[a note from Erin]
“Embrace the glorious mess that you are. ” Elizabeth Gilbert
I have this quote hanging on my bedroom wall so that I can see it every morning when I wake up. This year has been a season of change in my life. This photo shoot was my way of living these words. Having been a wife, lover and mother for 1/2 of my life, I felt the pull to embrace my glorious mess, physically and emotionally. I was my strongest self than I had been in many years. Mikell helped me feel comfortable and at ease in my own skin. She was able to pull out my strength and vulnerability in these images. I am so pleased and in awe of the work that we created together.
[hair and makeup by Athena Severance, Grants Pass]
Wow, these are beautiful, truly. My favourites are the 3 colour portraits near the beginning. Love how natural these are. Stunning work.
Matt…I admire and thank you. Those three are my favorite too! She’s a true beauty. 🙂
Golly, I love these.
They’re a brilliant combination of ballsy and vulnerable. (Plus, I SO want her hair)
The images have a certain unapologetic defiance to them which I just love. I’d be so proud if I had images like this of me. I’m very fond of the warm tones you’ve used in the processing. There’s something indulgent and languid about them that have made Erin look like a movie star.
Brilliant stuff.
(wanders off to decide if I can pull off that hair. Not literally, mind)
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts Lucy. You get what Erin and I were going for. Thank you for seeing that. I love “ballsy and vulnerable.” And yes, you can and should do an empowerment shoot…they are unforgettable! 🙂
Wow Mikell, you’ve truly outdone yourself, again. My favorites you ask? (You didn’t) But, as I slowly sift through these, one by one, I realize it must have been so hard, even for you, to choose which ones to post here, they’re all so brilliant in significant ways. I love, love, love the ones that seem as if she’s just getting out of bed, I get that Time Magazine feeling, as if an amazing moment was captured in time, that second that burns into your mind’s eye forever. I’ve seen it with your work before, but you’ve definitely entered a new realm, one that says, ‘If you think I’m stopping here, think again.’ I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Kerry, your thoughtful words are so appreciated. It’s not often people take the time to share such things. You of all people know my struggle to pull out of creative funks to and push myself to be better…I’m fighting my way out and Erin had so much to do with that…she’s amazing and I will feel forever connected to her after this experience. We have plans to do a part 2 . . . she told me that our work together isn’t done yet. Love her. Love you. xoxo
I enjoyed this series very much, what an incredible atmosphere. It is so tender and genuine. The natural lighting and the warm tones of the colour images complement the poses and skin so well. The portrait (standing) images are my favourites. The way she does not look into the camera in the last image is amazing. Looking forward to part deux.
Thank you Guy. Very thoughtful comments that mean a lot to me…I look forward to shooting part duex! xoxo
OOH LA LA…..this looked such a fun shoot to capture?
And as for the pink hair – im a sucker for pink hair….I’m sporting pastel pink locks at this moment in time 😉
i particularly like the 8th from last shot and the cheeky 4th B&W front on sofa images, the vintage look to them is fabulous. Looking at your amazing work is fueling me with loads of inspiration and enthusiasm to do a session like this. Just need a model thats not my child!!
Thank you! You have pink hair too? Love that daringness! And yes, you definitely need an older model. LOL Let me know when you do one so I can cheer for you!
its lilac today – lol
its a fab newish product that actually grabs the hair but washes out in 2/3 shampoo’s so you can be daring when you feel like it without the commitment 🙂
oooooh, lilac! i hope you posted pic on your Facebook page…I want to see! 🙂
arghhhhh…i’ll try and take a pic 🙂
please do! 🙂
Oh man – these are awesome. What an amazing thing you’ve done, Mikell, for Erin. And Erin – what a gorgeous lady. My favourites are the 2nd and 3rd – they’re like something from a movie set – love them. They are completely empowering – not just to Erin – but for a whole bunch of us – I’m sure!
Gorgeous model and gorgeous work. Love the mood of this it’s like a sixties shoot. The first and second images are my absolute favourites and they are all really cool frames.
Wow nice photo! Very sensual! As Anna says it seems some picture could come from a movie! I like the second one, and the B&W portrait on the bed!