27/11/2025
Some words from Hope 🩷:
"There’s something about the beach in my hometown that feels like a part of my DNA.
Those early mornings when no one is around, when the world is quiet, and the sea feels like it’s listening.
So when Milly and I planned a sunrise photoshoot, there was never any question about where I wanted to be. It had to be here.
The morning we met, it was grey and moody, not the golden sunrise we imagined, but somehow it suited the morning.
There was a different kind of charm in the air, a softness that matched exactly how I felt being back there.
Being in front of the camera was intense for me. I’m usually the one behind it, capturing other people, so standing there half-naked on the beach felt exposing….
Emotionally, it was vulnerable.
Physically, it pushed me out of my comfort zone.
But somewhere between the cold water, the laughter, and the quiet moments, it became fun and freeing. I’d recommend it to anyone, because there's something to be said about letting go and seeing yourself from the outside, not through criticism, but through curiosity and acceptance.
A huge part of why I wanted these photos comes from living with endometriosis. Endo has taken a massive toll on my body, flare-ups, daily pain, bloating, inflammation, three surgeries deep and fresh scars. It’s hard to see yourself in a positive light when your body feels like it’s constantly fighting against you.
This session with Milly became more than just photos. It reminded me that human bodies, my body, are resilient. They heal, soften, adapt, and carry us through things we rarely stop to acknowledge.
Instead of focusing on feeling “not good enough,” this shoot helped me fall back in love with myself a little.
To see the beauty in the softness, the strength behind the scars, and the courage in showing up as I am.
In the grey morning light, we played, we laughed, and we made the most of everything the day offered. It was a reminder not to take things so seriously to follow that instinct when something calls to you.
Millys sunrise sessions had inspired me, and I’m so glad I listened to that pull. She made me feel calm from the moment we got there, no pressure, no expectations, just space to breathe. She let me float about, move how I wanted, and simply exist in the water.
In the end, the photos captured a feeling of coming home, of letting go, and of seeing myself with new eyes.
With love, H x "
