Oregon Coast Boudoir Photoshoots
This entire day at the beach, with two totally different photoshoots, was a huge creative milestone for me. Let’s talk about it.
This goes back a bit, to the beginning of this year. Something was a little off since then, and it was definitely a message that this year would be a tough one. My business slowed down, and with it went my mental health. If you are a business owner, you probably know how freaking hard it is to keep up with your normal work when your heart and mind need a rest. As the months went on, the bookings slowed to a trickle, and with it my creative drive and motivation.
Spring came, and I found myself depressed. Like more than I’ve ever experienced. Anxiety at an all time high. And to put a cherry on top, our personal finances took a hit from a long, slow work period. Everything felt like sand slipping through my fingers. Everything I worked so hard for seemed to be crumbling around me. And looking back it could’ve definitely been worse — but depression brain doesn’t acknowledge that. All I knew was that nothing I did for my business seemed to make it better, so I just stopped trying. I waited for something to happen to turn it all around.
After my own photoshoot at the beach to promote these limited sessions, I was actually feeling excited. I couldn’t wait to be the one behind the camera, making other people feel as powerful as I felt.
But nothing happened. No one booked them. It’s been a hard year for so many people. So I had this day marked on my calendar, that I was so excited for, and nothing to do. My dear friend Becca suggested I go anyway, take a model or two, and create for myself. Thankfully, I have so many amazing friends, Shantel & Jo agreed to come out and model for me.
I started off with this bright, mid day photoshoot with Jo. I was still struggling a bit during this one, thinking I could’ve gotten more or better photos, but I really had a great time. It also gave us an excuse to walk the beach and explore, since we ended up at Hug Point instead of Cape Kiwanda. It was the perfect weather, and doing sessions in the direct sun is always a fun challenge that I don’t normally get in the studio.
I wanted to hone in on a more editorial approach for these beach sessions, and I love how they turned out!
Once I got started with Shantel at sunset, I knew this whole day would end up being so so good for me. I haven’t done a sunset photoshoot in forever, so this was refreshing and such a creative boost. At this point, I finally let go of all the unnecessary pressure I put on myself for these sessions and just went with the flow. Whatever felt good, whatever felt fun and inspiring is what I did. I let go — and it’s some of my favorite work I’ve created this year. I played with light much differently at sunset than I did mid-day, so even with direct light it hits different in the evening. There was opportunity for light rays and silhouettes which we definitely took advantage of.
Being outside the studio forced me to think outside of my normal flow — the same poses and shots that I would typically go for in the studio wouldn’t work the same outdoors, so it was an even better excuse for me to really work my creative muscles, stretch and think outside the box. These shots inspired me so much for future sessions back in the studio!
This year has not been easy. But having the time to reflect and do photoshoots just to be creative, with no pressure or expectations, is such a blessing in disguise. I feel like I’ve tapped into something new, and it’s motivating me to continue challenging myself and creating artful photographs for myself and my clients.
If you read all the way through to the end, thanks for being here. Thank you for hearing my story, and letting me share this part of my creative journey with you. Sometimes it feels like I can’t share these tough parts because it’s not “professional,” but I also want to be seen as an artist, and a human being who’s life is not an instagram highlight reel. I’m excited for what’s ahead of me, and I’m so grateful for the people that will connect with this and be inspired to do a photoshoot for themselves and invite me to help.