a personal growth experience


A few months ago when I woke up in the middle of the night wide awake, I began scrolling Instagram (as one shouldn't do if you ever want a chance at falling back asleep, btw). And in my scroll, I came across Jonny Edward's post about a workshop that he and another educator (Tamara Pasky Alexander) was hosting in Bordeaux, France. Well duh... I clicked on the link and checked my calendar. I only had to reschedule one thing so you bet your sweet bippy that I said a hell YES to this opportunity. Where as in my former partnership would have had to immediately start presenting a Powerpoint to justify and 'allow' me to attend.


In my newly found freedom I can report that I am capable of making my own decisions. Financially, relationally, and practically. And in my 43 years on this earth, I have learned to do my research (even before now) and try to think of all the things to make my life experience the best it can be. With that does come some fear... traveling to a foreign country solo and navigating all of that. Heidi will tell you how scared I was about things surrounding that. But life is what happens when you're out of your comfort zone. And with that comes even more freedom. Hell yessssssss.


This wasn't my first workshop, but I always go thinking I'll know what I'll learn. But I can tell you.... it shocked the shit out of me what my takeaways have been. Read on if you wanna know (or no judgement if you just wanna see pics. They speak for themselves.)


Our educators, models, hair & makeup, vendors, chef... were all so wonderful.

