It’s been almost one year since Ashley Watts bravely asked if I would photograph her to document the difficult time in her life that she had been, and still was, going through. I was humbled to be asked to “hold space” and to document her journey that cold, February afternoon. Ashley and I quickly realized after our session, that we had begun a creative journey together, without any idea of where it might lead us. We trusted the Universe, moved slowing one step at a time, found an excellent film maker, and our film, “Exposed to the Light,” was created. Here is the 1 minute film trailer.
Exposed to the Light trailer: https://youtu.be/bxb64zUxrx4
We have now shown this short, intimate 13-minute film to more than 100 people. We started out thinking that our audience may mostly be women as we felt the message of the healing aspects of expressing and sharing our vulnerabilities seemed maybe more of interest to women. But as last year progressed, with all of the difficult and emotional things happening in our world from politics to Covid19, we began to feel the importance of encouraging, giving permission, and allowing men, as well as women, to share vulnerabilities with each other. To date, many women and several men have joined us in viewing our film and participating in the following discussions. We are grateful to each and every one of you.
We’ve chosen to host film viewings in small groups via Zoom, where together we watch the film, and its followed up with some great discussions. We are humbled and honored with the strong, positive response we are receiving from viewers.
“Artists are intent on that pursuit — zero-ing in on the “truth” that will set us free. Nanette captures the truth of Ashley’s experience in her photos and you [Reg] capture the truth of both Nanette’s and Ashley’s experience in this video.” – Karen Montanaro
*UPDATE* “Exposed to the Light” An invitation to view our short film
UPDATE: To date, our film has been viewed by over 100 people, many of who honored us by staying to participate in a short discussion at the end of the film. We are very grateful for each and every person who has joined us. Our last showing of 2020, will be this coming Wed evening, Dec 16 at 7pm via Zoom. We would love to have you! Please drop your email address in the comment section below, and I will send you the Zoom information. x
Above is the trailer to our short film, “Exposed to the Light.” If, after watching, you are interested in…
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UPDATE: To date, our film has been viewed by over 100 people, many of who honored us by staying to participate in a short discussion at the end of the film. We are very grateful for each and every person who has joined us. Our last showing of 2020, will be this coming Wed evening, Dec 16 at 7pm via Zoom. We would love to have you! Please drop your email address in the comment section below, and I will send you the Zoom information. x
Above is the trailer to our short film, “Exposed to the Light.” If, after watching, you are interested in “attending” a Zoom viewing with us, please drop your email address into the comment section below. Please feel free to share this blog post with others you feel would enjoy/benefit from viewing our film.
We Gordon Women
Putting it back together
I’ve always thought the Gordon women are pretty amazing women…but then I think most women are pretty darn amazing. Photographing women really is what I am all about. Let’s chat about who you are? What makes you tick? What lights you on fire? What makes you the woman you are today, standing here in front of me. Truly, let’s talk. I am all ears.
After being laid off from my retail work in March, I worked on a photography/film project which is very near and dear to my heart. I will tell you more about this soon. It filled me up. I loved collaborating with another woman and a guy film maker, and I think we created something really important, especially for the current times we are living in. When we finished that up, I thought…what can I do next during this pandemic? Something else near to my heart? Something else that would fill me up and keep me creative and inspired. This hit me! I have always thought the women in my family are so special, so inspiring…we are creatives, we are entrepreneurs, some of us run our own businesses and non-profits, some of us are younger and some of us are older. We all have stories to tell. I decided I wanted to tell them through images.
I asked each women in my family; sister, sister-in-laws, nieces, 1st cousins… there are 18 of us in total over 21 years of age. I asked if I could photograph them representing who they are today as a woman. With each woman, we brainstorm. What has made you the strong, independent, lovely, brilliant, kind, resilient woman you are today? And how, through imagery, could we portray this? Then, lucky me, I spend 2 hours to a full day with each woman, hoping I do her, and her story, justice. Hoping upon hope, she sees a glimmer of “her story” in the images. I ask each woman to write a paragraph, or 10, telling me what has made her who she is today to go along with her image(s).
