Soulskin; a project exploring the return to the wild self in motherhood
Screw the algorithm. Screw the blog content strategy. I’m just going to use this journal as - spoiler alert - a journal.
I spend far too much time trying to cram my latest shoots and project overviews into Instagram captions. I’m sceptical about how many people’s eyes actually get to them which makes me question the worth of the platform as somewhere to get the full lowdown on latest projects. It’s great for a glimpse but I need more space to help me process thoughts and help you understand this creative journey.
While it all makes sense in my head, there are probably a few gaps here and there for anyone attempting to follow along.
Maiden to Mother
Someone recently asked ‘how has becoming a mother has changed my creativity / perspective / world view?’
Since becoming a first time Mama, my world has changed monumentally. Physically, spiritually, mentally. For the worse in the beginning when I hit absolute rock bottom (I’ll share more about that soon), but also for the better as I rebuild this whole entire being (which a hecka load of support from friends, family, healers and therapists).
It was far too long to answer in one Insta story. I need some solid journal entries to form an answer to this. So that’s what I’m going to endeavour to explore in these posts. Along with some truth bombs 💣 which need some shame-removing conversation opened up, plus the journey of my current project named Soulskin.
The birth of Soulskin
In the beginning I had taken a few photos which formed the basis of the idea, married with an extremely tough time I was navigating as a new mother, plus a session with a dreamworker which provided the goods to tie it all together.
Little did I know this project would be an important part of my healing journey, test me as a creative (right from the word go), but also that this intentional project would be so fluid and continue to open up a Pandora’s box of curiosities that continue to inspire me and take me along a true creative path into the unknown.
It was a bold move choosing to divert from creating the kind of work I’ve become known for in recent years. But the truth is, my lifestyle enabled me to have the flexibility to create the way I used to create. Pre motherhood I was free to pop an alarm on and wake up to float around at sunrise or gather the gals together to photograph them in the waves before work.
IYKYK
If you know, you know. Life with a little human, a sleep and self-care prioritising schedule, a body which doesn’t do what it used to for many months, and we’ll just throw in mum guilt and ‘the fear’ for good measure… you’ve got yourself a recipe for the downfall of an adventurous surf & ocean photographer. It was my mission to heal the massive toll that those early months took on my mental health and get back out there with nature and you wild souls, doing what I love, but with a big dollop of intention thrown in.
Anyone who has transitioned into motherhood will know that time becomes extremely precious. Carefree days frolicking in the ocean at sunrise, hanging out in car parks and going for surfs on the regs are certainly on hold for me for a good few years (or more, I literally have no idea haha).
While I already approached all my shoots with intention, I felt that getting back out there needed an overarching intention to connect all the shoots, to create a body of work that felt cohesive.
An open book
On this journey so far, I’m learning that it’s a fully open book and I’m writing the chapters as we go. Which is why I figure it’s a good idea to start putting some words down. To document the creative process and the unexpected twists and turns which would inevitably show up, but perhaps were never really a part of my initial vision.
This is my favourite thing about the creative process. Starting with one idea; exploring, creating, and journeying on an unknown course into totally unchartered waters.
Join me peeps, I’m excited - and a bit nervous to be honest - to share this wild journey with you. It involves me being honest and sharing the raw nature of my experience in motherhood so far.
I’ll back track a little to contextualise.
L x