Meet Molly Ann Cherry | Boudoir and Erotica Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Molly Ann Cherry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Molly Ann, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I am not shy to owning a business. Being an entrepreneur isn’t a choice for me, it’s life. My first venture into a business was when I was in middle school at the tender age of 11. I noticed one of my friends had a friendship bracelet and all the girls were really digging it. It got me to thinking…. I had learned to make those in summer camp that year and my wheels were spinning. I asked my mom to take me to the craft store and loan me $20 so I could by some embroidery floss. I made a few bracelets and took them to school and showed the girls. Before you know it there were orders from kids every day to buy bracelets. I expanded my product line to floss hair wraps and had lines every recess. I probably cleaned up at least $150 that school year. I reinvested into more supplies and I spent the rest at the local Hello Kitty store on Anza Ave in West Torrance, now a relic of the past. I live by the famously coined mantra from Ruth Stafford Peale, “Find a need and fill it.” From there my hunger grew to capitalize in whatever capacity I could while at the same time filling a need of my clients and customers. Fast forward 30 years later after retiring from my 15 year graphic design business Wonder Loft Creative, I started a new business in the aftermath of the pandemic. Having had included photography in my design services I have had nearly two decades to hone my craft in all sorts of photographic situations. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit and while everyone else was partaking in the pandemic weight gain, I did the opposite and began to work out hard and dive deeper into a ketogenic lifestyle. Of course I did what any person would do when the world is ending and began taking selfies of my progress. More and more of my clothes would peel off as time went on. I really sank in and started enjoying taking photos of myself scantily clad and even nude. Eventually I shared my photos with friends and as we all sat one day for our monthly brunch they said my selfies were amazing and they asked me to take photos of them too. And from there it clicked!!! Literally. I stumbled into the world of boudoir and erotica photography and haven’t looked back! My photography business Cherry Pie Boudoir was unleashed. The purpose for starting this business was to offer a safe space for my clients to explore the world of kink, sex, and body acceptance through the lens of photography. Everyone has a beautiful amazing body no matter where they are at in their personal journey and everyone can unleash their sexiness trapped inside. To further push my agenda of radical self acceptance and opening up sensuality, I partnered up with my sex therapist friend Rachel Levesque with @becomingthemself to offer combo packages with sex coaching and photography sessions. There are not many boudoir photographers (let alone a woman photographer) in my area that will shoot erotica, kinks, couples and thrupples either. I am filling that need of my clients to be able to explore that world in an inclusive space no matter orientation, race, gender, or kink level. I am honored so many people step in front of my lens and trust me with their most intimate moments. I am here to help people grow into their sensuality, as it’s more than just a sexual thing, it’s a confidence thing that trickles into every area of their lives.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business, Cherry Pie Boudoir, operates in SoCal and NorCal and I will absolutely travel most anywhere. I serve all clients regardless of their body type, orientation, gender, or race. My work has been published in at least 20 magazines all over the world. I’m really proud that my story and brand is being shared. Remaining consistent with messaging across platforms is really key to creating a cohesive brand. As a business operating during the recession it’s often hard to get people to spend their discretionary income on photos. I don’t pitch my business as just photography but more so as an experience. It’s healing, it’s sexy, and it’s a unique experience. A super unique part of the experience is that if requested by my clients I will wear lingerie to help them feel more comfortable. Often times in stories and reels on Instagram you can find me scantily clad behind the camera.

Finding clients is the hardest part of the business. As an adult themed business it really limits your advertising reach. I’ve been tasked with the challenge of putting my grass roots marketing skills to use and find non-traditional ways to get the word out about my business. I’ve already been banned from Venmo and PayPal for having an adult business unfortunately. Perhaps one day adult themed businesses can be more widely accepted with social and financial institutions. With every shoot I grow more and more as a creative photographer and grow more as a guide to serve individuals looking to take a leap and do something for their journey in sensuality.

In addition to photography I also model professionally. I am what’s called an alt model where I do not fit in the traditional model form. I am older than 25, I am petite at 4’11, and I am not thin. I originally started an Instagram page for my modeling to help my clients feel more confident and comfortable shooting with me. But as time grew on and my page grew in popularity I began getting contacted by brands and companies to represent their product/services and I do odd jobs between photography clients.

Since I entered the world of modeling I also started a magazine where I feature aspiring ALT models from all over California. My boudoir style publication, REAL Babes Magazine features women of every shape, shade, and size to further support my message and mission that EVERY ‘body’ is sexy. I have collabed with companies, brands, and influencers to grow in popularity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Here’s what a typical weekend looks like for me…..

Friday night hit up Bar Sinister in WeHo for an epic night of goth clubbing.
Saturday go with the girls for bloodies at H.T. Grill in South Redondo at Riviera Village.
Sunday hit up the trails at Del Cerro in Rancho PV with a few besties for some trail therapy with a view of the PV bluffs, ocean, and Catalina on good days.
Sunday night i’d take my honey and kids to Fusion sushi in Hermosa Beach where we’ve gone for over a decade.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like attribute my education to the many photographers in boudoir groups such as Michael Sasser’s Boudoir Education Group on Facebook to answer so many questions and all of Michael’s free videos on YouTube just wow. I would like to shout out to my friend Rachel Levesque with @becomingthemself who believes in my vision that photography is very much part of a healing journey and for being a part of my business and for so much advice on how I talk to my clients to help them get through a session successfully. Shout out to my besties Dasie and Aderra who pushed me forward to launch this business even though it meant I’d be spending less time with them. And lastly to my husband Phil who demands I follow my dreams, who supports all my entrepreneurial whims, and loves me unconditionally.

Website: www.cherrypieboudoir.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/cherrypieboudoir

Twitter: www.twitter.com/cherrypieXphoto

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cherrypieboudoir

Other: Modeling page www.instagram.com/goodlittlemolly Magazine page www.instagram.com/realbabesmagazine

Image Credits
Stevie @thebonebitch James & Keira Paris Jamaica Dixon @paris.jamaica.dixon Sen, Sarah, Iris Mac @highendpennies Baby Bilie @bilie_the_goddess Lily Stan & Jessie