The Latest From Sarit Photography: Interviews and Imagery

Back in November, I had the opportunity to photograph a group of yogis to help launch the Yoga and Body Image campaign for the Yoga and Body Image Coalition (check out the video from Funk Films HERE).

The coalition was birthed by Melanie Klein and Gigi Yogini after the release of Yoga and Body Image: 25 stories about Beauty, Bravery, and Loving Your Body, co-edited by Melanie Klein and Anna Guest-Jelley.

Images from the shoot were showcased in Mantra Magazine, Yoga Journal and countless others. And the tag line “This is what a yogi looks like” began flying through the ethers like wildfire. It felt good to be a part of something that had such inspired movement behind it. It also supported my long-standing advocacy for positive body talk in the media, my photography, and my own recovery.

It’s not uncommon to hear me talk candidly about body image, the overuse of photoshop, and our collective self-deprecation around the way we look and the way we perceive ourselves. It’s not uncommon for photographers to be asked to change anything from the breadth of one’s thighs, to the shape of ther eyes. Since picking up a camera, shifting this conversation has always been at the fore–even when I was shooting pinup–a world that thrives on hyper-real imagery.

Photographing yogis is more in line with my own ideologies but even within the confines of a “spiritual” community, delusion still reigns, supported by the shape-shifting industry we have to navigate. The Yoga & Body Image Coalition is a refreshing move out of this narrow way of thinking.

That said, I wanted to share this 2-part interview with me over at YBIC:

The Illusion of Perfection–Part One

Combatting Weapons of Mass Perfection–Part Two

We are simply enough, just the way we are.

My LoveMore Movement Adventure

This lady is going on a wild adventure to Vermont via New York to photograph some downright

Melanie Klein

inspiring individuals for the LoveMore book. Despite all of the excitement around creating t-shirts and getting the LoveMore Movement site off the ground, the portraits for the book have been ongoing. I have had the opportunity to photograph some incredible people do far and when I finally sat down to inventory my list, I realized that I am almost done. At least with the photographic portion of this venture. In all, I will have around 30 people featured, maybe more if my count is off.

Next week, I pack my gear, a ton of tees, an open heart and hit the road. First stop is New York, to finally meet my dear friend and LoveMore Ambassador Kendra Sebelius, founder of Voice in Recovery and Embrace Self Love! I am excited to finally be able to give her a real hug! I’m also looking forward to photographing her and  hopping into my crappy rental (I went cheap, as is the necessity of a self-funded project!) and head out to the Wanderlust Festival in Stratton, Vermont. Two things, I’ve never been to Vermont (at least not that I can remember — there was a lot of traveling in my early childhood), and I’ve not been to New York since I was a kid. I may get lost and not come back west. Just kidding, I have my husband and son here and I really don’t ever want to go far without them.

Vermont presents a whirlwind of inspiration — I have had the honor of meeting so many people online but this entire trip is about making real-time connections and spreading my wings. I am photographing the always inspiring Kate Bartolotta,  Jenn, and Chris Grosso. Seriously, this book is a dream come true for me. In the midst of my photographic geek-out, I look forward to diving in to the yoga cornucopia of Wanderlust Stratton. I’m sure it will be amazing. . I want to drink in the smells of Vermont and the energy of my fellow yogis. There is no doubt that my soul will be fed.

As always, my camera will be with me not as a weapon of mass perfection, but as a dynamic bridge between me and the people I photograph. This isn’t about stealing images or making someone something they are not, this is about honoring people just the way they are. Perfect in their imperfections.

If you’ll be in Stratton, and you want to squeeze in a mini shoot with me, I’m making myself available on Friday, 6/19. Email hello@saritphotography.com and put Stratton in the subject.

Be well!

Love and shutter clicks,

Sarit

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365 Project: Days 26-30 — Life Rolls On.

Took a break from daily posts. It was starting to consume my life, this project, and that’s not at all what it is supposed to do. It has, however, sparked some insane creativity, and for that, I am grateful. Having my camera out every day is a beautiful thing.

The wonderful Jessica Rosen (owner of One Down Dog), her husband Daniel, and their lovely dog Patrick, who is THE OG Down Dog, hanging out at the Photo Booth I hosted on the 26th.

This past Monday, I started teaching yoga to teens at my son’s school. It feels right in my bones, and I realize how much I adore this age group. Sure, I want to teach adults at some point, but to share a practice so dear to me with these kids is a true honor.

Light makes the ordinary extraordinary:

I got called out to “stop, drop and yoga,” so this happened:

And today, well, today was weird. It started out rough, had some sweetness in the middle and then, bam, the shit hit the fan.

365Project: Playing Catch-Up

Days 16 – 20 got by me. But here they are.

Day 16: An outtake from a LoveMore shoot. The real images are still being edited. But I couldn’t resist using this:

Day 17: Sometimes it’s Texture, sometimes…it’s just a pineapple. This has become a favorite.

