Looking Back: The Wild At Heart Workshop
April 30, 2020To view the actual images taken at The Wild at Heart Workshop, click HERE.
It’s been exactly one year since I attended the Wild At Heart Boudoir Workshop, but ever after capturing thousands of photos that magical weekend, it took a global pandemic and me being quarantined at home for me to actually sit down and write about it.
Ever since I took an interest (and became OBSESSED) with the art of Boudoir Photography, I’ve always looked online for inspiration. Who are the Masters at creating such intimate art that really speaks to my heart? Who’s work did I want my images to aspire to? It was then when I discovered the body of work created by Jasmin Pickens. When she announced she was teaming up with Jessica Rae, another insanely talented boudoir photographer and educator extraordinaire, to create an intimate and intensive boudoir workshop in the deserts of Southern California, I did not hesitate to reserve one of the 5 spots available. I lucked out as it was sold out in no time! I packed my bags, kissed my family goodbye for now and flew from the Vancouver spring chill to the sunny Palm Springs Desert.
I eventually drove up to Yucca Valley to a beautiful rancher in the middle of the desert where I met such amazing fellow photographers from Canada and the US, and the talented Jasmin and Jessica. I was pretty excited to meet these two talented women in person. I would be roomies with these creatives for the next few days to just learn and shoot. It was just exactly what I needed.
After a time to settle and introduce ourselves, we didn’t waste any more time as models started arriving and getting ready. We were photographing models in the different rooms and corners of the house with two groups led by either Jessica or Jasmin. We eventually drove up to Joshua Tree and continued shooting with the most gorgeous desert landscape as our backdrop. We eventually ended our day shooting during sunset with a beautiful Reclamation Dress.
The next day we woke up before dawn to photograph as the sun rose in front of us. I never woke up that early for a shoot but I know now how priceless and so worth it it is. It was then when I captured one of my most favorite shots I ever took! As the day progressed, another batch of models arrived and we were free to photograph them inside the house and around the property, practicing what we had learned from our teachers. Later that afternoon, after the models left we eventually all agreed that we would take ourselves, along with a bottle of wine, to the desert and photograph each other. With not a care in the world, it was then when we let go of any hang ups, and emotional and physical baggage and be free with the desert wind while being photographed by one another. I have to admit: As a boudoir photographer, I hadn’t walked the walk nor had I been in front of the lens in this type of nature until this moment. It was then when I really experienced the therapeutic, self-healing and liberating effects of an intimate photo session for myself.
I am proud of the photos that were taken that amazing weekend, but behind those photos lie a collection of memories that I will keep close to me. My biggest take away from the workshop? To be more free.
To allow freedom when I shoot. Not everything needs to be perfectly placed. Movement in photos has a certain beauty that cannot be duplicated, posed or staged.
Also, to allow more freedom as a woman. It’s okay to go out of your comfort zone for the hell of it. I used to live my life spontaneously but I’ve lost touch with that side of me ever since I had children. I needed to be reacquainted with that side of me that weekend in the desert… and I’m so glad I did. Now more than ever I strongly believe that once in a while, every woman needs to reconnect with their inner wild child.
Enough with the chatter, let’s check out some of the MAGIC taken from The Wild at Heart Workshop by clicking HERE.