Claiming Space E-Course

What would happen if we let go of that story that we shouldn’t focus the camera on us.

What would happen if for 15 days we did just that…not hide from it, not play small?

But instead let ourselves claim space for our story.

Claim space for our bodies.

Claim space to see ourselves with compassion rather than critique.

What might happen? Well, as a teacher of self-portrait based classes for the past 5 years I can tell you this. First your inner critic will rise up, because it wants you to keep yourself small and protected.

But, through the company of supportive community and inspiring prompts…you will claim the space to persist and see what happens if you don’t listen to it’s opinions.

Then, you’ll get to see the magic of what happens when we trust ourselves rather than our inner critic.

And you’ll experience what standing in your power in a photo feels like.

You’ll meet yourself there. 

This is a pivotal part of making peace with how we see our bodies in our lives and through the lens.

Both energetically and physically choosing to let ourselves claim space, claim our worthiness, claim our right to tell our story through the lens.

Yet we’re programmed to try take up less space, to make ourselves smaller, to not bother anyone or be TOO MUCH. In this class we’re going to claim it. We’re going to ask ourselves why we think it’s selfish to take selfies and claim time and space in our lives for this powerful self-care tool.

In this program we are gently and kindly inviting ourselves back into the frame…back into our visual story!

Join me and claim space to see ourself with compassion through your own camera!

• A camera of any sort. iPhones and Androids (or camera phones of any sort) are most welcome. As are point and shoot cameras or DSLRs. No fancy gear or camera skill required, just a willingness to be inquisitive and have fun with your camera in the process!

 

• Explore 15 days of powerful self-portrait prompts
• Connect with community and with Vivienne and ask any questions that are arising
• Join the Claiming Space Flickr Group to share your selfies!

 

Dates: Class Runs June 1st-15th, 2017

 

Claiming Space E-Course

Registration is now closed, though this program is available as one of the 8 E-Courses that make up the Body Peace Program!

You can join in for the year long program here.

 

 

What kinds of selfies will we be taking?

We’ll be taking a variety of selfies during the program. Claiming space doesn’t mean we’ll ONLY be taking full body photos though there definitely will be some as we get braver during class. We’ll take a variety of selfies that go beyond just arm’s length photos like shadow, mirror photos or selfie of parts of ourselves. This isn’t a ‘How to Take Selfies’ (though the Selfie Starter Guidebook does cover a lot of that) class but for each prompt I’ll offer tips, suggestions and inspiration for your selfie taking and will be available if technical or creative questions arise!

What if I love the sound of the class, but am worried I’m not ‘ready’ for the class yet. Any suggestions? 

Exploring selfies is a vulnerable thing and it’s so common that I get messages from folks after they sign up saying that they are both incredibly nervous but excited. If that’s you…you’re ready. Because these classes are for people for whom this is something they feel challenged but excited by. That’s who I create these classes for…not for folks who have no issues with seeing photos of themselves! It’s for those of us that struggle with photo.

But, if you haven’t taken a class with me yet, you might want to start with the Selfie Starter Guide (an E-Book) or the Beloved Beginnings class (a self-paced E-Course) or come join the next session of Be Your Own Beloved (which is a 30 day class and different from the other 2 options in that I get to be your sidekick in the journey, comment on your photos and support you through it…much like I do in this class)! But all of those are great places to begin the journey if you’re not feeling ready for Claiming Space quite yet.

How much time do I need each day for the class?

The prompts are designed to take only a few minutes to read and then about 5-10 minutes to take a selfie. I’ll remind you regularly that these aren’t about taking fancy selfies that you need to take hours for. It’s about showing up for ourselves in front of the lens and going for it.

My inner critic doesn’t show up when I take selfies and I love capturing photos of myself. Can I still take the class?

If you take selfies with ease and never have your inner critic show up and curate what you share…awesome! But in that case, this class probably isn’t for you and you may find yourself thriving more in a more artistic based self-portraiture class or another program. This one really is for folks who struggle with taking selfies and resist being in images (which by the way…is where most of us fall)!

Should I take Be Your Own Beloved first? 

If you’ve taken Be Your Own Beloved or Beloved Beginnings first that is recommended but not mandatory at all. Please don’t hesitate to contact me via the contact form if you have any questions or are wondering it is a good fit for you.

I took Be Your Own Beloved but didn’t do all the activities. Should I take this class?

YES! Absolutely. If you have taken one of the other classes but perhaps didn’t finish all the activities, let’s invite that to be a place of self-compassion. This isn’t about having done ALL the activities first, but instead having offered ourselves some space for exploring selfies with kindness either through a class or on our own. Whether it be one photo or a hundred. This class actually isn’t for folks who have no problem taking selfies, its moreso for those of us who find ourselves facing our inner critic when we do. It’s about letting ourselves have more tools to meet our inner critic there and invite in kindness.