The Portrait System Podcast

Episode: How Teri Hofford Expanded Her Photography Brand With Body Positivity (Re-Release)
Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Nikki Closser
Guest: Teri Hofford

EPISODE OVERVIEW

In this episode, host Nikki Closser interviews Teri Hofford—photographer, educator, coach, body image expert, and activist—about her journey from a traditional photography business into body image education and empowerment. The discussion goes deep into how Teri’s passion for body inclusivity and authenticity shaped both her business model and the wider industry, emphasizing the transformative power of authentic campaigns, personal growth, and empowerment photography.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Teri’s Origin Story: From Photography to Body Positivity

• Early Interest: Teri was always drawn to photography and started as a child in a small farming community.
• Catalyst Events: Time spent in Korea and her father’s illness/death prompted deep introspection about body image and legacy.

  “It was seeing him have like, a lot of regrets with his life… that also seeing him kind of like starve to death essentially, that it kind of was a wake up call for me . . . here I am purposely starving myself to look a certain way. Like, that's all kinds of fucked up.” —Teri (05:00)

• Community Project: Upon returning to Canada, Teri created an open call project to photograph all body types, which quickly grew beyond expectations and became a driving force for body positive work.
• Impact: The project’s biggest influence was in how it transformed participants’ self-perceptions and Teri’s understanding of the universality of body dissatisfaction.

2. Developing a Body-Positive Business Model

• Campaigns & Visibility: Community campaigns not only raised Teri’s profile but allowed access for those who may not have booked a session otherwise and built lasting client trust.
• Sales Without Pressure: These campaigns functioned as “pre-selling” by giving potential clients a taste of the experience, making them more likely to book in the future.

  "People need to see you or your business... 10, 15 times before they decide you are the photographer I want..." —Nikki (15:02)

• Market Differentiation: Teri was among very few in her city showing diverse body types, which garnered attention and set her apart.

3. Reframing Boudoir: From "Sexy" to "Empowerment Photography"

• Authenticity Over Imitation: Over time, Teri realized that following industry “norms” or copying others’ models wasn’t authentic or serving her clients best needs.

  “We keep trying to fit clients into the boudoir box, but we need to be building the box around the clients...” —Teri (24:56)

• Session Structure: Teri shifted from prescribing wardrobe and posing to allowing clients choice, comfort, and self-expression.

  “If you put something on that makes you feel less than confident, it's going to show in the photos.” —Teri (26:37)

• Intensive Intake: She introduced two questionnaires—one for inner mindset and body relationship, and one for visual and style preferences—the sessions became more tailored, collaborative, and empowering.

4. Business Fundamentals and Mindset Parallels

• Pricing & Self-Value: Teri admits to initially undercharging, driven by limiting beliefs about self-worth and fear. Revelatory business education and self-assessment (cost-of-doing-business) led to charging what her services were truly worth.

  “Bodies are just the same as money. Like, it's all mindset, all of it, none of it has anything to do with the actual thing you think you're dealing with.” —Teri (21:08)

• Shift in Intention: She now sees her work as creating empowerment, not just beautiful images.

5. Transitioning to Educator & Trend Spotter

• Trend Recognition: Teri’s ability to spot where the industry lacked inclusivity pushed her to educate other photographers for greater collective impact.
• Workshops & Resources: Authored the guide “Confident Curves” and created Body Image Boot Camp, teaching both clients and fellow photographers.
• Boudoir University: Developed courses on human ethics and inclusive practice, featuring various advocates.

6. Deconstructing "Real Bodies" & Representation

• Inclusivity Message: She addresses language, like "real bodies," and urges to normalize all bodies without qualifiers.

  “When we have to specify, you're essentially overstating something that is true already... My hope is that we just stop talking about bodies altogether because they're really just always changing and moving.” —Teri (49:54)

7. Practical Psychology: Acceptance & Exposure

• Exposure Therapy: Teri and Nikki discuss how repeated, unfiltered exposure to one’s own image (photos, video, voice) gradually normalizes perceived flaws and discomforts.

  “If people look at the same photo of themselves over a week and they just, like, write all over it whatever they're thinking, they will become aware… And sure is shit, it worked.” —Teri (60:30)

• Context and Mood Influence: Acceptance of self-image is fluid and often tied to mood or context—bad days breed harsher self-judgment.

8. Practical Advice for Photographers

• Authenticity First: Form your business around what’s authentic to you; clients will know and value the experience.
• Try Everything, Then Refine: Experiment, but consistently revisit your "why."

  “Try everything once, but be very clear on why you're doing what you're doing and revisit that every three months...” —Teri (70:25)

MEMORABLE QUOTES & TIME STAMPS

• On Representation in Photography:

  “Now I need to have diverse bodies so that people can just see that it's possible. Because if we as photographers cannot see that it is possible for diverse bodies to be photographed then how the hell are they going to see it?” —Teri (00:36, 41:09)

• On Facing Limiting Beliefs:

  “You don't have to be stuck there.” —Nikki (21:07)

• Essence of Empowerment:

  "I'm in the business of empowerment, not sexy photos." —Teri (24:24)

• On Industry Standards and Authenticity:

  "We keep trying to fit clients into the boudoir box, but we need to be building the box around the clients..." —Teri (24:56)

• On Price Hesitancy:

  “People were still telling me I was too expensive when I was charging the least amount, people.” —Teri (20:04)

• On Self-Image & Repeated Exposure:

  “Exposure therapy is a thing for a reason, where you expose yourself to the thing that you're afraid of the most... over time... you will eventually build up a resistance.” —Teri (58:02)

• On Mood Affecting Perception:

  “The picture didn't change. It is the same photo. The only thing that changed is the mind that I had looking at it and the mood that I was in.” —Teri (67:22)

• On Self-Exploration:

  “If I can make anything work if I’m curious enough.” —Teri (68:44)

IMPORTANT SEGMENTS & TIMESTAMPS

• [03:44] Teri’s origin story & personal transformation
• [09:24] Discovering universal body dissatisfaction & connection with clients
• [17:18] Business model: Pricing, packages, and why cost-of-doing-business matters
• [22:13] Evolution to empowerment photography & client-led experiences
• [26:37] Developing question-based intake and sessions for authenticity
• [39:02] Transition into education, workshops, “Confident Curves”, impact of BLM on business ethics
• [49:54] Deconstruction of “real bodies” and impact on representation
• [58:02] Exposure therapy, self-image adaptation, and normalization
• [68:38] Rapid-fire questions: must-have for shoots, downtime pursuits, favorite quotes, advice

FINAL TAKEAWAYS

• Build a business that aligns with your values and passions.
• Continually gather data (from clients, yourself, industry) and evolve.
• Empowerment and education go hand in hand: By teaching others, you multiply your impact.
• Representation matters: Show diversity and challenge traditional standards in your work and your teachings.
• Authenticity is crucial: Your practices and offerings should feel right for you and those you serve.
• Exposure (and curiosity!) are key tools for personal acceptance and growth.

Where You Can Find Teri

• Instagram: @terrihofford
• Website: terrihofford.com
• Facebook: Beyond the Body Mindset and Body Image Coaching group

A rich, honest, and empowering conversation for anyone looking to make their photography business more authentic, inclusive, and impactful.