Therapeutic Photography

THERAPEUTIC PHOTOGRAPHY

This is a self-care tool: a gift so that you may honor where you are at this time in your life. With collaborative intentionality, you will find an opportunity to represent a rite of passage.

Whether you're pursuing a career shift, rediscovering yourself in a whole new way, introducing a little one into the world, need a boost, a fresh portrait, or just want to give yourself something special...

You can trust me.

I am here to perceive your lovely expressions, preferred hair part, and all of the other important elements that make you: you. With zest and earnestness, I will cheer you on and pull you into the Woke Beauty community.

Your inherent beauty is real. It deserves to be seen.

Let the light lead the way.

Here’s how we can work together:

The Experience

This service is supportive, continual, and dedicated. Included in our time together is a 60 minute consultation, ongoing creative direction and support, and an in depth 90 minute photography session.

When I set out to create a service that would take photography beyond skin deep, I developed an all encompassing experience.

Books are currently closed. Please email riley@wokebeauty.com to discuss other services.

GET IN TOUCH

The Classic

This service pulls my restorative methods together in capsule style, getting straight to the point while maintaining genuine creativity and collaborative exploration.

Included in our time together is a 30 minute phone consultation and 60 minute photoshoot. Sometimes, traditional framework is all you need.

Books are currently closed. Please email riley@wokebeauty.com to discuss other services.

GET IN TOUCH

When I facilitate photography sessions, I am especially mindful of the environment.

Literal and abstract spaces are equally important. By engaging with you in a place of comfort, we are able to create a more personal experience, one where we can listen, reflect, sigh and laugh with ease.

I work within three different settings illustrated below. We’ll talk through your vision and booking in our detailed consultation.

But this way: you’ve got visual context.

The TRADITIONAL STUDIO

Bright, airy, and climate controlled, the studio is a great option if you prefer an organized space designed for just about anything–with no extra cost for either package. It’s equipped with multiple seamless backdrops, seating arrangements, props, plants, vignettes, a little kitchenette, mirrors, clothing racks, and yes…it has a washroom.

THE NATURAL OASIS

My outdoor sessions are adventurous and nature-filled. We explore the ways flowers can represent joy, the symbolic strength of trees, the liberation of fields. I like the challenge of a raw, untouched space such as a neighborhood park just as much as a well maintained botanical garden. There’s something so special about the synchronicity between humans and nature; and I love finding ways to blend and mirror the two in tandem.

THE UNIQUE VENUE

From Italian driscoll villas to light filled solariums, checkered floors to rich, velvet blue sofas, grandiose fountains, koi-filled ponds, lush gardens, vibrant landscaping, majestic oak trees, lush sceneries, and gorgeous backdrops–unique venues can actualize your visions with vibrance and charm. These settings provide more organization and efficiency and are managed by third parties such as The Contemporary, Zilker Botanical Gardens, and Sekrit Theatre.

Testimonials

I had no energy and didn't feel too great, but then I met Riley.

I had no energy and didn’t feel too great, but then I met Riley. Within minutes of meeting her, she got me to settle into comfort and made a series of photos that *felt* like me. Riley didn’t just talk photos, she tried to get to know me and help me through the “what should I do with my hands?” awkwardness. We talked about where I grew up, our families, our lives in Austin, our dogs, and so much work ahead of all of us to make the world more inclusive.

SAM

The time the rain stopped just long enough for Riley to show me a field of flowers at the heart of the city.

The time the rain stopped just long enough for Riley to show me a field of flowers at the heart of the city. We talked about relationships and our changing bodies and food and writing during this time—things I think about often. As I stood on this hill, a woman passing by shouted at the top of her lungs, You look f*cking gorgeous! and blew me a kiss. Then she was gone. Like a fairy godmother checking in with some encouragement. I had been feeling unsure of myself and my writing before this session (how I feel about one inevitably affects the other), and it was a wake up call to have a stranger be kinder to me than I was being to myself in that moment. It changed my whole demeanor. As she disappeared over the hill, we laughed about wishing she could pass by us on the street every day. Maybe she can, if we let her.

