TRUST

 crossed paths with this person when on a day that I happened to have my camera. he looked really comfortable sipping on a red stripe and sitting in his Adirondack chair. I think to myself, "ok, if you were to photo him, how would you do it?" I think "I would have him sit on the groun..." before I could complete my thought/visualization, I see him move the chair and sit on the ground!!! CONFIRMATION! I stand without thinking and ask him for a photo with no fear whatsoever…

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Sibilia, 2017 Atlanta, GA

Sibilia, 2017 Atlanta, GA

Sibilia, 2017 Atlanta, GA

and he agreed without any hesitation. afterwards, I shared with him my thought process and my moment of disbelief when I saw him starting to sit on the ground. he seemed as excited as I was and said that he was thinking to himself, "why am I sitting in this chair anyway? we used to be fine without chairs. the ground would probably be far more comfortable anyhow." ...or something like that. his name was Sibilia. RIP

SOMETHING RIGHT

ever met someone and something about them calmed you and strangely assured you that you have to be doing something right? this is one of them. she is far more colorful than photos allow. this is Jacque, she is a writer, painter and photographer, she came to me for updated head shots, this is one of three different looks we did. i thoroughly enjoyed her session & her.

KINGSTON, NY - THOUGHTS

 I was looking back through these photos and, man, I really can’t get over the fact that these folks for real became family over the course of the few days i spent with them. I’ve photographed at least 200 weddings, for real - for real which is why I’m trippin’....I’ve definitely felt connected to families I’ve photographed in the past but this day was v unique as a few years prior I had already photographed Jess’s sister, Tasmin’s wedding. Tasmin’s wedding definitely broke the mold on this new way I want to experience photographing weddings…if and when I continue to photograph them, more on this later... Anyway, Jess’s was a destination wedding and so I spent 3.5 days with the bride, groom and their families for the majority of the day, a few hours by hire and a few by choice. on one of the last days I was with them, they had a “wedding” but not really, more like a commitment ceremony, 12 guests. when jess was getting ready, it dawned on me that I was her “lady in waiting.” she didn’t have a bridesmaid and her mom left the room to get dressed and so it was just jess and I during this sacred moment. I remember realizing that while it was happening, like, wow, I’m really the only person in here...this is special. should I put my camera down? should I speak? I didn’t want to taint her memories by awkwardly babbling, I’m really good at that. Jess asked me for my opinion on her hair, her hair pins, crucial shit! I felt responsible! one of my biggest “responsibilities” was to help her decide if she should wear this beautiful dramatic body chain or this unique handmade necklace. we went for drama and I put my camera down for a minute and helped her put it on. at the end of the night while i was walking out Jess stopped me and put her hand out and told me she wanted me to have the other necklace she decided not to wear. I thanked her and attempted to communicate in words how thankful I was…I walked to my room & bawled. I live for these moments, not the gift but the moment and this weekend was FULL of them.

#tbt

 that time steve cut andie's hair for a video. sure do hope I get to photograph this lady again.

SEDONA

so, around this time last year i was photographing this couple.

the main reason I'm sharing this session is to share the story. I love a memorable experience. ok, so, the way I even met this couple was divine...tangent...not going to into that now, lol.  I want to talk about their couple shoot.

Sedona is getting busier and busier by the week and on this particular weekend that traffic was crazier than usual! as we were headed to our first destination, there was bumper to bumper traffic going in the opposite direction. so, we hung out in the direction we were headed and did what we could. 

BUT before we knew it, we were chasing light. we finally made it out of the traffic and were somewhere near Bell Rock. we jetted out on the trail to reach higher ground. once we were 10 minutes into the trail the bride darted off the trail and climbed up, I MEAN LIKE, kicked off her shoes and climbed the side of the rock and made it to the top instantly, lol. (I don't mean to sound like I'm talking ish this was all very admirable in my book) we all tried to do the same and just couldn't, like, sincerely. three people tried (the bride's sisters came) in addition to an entire family of 5 who were on the trail with us, lol. we kept walking trying to find a way up and we finally did...

... almost 30 minutes later, lol.

 in good time because her phone was just about to die. we got to the top and had a moment of silence for that view....

we snapped a few photos & then realized we needed to haul ass because the light was fading and we had a lil' hike ahead of us. we had to get off of this rock! you can't play around in these circumstances but thankfully it was a cool day and we had a few bottles of water...and we were only about 20 minutes away from the car. we DID get lost on the trail for a minute and had to use our phones as flashlights but quickly got realigned. lol. we made it!

I just appreciate these two so much for sharing this with me and introducing me to something new. driving up together allowed us to connect on another level.  i find them to be beautiful inside and out.  i admire their family dynamic and how they support each-other. it was great energy to be around. all these moments we spent together made their wedding day extra extra special. it's about the connection and being able to create from a genuine place.

we had pasta to recoup and drove back down to Phoenix with full bellies and good conversation. so good, that I'm thinking and writing about it a year later. <3

PORTRAITS: HAIR BY STEVE LYNCH

PORTRAITS: JUST TEASING

love how the images from the beginning and end of this session flow together. this is Helen.

NEW OFFERING

I've been meaning to come here and drop off some things that I have been working on...and I will...but first I have to get something off of my chest. 

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this thing and have been overthinking about the best way to roll it out. I want to shout it to the world but I don't want everyone's attention...if that makes sense. 

I am here to announce and offer a unique type of photo experience. 

You don't necessarily have to have a reason to get your portrait made. You are reason enough. Just like I don't have to have a reason to create. 

This started as a personal project, something I started doing for myself and I love it so much that I want to share it. I share with hopes to cultivate more interest annnnd to make it more sustainable for myself, to be honest. :)

In 2014 I slowly started collaborating with women and making photos just because...

I love all of these images so much but not because of what you see. the experience we share is beautiful and the photos I feel are mementos from the experience. 

the experience: i can't really go into too much detail. i'm not trying to sell you. if it resonates, it resonates. every session is different. we will collaborate but you should have no binding expectations. i would like you to give me trust and space to create organically.

I don't want to hear about your thighs, love handles or arms. you will be required to be free. there will be no negative self talk. Once you let go and honor yourself, it will shine through. #nojudgementzone

I'm super excited about this. I'm into making dramatic, colorful, authentic and moody imagery but not just for anyone or any company. It is important to me to provide a service that also serves me. I don't like feeling like hired help. I find that I work best once we connect and I always-always make time for that with these type of sessions.

We don't rush, we leave room to flow, we leave room to talk, we connect.

Self-care is being slung around all over the place as-of-late and I'm not even mad about it. It is super important. I am a mother and an entrepreneur and I have learned the effects of self-neglect the hard way. If self-care is a phrase you're tired of hearing. This type of session isn't for you. 

I allow you to be yourself and to celebrate and embrace you.

You walk away feeling full,

You walk away feeling good. 

I walk away feeling full,   

I walk away feeling good. 

Big thank you to all of the women who unintentionally helped me shape this offering and for trusting me and giving me creative freedom. If you hadn't given me feedback and let me know how our shoot made you feel, I probably wouldn't be writing this right now. I want to share that feeling with more women. Where would I be if I hadn't photographed you?

If you're interested in booking a session like this, connect with me for more information. info@zoaphoto.com