work for Susanne Bartsch, and we produce our own variety show at House of Yes (houseofyes.org) every other month. Photograph: Ryan Duffin What does an audience get out of seeing you do silly things in silly outfits? I do this to bring beauty, art, play and nonsense into what I see as a largely bland adult world. I want there to be a sense of wonder and otherworldliness when you see me perform. If you’re at least charmed by it, I’ve done my job. How can each of us bring out our inner clowns? Play! Make believe! Pretend! For a lot of people, these things aren’t parts of their lives, and it’s a real shame. Roll around on the floor and act like a cat or a hot dog or your cousin Brenda for a while. See how good it feels! If you feel awkward, you’re  doing it right. Photograph: Ryan Duffin Follow this piece’s phot