"Love is a combination of care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect and trust." - Bell Hooks

Sometimes the struggle to connect with our creativity is in part due to our inability to connect with our intuition. We spend so much time in our heads that we forget to get into our bodies- the place where that intuition lives. In this workshop we will consider ways to come into a loving relationship with our bodies as a way to tap into that intuition and also as a way to be able to create with others in a way that feels more intimate and powerful.

Often when we want to work our way through creative slumps or burnout, we move into our heads, when Rachel believes the solution is instead to reconnect with our bodies. There is often difficulty reconnecting to our bodies when we have kind of controlling relationships with them. Rachel will guide us in a discussion about how we come into a more loving relationship with our bodies as a way of tapping into our intuition and creating from a more sustainable place. And then we'll dig into how that impacts the way that we are able to create with others.

Coming to loving terms with ourselves is a radical act that allows us to begin to fight systems of oppression and create authentic work.

Over the last seven years Jyo has been finding ways to document the self through gentle exploration of identity, culture, duality and introducing her heritage to her children through various self portrait projects. Self portraits brought to light a new life in Jyotsna’s self love journey and motherhood experiences after the birth of her second child. Whether she used her camera or iphone, whether she was experimenting with a new light setup or channeling some cultural experiences through portraiture; self portraits have always provided a calm in life’s chaos, helping Jyo to take some time for herself. 

In the workshop Jyo leads, we will discover ways to examine the stories in our life that matter most to us, identifying a story/connection to ourselves that holds great meaning, and we will explore how self portraiture can provide creative value through documenting these stories. Participants will then have the opportunity to watch Jyo photograph herself, and will have time to practice their own self portraits, and receive guidance and feedback in the process.

15-minute presentations followed by group Q&A, these mini-talks were among the most popular part of our 2024 retreat, so we're bringing them back!

• Studio photography, production and profitability with Brooke Bragger

• Creating an unforgettable offering for clients by intentionally incorporating location into portrait photography with Ashley Kaplan

• Insights on balancing artistic integrity with expanding business opportunities and introducing senior portraits to your portfolio and offering in a non-cheesy way with Taryn Boyd

• Connection: to your business, light, clients, yourself, your sessions, and your personal work with Talia Kite