White Maxi Dress

Our story with this dress began much like other Traveling Dress groups. A group of photographers gathered together to collaborate, a dress was chosen, and the traveling began. What we all didn’t realize is that this dress, and this collaboration, would prove to be humbling for each of us in varying ways. This story is a reflection of the reality many creatives face when they’re in a slump. For many of us, creating can be easy, refreshing, inspiring, and restorative. But sometimes, creating can be challenging, emotionally draining, or even sad confirmations of something deeper, yet to be explored. None of us knew at the beginning that our stories with this dress would be similar in nature, not to mention their dark undertones. After sharing with each other, we decided not to shy away from the truth of our experiences in exchange for a “sunny-skies” story. These are our stories with the Traveling Dress. They are honest reflections of what being creative can feel like at times. We hope that in reading our stories, creatives are able to find comfort in community with us when they themselves fall into whatever slump is bound to cross their paths one day, for, after all, we are all human. -Teresa Vick

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Meri Daugherty
Website | Instagram
Hoschton, GA

This project turned out to be an unexpected doozy for me. 

Photography and I have had a weird relationship lately and I think I was feeling (hoping) that this project would be something that helped break through again.Earlier this year I decided that I would be “quitting” (I hate that word) my business and moving on to other projects. Looking back, I put a lot of pressure on this project to to really make me feel the love again, to maybe make me want to change my mind; or perhaps to be a beautiful swan song, a sweet goodbye to this chapter of my life. Instead, I think it kind of reconfirmed a lot of what I have to work through with my creativity—especially the fact that I’m constantly putting pressure on projects to mean something specific to me, to work out in a certain way, or to reach some undetermined level of emotionality (honestly, what does that even mean??).

My vision didn't really pan out. My execution felt like it didn't pan out either. I definitely am not saying I'm not happy with what I got. I am. My model was truly great and I got some gorgeous pictures. But I think I just kind of emotionally fell flat with it. Nothing called out my name or beckoned me back; I got no sense of closure or goodbye. Instead it was more of the same that I constantly struggle with--didn't quite get this, forgot that, this doesn’t really translate, etc.

I kind of wonder if, at a certain point, the things you learn from your creativity become less technical and instead more intimate. I wish I had some deep and meaningful lesson to share, like I learned something profound to pass along to fellow artists, but maybe it’s all just about showing up anyway and letting the work go so we can move on to the next creative adventure. 

Other things worth noting: The dress moved and draped like a dream and I loved that it was basically see-through. It had that weird top bit that made it hard to work with, though. The model had to turn it around a few times to hide the cinching part and there were a few photos I would have liked but that thing got in the way of them. My initial vision was a lot bolder and more specific, but things change and apparently, so does my editing this year. No shame in that. I ended up with a more subdued and symbolic body of work and, though it certainly wasn’t what I set out to create, I’m okay with that. Sometimes forcing photos to bend to your will just isn’t worth it. These ended up saying something different than I was trying to say over the summer. We bend, don’t break.Looking at the series shared here, I see her submitting to the water and then walking away on it. I love how we can create stories with still photos.

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Susanna Risser
Facebook | Instagram
Merlin, OR

First off, what a privilege to be apart of this awesome group of artists. Each one of us offering our own spin on things, our own style of shooting and editing all without knowing what the other is doing. I was anxious to receive the dress in the mail and upon opening the package instantly started brainstorming what picture I wanted to paint. These were all taken by me, of me, with the help of my trusty tripod in 3 different locations around my house. I think my favorite was down by our creek at sunset, the light bouncing off my spine and the innocence of a white dress just made for the perfect image. There is one image where I'm sitting in a pile of broken concrete slabs and I love the contrast between the smooth dress texture against the uncomfortable jagged rocks. Lastly, the motherhood one. I'm a mom first above anything else so what beautiful moment I got nursing my boy in the middle of it all. It was conveniently the perfect nursing dress.

I didn't find any challenges with the dress, other than trying to make sure I kept it someone clean. I did wash it after my time with it and luckily, no stains or tears. Considering I was only the second photographer to receive it, I felt a heavy responsibility to make sure it looked good as when Teresa started with it.

