Your Body Is Art

Do you want to be Seen?

Do you want to be Seen?

(in all your glorious complexity?)

(in all your glorious complexity?)

Do you want to feel at home in your own skin?

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About Helen Joy

I’m Helen Joy, author, artist, burlesque dancer, and liberated woman. I am a deep hearted, sensual being who thrives on connection and authenticity. As I have worked through decades of my own wounds, I have found healing and embodiment through play and presence. For over 20 years I have taken people to the woods to find themselves through my lens. The ritual has always been transformative for both the subject and the artist and at the end of the day we have made some photographs that far transcend what you look like. This is an experience. This is not a performance. This is not to fit yourself into any category or box. You’re not posing for the male gaze or the female gaze or anyone’s gaze. You’re just showing up as you in all your complex glory.

I am the perfect person to be your guide on this journey.

In 2021, I found myself facing a painful death-the death of my 17 year marriage. Coming through that death into beautiful new life will always be the catalyst to my most beautiful and healing work and my ability to show up for my clients in a way that is brave.

I am a pole instructor, burlesque performer, and published author and the common thread between my life’s work is this:

I want to be seen and I want to see you

I want to create

I want to hold space for the duality of this human experience

I want to have so much fun doing it

Your body is art.

Let’s see what we can create together!

Reasons you May want a session

Ritual

To mark a death or a new beginning. Yes, something might be dying, but that also means something new is about to be born. This session is focusing on grieving the past and stepping into newness. We can hold space for both.

Play

When was the last time you just had fun? It doesn’t have to be that deep! These sessions are all about co collaboration, creativity, and alter egos. Clients who show up for these sessions bring giant baskets of accessories and clothing to literally play dress up with. Maybe you want to get naked in the woods, maybe you want to wear a fur coat in public with nothing underneath, maybe you want to be the main character in a fantasy novel. There are no wrong answers. Sessions have plenty of time for lots of different explorations.

Being seen

Being seen is, in my opinion, the greatest desire of the human heart. In a world that capitalizes on us being unhappy with our bodies–most of us are dissociated and wandering the earth wondering why we can’t tap into the now. Clients who want this type of session are brave to show up as they are. Every extra pound, every wrinkle, every single doubt. . .and then the magic happens.

Yes. Your session can include all of the above options.

Feeling Seen Starts with a Conversation.

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FAQS

  • Good news, I love helping with this part. After over twenty years of photographing people I have a knack for what looks good on camera and blend that with helping you choose options that make you feel comfortable and like yourself. I’m also an avid thrifter so during our planning meeting, if you tell me what you want. . .I will find it for you. I love layers, texture, print, and movement. I also can make something you already have look like couture. A lot of my clients bring a basket of options and we just play.

  • A 30 year native of WNC, I’ve got my spots. While I specialize in woodland portraits, I LOVE being challenged with in home or on location sessions too. Wherever you feel your finest, there we shall go.

  • Absolutely not.

    But if you do want pictures in your birthday suit, I love capturing that in a way that feels celebratory not predatory.

    • First we establish that you want for your session.

    • Then we sign a contract, do a deposit, pick a few dates for the planning meeting and the session.

    • Then we meet! Either virtually or in person, we will meet for about an hour to discuss why you are doing photos, what your vision is, come up with some co collaborative plans, and mostly to just say “hi! I’m a messy, real human. I’ve got you.”

    • Then we shoot for 1.5-2 ish hours. We laugh, we get dirty and wet, we ENJOY.

    • I edit my favorite dozen because I just can’t even wait.

    • 4 weeks (or earlier) later I deliver a full gallery to you of your brave, beautiful self.

  • While my photos look very candid and wild, I am very quick to offer posing suggestions, give ideas to make something translate in a more powerful way, and make you feel comfortable, and tell you what to do with your hands.

    I do tend to make Anchor Man type noises when I’m FEELING the shots, because guaranteed you will be feeling like royalty.

  • While my portfolio does showcase a lot of women, I want to be very clear that every single body is welcome as my client. While women historically are more likely to book a photo session, I have a heart for every single part of the gender binary. Even if you don’t have a box to describe that, I want you to feel powerful and beautiful in your photos.

  • Then your photos will remain safe and just yours. Sharing your photos publicly is not a requirement. Sometimes clients even decided after the session whether or not they want to. Sharing photos is a wonderful way for me to share my work, my process, and inspire other humans to step up and be seen-however your experience will be special even if no one else sees.