Just a Couple of Creatives Making Magic
Sometimes, you capture a moment so fragile, so perfectly stitched together by the universe, that it feels less like a Sunday morning shoot and more like a beautiful, waking dream.
Leanne—known to many as Socra.teese—is one of those rare souls you are lucky enough to create with time and time again. She embodies a kind of soft, whimsical magic that is impossible to articulate but entirely visible the moment she steps in front of the lens. This shoot was exactly that: an artsy, fleeting fever dream, captured just as the world was waking up.
Our canvas for the morning was a breathtaking, privately owned sanctuary near Red Deer, Alberta. After securing a day pass through the Nature Conservancy Canada, the journey began in the dark. I left Calgary at 5:00 AM, racing the sun to catch that perfect, quiet dawn. There is a specific kind of devotion required to make art like this.
We packed up a wagon and a sled with equipment, outfits, an inflatable mattress, and a chair. We hoisted our heavy gear over a barbed-wire fence, dragging our dreams down a path to a hidden, sacred clearing.
Behind The Scenes
 
Some of the final images taken during this behind the scenes video
 
Nature gave us everything it had that morning. In the distance, a thick, quiet fog rose off a nearby pond while the moon lingered in the sky, reluctant to leave as the sun slowly began to creep upward. The field was filled with tall grass and white thistles, frozen sharp by the autumn air. We could see our breath hanging in the space between us. It was a perfect, crisp fall morning.
The art we created feels deeply emotional. It struck a profound chord in both of us during the session, and even more so when the final frames came to life. Yet, despite how deep and cinematic the images feel, the morning itself was overflowing with laughter, lightheartedness, and pure joy. We were just two women—girls at heart, really—chasing a shared vision and lifting each other up along the way.
There is an incredible fulfillment that comes from finding your people, connecting with like-minded creators, and truly supporting other women. That is the heartbeat of intimate portraiture. It’s about being a cheerleader, a safe harbor, and an active part of a beautiful, empowering community.
These images were never meant for the male gaze. This is pure art. It is the freedom to exist, to love our bodies in their most natural state, and to deeply connect with the earth beneath our feet.
When I sat down to upload the gallery, I think I forgot to breathe for a moment. I was just in complete, quiet awe of what we had built together. It turned out softer and more dreamy than I ever could have hoped for. I am beyond grateful for the beautiful connection and friendship I share with Leanne.
Pieces of your heart stay in moments like this, and I already can't wait until the next time we get to chase the light together.