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Teresa Vick
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Vancouver, WA

It feels like it's been a long time since I've been inspired and have actually wanted to create. Honestly, I was not inspired at all with this dress at the time I took them. But what I'm continually learning is that for me, when I create from a non-inspired place, even though it makes me feel uncomfortable, and sometimes I feel like a fake and failure; the process also forces me to try and make something out of what feels like nothing. When I don't feel inspired by the base images, the process of editing is where I am rejuvenated. The process of reimagining what could be after the images are already taken. Photography is an emotional work for me and this personal project was no different. There is however a therapeutic nature to it as well. It's hard work, yes. But in the end, I always come out of it having processed something deeper through the creative process. And that process alone inspires me to keep going.

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Chanel French
Website | Instagram
Atlanta, GA

During my time with the dress I was a bit busier with all the happenings of life than I originally planned. I was in the midst of transitioning my career and all of my focus was pretty much on that. I did manage to convince a friend to model for me one afternoon for about 20 minutes, and I shot these. I was initially feeling uninspired because of all I had going on, but once we started shooting I remember why I love photography. I appreciate the dress for bringing me back and reminding me of my creative love.

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Ali Limon
Website | Facebook | Instagram
West Linn, OR

I've waited so long to be in a Traveling Dress group and having the honor of being in this particular group with such extraordinary artists is pretty humbling. I love all of the artists in our groups and follow their work because in a sea of monotony it's some of the most inspiring work out there.

I feel as though I need to start this by being honest. When I got the dress in the mail I did not like it. My original idea was to do a self-portrait of some kind but when I put the dress on I felt terrible in it. I felt ugly and awful. It created some really huge feelings that left me thinking that at one point I needed to back out of the project altogether.

I suffer from a pretty heavy dose of Depression and Anxiety and when this happens I tend to shut down. So I did. I sat on this dress until the very last minute not knowing what to do. Under the gun, and ready to give up, I woke up one morning and the rain had cleared enough that I felt some sort of spark to show myself wrong. So I did. I got up. I called a friend. Someone who I hadn't seen in a while and that I had always wanted to photograph. A friend that I knew was also going through some things. So we connected. I went to a local spot and experienced one of the most amazing evenings I've had in a long time. And I did the best thing I could have possibly done. I got back to my basics. To the root of why and how I do this. I got back to me. And in that, the weather showed up for us. The clouds were incredible.

Thanks, Teresa for this opportunity and always teaching me even when you're not around.

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Lauren Philips
Website | Facebook | Instagram

'The truth is, I don't love dresses. The long flowy types. But the thing is, it's not their fault. Every time I see one I gravitate to it. The flowy, soft fabric. The curves in its length. I imagine myself as elegant, swanning around in this masterpiece. Owning my femininity. But that's just not 'me'.

At the time of taking these images I was pretty fresh out of a long term relationship where I had buried my own intuitions for pride. It was a big wake up call and awakening to have the space to realise I wasn't being true to myself. When it came crunch time to put on the flowy dress for self portraits, everything bubbled to the surface. I tried to embrace it. I did the swanning around and got some cool shots. Heck, I even drank a beer in that field, just me, the dress, a beer and a camera in a field feeling weird. But what I found was nothing but the rebellious teenager in me surfacing. I stuck my finger up in the photos. I got my boobs out. Every little inch of that person I had squashed for years, the truest me, said fuck you to the idea of being told what to do. But that's art hey. An expression of our truest form. It's for some to understand and connect with us via this format or for us to unravel the life experiences we've been through and heal. Sometimes a bit of both. It was actually beautiful, in its own way, to see how my own issues unfolded when getting the opportunity to express myself in a creative project. To see intensly, how much of our lives impact our art, and how much our art represents our lives.

Being a part of this project, sending a dress across the world, brought a sense of connectedness. A belonging. Even though I’ve never met these women, there was an unspoken knowing that there are other creatives in this world and you are not the only person, 'the only weirdo in the room' to be left feeling alone. Similar to the four walls of a home of which soaks up the energy of the stories that unfold within, this dress will carry the presence, strength, and I hope creativity, for the rest of its days within its layers. And maybe, just maybe, a woman will pick it up one day second hand, just when she needs to be held most, and will be able to feel every one of us beneath her, backing her and lifting her up.'

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