And I have a very specific image in my mind as to what we will do with all of these gorgeous female photographs and writings, together, hopefully all 18 of us in one room.
Here is one of the images from one of our Gordon women’s project sessions. She came up with something that seemed to represent a part of her history, and this is what she writes ~
“Glass is fragile, once it’s broken it can be pieced back together, but it never looks the same.”
Lots of love to you all this wonderful late summer weekend! #gordonwomenproject
xo
Nanette
http://www.nanettefayegordon.com
What to Wear for your Portrait session
In this time when most photographers are not photographing clients, I’m happy to still be holding phone and Zoom consults with clients to prepare for when we CAN start safely photographing again! One of the first questions I am asked when someone schedules a portrait session is, “What should I wear?” So, a few years ago I prepared a quick guide to help you!
“What to Wear for your Portrait Session” Guide
Here are a few suggestions/ideas on clothing, hair, etc for your portrait session. (For families, groups, headshots, and engagement sessions)
Think about your own personal style. You will feel most comfortable and your portraits will reflect you, if you choose clothes and styles that are your own. If you love sweater dresses and boots, wear your best version of that. If you are a dress pants, blouse and blazer person, then wear a version of this. Do you prefer casual or dressier? Heels, tall boots, or flats? Wear the best of your own personal style. If you aren’t comfortable in what you’ve chosen for pictures, it will show.
Start with one outfit piece that you really like. From there, build from it. Layer, layer, layer! Layers add dimension and depth. Layer your dress with a cute belt and pendant necklace. For fall and winter, add cardigans, belts, statement necklaces, scarves, and blazers, all great layering pieces.
Avoid fluorescents, and avoid whites directly near your face. Fluorescent colors tend to color cast on faces, necks and hair. I always recommend versions of primary colors. Yellow (mustard), red (maroon, brick), and blue (navy, royal). White tops generally wash people out in photos, so I suggest staying away from white altogether unless it’s just an accent color. Men, if you wear a colorful tie and a jacket or vest, a white dress shirt is ok. Small checks, plaids and stripes are acceptable, just not too large and busy for group shots.
Wear clothes that fit, and fit well. Keep in mind that for pictures, too large of a shirt, or a jacket that’s falling off the shoulders looks unkempt. Choose something that fits perfectly, or even just a little bit snug. Make it look almost tailored. Go a size smaller in jackets, cardigans or blazers. A too-big jacket will not compliment shape. It hides hips and waist for women. Even if it’s just a little snug in the shoulders, it should lay nicely around your hips and waist, creating a tailored look.
Dress for the weather, and be flexible. Be prepared to be flexible with wardrobe, in case you have to switch it up last minute. Dress appropriately for the weather that day, even if it doesn’t go with your original plan. And you know New England weather! You need to be comfortable or you will not look relaxed. Please bring a coat or jacket that works with your outfit.
Ask a friend or loved one. They will see you better than you see yourself when trying on clothes. If he/she tells you it looks great, believe them! We’re our own worst critics.
Accentuate your best assets. If you’re self conscious about your stomach and upper arms, but like your legs, wear a shorter dress with a fitted blazer or cardigan over it. Showing off your assets, while concealing the parts you don’t like so much. Be aware of the neckline. A v-neck or crew neck is much more flattering than a turtleneck.
Shoes are a very important part of wardrobe. Wear shoes that coordinate with the outfit you choose. And men especially, please polish leather shoes.
Wear your hair how you normally would for work/evening out. No new hairstyles or haircuts. If you must have a haircut just before your session, please tell your stylist you are having your picture taken and to please trim but not drastically cut.
Make-up. Ladies, please wear make-up such as you would if you were going out in the evening. A little more concealer, foundation, eye make-up and blush than what you would regularly wear during the day is recommended. Lipstick is pretty much a must. If you don’t normally wear any color on your lips, this might seem strange but trust me on this one. All it takes is a little. You will look much more alive and vibrant with some lipstick that matches your skin tones. And please, bring your make-up and a comb or brush with you to the session for last minute touch-ups.
