Meet Annie Caplan | Fine Art Editorial and Boudoir Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Annie Caplan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annie, how does your business help the community?

As a fine art film photographer with a background in naturopathic medicine, I focus on intimate portraiture that encourages self love for all humans, through all experiences, in all bodies, at every stage of life. I have been featured in numerous publications: ‘Willendorf’s Legacy: A Sacred Body’ a self love anthology for women available on Amazon, the May 2021 cover of Plus Model Magazine with model Kayla Logan being the first body love, mental health advocate to be featured on the cover, and I am one of three winners of the Shutterstock women’s day ‘Through Her Eyes’ Create Fund grant, classifying me as one of the top female artists globally changing the world and promoting diversity through art.

What inspired me to start this business was growing up with severe self-esteem issues from an early age and later being diagnosed with stage four endometriosis with severe gastrointestinal issues and cystic acne drastically affecting my physical abilities, physical appearance, and my overall feelings of self-worth. I was committed to healing, and was doing everything right in terms of diet, supplementation, and exercise, but my condition did not start to improve until I discovered that the root cause came internally from how I felt about myself. I dove deep into spirituality and developing my creative skills as photography and creating beauty in the world has always been my true passion. I found self love to be the greatest healer spiritually and physically and feel so blessed to have found a way to combine my passions of wellness and photography in a way that now supports others.

I believe that every body is beautiful and I strive to create imagery where my subjects can see their beauty through objective eyes, as a work of fine art, where any perceived flaws are part of the beauty of the whole. My work embodies the divine feminine, meaning sensual as opposed to sexualized for the male gaze. I create a full experience where my clients have a day engaged in self-love allowing them the opportunity to feel their story is heard, documented, and honored through my artistic expression and support. I create a space that is nourishing and spiritual, a safe space for self care and healing.
It is important to me to embrace and normalize female nudity, sexuality, and body diversity through my work by not only working one on one with women, but by also collaborating with brands with aligned values to create exposure and visibility for diverse bodies, helping us see more bodies that emulate our own online.

Each woman that works to heal herself, creates healing in the community around her, and I hope I can spark that self love within each woman I work with creating a ripple effect in the community at large.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

What sets me apart from others is the experience I provide my clients, and my commitment to ensuring images that honor the wholeness of the individual. I am committed to diversity and inclusion in the images I show online, and to ensuring that my clients feel seen and heard. Without Photoshop, and using only flattering natural light and angles, I believe that every woman can get five-star images that feel magazine-worthy and confidence boosting.

My aesthetic is overall inspired by classic country songs creating a sense of home, community and spirituality while telling the story of an individual but then breaking barriers by creating visibility and inclusion like artists such as Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, or Kacey Musgraves.

It makes me extremely proud that the work I have been doing has been noticed in numerous publications and of course with an international grant. Going from the corporate world in Canada, relocating to SoCal just eight months ago, and starting again to build a dream has not been easy but it’s the kind words from my clients, being seen for the work I am doing, and my passion for helping others that keeps me pushing forward and overcoming the obstacles that arise.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favourite place to visit is Trilogy Sanctuary in La Jolla. I love healthy, nourishing food and the view is beautiful. It is also an excellent place to enjoy a yoga class, or a long walk by the beach before or after your meal. On days when I am not working, I love to ride my bike around Mission Bay to Soulshine vegan cafe for a cup of cacao on the beach. Armonia Kitchen is another favourite of mine for healthy food and smoothies.

When my family and friends visit, I love showing them the lovely beaches here, the excellent yoga, and the stunning sunset views. I am still new to SoCal and slowly collecting my favorite spots!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The people that deserve a shoutout in my story are my community of women that showed me that I was worth showing up for, that loved me unconditionally and gave me the confidence to leave my country and my corporate job, to push through the fear and build my dream helping others through art. I am grateful to Shutterstock for recognizing me with such a prestigious grant, for my spiritual coach Lisa Stamper, my photography mentor Lauren Kurc who helped me up level my skills and holds space for me whenever I have questions or need support. Daytona Lamade, an incredible female empowerment boudoir photographer in Virginia, who taught me how to use my first film camera and has supported my growth through valuable education. Eden Strader, business coach for creatives. The women at my old corporate job, Michelle Roussin and Tania Guido, that had my back fiercely even though they knew I was meant for something different. My father for supporting me through major transition, and my sister who edits my social media captions when I overthink them. I am truly grateful for every artist and friend in my community in SoCal and worldwide that has supported me, and every client that has been vulnerable with me and trusted me to be their photographer. Above all else, everything I do is for my grandmother, my bubby, who I lost in 2020. I will never stop working to make her proud.

Website: www.anniecaplanphotography.com

Instagram: @annie.caplan.photography