Events
'Packing and preparing for this weekend, many thoughts arose;
excitement at the visions for this project and also faint whispers of a projected judgmental past and reception, placed upon me by myself, but also some close to me at various moments in life. I have personally always felt that the human body in its most pure form was natural and glorious, something to be honored and admired, each and every crevice. However, it is no secret that most in today's society do not share the same comfortability in that thinking. The family I was raised in certainly does not. I was so excited to get to work with a photographer who I've admired and longed to work with, but there was also in the back of my mind some nagging apprehension. After all, I was bringing along my children, my most precious beings, to a gathering in a remote forest, with no signal, no clothing, and a seemingly random group of individuals from the internet. I should have known by now, nothing is ever random in this life. It was very clear from day one that this beautiful collection of spirits was manifested by an equally beautiful soul with so much intention and divine manifestation. It felt like family instantly.
"Our photographer husband and wife team provided the absolute safest atmosphere within which we could focus purely on the art. For not one breath did I ever feel uncomfortable or nervous. In fact, I did not even experience the expected self-consciousness that I thought I might. My body has gone through so much over the last decade; I have been on the verge of dying, more than once, I have birthed two children, I have walked many miles, and I have moved many ways. As I approach 30, I take in all of my scars, spots, wrinkles, places where my skin was once youthful and smooth, but is now textured and written upon by the stories we have lived through together, and I finally celebrate it. It has been such a journey to get to this place. This gathering facilitated a deeper love, understanding, and reverence between me and this form. I do not like to be in front of the camera as often as I used to, for the expectation of being beautiful or perfect, and admittedly, certain past or familial relationships requiring guidelines for how I "should" express myself, but here, in this place, I did not feel the need to be beautiful or careful. I felt pulsing through my veins the inspiration to be in the collective with my brothers and sisters, to be drenched in the waters and muds of the earth from which we came and will one day return, and to just exist simply as me.'
'Scrolling through Facebook, I came upon one of the photographers as a friend suggestion. I was blown away by her majestic profile picture and decided to send a friend request. To my amazement I found myself invited to a shoot 2 days later. I realized I had never been naked around anvone without judging myself harshly for all my physical
"imperfections". In the last few years I've done a lot of work on my relationship with myself. I felt this would be a profound experience. I shed a lot more than my clothes and self judgements. "I found myself releasing judgements I didn't even know I was carrying against men and women. I released sadness and heaviness about life and humanity. I laid on the Earth's chest just feeling her heartbeat. I allowed myself to be softer and more vulnerable than I ever have, releasing my guard that is always up. I found myself feeling more comfortable than I do in social situations where I am fully clothed. For the first time in my life, I was just a pure human connecting with other pure humans and the Earth. This experience changed me for the better! I will joyously do this again! I am so greatful to the photographers for creating this opportunity to heal and make beautiful art!'
"What an experience!
This certainly was outside of anything I have ever been a part of. For someone who has also been very critical of themselves, I've always had a difficult enough time having my photo taken of me. I felt moved to be a part of this because I've always admired and respected this kind of art and expression. Being in the presence of Rowan and Adam was very comfortable, and the group that came together was beautiful.
I believe this was a great first group shoot, as I come away feeling even more comfortable with my physical self. I am looking forward to the final product and be able to see and hopefully begin to understand from their perspective. If posing for a shoot like this seems challenging, I would encourage you to move forward in the space they create and hold.'
'The whole day surpassed my wildest imaginations. It felt like my soul came alive, joined by like-minded beings breathing life into a place that hasn't seen it in decades. I was in awe to see how Adam and Rowan guided us so clear, determined and kind through the rough, rubble scattered around, finding beauty in places long forgotten. Real artists at work, seeing how they connected to the humming energy from and around us, weaving it into breathtaking images, was astonishing. And even though it was freezing, I could feel the warmth and love radiating from them. 'I didn't feel shy, insecure or scared for one second. It felt natural to show our raw selves to each other, nowhere to hide the scars or impertections. Safe, at home, seen.
A day impossible to forget, forever changed.
Thank you Rowan and Adam - in the end, no words can describe how that day felt and how it will impact the rest of my life.'
'For a couple of years now, I have been admiring Rowans pictures. When I saw the call for the groupshoot I was immediatly curious about how it would be to be a part of that! After being insecure about my body in my younger years and coping with several abdominal operations because of endometriosis in the last 10 years, I finally feel at home in my body, in my fifties! And this felt like a celebration: surrendering our bodies to the earthly elements. And Rowan and Adam being there to capture that through their lenses.
