wildbride retreats!

Back in April I announced an idea for a second Winne trip.  I knew that the Brave was a creative home for me, and I longed for another Brave journey.  But I also knew that this time I didn't want the trip to be about me.  I didn't want it to be just a sight-seeing trip, or a personal growth trip like it was for my first one.  So I had the idea to travel around and interview cool ladies doing amazing things and create a podcast.  I was really excited about the idea, but I also felt like something was sort of off about it, for me.  I couldn't figure out how to make the project really resonate with me, it was like I was working against the flow trying to get the project going.  I had planned on leaving on the trip about this time of year, but time kept slipping by and the project kept getting pushed back.

When I took my break from the interwebs and started dipping my toes into doing Wildbride photo shoots, I naturally was inspired to involve the Brave in my life again.  I knew that the Brave and Wildbride were connected, deep down they meant the same thing for me.  They were a part of the same story.  So I started thinking of how the two of them could mesh.  The result: Wildbride Retreats!

I knew that I wanted to connect with more women beyond the Pacific Northwest, but that everyone who wanted to do a shoot traveling to me wouldn't always feasible.  But with the Brave, I'm mobile.  I could go TO people.  So starting at the end of January I'm hopping in the Brave with Kristina (the loveliest redhead who you've seen on this here blog plenty of time.  My soul sister and luscious goddess) and driving down the West Coast of the US leading Wildbride retreats along the way.  We have retreats scheduled for the Oregon Coast, Northern California Redwoods, Joshua Tree, and Sedona!

 

The retreats will be on weekends, arrival on Friday, Wildbride shoots on Saturday, and leave Sunday, and we've got so much fun stuff planned.  Kristina is a certified Yoga Instructor and will be leading yoga for us to get us all grounded into our bodies, we'll be staying in some incredible homes (don't worry, we don't all have to cram into the Brave), and eating delicious food.  You can see the tentative daily schedule here, I'm so excited to get to commune with Wildbride women and have a healing, celebratory weekend surrounding the photo shoots.  Each retreat only has 4 spots because I really want the retreats to be more intimate.  I don't want to feel like we're rushing the shoots, or that I don't have enough time to connect with everyone.  

 

Also, I have big dreams for taking Wildbride even further than the Winne can go.  I'm traveling to Paris Dec 1- 5,  and New Orleans Dec 29-31, and while I don't have time to put together full retreats for those trips, I would love to do Wildbride shoots while I'm there!  If anyone is local to Paris/New Orleans or happens to be there while I am, please email me and let's chat!  I'm also dreaming of Ireland, Iceland, and beyond for 2016!  But for now here are the confirmed Wildbride Retreats:

Oregon Coast | Manzanita, OR  Jan 29-31, 2016 (only 2 spots left!)
Redwoods | Mendocino, CA Feb 12-14

Joshua Tree | Joshua Tree, CA Feb 19-21

Sedona | Sedona, AZ Mar 4-6

You can see all the info on the retreats, what's included, what's not, and the tentative daily schedule over at the Retreat website!  I'm offering an Early Bird deal for everyone who signs up before November 30 (and I also have payment plans available for early birds too, so if you're interested in finding out more about the payment plan email me!).  After that it'll go up to full price, so make sure to sign up before then!

W I L D B R I D E

Sometimes you need a break to clear your head. To reconnect with yourself, get your compass set on your true north, get the voices out of your head and listen to the still, small voice that is your authentic creativity.

This summer I took a step back. I put pause on, well, pretty much everything except wedding photography (because the show must go on). I had some really refreshing time to assess what I wanted, to give my creativity breathing space, to nourish myself.

I started going on creative outings, just me and my camera. I decided to shoot whatever I was drawn most to. I knew that I was influenced by other creators, and I wanted to reconnect with what I, at my core, was drawn to, inspired by. I also reflected on what I was drawn to and inspired by as a kid. Not surprisingly, I was instantly led to nature. As a kid I was always in the woods. I was in love with nature. I was a die hard tree-hugger. When I first started fashion blogging I was shooting all my outfit photos in the woods, or out in nature somewhere. Since moving to an urban area I've tried shifting my aesthetic to be more city-friendly. I do enjoy doing more urban inspired photography, but it's definitely more out of necessity than anything else. If I had my way, I'd be in nature 100% of the time.

It was time to make a shift. I wanted my photography business, my blog, and my work to reflect this authenticity. I found a new passion that merged two things I adore. Women and nature.

