Category Archives: Workshops

September 1, 2015

The Nourish Conference – And A Keynote Announcement!

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I’m SO excited to share some news with you that I’m finally able to spill the beans about today.

I’m the Keynote Speaker at the Nourish Conference.

It’s a body-positive event being held in Saskatoon this November 21st.

The describe the conference as: an event where people of all sizes, shapes, genders, abilities, and backgrounds can gather to celebrate all bodies, support one another as we work toward body acceptance, and build a more inclusive community that values all people.

I’ve been chatting with some of the incredible folks behind this event and know it’s going to be a wildly empowering day and one not to miss. Plus, it’s in Canada. While there is the Body Love Conference happening in the US, there has definitely been a void here that I’m so glad these folks are going to fill this year and beyond.

But of course you don’t have to be in Canada to come! I’ve always wanted to go to Saskatoon and I’m glad it’s located fairly centrally in this big beautiful country (North Dakota, Montana…just a bit north of you).

You can find out more about the event at their website and you’ll find them listed on my events page too. I wanted to mention it today in particular as it’s the last day to apply to be a presenter so if that is of interest to you, you can find the presenter application here!

So, wanna meet up in Saskatoon in November?

January 25, 2015

Change the Story

Re-write the St

Seeing ourselves with compassion through our cameras isn’t about taking one image of ourselves that solves it all. It is a conversation.

One that we need to choose to begin.

It is a dialogue between ourselves, our old stories and the new ones that await us.

It is inviting ourselves into (and not avoiding) moments when we get to choose the new story, even when that is vulnerable and we might come face to face with those old stories of critique. It is there that we choose compassion.

You can change the story of how you see yourself.

Because we are the narrators of our own story. While it might not feel good to realize this…we choose our stories of critique. I know, I wanted to blame it on everyone else and it kind of stung to realize how much control I had over my own critique. But the good thing is that it means we can choose a different one.

Before I started taking self-portraits I had no idea how I was going to re-write that story. How, on a daily basis was I going to be able to remind myself of that love I wanted to choose to see.

That is at the core of what the Be Your Own Beloved class will help you do. Through these playful activities (yup, changing the story can even be fun) we commit to not hiding our love away from ourselves. This class can be your guide to changing those stories.

I’m SO excited about this session of Be Your Own Beloved as I’ve got a whole new addition to the class. I’ve been working behind the scenes on creating a collection of extra resources to help you on the journey. Articles (if you’ve been wondering why I’m blogging less lately it’s cause I’ve been saving the content for the participants) as well as videos to answer your questions. Of course, as always, I am also available during class to answer technical or creative questions!

If you’re wondering if Be Your Own Beloved might be a fit for you, don’t hesitate to click that Contact button on the menu above and send me a message!

So…I have one more question for you? Are you ready to change the story of how you see yourself?

September 4, 2014

Local Classes! Learn to Use Your Camera!

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I am oh so excited that this fall I’m going to be teaching in-person here in Vancouver over at the gorgeous Luminous Elephant Studio run by my friend Madelyn Mulvaney.

The studio is in the heart of the Point Grey Neighbourhood and is such a beautiful space to gather in! In the Learn to Use Your Camera Class I’ll help you understand your camera by encouraging you to leap into creative activities and engage your right brain energy all while learning about the left brain technical side of photography!

This class is designed for beginners who love taking photos and would love to learn how to get the most out of your camera.

For 10 weeks we’ll gather each Thursday evening over tea. We’ll be connecting with one another and building community and of course, learning about our camera! We’ll explore things like light, how to take dreamy photos, aperture, shutter speed, shooting manually and OF COURSE…taking Self-Portraits too!

If you have any questions about the class, don’t hesitate to click the Contact form and ask.

Find out more here or jump in and grab your spot by registering at the Luminous Elephant Site!

December 13, 2013

Be Your Own Beloved is hitting the Road!

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I’ve got a whole bunch of good things planned for Be Your Own Beloved for 2014 and one of them is…more in-person workshops.

I’ve been feeling a really strong urge to do this for a while, after my experiences teaching this year and the big plan is to take the in person workshops on a Cross-Canada tour. Over at my Facebook Page today I’m seeking your input on where you think I should add stops to the Beloved Tour!

At present the plan includes:

Victoria, British Columbia (just a ferry ride away from Seattle for you US lovelies)!

Vancouver, British Columbia (also super close to Seattle & Bellingham)!

Edmonton, Alberta

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Saugeen Shores, Ontario

Toronto, Ontario

Niagara-On-the-Lake, Ontario

Halifax, Nova Scotia

If there are other Canadian stops you think I should make, please do let me know! These stops are mainly chosen because they are where I have contacts or know folks are, so I’d LOVE your input if you are far from theses stops and think I should come to your city or Province!

I also have a plan to go to Edinburgh, Scotland next year…so if you are there…please do let me know as I’d love to plan a meet-up & photo walk there!

I know so many of the folks that are a part of the Be Your Own Beloved Community are in the US…so please do let me know where you think I should stop when its time for a US Be Your Own Beloved Workshop journey! I’d love to get a sense of where you are! I will be at a couple events in the US in 2014 so I’ll keep you posted on where we might be able to cross paths in 2014!

If you have a city you’d like me to come to, let me know in the comments…or join in the conversation over at my Facebook Page!

Thank you to everyone who joined in for the Be Your Own Beloved journey in 2013…its only with your support that I feel ready to bring this online journey into an in-person experience!

I hope to get to give you a big hug, wherever you are…in 2014 (I’m known to give bear hugs & squeel when I get to meet #beyourownbeloved participants)!

October 29, 2013

The Soul Sisters Gathering!

This past weekend I was in Portland and was so lucky to get to gather with an incredible group of women at the Soul Sisters Conference and oh my goodness, this photo feels like it captures the experience for me.

I’m freshly home and am thinking of all of the highlights of the gathering. Things like:

I’m home feeling truly grateful that every so often my online world becomes face to face connections and it is truly something that I feel so lucky for (and I hope you’ll gift yourself with these experiences too…I think there are more Soul Sisters events to come, so definitely keep your eyes open at the Magpie Girl Gatherings site!

P.S. Be Your Own Beloved starts on Friday so there are only a few more days to jump into this journey of seeing ourselves with kindness through our cameras. Come join us!