Brianna Capozzi is Redefining the Word “Womanizer” with Her Iconic New Photo Book

Let’s be real for a second—what’s the very first thing that pops into your head when you hear the word womanizer? If you’re anything like us, you’re probably picturing a classic, toxic trope: a smooth-talking guy who reels women in with empty promises, only to ghost them and move on to his next target. It’s a word that’s historically been loaded with red flags and major ick factor. But what if we told you that one of today’s most visionary photographers is completely flipping the script and reclaiming that exact word for the girls?

If you’re a fan of high-fashion editorials, unapologetic female empowerment, and art that genuinely makes you stop scrolling, you need to add this book to your radar ASAP. Capozzi’s Womanizer captures a stunning body of work where women are unassailably in control, totally unbothered, and—most importantly—having an absolute blast in the process. It’s a masterclass in the female gaze, and we are absolutely here for it.

Reclaiming the Energy of a Womanizer

So, how exactly does a word with such a messy history become the title of a gorgeous fashion and art book? For Capozzi, the term Womanizer perfectly encapsulates the unique allure and magnetic connection she builds with the women she photographs. When Capozzi gets behind the camera, she engenders a level of complete trust that unleashes her subjects’ most uninhibited sides. We’re talking sensual, playful, fun, and radiating pure inner strength.

During a recent video call, Capozzi spilled the tea on how the provocative title came to be. “I landed on the title while I was watching a documentary on Helmut Newton,” she explains. Helmut Newton, for those who might not know, is legendary for his highly stylized, voyeuristic fashion photography. Capozzi noted that while she isn’t entirely sure if iconic writer Susan Sontag actually labeled Newton a womanizer, Sontag definitely held that kind of critical feeling toward him.

“I love his work, so I was thinking about it in a very critical way—about what it means to love his work, and what does it mean that he’s one of my influences, and what makes it different for me to be doing this,” Capozzi shares.

It brings up that massive, age-old debate we constantly see discussed on TikTok and in art classes: the male gaze versus the female gaze. Can a photograph completely erase the traces of the male gaze simply because a woman clicked the shutter? Or does it take a specific, ineffable magic to truly shift the narrative? Capozzi’s work screams the latter. When editing the book, she recalls going through her massive archive, repeating the word womanizer in her head to see if the shots were truly “giving womanizer.”

The verdict? “They have a lot of energy and exuberance, and they’re very confident and expressive and maybe even a bit wacky,” she says.

Muses, Icons, and High Fashion Magic

Here at D-Muse, we are all about connecting you with your favorite muses, and Capozzi’s Womanizer is practically an encyclopedia of modern icons. In this stunning Rizzoli publication, impromptu, candid snaps of Capozzi’s besties seamlessly blend with high-gloss celebrity portraits commissioned by major fashion magazines.

Take, for example, her jaw-dropping portraits of Jennifer Lopez, which originally broke the internet when they ran in Interview magazine. Capozzi didn’t just take a pretty picture of J.Lo; she captured a highly specific kind of inner power and raw sexuality. It’s an outward symbol of the relentless hustle, energy, and desire that have kept J.Lo at the absolute top of the pop culture food chain for three decades.

But getting that perfect, vulnerable shot isn’t automatic. “It’s not actually always so easy,” Capozzi admits. “They don’t always trust me off the bat; it really has to be earned.” To help cultivate that vibe, Capozzi frequently collaborates with the brilliantly talented stylist Haley Wollens. When you put two creative powerhouse women at the top of their game in one room, magic happens. They disarm reticent subjects and make groundbreaking art. Honestly, what’s not to trust?

From Hardware Store Lights to Coffee Table Royalty

What’s wild is that Capozzi didn’t even set out to be a photographer. For all our Gen-Z creatives trying to figure out their path, let this be your ultimate motivation. Capozzi actually attended Parsons School of Design, enrolling in the Integrated Design program. She was busy making one-of-a-kind clothing pieces, but once she started photographing her garments, a lightbulb went off. She realized she was way more obsessed with the storytelling and the characters than she was with making something sellable.

Her eye was already fine-tuned from a lifetime spent sitting on the floor at Barnes & Noble, devouring every fashion magazine she could get her hands on. Add in some early conceptual influence from surrealist director David Lynch, and she had the vision. But the technical skills? Totally DIY. “I had this camera, and I was making lights out of hardware-store lamps, so they kind of looked the way they looked, and I just figured it out on my own with the tools that I had,” she reveals. Talk about main character energy!

Spontaneous Vibes, Planned to a T

While the images in Womanizer might look effortlessly candid, Capozzi is quick to point out that many of them are actually “planned to a T.” Remember that absolutely iconic, internet-breaking photo of Chloë Sevigny with the lobster? Meticulously planned.

Creating Womanizer also gave Capozzi the ultimate artistic freedom to finally photograph women she’d always dreamed of working with, like the incredible Laverne Cox. It also gave her the chance to reunite with familiar faces, like Addison Rae. Capozzi had previously shot Addison for a Marc Jacobs campaign, but for the book, she got to capture the social media superstar in a totally fresh, different light. “The idea is that I don’t have to take so many pictures. I just need two amazing photos, and that’s it,” Capozzi notes about her newly found creative freedom.

The Ultimate Behind-the-Scenes Vibe

Perhaps the coolest, most intimate part of Womanizer is how personal it feels. Capozzi makes sure to identify every single subject in her images—whether it’s a global celebrity, a top model, or just her best friend. And if you’re someone who loves the behind-the-scenes tea, you’re in luck. The end of the book features personal stories detailing exactly how some of these iconic shoots came together.

“I feel like from the book you can tell that I am a fun, wacky person, and there’s always something crazy happening, and we’re always dying laughing on set,” Capozzi shares. “I hate writing, but I did love writing these stories.”

So, whether you’re looking for major photography inspiration, a deep dive into the female gaze, or just the chicest new coffee table book to elevate your space, Brianna Capozzi’s Womanizer is an absolute must-read. It’s vibrant, it’s powerful, and it completely redefines what it means to be a woman in control. Grab a copy, get inspired, and go channel your own inner womanizer energy!

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