RACHAEL

Her space is a safe space.

About a year ago, I met a woman named Riley at a friend’s birthday celebration. Truth be told, I’d been following her artistic work before we’d met, so I was already a fan by the time we said “hello.” Since then, we’ve worked together on my business and branding, and I feel more honest in my work than ever. I feel clearer in my purpose. Delightfully, we’ve also created a friendship over the course of this otherwise tumultuous and physically-distant year from behind computer screens and camera lenses. When she asked me to be on her podcast and if I’d be open to talking about my life/work philosophy, miscarriage, and motherhood, I was beyond honored. Her space is a safe space.

HEIDI

I will forever be an admirer of her work, but I will cherish the advice she gave me for my life and career even more.

Riley made time in her schedule the day after my inquiry despite being fully booked. I will forever be an admirer of her work, but I will cherish the advice she gave me for my life and career even more.

TESSA

Not only does Riley have STUNNING portrait work but she has this incredible warmth and ability to disarm anyone.

I told my partner one day that most photos of me are blurry or I have wolf eyes. Not only does Riley have STUNNING portrait work but she has this incredible warmth and ability to disarm anyone, allowing their inner beauty to shine through with each photo she takes! I’ve always been pretty self-conscious, especially in front of a camera. But Riley was such a great coach on what to do with my face and an all-around blast to work with!

BRONTË

I was proud of my story. I was proud of being able to say it out loud in the space Riley invited me into.

Yesterday I went on a walk and I did something I never do. I listened to myself on a podcast, the podcast I did with Woke Beauty to be exact. I’ve been nervous to hear it because she and I went deep and I talked about a lot of things I’ve never talked about before in public, particularly college, leaving evangelicalism, and finding myself all over again. Yesterday while I listened to myself in conversation with my dear friend, my nerves melted. I was proud of my story. I was proud of being able to say it out loud in the space Riley invited me into.

CHELSEA

As soon as I opened the album, I started to cry. Somehow, she'd managed to capture my full expression.

Over the course of the last 18 months, I've done 4 photoshoots with Riley and each has had its own fruit to bear. The most recent photo set I got back from her has been the most profound for me yet. As soon as I opened the album, I started to cry. Somehow, she'd managed to capture my full expression. It was like being reunited with someone I'd lost and been searching for in the dark for years. Finally, after decades of looking, I'd found her. I spent an hour receiving myself, releasing the grief of having missed her for so long, and welcoming her home.

LIV

Riley exceeded my expectations. She was willing to play with me and trust my vision.

Riley exceeded my expectations. She was willing to play with me and trust my vision. So naturally, this increased my morale, confidence, and ability to relax during the shoot. The best part of the experience was that Riley was willing to let me lead the shoot where I thought it could go. Then she would add a fun flare to the location, outfit, or movement I embodied. This made me feel powerful, graceful, and beautiful. I would absolutely do this again and I suggest everyone work with Riley!

KATIE J

If you want BEAUTIFUL photos that capture the absolute essence of you and your loved ones, Riley is your photographer.

If you want BEAUTIFUL photos that capture the absolute essence of you and your loved ones, Riley is your photographer. She is highly-trained, highly-successful, highly-everything...but also very personable, approachable and warm. She isn't there to just snap your photo and move on. She seeks to really connect with you and your loved ones and she seems to almost blend into the background and becomes a part of the scene.

MEGHAN

The mutual relationship is instant with Riley.

The mutual relationship is instant with Riley. Her success is your success; your beauty is her beauty. Her immediateness to include you into the community that is Woke Beauty is beyond humbling. I now can allow myself to see the beauty others see in me and perpetuate this beyond my photos. Take the opportunity to work with Riley any chance you can, because you deserve it.

BERGEN