Is there any better feeling than that of friendship? True, pure, unbridled friendship. As I watch Charlotte and Bethany dance around the studio in their swim suits; fixing each other's positions and complimenting each other on their impeccable yoga skills, I can't help but smile at the joy of friendship.
In particular, their friendship. The easiness of their relationship, how sweet and simple it is. How much it lacks bitterness and jealousy as they exist to bring each other up and guide each other through whatever it may be they're facing.
They're both firm advocates of girl power and supporting small businesses/ indie shops and brands, like myself.
They remind me exactly why I started out doing photography- to work with truly great people.
To work with people who appreciate the time and effort that goes into creating something and are supportive through the entire ups and downs of a singular creative process. To understand when things go wrong, to help when that's the case.
To jump with joy when we nail a shot- together, as a team. People who understand that creativity requires trust, friendship and belief.
Charley and Betty are captains of belief.
For the first time ever on Friday, I wasn't nervous for a shoot- that has never, ever happened before. I was elated to see these two and to work with them again after such a long time. And it was easy. Easy in the sense: Charley and Bethany made my job the easiest, by being themselves and trusting in me to capture that. Trust, friendship, belief.
They remind me that my job matters and is important and valued. They ask about my work and they care about me and how i'm doing. They remind me that girls aren't always toxic and the importance of female friendships. The significance of having a gal on your side who is your fiercest defender and loudest cheerleader. The intimacy sharing truths between women and its gravity on your self belief system.
Their friendship restores my faith in social media and online relationships.
They are two very wonderful humans in a sea of strangers to me online. I struggle, daily, to deal with the bigger concept of the online world and what these strange little online friendships mean in the 'real' world. How do online friendships correlate in the 'real' world? Is all information and transactions transferred into the 'real' world like a file share online? Is the intimacy bunked to level one to be built from scratch in the 'real' world and ultimately what does it all mean?
But, these two nail the art of online friendships thriving in the real world. They're as true and supportive online in the virtual realms of Instagram, as they are in 'real' life. They're also just as nice, just as helpful and just as much online friends as they are true best friends.
I don't think friendships get enough celebration. Yet, friendships are hard. They require a lot of work, negotiation and deliberation. Female friendships, in particular, can be tricky. They can be lavished in envy and contest. They can be competitive and ugly at times; turning into high school drama within a second.
When they work, however, they can be the best part of your life. Friendships can be better than family. They can make you smile unlimitedly, make you feel like you can do anything, are invincible. Friendships can provide tears, love and laughter. They can be ineffable.
So, here's to friendships of all kinds; the good, the bad and the extraordinary. Here's to Charlotte and Bethany and their beautiful love. To hundreds of other girls out there who lift up girls and support each other. To the photographers who don't feel like their enough sometimes and to the girls who make them feel enough. To friendship.
https://msha.ke/girlonfilm__/ (CHARLOTTE)
https://linktr.ee/bramblingbethany (BETHANY)
https://www.instagram.com/you.swim/?hl=en (swimsuits by YOU SWIM)