Thanks! Feel free to ask me any questions. And I look forward to working with you!
If you would like to contact me, you may email me at: Nanette@nanettefayegordon.com or we can connect at one of these locations.
http://www.nanettefayegordon.com
https://www.facebook.com/nanettefayephotography
© Nanette Faye Photography 2014
Document may not be reproduced without the expressed consent of the writer.
A Maine Swedish tradition: New Sweden Midsommar Festival
The summer before last, I lived with my sister in Northern Maine and we decided to attend the New Sweden, Maine, Midsommar Festival which takes place in late June each year. Its a 2-3 day event, and is steeped in Swedish culture and heritage. Its a colorful festival filled with beautiful flowers, lots of Maine lupine, and colorful traditional clothing and music. We went to the decorating of the Midsommar Pole, and stayed to see the children, dressed in authentic Swedish outfits, dance around the pole. They had been practicing for the event for several weeks. There were wonderful musicians playing lively Swedish music.
What struck me the most in addition to the beauty of it all, was the coming together of all ages to participate and pass along traditional Swedish activities. People came from all across the United States to attend, see family, and join in the Swedish fun. I grew up in Houlton, Maine, only a couple of hours south of New Sweden and had no idea this festival even existed.
Here is an article about the New Sweden colony itself and how it came to be. http://www.maineswedishcolony.info/aboutcolony.html
Here is an article published in an Aroostook County newspaper. There is a sweet video imbedded that gives you a real sense of the festival including the great music!
https://thecounty.me/2017/06/04/news/new-sweden-readies-to-wrap-midsommar-pole/
I have a few hundred images from the special day. Mostly around decorating the Midsommar Pole, the families, the children, dancing around the pole, and people of all ages enjoying the festivities. I have included a few here.
The New Sweden Historical Society who sponsors the festival each June has written on their FB page that the festival is to “Help us preserve and promote Swedish culture in Northern Maine.” I would say, you are doing a great job! I hope you had a wonderful 2019 New Sweden Midsommar Fest this past weekend!
Beautiful tradition clothing
Sweet face
flower headdress
those eyes
family affair
making flower wreaths
she glows
decorating the pole with Maine lupine
creative hat decorating
Maine lupine decorating the Midsommer pole
many hands to decorate the pole
family traditions
she was one of my favorite models of the day..
children in traditional Swedish clothing
Maine lupine
Maine lupine
Miss Northern Maine Fair
traditional Swedish music and instruments
the pole is almost ready!
lupine and red socks
Maine lupine
enjoying the festival
last minute words of encouragement
waiting to dance
the team from Maine Public Radio
lupine and more traditional socks
mother and daughter
The decorated pole is ready!
sweet children
The Midsommer Pole being raised
anticipation
the traditional dancing begins
dancing fun
Swedish dancing
so much fun!
dancing around the pole
tradition
Gorgeous Maine lupine gracing the Midsommer pole
The truth is I never felt like a “Survivor”
The truth is I never felt brave, badass, or blessed. I never felt like a warrior or a survivor. To me, “survivor” felt like a word you use when you think you’re going to die, but you don’t. I never thought I was going to die. Not then anyway…someday, yes, of course. I was diagnosed, I had two surgeries, I had 4 weeks of radiation and then I moved on. Onward and upward. Whats next? Let’s do this thing called life. It was a thing I had gone through, like many other things. It wasn’t pleasant but it wasn’t horrible. It was just a life experience like many others. I wasn’t being brave or pretending it didn’t happen. It just was and now it wasn’t. I didn’t go to survivor groups, I didn’t talk about my breast cancer unless someone asked. Hell, I even cancelled my health insurance because it was too damn expensive to allow me to have fun doing all the things I wanted to do. I wasn’t being brave, I had just put it behind me. Or so I thought….
