‘I started photographing women in the sea by chance when, during a family photo session, the pregnant mum put on a boho dress and stood in the waves. I thought, wow, this is powerful!’
Me, talking on the Tales To Inspire podcast, January 2022
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‘Women now ask me to put them in the sea. It’s often quite a big thing for them, not the usual thing they’d be doing on a Wednesday evening as the sun sets. They’re often a little bit daunted by it but when they come out of the sea, they have this euphoria. I love that word. It’s a real self-esteem builder for them. They’re buzzing! These portraits I’ve taken have become a real symbol of female empowerment. Getting out of your comfort zone and doing something different.’
Me talking on the Tales To Inspire podcast, January 2022
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Getting out my comfort zone has been instrumental in me finding my feet after the baby years. On the Tales To Inspire podcast, I talk openly about the unsettling years I had after baby number three and talk specifically about post natal depression.
‘I knew I had to get out of this bubble I was in. I needed to get a different perspective. I needed to get out of my comfort zone. I needed to try something which scared me a little. That was the only way I was going to see what I was capable of, and honestly I had no idea…’
Tales To Inspire podcast, January 2022
I channelled this emptiness into constructive pursuits such as wild swimming, big walking, establishing a therepeutic writing group, reading uplifting tales and #mumventure. I began to claw back my confidence, assert a strong identity and ultimately, grow a unique business.
For me, these ‘women in the sea’ portraits – or as I’ve labelled it, the #makingwaves project – are a representation of intrepid and inspirational women chasing unusual and exciting experiences in order to grow. I am incredibly passionate about encouraging women to throw themselves in the deep end and see what happens! It worked wonders for me and therefore I’m a huge advocate for it.
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If you would like to be included in the #makingwaves project, do drop me a line via my website or Instagram.
‘This was honestly one of the most enriching experiences I had in 2021.The sky was spectacular. The waves were warm-ish! I received beautiful photographs I can treasure forever. I would urge you to do something exciting and memorable like this in 2024.‘
Olivia Edwards, after her sunrise engagement shoot in the sea in Kingsdown, Kent
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