Day 18: Religious artifacts? Say what? Well, I was assisting a dear friend on a wedding shoot. What can I say. Oh, and it adds up to 13:

Day 19: I couldn’t resist a quintessential sunset.

Day 20: Let’s be honest, this was shot on Day 19, but 365 wasn’t having it. So, here it is: Reflection– Windows provide an opportunity to look in and look out. Often times what we see is distorted, but what if we look at windows as an opportunity to find beauty within the distortion? We are not always what we see.

This has been a real adventure, let me tell you.

Love and shutter clicks,

Sarit

Day 11 and 12: My 365 Project

Day 11: Inspired by the view from the new One Down Dog  space.

Day 12: Inspired by the lights in a tunnel, reminding of of the natural pauses we need to take, no matter how fast we are moving.

What will tomorrow bring?

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Adios 2013, It’s Been Incredible

2013 is coming to a close and wow has it been a remarkable year. It started off with a bang when Carol Horton interviewed me about my work and what inspires me. I had photographed two book covers (21st Century Yoga and Yoga PhD) with Carol and this interview stemmed from that. So much has transpired: the LoveMore Movement is finally a reality and not just some crazy idea in my head. I went to the Monterey Jazz Festival with Janice Littlejohn of …But Can She Play? this year and had an amazing time photographing Claire Daly and some current Grammy nominees, while also discovering some incredible talent. My love for Latin jazz is very alive and real. And my absolute love and respect for women musicians is fully charged. I photographed many a portrait for LoveMore, including Vinny Ferraro, Danny Fisher, Melanie Klein, and Jessica Rosen.  My list of people to photograph in 2014 is getting longer and more inspiring that I could have imagined.

One of my favorite shoots from 2013 was with Julian Walker. It was the epitome of an LA adventure involving a walk in search of appropriate graffiti, dodging a bit of traffic, and it culminated in a jam session. My adventures went on and on this year. I pretended to be a tourist so I could photograph the remarkable Jennifer O’Connell; I went to El Matador Beach to photograph an inspiring yogi named Erica; I photographed the awe-inspiring LoveMore badass Crystal J. Torres which included burning money and sitting on the edge of  a Los Angeles rooftop. I went on a super top secret adventure with my dear friend and LoveMore mama Melanie Klein and captured one of my most alive shots; I’m telling you, I realized how much of an adventurer I really am. When I offer a photo adventure, I mean it. I am not afraid to get dirty to get a shot.

Another highlight of 2013 was when Kate Bartolotta featured me as her Artist of the Week at Be You Media Group. I was sincerely honored by Kate’s request and I intend to make it out her way sooner than later to photograph her for LoveMore! Kate is a prolific, inspiring writer. She is honest, full of heart, and an someone I admire. What a blessing.

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I’ve also had some downfalls this year, as I’ve struggled with migraines and tried damn near everything to make them go away. They are better, or my attitude toward them is better anyway.  The experience has provided me with the opportunity to be more contemplative and even to slow down. One of the things I did this year was complete my yoga teacher training with Hala Khouri and Julian Walker. I still have things to tie up before I get my official certificate, but it was one of the most transformative, healing experiences I’ve ever embarked on. I also finally did a Street Yoga teacher training, furthering my desire to help those who suffer. Feeling into, learning, and sharing these heart practices have helped me heal my own heart, expand my creativity, and soften.

So, what do I want for 2014? I want to write.  I want to travel. I want to come to YOU, to your town, to your sangha, to your yoga studio, to your mountains, rivers, creeks, and graffiti-strewn towns. I want to go on mini adventures and I want to celebrate those who celebrate me and my work and the LoveMore Movement. I want to encourage women and men to love their bodies…just as they are, to celebrate their strength, no matter their shape. I want to break the over-photoshopped beauty standard and get back to the time where what you photograph is what you see in the end. Yep, that means a big butt might stay a big butt, or skinny arms might stay skinny arms. We are amazing, all of us, just as we are. I plan on making 2014 a year of exploration, healing, adventure, and love. Always love, because without that, we are bereft of heart

all images © sarit z rogers / sarit photography. all rights reserved

I Notice When you Love More

The LoveMore Movement finally has its own space. You can follow the blog at lovemoremovement.com. In addition, you can also sign up for the newsletter which will cover Sarit Photo and LoveMore news: http://eepurl.com/Iv2E1.

Love and Shutter Clicks,
Sarit

LoveMore Movement

Time and time again, we hear the phrase “We need more love.” We do. It’s true. But the more I hear it and the more I engage with the world, the more I realize that that phrase is merely one of consumption. It implies that if we have more of it, things will be better. And while having more love will definitely improve the quality of your life, it won’t fix it. It occurred to me that what just might nurture some repair is if we as individuals or groups of people flipped that phrase and Loved More.

With that in mind, I began to look at the world a lot differently. I noticed the cashier in the store who smiled at everyone, regardless of whether or not they smiled back. I noticed the finance guy who was selling me my car get inspired by my Love More tattoos —…

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