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Jihad
Jihad M'nsaria is beautiful woman who glows from the inside out- and that always has me curious about someone. What lights them up so much?
So I asked if she would share some more about herself.
Based in Dubai, she is a producer and has created a foundation called Play For Smiles. Located in Kenya, it looks after orphaned and abandoned children in various orphanages.
Her heart and faith have a big impact on how she operates in daily life- following her own access to this guidance and being led by something greater.
It seems there is an inner connection which creates glow. But it's a connection to something.. that is connected to everything else. It isn't insular or cut off. It's like a plug into the source of all things, and we each find that in different ways.
And then expand out from there.
I asked what her favourite word was:
"Compassion. For me it’s the highest form of love. Where you act from your heart, not waiting or expecting anything. Where you are considerate towards all people and circumstances."
My own experience of compassion is like a glue that holds everything together. Connectedness.
I see that kind of openness as courageous, and I’m grateful to have met Jihad.
Photographed as part of the Golden Lotus retreat,
on location at Eden Life Centres, Bali.
Essence
It's the one essence, but it moves us in different ways.
fleury
Loving fleurs.
Mexico!
Last month I had the pleasure of traveling to the little paradise of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to photograph Jess and Cam. They were married next to the beach, surrounded by family and friends who'd all made the trip to be there with them.
Shots were had. And there was lots of laughing.
Working alongside the Moon & Back film team at this heaven bubble on earth.
Emily & Tim
Spanish balconies
Madrid pigeon people watching.
Oops he saw me.
Movement
Less thinking.
Taken in collaboration with The Voices of movement.
I love these shoots. So much freedom and expression.
Space
I've been sitting with these photos for quite a while now.
Time to let them out and move forward! (follow the link)
They're part of my journey the last few years, wandering my way through life- and thoughts and countries.
I hope you can find something for yourself in them.
Women
Photos of Stephanie taken as part of The Voices of Movement photo shoot.
Saru
Saru is someone I've photographed a few times and become friends with through that. I believe she delayed the first photo session 4 or so times, as it was edgy and confronting for her. We both got there in the end!
The second lot of photos- total breeze. Each time I see her she's more centered in herself. More comfortable being photographed, but more comfortable just being herself.
Saru, I see as this sagely feminine wisdom. She feels a lot, is affected, and has lived many sides of life. Different cultures, different careers and different challenges. Alongside that she loves parks, nature and extra hot chili hot chocolate..
I want people to be themselves and feel loved as they are. Any time I give solid attention to someone, get out of my own head and really notice them, that's what I see. It may be easier to do from the outside sometimes because there's not that personal, critical voice going on. It’s more compassion and awe.
Vanessa
Vanessa is a bold, go-your-own-way firecracker with an extremely sweet heart.
She created Dancing Eros- which is a movement to bring women back to their pleasure, to themselves and to their desire. The details of her as a person are really beautiful. She's in her own lane for this life, and people like that seem to uncover interesting things- cause she's gonna discover it from the inside and from her own experience.
I often see her as a truth-barometer. She is genuine in how she responds- so if she's responding to something, it's honest and she is feeling it.
Authenticity seems natural- and necessary- to her. And in that she's very real and human, and giving permission to others to open up.
Elena
Recently I met with a beautiful woman, Elena of InTouch Kinesiology to photograph new portraits and images for her branding.
Through the process she went inwards often, eyes down or closed, to keep connected with herself. And what I loved was that 'inward' seemed like such a nice place to be. Like going home to herself. It wasn't an escape or hiding, it was a re-centering or soothing.
She would look up again with a smile- and it felt like her heart was glowing out through her eyes, it was so warm.
I fully understand this myself and how confronting it can be to stare into a lens and be seen. And I'm always working on that inner connection. So it was beautiful to witness in Elena.
It's like can we face the fight/flight response- calm ourselves- breathe- and stay fully present in our bodies.
It's a great analogy and practice for life, which makes me love this work.
Plus! The photos flowed really easily and clearly in line with her intuition and vision. Another one of her gifts.