Two figures seated on stone tiles with decorative tapestries hanging on the wall behind them.
Dramatic foggy views of ancient stone fortress walls perched on steep cliffs.
Visitors explore a historic stone wall overlook on a foggy day.
Stack of vintage decorative plates with pastoral scenes on white tablecloth.
Interior hallway of a medieval castle with stone archways and natural lighting.
Dramatic black and white photo in a dimly lit vintage corridor.
Panoramic view of rolling hills and river valley from historic stone balcony.
Elegant entrance hallway with green doors and white walls featuring classical architectural details.
Panoramic view of a historic European city street with traditional architecture.
Close-up details of vintage wooden furniture and decorative patterned tiles.
Dark green painted staircase with ornate iron railings in a historic building.
Artistic black and white silhouettes on a stone balcony wall.
Misty panoramic view of people enjoying a scenic overlook at a historic site.
Ancient stone fortress walls and walkways shrouded in misty fog create a mysterious atmosphere.
Historic castle perched on limestone cliffs against bright blue sky.
Rock climbing routes on natural limestone cliffs surrounded by vegetation.
Dramatic black and white panorama of rugged cliff formations.
Rock climber ascending challenging limestone routes in black and white photography.
Photographer with tripod capturing scenic views in misty meadow.
Rock climber traversing horizontal limestone route in dramatic black and white.
Photography equipment set up under tree branches in sunlit meadow.
Artistic black and white photograph of a rocky hillside with vegetation.
Series of black and white photographs showing a natural stone formation.
Black and white portrait in tall grass with natural lighting.
Artistic black and white photographs set against a bamboo forest backdrop.
Artistic nature photography with lush green grass in sunlight.
Dynamic black and white photographs captured in a bamboo grove.
Moody black and white photographic series in a dense bamboo forest.
Panoramic view of stone walls and countryside landscape under blue sky.
Artistic movement study photographed against bamboo forest background.
Two people sitting on a tiled floor against an ornate tapestry background in an elegant interior setting.
Close-up view of intricate tattoo artwork on someone's head and neck against a warm-lit background.
Person in a pink dress reclining on stone floor in front of historic stone archway.
People sharing a playful moment on a vintage wooden lounge chair during a photo shoot.
Dramatic shadow play on stone walls creates artistic silhouettes in dim lighting.
Glass of red wine sits on ancient stone wall overlooking scenic countryside view.
Person in flowing burgundy dress poses against stone balustrade in outdoor setting.
Photography equipment and lighting setup visible along stone balustrade during outdoor photo shoot.
Tourists taking photos of an ancient stone castle perched on a hillside under blue skies.
Historic stone fortress walls and battlements silhouetted against a dusky blue sky.
Dark atmospheric black and white photo of ancient stone ruins in a misty forest.
Moody black and white photograph of a stone balustrade against a dark background.
Elegant photoshoot scene with ornate chandelier and flowing fabric backdrop in warm lighting.
Behind the scenes of a vintage-styled photo shoot with professional lighting equipment.
Professional photo shoot setup with dramatic lighting and draped fabric backdrops.
Ethereal photo of a flowing white dress against antique wooden paneling in dramatic lighting.
Dramatic black and white portrait featuring an ornate crown and vintage-style dress.
Ethereal portrait featuring an ornate golden crown and flowing sheer fabric in a dreamy atmospheric setting.
Stone room interior with dramatic lighting streaming through stained glass windows.
Artistic portrait with gold crown and flowing white dress against draped fabric backdrop.
Interior of stone castle room with sunlight streaming through decorative windows onto terracotta floor tiles.
Romantic portrait by stained glass window in historic stone building interior.
Dreamy boudoir scene with natural light streaming through vintage stained glass windows.
Figure in white dress standing in sunlit stone doorway of historic building.
Playful outdoor photoshoot against stone wall with trees and countryside in background.
Creative portrait session on stone castle steps with dramatic poses.
Artistic photoshoot on ancient stone castle walls with dramatic poses and natural lighting.
Two models pose dramatically on stone steps among ancient ruins wearing edgy fashion looks.
Artistic black and white photo of a figure posing with raised arms in a hallway with patterned wallpaper.
Black and white nighttime photo of someone being photographed while holding a bottle.
Silhouetted group of people gathered outside a stone building at night.
Artistic portrait of someone in white lingerie posing by a church window.
Artistic nude photo with white fabric draping against stone wall background.
Close-up detail shot of hands on white lace corset bodice.
Intimate boudoir photo showing details of white lace lingerie.
Artistic close-up portrait showing bright lipstick and white lace lingerie strap.
Moody interior scene with natural window light falling on figure at vintage table.
Artistic boudoir photoshoot in moody lighting showing a figure seated by a window in vintage interior.
Dramatic portrait series with soft lighting showing a person in white dress against dark background.
Sequence of green ornate doorway frames with decorative ironwork and white walls.
Large group photo of people sitting together in formal attire against wooden paneled wall.
Close-up shots of French restaurant menu with wine list and prices in red text.
Panoramic view of historic French town square with classic architecture and stone buildings.
Close-up view of feet wearing brown and silver ballet flats on cobblestone pavement.
Breakfast setting with croissants and coffee on wooden table with striped napkin.
Series of photos showing massage therapy room setup with white sheets and orange accents.
Display of blue and gray color block sweaters on mannequins in shop window.
Colorful painted stripes on a city sidewalk featuring yellow, pink, and green lines.
Weathered old building facade with peeling paint and rustic wooden doors.
Red coffee cup with saucer on a dark surface in natural lighting.
Grand ornate fountain with classical sculptures in a public square under blue sky.
Display case of raw meat cuts and promotional signs in a butcher shop.
Stone wall with sunlight creating warm golden tones and shadows.
Stone balustrade walkway overlooking scenic countryside and rolling hills.
Long hallway with wooden bookshelves and cream walls in traditional library setting.
Person wearing floral patterned jacket against stone wall background.
Simple table setting with small flower vases and white tablecloth in rustic room.
Chef in white uniform working at kitchen sink with vintage decor and pottery displayed on stone shelf above.
People gathered in an elegant room with stone walls and patterned carpet during a theatrical performance.
Grilled steak with vegetables and salad on white plate next to Perrier bottle and wine glass.
Black and white photo of dinner party guests enjoying a meal at a long table.
Grilled steak with asparagus and sauce on white plate alongside red wine glass.
Aerial view of stone-walled water feature or pool in grassy courtyard.
Makeup artist applying cosmetics on model wearing ornate crown in historic interior setting.
Couple posing playfully against draped fabric backdrop in vintage-style setting.
Castle with illuminated windows at twilight featuring distinctive turrets and towers.
Photographer with professional camera standing near stone ruins on cloudy day.
Close-up view of camera equipment and boots on grassy ground during an outdoor photo shoot.
Person in a dark turtleneck sitting in a warmly lit room with textured walls.
Rows of homemade chocolate bars sprinkled with sea salt on a dark surface.
Tim Tam chocolate biscuits being displayed on a table during a snack break.
Mirror selfie showing photography equipment in a rustic interior space.
Person sitting on a wooden chair in a room with vintage-style interior decor.
Person in a burgundy dress sitting outdoors against stone building walls.
Interior of a rustic kitchen with stone walls and modern appliances.
Black camera equipment displayed on wooden table near window with natural light.
Plate of cooked meat with vegetables and garnish served on white tablecloth.
Two friends posing together for a series of casual selfie photos in warm lighting.
Stone castle building with turrets photographed on a misty day with figures walking in the foreground.
Dark moody landscape photos showing silhouettes of trees against a dusky sky.
Photographer taking pictures over an ornate stone balustrade on a misty morning.
People assembling furniture from cardboard boxes outside a stone building with red doors.
Loading luggage and equipment into a tour bus on a sunny day.
Two people posing playfully together against a colorful street art mural background.
Black pointed ballet flats shown on marble flooring with geometric patterns.
Modern hotel room interior with white bedding and beige walls lit by natural light.
Behind-the-scenes photo shoot setup in a dimly lit interior space.
A plate of steak tartare served with fresh green salad and garnish at an upscale restaurant.
Decorative bookshelves with vintage books and blue globe ornaments in a study room.
Colorful burgers and salads served on wooden boards at a restaurant table.
Beautiful flower garden with pink and white blooms in front of a historic stone building at dusk.
French menu written on black chalkboards mounted on stone walls.
Entrance to Hotel Zunft with stone archways and green plants decorating the facade.