Then, several months ago, the truth of someone who has experienced cancer, began to sneak up on me. Usually, it was at 4am when I rolled onto that breast and it woke me up enough to roll to the other side. Or it was when I bumped myself at work and it hurt more on that side than the other. Or when I was in the shower and could feel discomfort around that breast and under my armpit. Those niggling thoughts of whether I was still experiencing the effects of radiation or whether there was more going on began to creep in. I didn’t mention it to anyone. I didn’t really even acknowledge it myself until nearer the end of this past year when I knew I could sign up for health insurance again. Then I told my partner, my sister, a few friends and family. I really didn’t think it was anything but I needed to have it checked out. And I did. My mammogram came back negative but then, so had my mammogram one month before I began experiencing symptoms the first time around. So this past week, I visited the lovely caring cancer specialists where I had been previously treated. Just to chat about my symptoms, and other things.
3D model of a breast
I told her, in addition to the symptoms I was having, I hadn’t been as happy these past few months. I have gained weight and wasn’t sleeping very well. She said, as a breast cancer survivor, I should…..wait, what? No, that’s not me. I cringed with embarrassment. I didn’t in any way feel like a survivor. She went on to talk about programs offered to survivors, YMCA free classes and trainings for survivors, etc. My face was flushed with shame as I didn’t feel any of these things related to me. These were for people who thought they were going to die when they had cancer, and then they lived.
She said, “You know what your problem is?” No…. I guess I didn’t. She said, “You haven’t acknowledged your fear, you haven’t dealt with the fact that you had a life-threatening disease and that for the rest of your life you will wonder when or if it will return. You haven’t been above-board with yourself around your cancer or your fear. And the problem that arises when you don’t do this work, is that you also don’t experience the joy of being cancer free AND….that fear will eventually catch up with you. It will present itself in your happiness, your weight, your sleeping patterns and more.” Wow! Really? I had to admit she probably was right! I thought I had moved on, and in many ways I had. I thought I had put it behind me, and in many ways I had. I thought I really wasn’t a cancer survivor because I hadn’t had chemo, I didn’t ( thank goodness) lose a limb, or spend months in the hospital, these things were not part of my cancer story but… I was a survivor, I am a survivor.
I am almost exactly 5 years out from when I first started dealing with doctors around my breast cancer. I am now finally ready to read the books, look at my post cancer food intake, join the YMCA’s LIVESTRONG free 12-week physical activity program designed to help adult cancer survivors…yep, Survivors! 🙂 And I am even going to reconsider the one thing I said “no” to the first time around because, hell, I thought I was perfectly fine the way I was. (God, I sounded smug in that original blog post!) And, maybe I still am fine the way I am but I will admit this cancer thing has taken a toll on my body and my psyche, and I am going to go chat about fixing some issues that may help me in the long run. I am ready to admit I may have some residual emotional and physical effects from cancer.
And I am so thankful that someone called me on the carpet to be honest with myself. To call my bluff on the fact that I was so far past cancer, I had left it in the dust. To be honest about the fact that at 4am, I am human. A human who has experienced cancer. Better off than some who have and worse off than others. We can’t judge each other’s experiences going through this or how we deal with it after. We are all Survivors. And I am thankful for that.
xo
You can find me here: http://www.nanettefayegordon.com
The Oil Spill and the Art of Self-Care
Last year my word(s) for the year was self-care. And this for me personally does not look like bubble baths and massages although I do love both of those! What I need from myself mostly for self-care are good boundaries around my time and energy, asking for help when I need it, and utilizing my resources. These have been some of my biggest struggles, that I have been aware of, since my early 20’s. I’ve gone to therapy to work on these and have worked hard to honor myself with these.
And still, I stink at it. But I am getting better with very conscious efforts!
So, this year my word(s) for the year, again, is self-care. In fact, if I am honest about it, probably these will be my words for several years to come. I have lots of work to do around this.
Luckily for me I have this friend who is a wonderful role model for intentional self-care. She knows how to do it! She’s good at it. And its pro-active! And she does it in the most kind and gentle way for herself. She reminds me how important it is to take care of ourselves in the best way we know how.
Last year she had an unhealthy experience, and she was relaying to me how she handled it . And Wow! I asked her if she would write about it because I needed and wanted to read this, and remember it. Self-care doesn’t happen haphazardly or without a plan but sometimes when you proactively work at self-care, the Universe gifts you an added bubble bath, or massage for good measure.
