What an amazing time I had at the Beloved Collective in Palm Springs! I feel like my spirit was nourished, my heart filled to the brim. It was so good to see old friends, to turn some long-time virtual friends into flesh and blood, and to get to know so many new and fascinating people. The talks were inspiring (hopefully mine included), and I came home with a strong feeling of needing to do more personal work. I was especially moved when Liz Arcus talked about her ‘Hear My Heart’ project. So so brave and beautiful. It made me feel like I’ve been just scratching the surface for too long.
I’ve been a long time advocate of using Beloved technique in my portrait work, and I love shooting Beloved sessions. But in the context of the festival and the Collective, to me, Beloved stands for honesty. For people who seek something real gravitating towards each other. I love the atmosphere of support and genuine care, of encouraging others to be vulnerable, of the Collective being a safe place to explore the limits of your comfort zone, and push beyond them. And most of all the feeling of a community where everyone has something to give. It’s not about some being more highly regarded than others, but rather about seeing that everyone is special, everyone has just as much to give.
While at the moment my heart feels like it’s been split into little pieces and left on the other side of the ocean, I am so happy and grateful to have such creative, incredible people in my life.
Jesh, Jesse, Katie, Jeremy, Nicole… you are my people, with you my heart feels at home. James, you are so very special, funny and beautiful, I hope you will stay in my life for a long time. Amy, for you, sky is the limit. You see the beauty and it overflows from you. I can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next. Jonas, thank you for a glimpse inside, I will treasure it. Everyone who was a part of the collective, keep following your hearts for they are gorgeous, giving, vulnerable, strong and so full of joy. I am proud to have met each and every one of you.
Some of my favourite moments included the many discussions with friends, even more giggles, being moved by the presentations, judging the Beloved training certification tests (which were a roller-coaster of emotions!), feeling the stretch at a night shoot we directed with Jonas (styled by Jill La Fleur), changing my mind about things, a sunrise concert with Jesh & Amy, an evening gig with Kye Kye, receiving an Ambassador award for my efforts in spreading the word of Beloved, and so many more…
Here’s a collection of snapshots from my time in California. Get ready for some palm tree action.
Wow, I’m not a photographer, but I adore working with photographers and I love the concept of Beloved as you well know, having featured a few of your own Beloved shoots on my blog. I truly hope my husband and I get to experience a beloved shoot in the near future. It’s the right time for us now – we both not too comfy in front of the camera, but we’re in a special place in our lives right now, and I would very much treasure the opportunity to experience a beloved session with my boy and be lucky enough to own photographers that really truly mean something and represent how we feel for one another.
These photos are fabulous, intriguing and just darn beautiful Marianne. I love following your journey as a professional and incredibly talented photographer, it’s so very inspiring.
xx
Thank you, Annabel! x
Such beautiful images…such incredible memories. I feel all overcome with emotion for the reminder of experience of the last week. Thank you for everything….especially the company on the way home x
such precious captures :) It was fun getting re-live those amazing few days. and the back of my messy-bunned-head even made it in there! woot woot! I enjoyed the few brief conversations I got to have with you, and hope to someday have more. you have such a sweet spirit :) thank you for sharing it with us.
wow – beautiful images! it all looked so amazing x
Ah the palm trees, the light, the soul, the words, the emotion and wisdom is so very beautiful and real. Loving that you are getting to the core and finding sheer beauty. Inspiring x
well, that looked amazing..as I’m sure it was. So sad I couldn’t make it this time. One day. So glad you went and had such a good time – I can live vicariously through you!! :)
Marianne, these are such a lovely reminder of the incredible week we all had last week. Thank you for posting this. xoxo
I have the weirdest video clip of you… but stupidly no pictures… :(
Thanks for sharing all this images!!! i loved them!!! such nice moments……so many nice people!!! thanksssss, big hug from Brasil!!!!!
It was such a pleasure meeting you, lovely Juliana. xx
I enjoyed parts of the festival from afar and just had to stop to comment after coming across this post — your photos are filled with so much beauty. Not only do I really adore your post-processing, I love seeing the moments you captured. Also, I was able to see the bulk of your talk and wanted to let you know that your humility was really refreshing. You’re a talented woman. :)
Thank you so much, that means a lot! x
Your photos are amazing! Looks like you had a blast!
You have such a way of capturing places Marianne, I feel like the soul of the place comes through in your photos. And the conference looks awesome!
Whooaaa… Jealous, Jealous, jealous x 1000!!!!!!
Your way of portraiing (is that how you write that?!) Palm Springs makes me want to go there. NOW! ;-) I love the building in picturr No 3 and have seen it many times… I’m dying to shoot there some day :-)
Other than that it looks like an awesome gathering. Thanks for your insight for outsiders ;-)
Oh my goodness Marianne, to read this today has touched me deeply. When I presented I was extremely nervous and unsure what people think. To hear that what I had to share has moved you makes me cry.
I so very much loved re-experiencing Palm Springs all over again looking at your blog post. Thank you for all that you shared. You are a beautiful lady whom I hope to get to spend more time with sometime. Thank you for being you xo
Stunning words and photos Marianne!!!!!!!!!!!!! And yes Liz Arcus is amazing and I have be lucky enough to have her as my partner for the last 4 years :o)
I love seeing these images and remembering those inspiring three days. The thing that I keep holding on to from your talk is about telling the story. These images show exactly what you were speaking about. They’re more than a pretty picture, they’re pieces of a bigger story and it’s evident, and I love that. Thanks for sharing this.
beautiful collection Marianne x
Totally soul filled collection of images here, Marianne x
Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing :)