Venus

Some months ago I was scrolling through my feed and saw Marina's callout for Brand Ambassadors 2021. I had an immediate intuitive calling to submit an application. I still can't really believe that I got selected!

I saw this shoot as an opportunity to get closer to the state of unconditional self-love and self-acceptance.

I felt it might help me to change my body perception through Marina's lens and abilities to capture the moment.

In preparation for the shoot, we had a super long video call discussing the location, theme, props etc.

After the call, Marina summarised my vision as follows: nature, ROCKS, playful, strong, vulnerable.

As the shoot was coming closer and closer, for some reason there was this word circling around in my head: “feminine”. Many more questions followed... Do I even know what feminine means? Do I even know how to dress and behave? Do I even know feminine poses? How do I express femininity without exaggeration and being fake?

On the day of the shoot, I was just curious and excited that it's finally happening. I had no issue at all with undressing on the rocky beach. Marina showed me beautiful poses, she helped me develop a feeling of safety and confidence while the whole experience. She has this beautiful ability to hold a space. While shooting she kept calling me a 'Venus'. Yet I didn't have an actual idea of the connection between this word and the pictures.

When I had my chance to view the finished product, I was speechless, moved to tears and had the realisation that my body knows it all.

In these pictures, I saw a woman who is vulnerable and strong at the same time. I saw a playful and yet feminine woman.

A woman who allows herself to be and feel whatever there is to feel.

A woman who calls her body her home. A woman who allows her inner goddess to come forward when it is time to shine.

Now I can definitely see why she kept calling me Venus.

by Natalie