TAKEAWAYS


demonstration is everything


When you're ready to shoot and you know exactly what you're after as an artist, it's vital to start by commutating to your sitter the mood, the type of posing they're about to do, and the vibe of what you're trying to create. Almost giving them a screenplay for their brain. They become the actor/actress of their own set. Not just using words to get the message across, but to SHOW them. Physically. With your own body.

Jonny and Tamara excel at this.

Dramatic black and white interior scene with moody lighting and shadows.
People gathered in a historic room with stone walls and patterned tile floors.

respect.


This is my heavy takeaway and perhaps the most impactful to my career as a business owner.


We don't know what we don't know. Right? So it's important to remember when reaching to touch someone to move their hand or hair into a certain pose/position that we don't know what trauma anyone has had in their lives (unless they are ready to openly share). You can't read someone's mind -- only their energy -- and I learned to just ere at the side of caution. NEVER ASSUME. ALWAYS ASK.

Respect your subject. Even if they agree to be vulnerable. Oftentimes with a personal portrait shoot we're attempting to repair scars, not create new ones.

Artistic black and white photograph of a bamboo forest at night.
Abstract motion blur photograph in a dark bamboo grove.
Artistic black and white dance poses against a bamboo forest backdrop.
Expressive dance movements photographed in front of dark bamboo stalks.

and finally a country that 'gets' me...


I have fallen madly in love with you, France. It makes me want to delete Google Translate and get Rosetta Stone. I finally learned how to say 'merci' with the perfect mouth sound.


A country that is beautiful. Amazing history, glorious food and wine, and an appreciation for the naked female form. More please.


As an exercise in vulnerability, all 9 of us attendees had a shoot with Tamara. And I got naked. In the rain. And laid on a stone wall.


And I didn't die! I fully trusted Tamara. And from it I felt inspired, liberated, and empathy. Highly recommend (when you're ready).

Growth happens when you get out of your comfort zone.