Iceland Empowerment Session » Kelley

Iceland Empowerment Session

This Iceland Empowerment Session is a first for me! I had done portraits before, but as soon as I heard the term “empowerment session” from Otylia Photography, I knew that was the kind of session I wanted to start delivering to my female clients. This session in particular is very special because the photographs are of my best friend, Kelley! She is the reason I went to Iceland in the first place. Kelley is an extremely intelligent woman who absorbs history like a sponge. She has always had an interest in Viking history and the Sagas. For Christmas, she had bought herself a whole bunch of books about visiting Iceland. Every time she mentioned it, I would say, “Let’s go to Iceland!” but she would refuse, as she had her heart set on going in the summer. Since my busy season picks up in the summer, it wasn’t a guaranteed option for me, so I kept nagging her to go with me in March and I won!!!! As soon as the planning started, I knew that we had to do a session together. I had a vision of a bright blue dress on the black sand beach, so we put together a wardrobe for the photo session. Of course, she looked stunning! The day of was true Iceland March weather, which I feel created the perfect mood and her styling really popped against the black and grey backgrounds. Kelley is incredibly strong, and I wanted the images to show it. To show strength, I used the epic basalt columns and great waves at Reynisfjara as the background.

Just as the rain was starting, we wrapped up the session. Kelley read my mind and asked if I wanted photographs of her running on the beach. I said the loudest YES possible and she braved the freezing black sand for me to take some photos. We joke that we end up making a spectacle every where we go, and a gorgeous blond running barefoot along the beach for photos definitely drew some attention! That said, this image is my absolute favourite.

I’m so glad I had the opportunity to have this meaningful empowerment session with Kelley in Iceland. I can’t wait to see where we end up travelling together next!