An interview with queer erotic photographer: Anna Sampson

‘To be in touch with the erotic means one is less willing to accept powerlessness – so erotic photography provides the visual language to this resistance.’

Anna Sampson is a Birkenhead-born queer erotic photographer, who shoots and prints on film. Having used sex work as a way to fund her art projects, she primarily collaborates with other sex workers and queer artists as her muses. Through her strikingly present yet timeless photographs, Anna is one of the top artists immortalising sex workers and erotica lovers today. We were delighted to chat with her about her astonishing work.

Buy Anna Sampson’s artbook, Other Intimacies.

I was a painter before I turned to photography over 8 years ago and would draw inspiration from gay porn and old fetish mags for the figurative artworks I was making at the time.

 

Even when I look back at these drawings and paintings, they are very body-orientated, so it’s interesting to see that the body and sex have always been an integral part of my life and practice. It’s probably no real surprise that I ended up performing too, and have used this to fund my art.

Do you have a mission with your work?

Absolutely.

As a lesbian, I still feel like there is a significant lack of authentic representations of lesbian desire and pleasure, especially in ‘erotica,’ which historically (and continually) caters for male pleasure, so I view my artworks as a remedy to this.

In my practice, I primarily collaborate with other sex workers and queer artists as my muses because there is mutual respect and shared experience, which I think, in turn, makes the images that much more special – whilst also actively challenging prejudices surrounding sexuality and gender.

I ultimately want people to feel seen and represented in my work, and from my experiences, I don’t know if that’s entirely possible with male-centric erotica.

How would you describe the style/mood of your photographs?

I view my images as romantic and soft, even when depicting intense BDSM scenes.

My photoshoots are carefully planned yet also spontaneous and intuitive. I enjoy playing with the juxtaposition between fantasy and reality, and this is what fetish and erotica means to me. While sexually-explicit material is often considered sterile and one-dimensional, I aim to create undeniably beautiful and sexy artworks that are also provocative and thought-provoking.

What do people misconceive about your work?

That it’s for (straight) men.

What is your favourite thing about your work and what are the biggest challenges?

The meaningful connections I have made through these photoshoots. It’s such an intimate experience that requires a lot of trust, which I don’t take lightly or for granted. I would say my biggest challenges lie with my work often being misinterpreted for male pleasure or the internalised stigma I continue to face.

Sex work and artistic labour are so similar to me, yet I feel that my work is perhaps not taken so seriously in the art world because of my associations as a sex worker too.

How has your relationship with what you do evolved over time?

My practice hasn’t changed that much (I’m still using the same camera model as day one), I’m just making more challenging and ambitious works. It’s always been very DIY and instinctive, but I wanted my book to be a more elevated and polished production that would stand the test of time.

I’m used to juggling many projects and jobs at once, but with this book I took my time, ensuring everything was perfect. It was a real labour of love – but entirely worth it. It’s such a privilege to earn a living from making erotica, which is my true passion in life, and I’m forever grateful for all the opportunities that come my way.

What should more people know about erotic photography?

That there is so much power in the erotic. Audre Lorde’s Uses of the Erotic highlights how the erotic is a source of information and knowledge, that has been weaponised against women as a tool to control and oppress.

To be in touch with the erotic means one is less willing to accept powerlessness – so erotic photography provides the visual language to this resistance.

Freedom of (self) expression is so important in such dark and depressing times.

What are your hopes for the future in photography/erotic art?

I wish to live in a world where censorship is not such a nightmare. It’s so difficult to share on social media these days so I would love to see more physical spaces celebrating queer erotic art.

I also hope for more diversity in erotica and mainstream photography. It feels like the same bodies (white, cis, femme, skinny, etc.) are always the ones that are celebrated. This lack of diversity and visibility is again, why I created my book; to celebrate ‘otherness’ – where the real beauty lies.

Discover more about erotic photographer, Anna Sampson.

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Iso

Author

Iso is a writer and filmmaker based in East London. She is passionate about all things erotic and leads a sexy, shame-free life in hope that she can inspire others to do the same. Originally from a Northern seaside town, she is naturally drawn to the best things in life: candyfloss, trashy karaoke bars and heart-shaped sunglasses.

Anna Sampson

Author

Anna Sampson (born in Birkenhead, 1993) is a London-based photographic artist who shoots and prints on film. A graduate in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Arts (2015) and UCL (2022), her work has been showcased at The Photographer’s Gallery and Christie’s in London; Turner Contemporary in Margate; Galerie Joseph Le Palais in Paris and The Untitled Space in New York. Her work has also been featured in acclaimed cult publications, such as DAZED, i-D, AnOther, Purple Fashion and The Face.