From Indy to Auckland
Remote virtual photo sessions are making it possible to work with your favorite artists from anywhere in the world, and that’s something that’ll never stop leaving me awestruck!
Back in the spring of 2023 I did something that nurtured my creative soul in a way I didn’t even know I needed. Just shy of ten months after giving birth to my first child, I set out on an airplane headed west to attend Brooke Schultz’ Lovesoaked retreat. If I’m being entirely honest, I had a deep well of anxiety about leaving my little guy for the first time. I had even written up a full 500 word email to Brooke about why I needed to back out and give up my seat for someone else… but I never hit send. Somehow just getting my feelings and fears out on digital paper helped heal some of my concerns.
I’m so glad I decided to be brave and stick with my plans to attend; if I hadn’t I never would have deepened my photography community in the way only this retreat could have done. It was here, tucked between the mountains of Provo, Utah that I met some of the most wonderful fellow female family photographers. Christen, of Christen Peters Photography, being one I instantly clicked with from the first day.
I had been following Christen for awhile on instagram and had always been inspired by her work. I knew her only as a New Zealand family photographer that captured everything via the magic of film, but wasn’t aware of much else. I actually had no clue she was attending the retreat until I had seen her share to her instagram story that she was getting ready to take a plane over to the states. (Funny enough I had wondered why the Lovesoaked facebook group was one person shy of the full twelve attendee mark, little did I know Christen was the missing lady!)
During our time together we uncovered that we are both midwest girlies, she originally being from Northern Indiana. To me this just furthered the idea of it being a small world after all!
Several months have passed since our paths crossed and life has rolled on. So it felt extra special to be able to reconnect via a remote photo session. I enjoyed getting to “meet” her family and put faces and personalities to the kiddos I had heard about. Virtually soaking up their New Zealand sunshine felt nice since things in my corner of the world are heading towards colder temperatures.
I am hopeful that one day Christen + I will get to reconnect in person, but for now this approach will tie us over!
If you’ve ever found yourself curious about how remote photo session work, check out my virtual photoshoot guide here. It’s definitely an experience like none other when it comes to family photography!