In January I started doing boudoir photo shoots. I really loved how they made both me and the women I shot feel powerful and confident. It's empowering to feel sexy and gorgeous. But there was something about it that didn't sit totally right with me. Doing bedroom-lingerie-Victoria's-Secret type boudoir felt...off. There was an aspect about it to me that felt intended for the male gaze. I knew that that wasn't always the case. Sometimes a gal just wants to put on some sexy lingerie and look hot for her own damn pleasure.  I'm so for that.  But at the same time, there was something about those types of boudoir shoots that didn't feel authentic for me, as a photographer and a woman.  I wanted to be about something different.  I wanted to create something different


 

In June and July I was hot and heavy into Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes Ph.D's "Women Who Run With the Wolves" (a book I recommend every single one of you read immediately. Or read again if you've already done so). I was feeling the Wild Woman vibes like whoa. Every word was like, YES. And I knew I wanted to make images that tapped into THAT aspect of womanhood. This wild, natural, powerful aspect of women's nature. No airbrushing, no liquify-tooling away "imperfections." Being powerfully sensual, feminine, and beautiful. I wanted to photograph that. I wanted to give women those images. I wanted to be a part of that experience with women.  And so Wildbride was born.

The name Wildbride came from the idea of women who were married to nothing but their wild woman nature. She belongs to no one. No one owns her but herself. She is betrothed to the wild within her. She's made vows to the wild woman in her soul alone, to her creativity, to her mental and spiritual health.

So, quietly over the past few months, that's what I've been doing.  Finding ladies who are like, "Yeah, all that? I'm about it. Let's do this" and then going out into the wild, stripping down, letting it all hang out, and making magic happen. And it's making me come alive. I'm so excited about Wildbride.  I've been doing Wildbride shoots the past few months, but now I'm officially pushing it out of the nest and letting it spread its wings.  I can't wait to connect with more women, bring more diversity in body types and ethnicities into these shoots, and even create Wildbride images with women beyond the borders of the US.  Everything about Wildbride resonates with my soul.

Women are incredible, strong, wild, sensual, powerful creatures. There is a part of a woman's soul that is married to the wilderness in a way that escapes explanation. We are so much more than how the media portrays us. Our bodies are so much more than meant for the male gaze to consume, they are sacred. We are Wildbrides and there are parts of us that will remain untamed until our last breath. Sometimes we squirrel it away because it's not proper. Sometimes we only let it out when we are alone. Sometimes we find a group of women who let us tear down the walls and get wild.


Instead of traditional boudoir shoots, I'm offering Wildbride shoots to clients anywhere around the globe.  I know not everyone can afford to fly me to them for a photo shoot, but I'll be announcing my travel schedule for the next six months and some super exciting Wildbride news later today for those of you who would love to do Wildbride but aren't local to the Seattle area.  
A Wildbride shoot is for you. Not for your significant other (though I'm sure they'll love the images we create), first and foremost we make these images for you. My hope and desire for Wildbride is that they aren't just photo shoots.  I want them to celebrate womanhood, to empower, and to heal.  I want women to have their Wildbride images to look at be reminded of the creative, sensitive, sensual, powerful, sacred being that she is.  

After the Jump there are a few more images that are NSFW, and you can always head to my portfolio to see more as well :)  Also: photo credit on the top image of me to Bailey, the lovely green haired goddess in the photo above.  The water was pretty cold so I got in all the way for some solidarity with her and she took some Wildbride shots of me!

mt. rainier engagement session inspiration peek

Ugh, you guys, this shoot.  K, so not only did we get to do a really fun hike in a gorgeous area, but we also got to take photos along the way and the end?  That view?  I die.  Oh and Kristina's Free People dress? Pretty much drooling over it.  Huge props to Kristina + Craig who were so game for the 2+ hour drive, plus an hour hike to make these images.  This is just a little peek at the shoot, head over to the studio blog to see the rest of it.  This shoot is going in the books as one of my all time favorites!

Vintage Winnebago Wedding Inspiration

Earlier in the summer I collaborated with one of my favorite local shops, UrbanXChange to do a fun, eclectic styled shoot to feature their vintage wedding dresses!  We decided to go for a very northwest, wanderlust inspired styling and of course the Winne was involved!  Vintage + Wanderlust = Winne.

Head over to the studio blog to see the rest from this shoot and also get a super delicious fig, gin & honey cocktail recipe!

abby + ricky's monte cristo ballroom wedding

Abby and Ricky's Monte Cristo Ballroom wedding was so sweet, fun, and elegant.  The venue was amazing, Abby's dress was like a fairy princess gown, and everyone was so stoked to be celebrating these two's union!  It's always a pleasure to be a part of a celebration where you can tell the whole room is in total support of their marriage.  Being the photographer means I get to spend pretty much the whole day by the side of the couple and with couples like Abby and Ricky, it makes my day so easy and fun. I absolutely am in love with the images we created on their special day.  Click here to see more from their stunning ballroom wedding over on the Studio Blog!