Vulnerability Photoshoot - March 2020

What inspired this photoshoot?

2020 will likely go down as one of the most unexpected, challenging, and deeply profound years in my lifetime. It started with great hope and anticipation for a new decade and new year. I began my year in Africa exploring Tunisia with my former boyfriend. It served as an inspiration for two incredible photoshoots in Hammamet and Sidi Bou Said.

Upon my return to the states, I began to lean into the year and what I wanted to create. I embarked on a week-long personal retreat at Six Eagles Haven in Colorado. During the retreat, I had a deep knowing that I was meant to end my relationship and take time to focus on myself and my business. I had no idea that my intuition was guiding me on a path to healing inner child trauma and learning to fully embrace my own self-love.

Letting go of my relationship cracked my heart open. I was deeply heartbroken. About 2 weeks after my break-up, I lost contact with my ex and it nearly crushed me. For most of my life, I’ve learned to hide or run from pain. I didn’t want to experience it, so I would cover it up, numb it, or keep myself extremely busy to not have to deal with it. Yet, this time it was different. I knew I had to lean into the pain and allow myself to crack open and fully mourn. It was a deeper sense of healing that was waiting to be acknowledged.

The more I leaned into the pain and heartache, the more I began to see the beauty of allowing myself this space. I then got a hit to document this experience. I contacted my dear friend, Leslie Boren, and asked if she would be interested in photographing me at my most vulnerable—pain, sadness, expression, nude, raw, and with no makeup. Leslie said Yes! without hesitation.

While this photoshoot was for my own healing, it also showed up as a way to show other women that it’s okay to be seen in pain, sadness, and heartbreak. We are often so afraid to be vulnerable and allow our pain, sadness, and upset or disappointment to be seen. I wanted to show that there is beauty and strength in all of it.

How did you find your outfit?

For this photoshoot, I chose to go bare minimum. I wore a white crop top that I purchased at a boutique in Wellington, New Zealand. And for the rest of the photoshoot, I chose to be nude. I wanted to fully embody vulnerability in every part of this experience.

How did you feel during and after the photoshoot?

While I was a bit nervous to be photographed in such a vulnerable place (internally) and way (externally), I felt a sense of empowerment in allowing myself to be seen. Leslie graciously invited me into her home so that we were in a comfortable, private space. She set me at ease and made me feel welcome. I felt a sense of confidence in being photographed in this light. All of my photoshoot experience and inner work I’ve done over the years allowed me to step fully into this new space.

During the photoshoot, I felt seen and known. Leslie has such a trusting aura about her. I felt safe being able to express myself in this way. After the photoshoot, I felt empowered, witnessed, and accepted. I stepped into a new level of confidence in myself as a woman and fully embraced my body. As women, we often hide our authentic beauty behind clothing and makeup. This experience was raw, vulnerable, and extremely liberating.

Photoshoot Credits

Photographer: Leslie Boren, Urban Photography

Leslie is an extremely talented, natural, and genuine photographer and beautiful soul. She has experience in photographing families, babies, travel, women in boudoir photoshoots, and experiential like this vulnerability shoot. When I’m working with Leslie, I feel safe to express myself and be seen in whatever emotion I am experiencing.

Here’s a bit about Leslie’s experience with this photoshoot:

“When my friend Robin contacted me with this idea for a photo session around vulnerability... I was enlivened. We began the session with a little chit-chat and a little humor. Eventually, she shared about the current source of her pain and sadness. I sat on the floor and held space for her as she flowed through a range of emotions. Occasionally I would lift my camera to my eye. She was incredibly transparent and brave. The entire experience moved me.

Thank you for showing up the way you did, Robin. I admire you.” 🤍 #realbadass

Hair + Makeup: James DeFrange & Kinome McGrane

Master Hairstylist & Owner of Pura Vida Salon in Dallas, James DeFrange

Master Colorist & Owner of Sweet Hair Space, Kinome McGrane