We women have always known that a girl’s night out can do wonders for our mental health. We don’t need science to confirm that the laughter we share and the support we receive can be the magic potion we often need to feel better about ourselves and the world around us.

Several months ago I assembled a women’s photography salon in my new hometown of Portland. I was missing the support of my photographer friends in Kansas City, a place I’d called home for nearly 40 years.  And I missed my girlfriends.  Big time.

Our (yet to be named) group of six has been meeting monthly in each other’s homes and studios. We’re slowly getting to know each other better and enjoying every minute of our time together.  Yes, we look at each other’s work, but we also talk about books we’ve read, music we’ve heard, lectures we’ve attended, good food we’ve eaten, shows we’ve seen, our families, our travels, our four-legged children, our political views, our creative struggles and self-doubt… and wait for it – our feelings.

I love being with these women.  Together we are uninhibited, honest, and supportive. We challenge each other, we push each other, we prop each other up.  We confide in each other. We trust each other, we admire each other, and we laugh like hell.

The most recent meeting took place at my studio. I had asked one of our members, who is known for her cutting edge and playful sense of fashion, to bring along some of her hats. She threw in some glasses, and well, we girls had ourselves some fun. We were suddenly twelve again, striking poses for a best friend or sister and laughing hysterically. Of course, we photographed it all.

The evening turned out to be some of the best therapy I’ve had in a long time.  And it didn’t cost me a cent.

Women friends. So glad to have them. In Kansas City and now in Portland, too.

(That's me in the photo above. Deb took it. I was laughing really hard.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Blog

Women Friends

9/12/2019

We women have always known that a girl’s night out can do wonders for our mental health. We don’t need science to confirm that the laughter we share and the support we receive can be the magic potion we often need to feel better about ourselves and the world around us.

Several months ago I assembled a women’s photography salon in my new hometown of Portland. I was missing the support of my photographer friends in Kansas City, a place I’d called home for nearly 40 years.  And I missed my girlfriends.  Big time.

Our (yet to be named) group of six has been meeting monthly in each other’s homes and studios. We’re slowly getting to know each other better and enjoying every minute of our time together.  Yes, we look at each other’s work, but we also talk about books we’ve read, music we’ve heard, lectures we’ve attended, good food we’ve eaten, shows we’ve seen, our families, our travels, our four-legged children, our political views, our creative struggles and self-doubt… and wait for it – our feelings.

I love being with these women.  Together we are uninhibited, honest, and supportive. We challenge each other, we push each other, we prop each other up.  We confide in each other. We trust each other, we admire each other, and we laugh like hell.

The most recent meeting took place at my studio. I had asked one of our members, who is known for her cutting edge and playful sense of fashion, to bring along some of her hats. She threw in some glasses, and well, we girls had ourselves some fun. We were suddenly twelve again, striking poses for a best friend or sister and laughing hysterically. Of course, we photographed it all.

The evening turned out to be some of the best therapy I’ve had in a long time.  And it didn’t cost me a cent.

Women friends. So glad to have them. In Kansas City and now in Portland, too.

(That's me in the photo above. Deb took it. I was laughing really hard.)