Nurturing meets Art

When I get what I call a "download" there is no stopping me. It's this energy where I feel I must move forward with a photographic project with wild abandonment. It drives my husband Joe crazy as he wants me to approach project with logic and business smarts like creating a business plan. I know he's right but I have no time to stop to do that and I know that my projects will always get funded. After four photo/essay books, I have found that to be so. However, it hasn't been without blood, sweat, tears and nail biting!

Now I feel called to do a project that honors women, mom's that are passionate about breastfeeding their children. It's a hot topic and I am determined to follow my bliss and create art that honors the notion that mom's can be sensual, beautiful, nurturing and magical in their passion to feed their child. 

In the past I have been commissioned to do pregnant portraits and then the new mom's come back for the baby portraits. While doing the portraits I usually ask if they want a nursing portrait. Many of the mom's say yes enthusiastically. 

So if you know of any mom's that are breastfeeding and are passionate and willing to participate in this groundbreaking project, please have them contact my studio asap.

It is starting as a traveling exhibit and then possible a photo/essay book. I will be searching out a non-profit organization that works with women in need in this particular area.

I love when my creative juices are flowing in a big bodacious beautiful way!

For all you women photographers, don't miss my Gather the Creative Women Mountain Retreat, September 18-22, 2013 in Pine Mountain California, just 70 minutes north of Los Angeles, http://maryannhalpinretreats.com/

In Celebration of Bellies and Babies...

Also, in celebration of the miracle of life, I have created this slideshow of my maternity and new

born portraits from over the last few years. It amazes me what a woman's body can do. It is really all such a miracle to witness.

I have never been pregnant and it's ironic that one of the first photo/essay books featuring pregnant portraits is one that I created back in 1997. That was around the time I was trying to conceive but found out it would not be easy. Half way through creating this five year photo/essay project, I realized I could conceive a child without doing in vitro fertilization. It wasn't something I wanted to do. So doing this project was a very cathartic experience and one that I would never have missed. It led me to creating this portrait business where I am honored to create artistic pieces for women and their families to put on their wall as art.

Part of my business logo line is "Celebrate Your Life as Art." I feel very strongly about not having art that matches your couch. How amazing to have fine art portraits printed on canvas, acrylic or medal gracing the walls of your home to view everyday of your life and hand down to the next generation!

I'm very very grateful to all the women who gave me the honor and priveledge to caputure their beautiful swollen body full of baby in a fine art portrait. It has been a wonderful journey.

It's been almost 17 years since Pregnant Goddesshood: A Celebration of Life, was released in 1997. Amazingly, it was launched into the media as a very controversial book. Many magazines and bookstores thought the images of naked bellies would offend their customers! The TV show The View reviewed the book in "Hot Topics"  along with Inside Edition and Extra. Life Magazine did two full pages the same with the New York Post. The book blazed the trail for what is now the popular pregnant portrait.

All I can say is, I love my photographic work!

I Am Fearless. I Am Beautiful.

I have created four photography/essay books in the last 16 years. It's really been my journey through life. Now I am really exploring a real sexy woman's body as art. 

I created a Valentine's portrait campaign I called, Fearless Diva Valentine's Portrait Party. I did a shoot with a beautiful woman featured here, Christina Dunbar. She is a poetess and as she brands herself a "Catalyst for Badassery." She is also blessed with an amazing body and the confidence to love it and express that love in poetic posing. She was a blast to work with. I am grateful to have a fantastic makeup/hair artist Nicole Bolin.

I have posted many of the portraits from that session on Facebook to promote the portrait party. Most of the comments where, "Well if I had that body..." So it made me realize that I needed to create a project I am calling, "I am fearless. I am beautiful." I see how so many of us women, no matter what age, have body issues. I know, I'm not the first to bring this up. 

So I am putting out there that I am looking for women with full bodies and mature faces. I am looking forward to exploring, body as art!

Birthing a Book

This is my fourth photo/essay book in 16 years. My new book, Fearless Women, Visions of a New World, just got released. It's been a journey to say the least, traveling to four cities to photograph the women in the book, having Fearless Events in each city as well, working with the designer and getting it to print...yes we are also publishers! We even have a new Fearless Women Global membership site! fearlesswomenglobal.com. Why do when you can overdue?
It has been gloriously creative and very exciting.

