Why is it as women, that we are so critical of ourselves, our failings? Why are we so critical when the imagined fallout in our own minds is always far greater than that of reality?
I know myself that I live moments over again, and wonder why I did what I did (or didn't do), I kick myself over opportunities missed for simply not taking a risk, or kick myself for taking that risk when I feel inadequate within the decision I made... I am generally a person who will jump in the deep end, not dip my toe and test the waters, this has brought about some pretty quick lessons in treading water and rising up... but my lessons have been remarkable.
The past year has taught me the value of friends, of life, of how fleeting it all is... It's taught me that mortality cannot be escaped, sooner or later we're all going to be faced with it. My mother, whom I adore, and thought, while knowing better, that would live forever has become increasingly unwell... and here's a glimpse into my world... she has been fighting Parkinson's Disease for a great deal of a decade, and suddenly (or not) she's becoming frail with it, and associated dementia... though don't tell her that, she'll deny it fiercly. This is but one woman in my life who has been nothing short of an inspiration... a sHERO.
Which leads me into the growth this year of friendships... I've met women this year (and indeed prior) who have not only amazed me, but have shared their realness, and rawness, and absolute WOMAN-ness... it seeems only fitting that a photographic idea would be born from it all.
I wanted to begin the journey of 'ROAR | Spirit' in it's current form with myself... what better way to kick start a project so personal than with myself.
The past 18 months or so have seen me faced with realities I did not like, embark on journeys I did not think I would travel... and while so much of the road has been challenging I would not change a second of it... I am who I am now because of it, because I am strong, because I am real and no longer see the purpose in living a life where realness, and at it's core, love; is not central. With that love comes the love of 'self', the embracing of intuition and feeling what you feel and not ignoring that niggling thought of discomfort just because it's 'right' to be polite and smile while underneath you're just not too sure...
The journey is raw, the journey is hard, but the journey is incredible, and uplifting, and in it's purest essence the journey is beautiful, because how can we love others... really LOVE others if we cannot look at ourselves with love?
I put myself in front of the lens... a difficult place for me to feel comfortable being a photographer, but I feel this was part of that challenge and journey, and part of that empowerment. The gorgeous Amy from Amy Rushbrook Photography was the perfect woman to entrust this idea and journey to. Her love for her art, and her own journey of life made her the perfect artist to hand over control to, to be on the 'other side'.
I wanted to begin the journey of 'ROAR | Spirit' in it's current form with myself... what better way to kick start a project so personal than with myself.
The past 18 months or so have seen me faced with realities I did not like, embark on journeys I did not think I would travel... and while so much of the road has been challenging I would not change a second of it... I am who I am now because of it, because I am strong, because I am real and no longer see the purpose in living a life where realness, and at it's core, love; is not central. With that love comes the love of 'self', the embracing of intuition and feeling what you feel and not ignoring that niggling thought of discomfort just because it's 'right' to be polite and smile while underneath you're just not too sure...
The journey is raw, the journey is hard, but the journey is incredible, and uplifting, and in it's purest essence the journey is beautiful, because how can we love others... really LOVE others if we cannot look at ourselves with love?
I put myself in front of the lens... a difficult place for me to feel comfortable being a photographer, but I feel this was part of that challenge and journey, and part of that empowerment. The gorgeous Amy from Amy Rushbrook Photography was the perfect woman to entrust this idea and journey to. Her love for her art, and her own journey of life made her the perfect artist to hand over control to, to be on the 'other side'.
This photo session was about capturing some of this essence, capturing a time, rejoicing in all that is WOMAN. And it's different for each woman connected and not scared of her soul, and what they find.
Which (finally) brings me to my project, ROAR | SPIRIT. This is a project about woman, about capturing and rejoicing in and with the women who can ROAR... women who roar from a place of depth so great is scares you. I have women in mind, women I have been fortunate enough to meet through my own journey, through my clients... it's incredible the journeys we travel... and my own personal journey will see me on the other side too... watch this evolve... I'm excited.
ROAR!