Marsea
This is her story. Thank you so much, Marsea Spiegel for being such an amazing role model and friend and being willing to share your story.
Oil Spill
“A few weeks ago, an old defunct oil tank in the basement of the house where I live (I occupy the first floor) started leaking oil. I woke up one morning, and the smell was so powerful that I immediately opened windows and headed downstairs with a scarf over my mouth and nose. It was all over the floor and just a stinky, nasty mess. The following day a haz-mat team cleaned the floor, siphoned the remaining oil, cut up, and removed the tank. They did a great job. The smell, however, remained and actually got worse. It permeated everything that was, well, permeable. My throat, head, and chest were not spared. Boy, did I get sick.
For the first week I couldn’t sleep in my own apartment. I had a constant headache and had to take serious action to clean both my house and my body.
The house was a relatively quick fix; two days of deep cleaning with a purifying blend of essential oils (and a good friend) did wonders to improve the atmosphere and lift my mood. I smudged with sage and ran a diffuser with lemongrass oil. It was unseasonably warm, and I was able to leave windows open day and night.
Detoxing my body would be more of an ongoing process. I put a lot of trust into the wisdom of my body to handle this assault and did all I could to support it. I drank lots of pure water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice; coconut water straight from the coconut; fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice; simple meals of antioxidant-rich vegetables, greens, fruits, and berries; roasted dandelion root and other detoxifying teas; long walks on the beach; daily sauna; oil pulling (coconut oil swooshed around in the mouth); dry brushing; visualization; positive affirmations (“My body is a brilliant detoxifier, and I am cleaner than ever before”); and was grateful for the opportunity to take purification to another level. It was a nice reminder that there are gifts in all things.
I had planned a weekend at Kripalu Yoga Center before this happened. To take full advantage of my time there, I decided to gift myself with a relaxing massage first thing upon arrival, prior to the start of my workshop so I could be in tip-top shape. They had one opening at the time I requested. In fact, it was the only opening all weekend! As luck would have it (luck? hmm…) the session was an Ayurvedic Detoxifying Skin Treatment. I said yes! It was phenomenal. The most enjoyable, relaxing, restorative, blissful, and invigorating bodywork experience I’ve ever had. To say it was exactly what I needed would be an understatement. It elevated my concept of health, life, joy, you name it. I decided right then and there that I would bring Ayurvedic Skin Care to my future healing center. All I could think of was, we all need this.
This transformational session began with a very soothing dry skin exfoliation from head to toe. The therapist wore thin gloves that were at once silky smooth and slightly rough. My skin tingled, and I could sense my body responding to the invitation to release any and all lingering substances that were not serving me. The message was clear, and my body’s response was immediate. My intention of purification was getting full support! Looking back, I can see how it was, in fact, running the show.”
–Marsea can be found at Aon Wellness Center in Falmouth, Maine practicing therapeutic massage, and energy healing though Attunement. She is also certified in Lymphatic Drainage Therapy. Marsea is a certified holistic health practitioner.
Water Photography Session Giveaway
woman in water
The idea stemmed from thinking about a woman I know. She is raising two children by herself, holds a full-time job, takes care of her own home, and still finds the time and energy to help other people when she sees the need. My thought was, “I’d like to gift this woman a water session. I’d like her to have an opportunity to see how beautiful she is. Give her the time and space to celebrate herself. I’d love for her to feel love and nurtured, for her, from other women.”
Rocks are her grounding force.
I truly love connecting with other women this way. The water session begins way before the day of the session. We talk on the phone, or over coffee or wine, about what they would like from the session. What they would like to see, feel, experience? What things from nature or otherwise would represent them? What they are experiencing in their life that they’d like more clarity on? What they are celebrating or moving through…. We have a general idea of what her time in the water will look like but when the session day arrives, we let things flow. Water, flow…. 🙂 We see what seems to be working. We listen to suggestions from one another, and the two females assisting with the session. We create a beautiful collaboration that hopefully feels just right for that woman, and feels worth the courage it may take to say, “Yes, I am worth this.”
