We recently connected with Annie Minicuci and have shared our conversation below.
Annie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?
I believe we have a responsibility as boudoir photographers to do a shit ton of inner work. Boudoir is such a powerful and vulnerable space, and when we enter into it without doing the work first we are at greater risk of causing harm by projecting our own bias and unresolved traumas onto our clients. We can never avoid all harm, but we can mitigate and lessen in.
I see it all the time – young (to the industry, age is irrelevant) photographers eager to jump into boudoir because it is exciting and fun. They haven’t dealt with their own fat phobia, or they lack awareness of the way in which they are projecting toxic diet culture, or triggers for those who are sober and in recovery. Often new photographers are excited to add their own voice to the conversation and forget to consider the voice of their clients. There is a lack of transparency. Clients feel pressured into sharing their images. Especially when communication is lacking or expectations were never set beforehand. Questionnaires and consent forms are key. And clients should be able to change their minds at any stage. We are not owed social media content just because they booked.
If you are new, building a portfolio, and only looking to book clients who will allow full release of their images then all of this needs to be communicated up front.
I don’t think of these ideas as radical – but the number of folks still posing people to look their thinnest (or worse, editing them into heavily photoshopped bodies), sharing images without written permission, and jumping into session with zero client prep work is astonishing.
Annie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a body positive and trauma aware boudoir photographer in the central PA area. I am extremely into all things cozy – velvet, delicious food, good skin care, pants that aren’t jeans haha. And I want your experience with me to feel luxuriously cozy as well.
My background is in art history and combined with my life time of practical arts experience, my goal is to help you feel like living, breathing art. You are a renaissance. All bodies deserve to be celebrated with a bit of drama and a whole lot of care. Together with loads of communication, clearly laid out expectations, safe and luxurious locations, and some creative magic – clients should leave feeling powerful, gorgeous, and completely at ease. No posing or modeling experience required.
One of the most commonly used words in my client testimonials is “comfortable.” And even more than pretty pictures, that is the most important thing to me. I am holding space for someone to feel their most empowered while being their most vulnerable – I take that so seriously. It is an absolute privilege.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
It’s what I call the “aha!” or “light bulb” moment. It’s that moment in a session or after gallery delivery when the client sees themselves. It’s like they are looking at themselves for the first time. You see their face light up and their posture shift. You can tell that they just got a huge confidence boost and then everything just clicks. I’ve seen true healing and revelation happen in those moments. Usually clients laugh or give a big happy jump and scream. Sometimes people tear up or share their struggles getting to this point. It reminds me how important art actually is.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Being myself. The moment I decided to leave the fear of “fitting in” behind and starting talking, posting on social media, and creating as my authentic self – that’s when the path really opened up for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://boudoir.annieminicuciphotography.com/
- Instagram: @annieminicuciboudoir
Image Credits
Headshot of me by Sarah B Boudoir/Perigee Photo Co.