The first trailer for "Naked Ambition," a compelling documentary about Bunny Yeager, has been released, shedding light on the remarkable story of a pinup model who transformed into what was once considered America's most famous female photographer. The film is set to premiere in select U.S. theaters this September, according to industry reports.
Directed by Dennis Scholl and Kareem Tabsch, "Naked Ambition" has already made waves on the festival circuit, having premiered at the prestigious DOC NYC documentary festival before screening at the Miami Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, and several other notable venues. The documentary features compelling interviews with renowned photographer Bruce Weber, celebrated burlesque performer Dita Von Teese, and the late Larry King in what would become his final on-screen appearance.
"Bunny was the most famous female photographer in America," King states emphatically in the newly released trailer, highlighting the extraordinary impact Yeager had on American photography and culture.
While her influence may be somewhat overlooked in today's photography world, Yeager is widely credited with pioneering the female self-portrait, discovering the iconic Bettie Page, and bringing a revolutionary sense of feminist agency to pinup photography. She also achieved the historic milestone of becoming the first female photographer to shoot for Playboy magazine, breaking significant gender barriers in the industry.
Music Box Films, which has acquired U.S. distribution rights to "Naked Ambition," describes Yeager's impact in sweeping terms: "Bunny Yeager's influence on the 20th century grew to incredible heights, though few know her name. Her photography career began following her work as a pinup model in the 1950s, and she paved the way for the feminist movement and sexual revolution through her work."
The press release further emphasizes her groundbreaking contributions: "She shaped the image of Playboy, and even created the selfie. But as the changes she helped to create gained pushback from a variety of sources, her name would become forgotten until now."
Born in Pennsylvania in 1929, Yeager's journey into photography was entirely serendipitous. She initially established herself as a highly successful model during the 1940s, eventually becoming one of Miami's most photographed and recognizable faces. Her striking images appeared in more than 300 newspapers and magazines across the country, making her a household name in the modeling world.
The transition from model to photographer began in the early 1950s when Yeager made a practical decision that would change the course of photography history. In 1953, she enrolled in a nighttime photography class with the simple goal of saving money by taking her own modeling photographs. This pragmatic choice would prove to be transformative not just for her career, but for the entire field of photography.
Her professional photography career launched dramatically when her very first assignment – a portrait of model Maria Stinger – was selected for the cover of Eye magazine's March 1954 issue. This early success demonstrated her natural talent and unique vision behind the camera.
Yeager quickly developed exceptional technical skills that set her apart from her contemporaries. She became particularly renowned for pioneering the innovative use of fill flash to soften harsh shadows in bright sunlight, a technique that would influence countless photographers who followed. She was also among the earliest photographers to shoot female models outdoors using natural light, creating images that felt fresh, vibrant, and authentically alive.
Her groundbreaking work appeared regularly in Playboy, where she photographed several centerfolds that became iconic images of the era. Beyond Playboy, her photographs graced the pages of numerous postwar men's magazines, establishing her as one of the most sought-after photographers in the genre.
According to a comprehensive 2014 profile in The New York Times, Yeager typically worked with Rolleiflex and Speed Graphic cameras, producing images that became legendary for their striking compositions and unconventional settings. Her technical mastery combined with her artistic vision resulted in photographs that elevated the entire genre of pinup photography.
A defining moment in Yeager's career – and indeed in photography history – came in 1954 when she began her collaboration with pinup model Bettie Page, whom she is credited with discovering and launching to stardom. During their brief but incredibly productive partnership, Yeager captured more than 1,000 photographs of Page, images that would help cement Page's status as an enduring cultural icon.
Their most celebrated collaboration resulted in Page's January 1955 Playboy centerfold, which became one of the magazine's most memorable and influential images. Additionally, their notable series featuring live cheetahs created some of the most striking and unusual pinup photographs ever produced, showcasing Yeager's willingness to push creative boundaries and her skill in handling complex shooting situations.
Yeager's most distinctive and lasting contribution to photographic style was her revolutionary portrayal of confident, expressive female models. Her subjects appeared vibrant, natural, and empowered, often photographed in active poses with direct, engaging gazes toward the camera. This approach was radical for its time and challenged traditional depictions of female sexuality in photography.
Crucially, Yeager's work was not created solely for the male gaze, as was typical of most pinup photography of the era. Her images conveyed a sense of female agency and empowerment that was both groundbreaking and influential.
"I'm not doing it to titillate anybody's interests," Yeager explained in an interview cited by The New York Times. "I want to show off how beautiful my subjects are, whether it's a cheetah or a live girl or two of them together. That's more important to me than anything."
This philosophy represented a fundamental shift in how female subjects were portrayed in photography, emphasizing beauty, strength, and personality rather than simple objectification.
Unfortunately, Yeager's work began to fade from public view during the 1970s as many of the magazines that had regularly featured her photography ceased publication or changed their editorial direction. For decades, her groundbreaking contributions to photography and culture remained largely forgotten by mainstream audiences.
However, the early 2010s brought a significant revival of interest in Yeager's work. The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh organized the first major museum exhibition of her career, focusing particularly on her innovative self-portraits. This exhibition helped introduce her work to a new generation and sparked renewed academic and artistic interest in her contributions to photography.
Yeager's story also reached popular culture when acclaimed actress Sarah Paulson portrayed her in the critically acclaimed 2005 biographical film "The Notorious Bettie Page," which helped bring her story to mainstream audiences and highlighted her crucial role in Page's rise to fame.
Bunny Yeager passed away in May 2014 at the age of 85, leaving behind a complex legacy as both an artist and cultural pioneer. She was survived by two daughters and four grandchildren, who continue to preserve and promote her photographic legacy.
The upcoming documentary "Naked Ambition" promises to provide the most comprehensive examination of Yeager's life and work to date, potentially introducing her groundbreaking contributions to photography to an entirely new generation of viewers and ensuring that her pioneering role in American photography and culture is finally given the recognition it deserves.
