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“ Be around the light bringers, the magic makers, the world shifters, the game shakers.
They challenge you, break you open, uplift and expand you.
They don’t let you play small with your life. These heartbeats are your people.
These people are your tribe.”
This session in particular was very special to me. Not only did we make awesome photos on this day but I came to a very important realization about my journey forward as a photographer. I realized that by no means do I have to nor can I, go through my career alone. I need a “tribe”.
The dictionary describes a tribe as a group of people with similar values and interests. We all have a need to belong, and tribes offer us a sense of belonging. They are loyal, encouraging, and your soul feels full when you are with them. You can show up and be real around them because they give you room for discovery and growth to become your best self. And on this day a designer, a dancer and a photographer formed a very special bond. We formed a tribe. This, as Oprah says, was my “aha” moment and my mantra for the rest of the year.
Last year I went on a small hiatus to focus on obtaining Korean residency and so when the new year started I was yearning to make some photographs. I called up my friend, Park Hyunchul (and incredibly talented hanbok designer) and told him about my need. His response: Let’s go! He designed and made a beautiful two piece hanbok that would look gorgeous in the snow and bamboo, and on a cold winter’s afternoon we traveled just outside of the city to play.
My muse for the day was my special client-turned-close-friend Gongji. She is an incredibly gifted woman and whatever she does she just does naturally well. Her husband jokes and says that’s why she isn’t able to keep to one job but it’s so darn true. These days Gongji is focused on dancing and has a local project here called “body-o’clock”. We decided to infuse this session with her love of dance too, so that each of us was doing what we loved. I can’t find words to describe the explosion this had on my senses that day. So much inspiration was bestowed on me. It gave me a little push in regards to my photography and I had the freedom to just play and experiment. A beautiful day for discovery.
I’ll be continuously grateful to be able to lean on and work with two talents who not only inspire me through their crafts but who are always there for me, ready to help me create and be the best photographer that I can be.