For years I’ve used Photography as a way to express myself. If you've been following me through the years you'll know I got my photography start with Self Portraits. It’s honestly taught me so much about myself, especially in hard times, or in situations where I knew something was bothering me, but I didn’t actually understand it until I got it out of me and viewed it through the lens.
Photography has also helped me celebrate the best of times! On days where I just feel excited and have something to share, photography has allowed me to express myself in a simple, visual way that people can relate to. Yes, capturing moments, and trips, and holidays are great, but it’s the true Art or photography that I’m in love with.
No matter the reason the EXPERIENCE, the PROCESS of getting photographed often helped me MORE than the actual portrait itself, although, the final piece is that reminder I need to-
1- never go back to that state of mind
2- remember that moment, and revisit it more
Along with
3- remember it's ok to share your experiences with others, like you all
4- I've created something that will outlive me.
That’s honestly the experience that I seek to give people. And sure, not everyone is as vulnerable, open, or as emotional as I am. Hell, some days I feel like just the biggest hot mess, and I think it’s because I’m actually too in touch with my emotions. Guess that’s the artist in me. And I know some of you just want a really fun, beautiful, feel good shoot, and I can give that to you a million times over, but don’t be surprised if it ends up showing you something more. And for those of you who are hoping to express yourself through a shoot- you are what my dreams are made of, and I thank you for being brave.
Jodi. I don’t care what you say- you are brave.
Jodi is 50 and it goes without saying she is damn fabulous. I applaud her for wanting to take the time out to celebrate herself, and her life, and who she is at this moment! That is NOT something that should be overlooked and we should celebrate ourselves more often, because we’ve worked really hard to get to this exact point in our lives!
Having Jodi in the studio was honestly a day that breathed life back into me as an artist. She was carefree, she was fun, she was bold, she was daring, she let go. Those are all the things that will make for a stunning experience. Those are the things I can’t MAKE you do, I can try, I try really, really hard, because it makes your portraits that much more unique, but I can never force you to fully LIVE during a shoot, and Jodi did just that for us.
The main thing I’ve learned so far in 2018- letting go of perfection. At one point we were literally chasing Jodi through the woods, RUNNING in the snow, around trees to catch up with her. We were screaming, and laughing, and it was an experience shooting I’ll never forget. I had NO idea what I was getting, but I knew what I was getting wasn’t made up, it wasn’t posed, it wasn’t forced. It was true. Jodi booked this shoot to celebrate herself, she used it as therapy, but what she doesn’t know is, it was extremely therapeutic for me too. I aspire to be that fun, that young, that edgy, that brave when I am 50. And I plan on chasing more brave women, any age, through the woods, again and again!
Thank you for sharing your true self with us, Jodi.
