Sacha

I loved this shoot with Sacha. Nearly as much as I loved asking if maybe possible she might like to lay down on that soggy moss over there as the greens looked amazing.⁠

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Sacha is another ole @SistersUncut activist buddy. In a crowd of fierce women fighting to get DV centred in public discourse and public funding, she always managed to achieve this magical balance of powerful and shy. She was beautiful. I mean breathtakingly stunning. And as a photographer I used to watch my brain running through old playground stuff that she couldn't possibly want to be my friend because she was way too pretty and then side-eyeing my internalised patriarcal nonsense, patting it on the head and got on with humanising her.⁠

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Sacha radiates kind. She got that manner of someone who is both a force to be reckoned with and also I would put money on her being someone who apologises profusely if she ever stepped on a snail (you do, don't you mate?).⁠

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We talked about what a wildly triggering year it had been, how being out in the open heals and how nature and friendships will pull us through.⁠

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I have not seen her for many years, but my heart nagged me to reach out to see how she was doing. When I suggested maybe a bit of a self esteem boost in the wilds might be an idea, I am sure I did not mention making her lay down on wet squidgy stuff just because I got excited about the colours. But she was very obliging.⁠

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I love this woman. There are heart strings that bond in activism when you are putting yourself on the front line knowing full well you are defending all of your Sisters. It was one of those rare moments in history where it really felt like we were making a difference. I am so grateful to have charged that path with these women. When Sacha's name of pictures pop up, it fills me with that unique warm only old friendships can give. I am so grateful (and proud) of her for trusting me enough to spend a day exploring what this year meant to her and her connection to her body.⁠

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#PhotoshootsForSurvivors #PhotogrpahsForSelfEsteem #PhotogrpahsWithKindness #HeardinLondon #Green #Portraits #Hackney #LastOfAutumn #NewBeginnings #MakingPeace