It felt all safe and natural that day! And the group felt warm and committed to make some beautiful art together. I feel very grateful for meeting you and being part of this special experience!'
'I am an insecure person, but I think that's the case for everyone. I'm insecure about how I look, how I come across and who I am in general. However, when Rowan and Adam's photo shoot came my way, I didn't hesitate for a moment. It just had to be that way. Even though I was incredibly scared, I stuck to my intention to just go, with the full belief that this could help me in my process. The photo shoot itself was magical, the connection, the euphoria and the trust in Rowan and Adam's lenses is one of the most special things I have ever felt. All in all, it has helped me tremendously and I am a lot further along in my process.'
'How can I truly justify and describe this sensational feeling that has ensued? My throat is tight and my tears are hot after leaving you guys. This space that caved in my walls and accepted me bearing swollen failing organs, scars and bruises. I thought I wasn't enough, I wasn't the aesthetic you would work with but for so long I've followed your showing raw wild ways. You have called to me reverently clutching to my desires from my soul depths. You've really aided me finally realising I actually am enough. In this given vessel trough trials, pain and traumas, not being enough or loved. I am so grateful to connect to magical beings making me feel safe and truly seen. I bounded over to you even though i was sick but for me this wasnt even a second thought! Listening to my little weak heartbeat though she has been so strong carrying me so far, allowing me to actually unfold no judgement just love and care. Smashing fears and embracing the cold - this was so special and sacred for me. Yes, I wanted for such a long time to step back into me after pain and healing to remember who the fuck I am, the real authentic Miya and I love my vessel. I am wild and always will be and forever grateful to be alive on this earth!'
'All the imaginations about how this day would look like - I didn't expect that these people would handle to make it even more magical, than I could ever imagine. The warmness and coziness I felt despite the cold I felt on my skin, ahhhh... Their comforting auras are completely melting any form of discomfort and making everybody long for more time in that safe space they created around them. An absolutely beautiful,
BEAUTIFUL experience, that you cannot discover without Rowan &
Adam. Guys, your company is truly inspiring and as nourishing and recharging for my soul, as a warm soup for my body after that long, cold day. Just glitterous.
Infinitely glad and grateful!'
'I've always seen those large group nude shoots and wondered how people even get in on something like that. now i know! a friend of a friend gives you a nudge towards that insanely gifted photographer (couple) that you'd been admiring for years... and you either decide: "phuck yea, let's do this!" or you take another blue pill and go back to wondering about that reality and all it encases.
so i boofed the red pill, and dove in deep!
at 38 years young, my body has changed immensely these past 4 or so years. and i'm learning to be kinder to myself surrounding those changes. this body is incredibly strong and capable; it has fought and won literal wars over the years and continues to support me in all my adventures and challenges.
it's been diagnosed falsely, broken out of literal cages, adorned lovingly and intentionally shared with people in an intimate setting.
this was an opportunity to grow with my body, to show this vessel how much i love it, how proud i am to drive it throughout this incarnation. i don't wish to hide who or how i am in any capacity. I may not be attending a nudist resort anytime soon, but now l've got the proverbial ball to get skindeep with strangers at a swimming hole or hotspring. I've only ever enjoyed nature in the nude when I'm absolutely certain that I'm super solo. It's invigorating and I can't encourage it enough to anyone who hasn't experienced this kind of healing. Extreme levels of grounding go way beyond just taking off your shoes. Connection to this planet in a way that proves we're all deeply intertwined, feeling that my movements are simply an extension of this earth body that I lovingly belong to.
This group experience was like that, but exponentially stronger. As cold as it was, once I was against the ground or a tree or even next to another person, the shakes cease. Warmth takes over and it's so much more than physical. It's a calming wave of acceptance from nature herself, welcoming me home.
You can't force these things. Rowan and Adam had intentions for us, but allowed this energy to flow and build organically. There was very little instruction as our husband & wife photographers captured these moments. Rowan herself was nude the entire time, regardless of whether she was in the photos or not, which added to the natural level of comfortability.
Before I knew it, the shoot was over. I realized that I wanted more. I didn't feel like a model... I felt seen. I felt human. Accepted and embraced for all my imperfections and flaws as if they were art in and of themselves.
So so grateful I opened that door and wandered out of my comfort zone. Thank you, eternally, to all those involved.'
It was a totally different, life changing experience for me. The way it opened my mind more than it was before; I know this was only a photoshoot, but it felt like more than that and how we are all connected from different backgrounds. It was a great honor to be part of this.'
