HOW IT WORKS
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Hi Friendly Souls,
Two of the foundational principles of May We Rise is support, and empowerment — getting photographed nude is an incredibly vulnerable experience (especially when in a large group like this) and what I’ve discovered in the time spent doing this is that ~comparison~ is our greatest tripping point — to one another, to ourselves.
The way I tend to this sore spot is through the design of the photoshoot experience itself, keeping it entirely individual — no participant meeting or seeing the other until the closing night ceremony. In this way, removing the chance for visual comparison leaves the heart open to connecting with one self and the others on a deeper level — through writing and self-reflection in support of all of the feelings that no doubt will arise as a result of participation. During the last installation, this was achieved by inviting each woman to reflect on ‘how nervous she was’ in written form, on a card, at check-in before her shoot. She was then given the card of the woman before her, and was invited to respond to that woman’s answer to the same question. The beauty of this is that at times, this had the women offering words of encouragement to themselves because the woman before had had the same nervous feelings, and shared the same thoughts.
From check-in, to shooting, to the time the participant leaves the shoot location, the experience is as though they are doing it all by themselves in support of ‘anonymity’, respectful privacy, and to eliminate the chance to compare themselves to others.
Whereas the previous installment concluded with the participants ‘meeting’ for the first time at the Closing Night art show event, without really an opportunity to connect in a more intimate or personal way, this year, the participants will be invited to a closing ceremony Brunch the morning of the Closing Night event, to ‘deepen into their nakedness’, create real connections with all others who journeyed through the same experience, and fortify the feelings shared by all.
With gifted guide Collette Elosha on hand to oversee this ceremony, and having recently been through ceremony with her, I am excited to add a layer of depth to the experience and true community connection that was missing from the previous installment.
Whether you’re choosing to participate in this journey alone in sovereignty, or with a friend in solidarity, I encourage you to make this experience yours and to support yourself in the way only ~you~ know how to do.
In support of those who’d feel more comfortable journeying this experience alongside a soul friend, I’ve added a Shoot Week pricing tier of $405 for a photoshoot timeslot. Please use the code GIVEBUDDY at checkout to access this price point, and keep in mind that the code will only work when two timeslots are purchased in the same transaction.
Important dates:
OPENING NIGHT - MARCH 8TH: This is a ticketed event, purchase tickets HERE
SHOOT WEEK - MARCH 10TH-14TH: Open to all, purchase photoshoot timeslots HERE
CLOSING DAY/NIGHT - MARCH 21ST: Invite only, to photoshoot participants. A Closing Brunch will be that morning at 9:30a, Closing Night will be that evening at 6:30p
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Thank you, for being here
