The Velvet Rodeo

Blowing a gale but finding magic during this empowerment session anyway

There was a defining moment on Saturday morning when this session almost didn't happen. A moment where the wind was completely unhinged, a moment where I questioned the outdoor nature of my career in winter and a moment where I wondered if today was the day I might actually see my car door blown off its hinges (dramatic, I know).

I felt that Steph, being based in Portland and about to make the trek across, needed to know the full gravity of the situation she was about to head into. We very nearly pulled the pin ... but didn't. We decided to fully commit instead. And thank goodness we did because this is one of those sessions that reminds me exactly why I started doing this in the first place.

Steph is a photographer herself, which does not in any way make it easier being in front of the camera. It actually makes it harder because we condition ourselves as photographers to look for the magic in the smallest movements and moments. We put so much pressure on ourselves when the roles are reversed. You suddenly become hyper aware of everything - your hands, your face, your life's purpose, your existence.

A good friend had pushed her into doing something for herself for once, getting out of her comfort zone and out of her own head, and she was nervous. But she listened, booked the session and showed up anyway. Honestly, those three things are the hardest part. The session itself is a breeze.

Woman in brown hat and green dress sitting with grass in the background

Woman in brown hat and green dress twirling in long grass

Woman in green dress with brown hat in hand leaning on a gate with a dirt track behind her

Within about 5 minutes of meeting, we felt like we'd known each other for years. There are some people you just click with, and Steph was one of those people. She was so down-to-earth and completely natural in front of the camera which had me questioning whether this really was her first time on the other side of it.

She whirled and skipped and leaped and danced and this is kind of what it's all about. We take ourselves so seriously, we hyperfixate on the smallest parts and fail to take a step back and see things for what they really are.

I put her through her paces and had her attempting some very weird prompts that saw her questioning what my motive really was. She has since seen her previews and understands it was all a necessary part of the process though!

We made our way down to the beach where it was still blowing an absolute gale.

At this point, we were committed. There was no going back. Sand was flying sideways, hair was doing interpretive dance, and, with my eyes only open about 30% due to airborne particles, what I could see I thought looked amazing.

Whilst I was fighting for my life on the beach, potentially about to reach a level of hallucination, Steph was waltzing in and out of the ocean like she was wrapped in a gentle summer's breeze, not a borderline air rescue situation.

Woman in blue off the shoulder dress holds brown hat with sand as backdrop on an overcast day

Woman in dress holds hat on head in black and white

Woman in blue off the shoulder dress with hand on hat on the beach on an overcast day

But there was a moment that the clouds parted briefly and we got to witness a small patch of blue sky. The birds were on the move and filled the backdrop, running from something we couldn't see coming? Not sure. But the the tide was a little less aggressive and there was a fleeting minute of calm amongst the chaos. Or at least I thought there was, I could only see out of one eye.

I'm not going to pretend it was graceful the whole time. There was one point we were wildly running down the beach after the tide stole a pair of $6 crocs. To an onlooker, we would have looked like wild women. But a bond was formed that day and honestly? Worth every second. Not a single soul will ever say they have been bored during one of my sessions.

Woman in green dress on grassy track putting her hair behind her ear and smiling

Woman in dress holding hat above head twirling in grass in black and white

Woman in green dress with brown hat looking over her shoulder on an overcast day

We ended up hanging around until dark, chatting mostly while I tried to pack away my change tent which had been blown to smithereens. When I got home and looked at the previews, I was blown away for a second time that day.

I mean it when I say they are incredible and anyone reading this will be in total agreeance. Steph absolutely embodied this effortless, country chic energy like it was made for her. And the best part? The hat and boots she wore are the same ones from her wedding day.

This session is exactly what these are meant to be about.

A little bit uncomfortable, a little bit chaotic, but always empowering. And total proof that you don’t need perfect conditions to create something beautiful, a lesson for myself as well. Sometimes you just need to show up and trust that a little bit of magic will meet you halfway.

Location: Belfast Coastal Reserve, Warrnambool

Time: Sunset

Photographer: Sage & Seaside Photography

www.sageandseaside.com.au