Celebrating you!
In this month of giving thanks, I would like to invite you to nominate a woman to receive a complimentary water photography session on the coast of Maine in the warmer months of 2019. Tell me her story, it can be in long form or a short paragraph. Tell me why you would like her to win a water session. Click on over to the nomination form and give her a shout out.
I will choose one woman from the stories that I read, one woman who is nominated by another loving soul to receive a complimentary 2019 water session. And four (4) other people who write in a nomination will receive a $50.00 gift certificate to be used toward a portrait session or products in 2019. You have until November 30 to write in. I will announce the winner(s) on December 5.
Ethereal Olivia
I’m waiting to hear these beautiful stories of women….. Take a few minutes, write a nomination. She is worth it.
~ Some words from women who have experienced a water session
“A gorgeous and surprising experience of co-creating with Nanette and the women who assisted. Whether you are grieving, celebrating, transitioning, seeking, or all of the above – THIS is the portrait session of a lifetime.”
“I cannot say enough about the depth, beauty and other-worldy-ness of this photo session with the gentle & lovely Nanette Gordon – she held my story with tenderness, and created an experience that touched my heart and soul.”
“This experience – the photography water session – came at a time of great shifting for me as i work towards finding and revealing my authentic self. The session was very revealing and provided a level of healing that I was not expecting. I’m very grateful for the beautiful women (especially Nanette) who were part of my journey.”
woman in water
Goddess
Here is the link to the nomination form, and if you decide you’d rather, Gift Certificates are also available to purchase a full portrait or water session, or give her a gift towards one.
Lots of love and best wishes in this November, Scorpio, month of giving thanks!
xo
Nanette
Blind Line Drawing for Inspiration
Several years ago, I took one of the very few art classes I have taken in my life. It was with a talented artist and my friend, Arla Patch. One exercise she had us practice as “a great basic tool to shift from left brain to right brain” is called blind line drawing. It was the first time I had ever drawn anything that I actually liked! And the funny part is that a blind line drawing is done without ever looking at your paper while you are drawing. It allows you to really SEE what you see versus seeing the logical world that your brain THINKS you see.
This explains it better than I can. All I know is that it works, and its fun, and I generally really like my results!
“The goal of blind drawing is to really see the thing you’re looking at, to almost spiritually merge with it, rather than retreat into your mental image of it. Our brains are designed to simplify — to reduce the tumult of the world into order. Blind drawing trains us to stare at the chaos, to honor it. It is an act of meditation, as much as it is an artistic practice — a gateway to pure being. It forces us to study the world as it actually is.” excerpt from an article written by Sam Anderson.
For me, these types of activities fuel my creativity and get me thinking outside of the box, which I believe ultimately helps me to become a better photographer. Give this a try.
- All you need is a pencil and a drawing pad, or two pieces of paper.
- Place one larger piece of paper over your entire hand, pencil and bottom piece of paper.
- I set a timer for 2 minutes, no more or I tend to start over thinking what I am doing.
- Sit quietly in front of a scene outdoors or at your table with something interesting and multi-dimensional sitting in your immediate line of new. My first blind line was of a large pair of scissors sitting on the table in front of me.
- Place your pencil on your paper wherever you want to start, cover your hand, pencil and bottom paper with the top piece of paper, and hit the timer!
- Do not lift your pencil off the paper until the 2 minutes is up and your drawing is complete.
- Take a look! If you like it, Awesome! If not, give it another try with drawing something else!
Let me know how it goes! I’d love to see your fun results! Feel free to post a picture here in the comments, or tag me on Instagram @nanettefayephotography! I’d love to see them!
Here’s mine from the other evening at sunset! I love the depth of field (photographer in me 🙂 ). I decided to also do a quick 5-minute (I set the timer again), not over-thinking, watercolor on top of the blind line drawing. Pretty happy with the colorful result!
In addition to Instagram, you can also find me over here! I’d love to chat with you about fun creative activities like this one, or about photography too!
2-minute blind line drawing
Blind line drawing with quick watercolor
