A little teaser for the upcoming fall issue that launches September 1st!
Volume three is the Adversity Issue...all about overcoming challenges and facing scary situations. This issue delves into the crazy and unpredictable journey of being a creative person and a human in general. You'll find stories from women in male-dominated fields, a 93-year old woman reflecting on life, editorials and stories from as far as Australia and Cleveland.
While working on this issue, I've been blown away by the amazingly moving, beautiful and inspiring stories and editorials submitted to Volume Three. I will be forever grateful for everyone who's reached out and has been willing to be vulnerable and show an unvarnished version of themselves. That's a very scary thing to do in public, and I really appreciate and admire their bravery. This issue is all about courage and honesty. Breaking down the buriers we all put up to connect and inspire each other. I can't wait to show you what these amazing people have to share!
Usually magazines focus on people who've 'made it' and kind of life after that point. That's inspiring in its own way, but doesn't really help anyone who's struggling, working hard and not seeing many results yet. It's also kind of sad that there's all this focus on only the end of someone's journey...is there no merit to the beginning and middle? That's like looking at some Ikea instructions while banging a bunch of wooden screws around in frustration while someone only shows you the final picture of the beautiful finished piece. Not very useful. Not that life has a guidebook, but other people's experiences help guide, inform, enrich and give a sense of connectedness and purpose to our own lives. A way to see someone else succeed, how they did it, that it wasn't always easy for them either, and give that little spark of inspiration that can help you then see the next piece in your own success story. We explore people facing things ranging from the uncomfortable to the Big One...cancer. You'll see people open up and get honest about their lives, struggles and kind of the not-so-glamourous terrain that is not often shown. We feel like this will be a lot more helpful and inspiring, because it's a little bit of a more honest depiction of someone's journey, not just the end result. A little more human and a little more truthful.
The editorials will not feature frivolous phony smiles, but strong women and men with a very independent, very commanding presence and perspective. There's a warrior-like quality to a lot of the editorials and a thread of strength and perseverance throughout the issue.
Sometimes I get asked by people, Why aren't there more smiles in your photos? I always laugh because I'm a very happy, spontaneous and go-for-it type of person, and people don't necessarily expect the kind of photos I take, stories I write or life I've lived in general from me, to be honest. If they knew some of my experiences, they would be shocked, to say the least. I think they just see the surface, like all people do to some extent. And that's not really all on them, but also me as well for not being more open. But I have had many rocky roads, extremely hard times and lots of struggle and self-doubt, just like anyone. It's what makes us human, and there's a kind of beauty in exposing that truth. I do take photos with smiles, but the smiles actually happened, weren't just a model trying to seem giggly. They're real laughs and happiness on set. I like realness. So, here's to an issue about honesty! There don't always need to be smiles, because sometimes strength and power is more interesting to see. I like photos that show women in control, powerful and in charge of their life and image. That's what inspires me, and I hope it will inspire you as well!
This little trailer features volume two in print to kind of showcase the size and texture of the printed version, which you can now get here. It's all behind-the-scenes footage of editorials you can expect to see in the issue!
CREDITS
Director / Kelly Searle
Cinematographers / Paul and Kelly Searle
Editor / Kelly Searle
Assistant Editor / Paul Searle
Makeup Artists / Kelly Searle (on dark-haired Samantha) and Jesslabelle Avelar (on red-headed Alexandria)
Millinery (headpiece design on Alexandria) / Jesslabelle Avelar
Wardrobe / Jesslabelle Avelar and Kelly Searle
Models / Alexandria Basso and Samantha Rae Sergeant