03 Oct Late Night Nudes- Photographers Gone Arty
The stone courtyard was lit by gas lanterns, warm, golden light that drew the photographers one by one like unwise moths. We had laughed and talked and made eerily beautiful underwater art in a pool under the stars, framed by stone walls full of history and ivy and untold stories. Now we filled a room with candles we found scattered around the house, took each other off to hidden nooks and faded cobblestones, played with light and learned from each other and felt beautiful.
It was our last night in this wonderful space and the most free- with so many beautiful photos on our memory cards there was nothing left that we needed to shoot, so we played with rare freedom, creating together late into the night. I will always remember that feeling, surrounded by artists and friends, painted by and painting with that dreamlike, flickering light.
We weren’t without fear- very real women, we still had our insecurities to fight- but we were fighting them together now and we CHOSE to be fearless. It was an experience that changed all of us. As women who make it their life’s work to show other women how beautiful, worthy and strong they are, we sometimes forget to give ourselves the same love and grace. This was a night of remembering.
I am so incredibly grateful for the strong, brave friends who shared this night and all the other amazing experiences on this retreat. You have changed me, all of you. Plus, you should know… you’re seriously hot. 😉 Naked pool party at my place?
Jodi Steadman
Posted at 11:48h, 03 OctoberWow. Just wow. Such beautiful pics of such beautiful women. I want to see more! Heck, it makes me want to come along for next time…. I’ve had this photography bug nibbling at me lately….
Stephanie
Posted at 13:54h, 03 OctoberJodi, you totally should. If for no other reason than the fact that I would loooove to see you again!
actsofbeautyphoto@gmail.com
Posted at 13:46h, 06 OctoberI agree! Jodi, you had better be planning for the next one. 😉
tara
Posted at 14:33h, 03 OctoberWow….stunning images 🙂
Danea
Posted at 17:16h, 03 OctoberI can’t stop giggling over the awesomeness that is nudes being photographed by nudes!!! You ladies are awesome! 😀
Michelle Grad
Posted at 18:24h, 03 OctoberThis was a surreal experience. Just watching from the outside was exciting. One of the reasons that I love my job is that I’m in awe of the creative process. This night was the creative process redefined. I think that everybody’s insecurities and body issues melted away because of the passion and excitement that the artists had for creating on all of these untouched canvases (bodies, locations and lighting). After expressing how I wanted to be able to see what the photographers see and capture it, somebody handed me a camera and said, “now shoot”. There was no judgements or negative criticism of anyone’s abilities. I felt like I belonged. I was learning but also admiring your unique styles and unbridled excitement. At certain times you would converge to compare shots, equipment or technique and then break like players on football field, all pump up to conquer another light source or pose. The sharing and trust was beautiful and fed the creative frenzy. I must say, when I finally went to bed I was worried that I would get up in the morning to find all of the photographers would be possessed by some art voodoo. And just how would I explain that to the doctors or your families.
Mike Roberts
Posted at 18:47h, 04 OctoberWhat a beautiful experience this must have been. Congratulations to the women who created together that evening. The second image made me think of the image of Imogene Cunningham and Twinka.
actsofbeautyphoto@gmail.com
Posted at 13:45h, 06 OctoberThanks Mike! That’s high praise indeed.