We just launched the book at a Fearless Women Los Angeles Event with a red carpet awards dinner. Me with the women from my books.

For the next few weeks, purchase a copy and a book will be ear marked to go to a fearless sister in Uganda.
To purchase your copy: fearlesswomenglobal.com

A Fearless Circle of Women

When I sit in the Circle of Gratitude, I think of the Native American Ancestors from our mountain community who say that trees that grow in a circle grow from each others' roots. It's such a great symbol of what conscious women of today are doing. We are growing from each others' roots, in our sharing, connecting and inspiring one another to listen to the calling of our heart, move through fear to our dreams, help ourselves and help the whole world. I welcome you to join fearless visionary women, Mary Morrissey, Linda Gray, Rebecca Grossman, Marsha Wieder, Mona Polacca, Kathy Eldon, Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, Kathy Buckley, Tabitha Kyambadde, Lieutenant Colonel Karen Mertes, and the women featured in the new book, Fearless Women, Visions of a New World. Gather in the circle of fearless gratitude and inspiration at an event that will ignite the calling of your heart, inspire you, motivate you and connect you with women from around the globe. 

 Be Inspired! Be Fearless! 

 Fearless Women, Visions of a New World Los Angeles Event May 18 & 19, 2012
 Connect with women from around the world.
Where: The Sportsmen's Lodge, Conference Center, Studio City.

For information and reservations: www.fearlesswomenglobal.com/events or call 323-874-8500. Fearless Friend Special to come to both events-bring a fearless friend for half: http://www.fearlesswomenglobal.com/FearlessFriends

10% of the proceeds benefiting the non-profit A Billion Fearless Women
**When you register now, Marcia Wieder (our Keynote speaker) is offering her one day workshop "Create Your Future Now" - for free! This is a $400 value. It will be held in Los Angeles, June 23rd, 2012,9:00am to 6:30pm, Austin, August 25th, 2012, 9:00am to 6:30pm

Treat Yourself by Retreating...

Copyright Mary Ann Halpin.

Special Guest Speakers, Workshops and Accommodations
(Included in your retreat):
Jean Carpenter-Backus: CPA, CFP, author of "The Naked Accountant asks: Who's Standing on Your Financial Hose?" Jean will lead a money workshop and offer "hiking money coaching" sessions. http://www.thenakedaccountant.com/, www.carplang.com

Paul and Sarah Edwards: Residents of Pine Mountain, Paul and Sarah are best known for their book, "Working from Home." Creating over 14 books on business, they will lecture on how to turn your books into profitable
E-Books.http://www.9lives4yourbook.com/about/:

Sarah-Jane, aka SunJay: www.powwowlodge.com. She will provide yoga each day in her beautiful home studio (optional). Sunjay will be available for sound healing (for an additional charge). She will lead us in drum circle ceremonies in the woods called "The Circle of Gratitude."




Pamela Jansen: Motivational Speaker, Actress, Writer, Author of "How I Became a Fearless Women" also featured in Mary Ann's book, "Fearless Women, Midlife Portraits" Pamela will speak about her own extraordinary journey to becoming a Fearless Women!

We will hike to the "Seven Sisters" and make prayer tie/intention offerings in the circle of trees with a medicine wheel built within.

Some of you will stay in our log home and others will stay at very nice mountain homes we will rent.


Sumptuous meals will be prepared by Chef Joe!

Included in Price:
Workshops
Yoga
Yummy food
Lovely Accommodations
and much more...

Available but not Included in Price:
Relaxing Massages
Sound Healing
Airfare and transportation are additional.

Cost:
$1595.00, A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required on or before
November 5, 2010, to hold your reservation and balance due by
December 5, 2010
***Bring a friend and receive a $400 discount***

Payment Plan:
Cost: $1695, A non-refundable deposit of $500 required
on or before November 5,2010
1st payment, $597.50 by December 5, 2010
2nd payment, $597.50 by January 5, 2010

Payment Type: Check, MC, Visa


The Fearless Women Mountain Retreat is limited to 15 women. It will be an intimate and powerful experience
that will transform the way you will create 2011.

Treat yourself and Book NOW!!!

To book your reservations or for more information:
maryannhalpin@aol.com
micheleatstudio@aol.com
323-874-8500

Family Holiday's

Copyright Mary Ann Halpin.