I feel most powerful and beautiful when covered in mud, and clay and moonlight. River soaked hair and salty skin.
I thought I was the only one, but week after week, radiant women join me and say, "Me too," and this is everything.
Everything.
I feel most powerful and beautiful when covered in mud, and clay and moonlight. River soaked hair and salty skin.
I thought I was the only one, but week after week, radiant women join me and say, "Me too," and this is everything.
Everything.
"...She will need her sisterhood." - Gloria Steinam
A week ago, before the big storm, in the woods of Wimberley, a sold out workshop gathered. We photographed women in rivers, women in the pouring rain, women nursing their babies. We ate made-from-scratch pastries and pizzas and soups and sang songs under the moonlight around a campfire. We supported and empowered and loved. Democrat, republican, foreign and domestic. Cuban and Native American and Chinese and English and French and...
And after everyone left on the last day, I collected some of the ashes from the fire pit, rubbed a little on my face, and let the energy of it all settle on my skin.
I don't know much about anything these days; it all feels inside out and upside down and cracked in half. But I promise you this: I believe in the power of sisterhood.
There have been times when I have questioned my direction. I've wondered if I should just take photos of smiling families in matching outfits and play the game. But this is my calling. This is my heart and soul and inescapable truth. Years ago, I sold everything we owned and traveled this country in a trailer fighting with everything in my bones for the preservation of the female spirit. I filled 100 pages of a hardbound book with faces of everyday female heroines that I absolutely fell in love with.
I BELIEVE IN US. I do. With every cell in my body and every star in my sky. And now, more than ever before, I am honored beyond words to continue to hold the space for this important and beautiful work.
In a time of blinding uncertainty, I hold steady in the knowledge that we are unbreakable, as long as we have each other.
Onward. All in.
Just a few before I go to sleep. Today was a dream, and my whole heart is grateful in ways that words will never touch.
Registration for the next round of my online photography class opened yesterday, and there is so much I want to say. I want to share about how, when I was 5 years old, I spent my days playing school with my one-eyed, matted fur stuffed animals, feverishly scribbling across my chalkboard, my pretend lesson plans in hand. I want to share about how every single time I have taught online, over the last six years, these students have changed my life. Some have become best friends, business partners and my most favorite artists to follow. Gosh, there is so much I want to share, but I feel like showing you their work might speak louder than any words ever will.
Here are some of the students from my September black and white class. These women are incredible, their stories from all around the world are profound, and I am eternally grateful that I am able to hold the space, month after month, for such brave creating.
I would love to have you in my November class. It's the perfect season for curling up with a hot cup of tea, making a bunch of new friends from across the globe, and creating the best photos of your life.
Claire Whitehead
Corinna Robbins
Erika Ray
Kierstan Bell
Holly Wilmeth
Lisa Lombardi
Megan Edwards
Meghan Seremet
Peta Hood
Mukarram Dadajonova
Meghan Seremet
Renata Bueno
Wendy Alweyn
Melissa Baerwald
Renata Bueno
Peta Hood
Reem Alshaikh
Melissa Baerwald