Inside every woman is a warrior. Just that one sentence alone says it all when Rachel asked me to join her on an adventure for our session. Mind you, everything was put together solely by her. All I provided was a location that I thought would be a perfect setting. This all started over our very first meeting together after a epic collaboration on a styled shoot. Over lunch we discussed all we’ve been through so far in our lives, the paths we have chosen and where all of it lead us to today.  It was then, she opened up and shared her vision for a shoot she’d been planning for years. Attached to her vision was the whole essence/meaning behind it and why she choose a viking woman warrior.

Why you ask? Well a recent article came out by American Journal Anthropology stating:

“An elaborate Viking Age grave in Sweden holds the remains of a decorated female warrior from the 10th century, providing the first archaeological evidence that women held high-status positions in Viking culture.

The remarkable find was revealed in a study by researchers at Stockholm and Uppsala Universities and published in the American Journal of Anthropology. Their DNA analysis of the skeleton confirmed that the individual was a woman older than 30 years old, who stood somewhere around 5 feet 6 inches tall.

Several weapons were buried alongside the body, including a sword, armor-piercing arrows, a battle knife, an axe, a spear and two shields, indicating that the skeleton was likely that of a warrior. Accompanying the wide array of weapons were two horses and a full set of game pieces and a gaming board. The gaming pieces suggest that the person buried was a high-ranking combatant who was knowledgeable of strategies and tactics.” – Thad Morgan

To this day, there are humans that think the weaker gender automatically is associated to women. When really, women have just lost most of their confidence due to todays society. No, this is not a post stating “Women are better, women need more rights….” etc etc. I wanted to join Rachel on her vision, not only because of her story, but to bring that pride, confidence, strength, and the WARRIOR back to every woman out that who thinks they are weak.

Below you will find not only the pictures from our session but a letter that Rachel wrote to herself as if she had the chance to write to Rachel in the past. It’s a beautiful letter telling herself, no matter what she is going through now, in the end she will find happiness. It is a must read! It really grabbed onto me because of me battling through BDD (body dysmorphic disorder) in the past. Still, to this day, I feel weak when it comes to BDD but it helps to read something where a person has been through the same thing or has gone through the same kind of hardship.

Model & Makeup: R.A.E. Makeup Artistry

Dress: Gilded Bridal

Hair: Katelyn McGinn

Flowers: Eclectic Sage

Photographer: Autumn Harrison Photography

 

Dear Rachel,

I’ve been thinking of you a lot lately. I even shed some tears, but please believe me they were happy tears. Tears that transcend into a deep chuckle to myself. “Hey, Rae, Rae!” lol. Aww. Some things just stick. Lol. I wanted to send you a note. Thought you might need a hug. Maybe even you needed to hear a couple things.

‘Believer’ It’s one of our favorite songs. You know, the one by Imagine Dragons? – “My luck. My love. My God. They came from pain!” Funny. How we try to avoid pain at all costs. Protect ourselves. Build up walls. What a headache! Why do we do that? Why don’t we choose to trust the universe? Why are we so afraid. Pain, life fire refines gold. Turning ashes into beauty. If we let it.

In the words of Kesha “I can finally breathe again”, because what you have gone through, and I know you’ve gone through it, finding the God given strength within and finally seeing the gorgeous woman that you are is ‘BREATHE and LIFE’… it is empowering! It will help you and guide you. Some days I know  you worry about the future. I remember when you felt like you were walking on broken glass. Where do you step? Where do you turn? Where is the hope in such a feeling and state? Asking yourself what the hell has happened? How can I do this? How did I get here? What will I do? Believe me, I remember. I know that you worry and wonder about love, love in general. I know love has hurt you. I know it’s left you but your day is coming, a turnaround of events!

People let you down. You have let others down. We are not made to be everything to everyone! That’s the job of our beautiful universe. Rachel, I want to tell you because you need to hear it from me today, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! You finally found a deep love and grace for yourself.

This is when everything changes baby doll! When you realize who you are and that you actually love that person. I remember when you started to understand the deep strength within your elegance. I remember it like yesterday. You learned that you can be both a gracious warrior and a woman of purity. No, it was not an easy road to come to an understanding, but as cliche as this is going to sound “A perfect storm ends with a perfect rainbow”.

You’ve made leaps and you had faith in the darkness. You kept dreaming, even when you felt there was no more reason to dream but you kept trying. You worked hard while making mistakes (good for you!) and learned from them. You found a new way to love others, you finally accepted your dreamer’s spirit and more importantly you accepted YOU. I thank you! Thank you for becoming you. I am so grateful! You kept fighting for the deep things that the universe has put inside you, remembering the universe is on your side and reminding yourself the universe is on your side.

Your dreams and heart are worth it. Deep down inside. Your intuition told you, God has told you and I’ve even told you too. You have great things to look forward to so enjoy the little things now because in the end you’ll be ok. Through all the tears and learning you will have made your way. I know it’s hard to see it now, but trust me…you will!

This journey has taught me so much and it changed me. Changed how I see the world; God is with us and in us. For who else would create beings with such attributes? We are mothers.

We are planters.

We are fighters.

We are lovers.

We are a gentle voice.

We are a shaking finger.

We are sexual.

We are cornerstones.

We are beauty.

We are made from ourselves.

We are dust to dust.

We are dreamers who are guided by God.

We are part of God and a part of each other.

YOU, my dear, are in my heart I remind you. Be gracious to yourself. Let go. Stand up. Have a fucking blast! Set boundaries but don’t break the ones that you need. Face fear head on without looking back. Try to forgive, especially yourself. One thing to remember is to TRUST yourself! Please! Don’t forget where you’ve been, where you came from and where you want to go. I am fruit of your today, sweet woman. Though I’m older now with lots of gorgeous wrinkles and beautiful grey hair, I feel so grateful for all the stories I have to share. It’s because you were brave enough to have courage and grace for yourself.

I’m with you.

Love,
You