Sedona, Arizona - July 2022

What inspired this photoshoot?

As a Manifesting Generator in Human Design, I am a visionary. I see big expansive visions and hints of what’s to come. When I receive a download or vision, I feel its energy. I see it so clearly. For nearly two years I’ve been having visions of being among the red rocks. I didn’t know when I would be in their presence nor did I know where. I trusted the vision and knew it would present itself in divine timing.

In the spring of 2021, my dear friend Meredith Vaish reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in supporting her on a retreat in none other than Sedona, Arizona. As an intuitive healer, Sedona has been a place I have always wanted to visit, and just as with my visions, I knew that Sedona would show me when it was time to visit. So when Meredith asked me to join her, I knew it was time.

I also had the perfect dress hanging in my closet that had been waiting patiently to be worn among the red rocks.

Trust the vision. Trust the messages and signs you are given. Trust in the timing and know it will come alive in divine timing.

What is the location like?

Sedona is full of vortexes and magical energy. It beckons people forth when it’s time to come and releases you when it’s time to go. When I arrived in Sedona, my entire nervous system relaxed. I knew I was home. Home in nature. Home among the red rocks.

There are so many magical hikes and locations through Sedona. For this photoshoot, we met at Bell Rock, which is on a vortex. The scenery has a full 360 view of the red rocks and mountains dotted with green trees throughout. Coming here at golden hour for sunset is the perfect time to experience the magic of this place.

How did you find your outfit?

In early 2020, prior to the pandemic shutting everything down, I was online with a vision of owning a red dress. I had dreams of a red dress in a someday photoshoot and knew I would know the dress when I saw it. And the dress was revealed. I was perusing on Lulus and as soon as I saw this dress, I knew it was mine. And the most magical part of the experience was there was one left and it was on sale for $27! I knew this was divine and meant to be. I immediately purchased the dress.

Shortly after receiving the dress, the pandemic hit, and travel and experiences as we knew them had ceased. The dress would have to wait. I held it on display in my closet and would occasionally put it on to embody the feeling of what it would be like to wear it one day. It belonged among the red rocks. That I knew.

Photoshoot Credit

Photographer: Arina Garcia

I discovered Arina’s work when searching Airbnb Experiences for any photographers in Sedona. And then as I searched the area more on Google, she continued to appear. I reached out and told her of my mission and what I was envisioning for this shoot, and she was eager to play. I was immediately drawn to how Arina captures her subjects in the most beautiful light bringing their essence to life.

Arina moved to the U.S. from Russia about 5 years ago. She found her home in Arizona and has been able to use her gifts as a marketer and photographer to support brands and individuals in telling their stories through copy and photos. She also does magical photoshoots in Hawaii. She has a unique eye and a true gift for bringing out the light in her clients.

I felt Arina’s genuine energy when we were messaging about the vision for this shoot. And I experienced her generosity in person. I scheduled my photoshoot after the retreat I was supporting, therefore, I no longer had access to a car. I’ve learned in my travels not to rely on Uber or Lyft being available, especially in smaller places. And since Sedona is touristy, I assumed it would be an option or that the shuttle bus would be able to take me to the location for the photoshoot. Neither was the case. I found myself at a crossroads. I was dressed and ready for the shoot and didn’t know how I would get there. I called upon my Travel Guides for support and soon after, Arina reached out and offered to come to get me. This was above and beyond, and really speaks to the type of service and experience you have when you’re working with Arina. Dedicated. Visionary. Full of heart.

Learn more about Arina and her marketing services and photography services.

Hair + Makeup:

For this photoshoot, I decided to fix my hair myself and do my own makeup. My budget was less for this shoot, so I trusted that doing it myself would be magical in itself.

How did you feel during and after the photoshoot?

This photoshoot was inspired by magic. It came about from a clear vision of being among the red rocks. It was all divine in its unfolding. This was my first photoshoot since the pandemic. It had been two years since I had hired a photographer or worn a gown or even heels! The dress fit me like a glove. It felt like it was designed specifically for me. I felt like a movie star. I felt like royalty. Stepping onto the red rocks in this dress and seeing the contrast between the red of my dress, the red in my hair, and the red in the rocks brought it all together.

I felt a whole new level of confidence in this photoshoot. I was a new woman from the woman I had been in other photoshoots. My heart was the same, yet, my belief and ownership in myself were on a new level. I was home. I had returned to the part of me that feels so natural.