How an embodied photography session should feel

So much of our culture focuses solely on outcome. “No pain, no gain” and “be gritty” are common phrases we hear. This messaging teaches us to Ignore how we feel and what our bodies tell us so that we can achieve whatever it is we’re striving for. This is based on a hyper-masculine, patriarchal framework. ​​​​​​​​
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For us women, being in front of the camera invokes a lot of fear. We are judged by our looks and all the ways we don’t conform to the nearly impossible standards of beauty and worthiness. We internalize these things so being witnessed and seen can feel like a scary, sometimes terrifying, ​​​​​​​​
experience. ​​​​​​​​
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Being photographed should not be something you should have to grit your teeth through. Instead, it should be about working through that fear to get to the truest version of you so that you can stop being afraid of who you are and show up as the most authentic version of you. ​​​​​​​​
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I invest a lot of time and energy in the women I work with and in turn expect them to invest their time and energy with me to be photographed. It is not a fast experience focused solely on outcome. It is about showing up intentionally, taking up space and working through whatever feelings come up to get to the truest versions of you. ​​​​​​​​
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It is about the journey, not the destination.​​​​​​​​
It is about how we show up with each other and investing in the process, trusting that the outcome will be there. For both you and me.​​​​​​​​
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Photography is such a powerful tool and being photographed can be a life shifting experience.