Hidden Gems: Meet Molly Cherry of Cherry Pie Boudoir

Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Cherry.

Hi Molly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The pandemic. It’s how many people flipped the script and their entire lives took a new trajectory. And mine was headed straight toward a very unusual and sexy path. There were jokes and memes about the “pandemic 15” and many people noticeably gaining weight since they were stationary. I did the opposite and lost weight. I had nothing better to do than to work out. I lost 40lbs after deciding to adapt to a ketogenic lifestyle and lots of weight training in our makeshift backyard gym. I felt pretty good about myself and started taking progress photos. As months went on, the photos became spicier and spicier. As years went on friends wanted the same kind of photos. And it wasn’t until one day in March 2022, during a monthly brunch with my bestest girlfriends one of them said, “Why don’t you take photos of others?” and it clicked!! Literally. I decided on that day that spicy boudoir photography was my passion and bulldozed forward and pursued a full-time photography career. I wasn’t new to photography. I had been dabbling for over 15 years when taking photos for my graphic design clients. To this date, I’ve photographed just over 100 people and have had work published in 10+ magazines. I travel all over California.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a very smooth road learning what I need to learn to shift gears into a full-time photography business. I have honestly had very little struggle other than juggling the constantly changing social media algorithms and always reviewing pricing strategies. I am constantly on my toes with social media platforms and very strict community guidelines. I have been suspended three times on Instagram and have had to rebuild my platform and network even while adhering to guidelines. Their bots are very strict once you’re in their radar. Pricing has been a struggle as my industry is a luxury service and uses discretionary income. We are in a recession right now, so I’m feeling the tight purse strings from many clients.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Cherry Pie Boudoir specializes in boudoir and erotica photography. There aren’t a lot of female photographers in my industry that also shoot erotica and couples in their most intimate moments. That tends to make clients feel very comfortable knowing that I’m not just another “GWC” (guy with camera). I’m happy to work with spicy content creators to give them beautiful photo sets they can monetize on their fan pages. I work as a confidence builder, cheerleader, and sensuality coach with people of every shape, shade, size, orientation, kink level, gender, and age.

A very unique aspect of my business is that I am also a model and work with lots of models. I also run a boudoir-style magazine called REAL Babes Magazine. I am able to pose my clients really well due to my experience in working as a model and with other models. I love creating group shoots for clients called the Cover Girl magazine experience. I gather about 6 women and shoot them in a themed group setting. I edit the photos and place them in a magazine for them to take as a momento of their photo experience.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Even though change often makes people panic, kick, scream, and run away, getting forced out of your boundaries and box and feeling uncomfortable can really lead you to some amazing places if you just keep your head up and think positively. Out of adversity and chaos emerges something beautiful if you just look back and reflect. Be comfortable being uncomfortable and watch what happens.

Pricing:

• 30min Mini Session (in studio) – $269 + travel fees
• 75min Boudoir Experience – $469 + travel fees
• 75min Couples Boudoir Experience – $569 + travel fees
• 4hr Content Creator Subscription – $569/monthly
• Group Cover Girl Magazine Experience – $369

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cherrypieboudoir.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/cherrypieboudoir
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/cherrypieboudoir
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/cherrypieXphoto
• Other: www.realbabesmagazine.com

Image Credits
personal – @jerryrolin_photoactive1 image 1 – @xobabycali image 2 – @sass.herass image 3 – n/a image 4 – @paris.jamaica.dixon image 5 – @_juliettedubose image 6 – n/a image 7 – n/a image 8 – @realbabesmagazine (my publication) @babyraven90