Banff - An Unraveled Academy Retreat | September 2024 | Amanda - Motherhood Session
Rooted in light: Motherhood and the magic of learning together
There’s something profound about witnessing children move through wild fields, their laughter caught in golden light, their steps free and untamed. In that moment, motherhood reveals itself, not just as a role but as a rhythm. It’s in the way we hold space, the way we nurture growth and yes, the way we see.
This session from The Unraveled Academy Banff retreat, led by the amazingly talented Sherida Rae Photography reminded me of the pulse of motherhood, captured not through perfection but through presence. As a photographer, and mother, I’ve learned that it’s easy to get lost in the routine of both. The busy days blur, the creative spark flickers, but that’s when I reach for my community.
In-person retreats and workshops from The Unraveled Academy have been an experience of a lifetime for me. They’re not just about technique or gear, they’re about connection. I have so many amazing new friends that I connect with daily because of these retreats. Standing beside other photographers I find new eyes to borrow, new perspectives to try. We share stories, trade laughter and challenge each other to shoot differently, to see deeper. It’s in those conversations, sometimes during a break in the shade or while enjoying a late dinner after sunset, that I rediscover my “why”.
Learning alongside others helps me return home more than just inspired, I return renewed. I find new ways to document the quiet chaos of my children’s lives. I remember to point the lens inward, to witness my own growth as a mother, an artis, a woman learning to balance it all.
Motherhood is a journey of constant reinvention. So is artistry. Both flourish when we surround ourselves with others brave enough to create, share and evolve. That’s the gift of The Unraveled Academy community and the heart of these retreats.
If you’re feeling creatively drained or just need a reminder of your own beauty and worth, step outside. Step towards others. There’s a field waiting and the light is just right.
