Inner Myth Portraits
My work is rooted in the belief that we are a part of the land and always have been. That the moon moves the tides and blood alike. That stone and bone are cousins. That wind carries stories through trees and lungs. That we are magic, just as much as everything else in creation.
Modern life can make it hard to remember this, to feel it in our bodies. It wants us to be efficient, to be direct. We are used to shrinking ourselves to fit into schedules and responsibilities, and letting the mythic parts of us go quiet. After a while, it can be easy to forget how wild we are. Through my work, I create space to remember. To be curious. To listen to that more mythic side of ourselves.
Photography means to “write with light” and I feel called to write these stories of myth and landscape with my camera. It is my hope that these images feel like talismans: something that moves you, reminds you, and calls you home.
This work is an invitation to step out of the everyday and into an older place - where light kisses your skin, stones are cool beneath your feet and you can hear the wind singing through branches. Weaving in elemental landscapes, archetypal energies and natural light, we co-create portraits that are about presence.
You do not need to know exactly who you are stepping into. Curiosity is enough.
Our time together is collaborative and intuitive, and inspired by where the land and sky are in their cycles. We may work with ocean waves at dusk, forest light at dawn, or stone cliffs under a wind-filled sky. But no matter what, nature is not the back-drop. Whatever landscape we work with becomes a collaborator.
As a part of this process, we will work with archetypes (think of figures like The Wanderer, The Priestess, The Warrior, The Teacher). These archetypes are not costumes or roles, but patterns of story and energy that live through all of us. They are figures that carry threads of a greater weaving - a living tapestry of human story and mythic pattern.
If exploring and embodying the myths you carry calls to you, and you'd like to work with me, please continue reading for more information.
Offerings
These portraits are intimate. Through my own work with self-portraiture, I have discovered the discomfort and liberation in seeing yourself embody who you feel you truly are and long to be. When we see and feel ourselves embodying an archetypal energy, it reflects back a deeper truth that can shift something within us. There is liberation in witnessing a piece of ourselves that swims beneath our daily life. And there is strength and vulnerability in truly witnessing your Self - present and alive.
Whether you are seeking something simple or expansive, there is space for you here.
Explore the sessions below to find what calls to you.
The Threshold
We focus on one element - ocean, wind, forest, stone, fire - and allow it to shape the focus of our time together. For this portrait, you choose what your spirit wants to embody: is it the creative heat of fire? The power of a crashing wave? Or perhaps it’s the quiet groundedness of a forest. Whatever your choice, we’ll discuss the vision in a 20 minute phone call together, and create a vision for a portrait. After which I will suggest a couple of locations within 30 minutes of the Monterey area. We’ll spend up to 1 hour in the location of your choice, and you will receive 5 fully edited final images, in digital format. The final files will be formatted for sharing digitally, and for printing up to an 8x12.
Details:
- A discussion to plan your session
- 1 hour on location (within 30 minutes of Monterey/Seaside)
- 5 fully edited final images (web + print)
- You provide your own wardrobe
Investment: $250
The Descent
Together we begin to weave together elemental connection and archetypal expression. What part of your spirit needs to be seen? Are you a priestess on a mountain? Or perhaps a cheerful soul wandering the land. Maybe you are a fierce warrior, burning with passion. Together, in a 40 minute phone call, we’ll explore what is calling to you, and brainstorm how to bring all the elements together into a portrait . Afterwards, I’ll suggest a few locations within 1 hour of the Monterey area. We’ll spend up to 2 hours in the location of your choice, and you will receive 10 fully edited final images, in digital format. The final files will be formatted for sharing digitally, and for printing up to an 8x12.
Details:
- A discussion to plan your session
- Up to 2 hours on location (within 1 hour of Monterey/Seaside)
- 10 fully edited final images
- You provide your own wardrobe
Investment: $500
The Initiation
This is an immersive experience that weaves together archetype, element, personal mythology, and ritual. We begin the portrait session with a ritual that connects to your chosen archetype. Perhaps we build a mandala together in the forest before laying you down within it. Or maybe we build a fire on the beach after sunset, and you dance wildly with the waves and wind. No matter the vision, in a 60 minute phone call, we’ll dream into what is waiting. Afterwards, I’ll suggest a few locations within 2 hours of the Monterey area. We’ll spend up to 4 hours in the location of your choice, and you will receive 20 fully edited final images, in digital format. The final files will be formatted for sharing digitally, and for printing up to an 8x12.
Details:
- A discussion to plan your session
- Up to 4 hours on location (within 2 hours of Monterey/Seaside)
- 20 fully edited final images
- You provide your own wardrobe
Investment: $1000
Accessibility
I believe that art and self-expression are our birthright, and that all should have access to this.
While my sessions are an investment, I understand that not everyone has the means to participate fully when it comes to finances for a multitude of reasons, both personal and intergenerational. Occasionally, I welcome arrangements that include partial exchanges - some payment with some trade of a service, craft, or gift - or other creative ways that help make a session possible.
If you feel called to work together, but finances feel challenging, please reach out. We can explore ways to make your participation possible while keeping the experience sustainable for all involved.
FAQs/Information
Q: Can I receive more images than the package offers?
A: I'm more than happy to work on more images if you'd like. Each additional image is $75. However, if you are looking to add on a larger batch of images (10 or more), we can discuss that one on one after the photoshoot is finished. Each additional image you add on will be fully edited, just like all the others.
Q: What if there is a special location that I want to be photographed in, but it's more than 4 hours from Monterey?
A: That’s absolutely fine, I’m open to travel, and I love seeing and exploring other sacred places. If that is the case, then you would need to reach out to me directly, as a package would need to be custom built to take into account the extra travel expenses.
Q; What is your view on retouching/editing photos?
A: My work focuses on natural beauty. Excessive retouching that alters body shape, facial structure/texture or removes any natural features are not a part of this. Color and contrast in each image will be edited, and retouching of small things (temporary skin issues, wrinkled clothes), but nothing else. This is to honor the natural beauty of all.
Q: Do I get to choose which images are chosen?
A: While I understand the longing to do so, the intention with these sessions is that you trust me as a creative. I choose the final images making sure to give you the best variety possible. However, if there was a particular moment from our time together that you want to make sure is included, please let me know!
Q; What if the weather prevents us from photographing? Or if I have a personal emergency pop up?
A: I do my best to track the weather/ tides before we head out, and I know that you do your best to show up... but things aren’t always predictable. In light of this, I offer one free rescheduling, with a $75 fee for any additional rescheduling beyond that.
Q; What if our time together brings up a lot of emotions?
A: During the session, emotions may arise. While I do my best to hold a safe container for you, please recognize that my photography sessions are not therapy or mental health services. If you feel that you need that extra support as part of this process, I advise you to have the appropriate resources/people in place for yourself.
