Frame, Reframe, Celebrate

“Thank you for this! I love it. And you, and this community, have made that love possible. Five years ago, a photo that showed my rolls and folds would have made me cry. But now, I see how sensual and celebratory a photo like this can be.” Maria Merian

This was Maria’s comment on her portrait yesterday. And it rings true. I know that if anyone had told me a couple of years ago that I would be excited about posting this photo with my big belly on full glorious display I would have laughed out loud. Many of us frequently make reference to how much this community has done to increase our self-confidence and sense of our own beauty but I think it’s worth saying again and again. Molly does many brilliant things (and I’m pretty sure there’ll be more evidence of that in a few days!) but I think Sinful Sunday and February Photofest are the ones where the ripple effect makes such a profound difference to people’s lives. So, again, THANK YOU!

I have loved participating in February Photofest and you can see all my photos here. Aside from giving this month a black and white theme, I wanted it to embody the spirit of Exposing 40, which is an exuberant celebratory collaboration. Sometimes we’re silly, sometimes we’re thoughtful, sometimes we’re intimate, but we’re always having fun!

This month I’ve posted 11 portraits I’ve taken of others, 10 that have been taken of me by others and 7 self portraits. And how much fun it has been! There’s been new photo adventures with friends, I’ve used photos that had previously only been in my personal library and have delved into the archives for Throwback Thursday and smiled at the memories. I’ve photographed and been photographed by a valued partner of many years and a new lover who I only started chatting to on the 1st of the month! Of course, that one’s at the exciting who-knows-where-this-will-go-but-it’s-fun stage, but I love that he’s found his way onto February Photofest. I wonder if my secret dating superpower is being able to find people who want to be photographed naked?!

In total, 15 people have participated in my February Photofest either in front of or behind the camera. Framing, reframing and celebrating. Thank you! Same time same place next year?

Self Portrait with Exhibit A

Maria

I knew months ago that this fabulous woman would be staying at mine for Eroticon. What I didn’t know until a few weeks ago was she’d get here a little earlier. There are plans for more photo outings this week (this tough cookie isn’t afraid of our winter temperatures!) but in the meantime I’m very happy she made it in time to grace the pages of my February Photofest!

Maria Merian by me

New

“How beautiful maleness is, if it finds its right expression.” D.H. Lawrence

Getting to know a new body is exciting; getting to know it with your camera as well as your own body is an honour.

Sean by me.

Abstract

“There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.” Picasso 

Do you know what you’re looking at?

Self Portrait

Bite

I was going to use this photo alongside a write-up about this threesome for the Kink of the Week a couple of weeks back but I wanted to check with the couple that this was ok. They said yes, but by that point I’d run out of time to get anything down before the deadline. I did write about it here when I included a sketch from the evening on Exhibit A’s anonymous page. I reread the comments on that post as I wrote this and I got a little surge of emotion reading all the comments from people who I didn’t know then but who I now consider friends.  You’re all brilliant!

Me and R, by B

Stepping Out, reprise

My blog was two yesterday so for this #throwbackthursday I thought I would revisit my first post, Stepping Out. I don’t think there’s any contest in this re-edit; in my opinion black and white lifts this shot in such a spectacular way I’m not sure why I ever thought the colour one was any good!

Self Portrait 

Shining Star

Marie Rebelle, a shining star in our lovely community. Kind, welcoming and supportive of everyone, you’re an example for us all. Sorry you’re having a tough time at the moment and that you’ll miss Eroticon. I hope there is some birthday joy this weekend and that the next decade brings you all the glitter dust you so rightly deserve. Xx

Me by Exhibit A

Eroticon Meet & Greet

Name 
You can call me Exposing 40 if you like, but I’m just as happy with you calling me Catherine. On Twitter I’m @Exposing40

What are you hoping to get out of Eroticon 2017?
Laughing and learning! I am a social butterfly and there are so many people going who I already love and can’t wait to catch up with, plus many more I am super-excited to meet, that one of the best bits will just be hanging out with cool people. But I can’t wait for some of the sessions too!

This year’s schedule at Eroticon is pretty full on but which four sessions do you already have marked down as ones you want to attend?
I am a dyed-in-the-wool planner so the idea of winging it strikes fear into my heart. I also have eight ‘must do’ talks on my list and will miss some because of clashes…but here are my top four!

• Sex Blogging as Feminism and Social Justice: Sarah Brynn Holliday
• History of Erotic Writing and Obscenity in Britain: Kate Lister (and ideally the Sunday morning one too, but let’s see how many ‘one for the ditch’ wines I have on Saturday night!)
• Undressing Disability: Emily Rose Yates
• How to use your blog to educate: Emmeline Peaches, Formidable Femme, Hot Octopuss

Oh, and even though I don’t write erotic fiction and can’t draw to save my life I will be at Malin and Tabitha’s talks as a silent cheerleader going ‘aren’t they awesome?!’.

Tell us one thing about yourself that not many people know?
I once did a skydive with two broken arms. The arms were broken a couple of weeks earlier when I was thrown from a horse. I had got back on the horse to carry on the trek but after a couple of miles my arms really hurt.  I also once got on a horse and rolled straight off the other side, but that’s another story. These anecdotes reveal quite a lot about me…

If you made the papers, what would the headline be?
Naked woman found in a ditch wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.

If you could have one skill for free (I.e. without practice/time/effort) what would it be?
I would have a voice like Bonnie Tyler and would endlessly strut around MASSIVE stages singing power ballads. And there would be fireworks.

I love it when…
…the plane touches down! New country or home sweet home, both feelings are equally delightful.

Visit the virtual meet and greet to find out who else will be at Eroticon 2017!

Thoughtful

A quiet moment. 

Me by The Photographer

 

Random Leg Shot

“There’ll come a point in the month where I’ll have to wheel out some random leg shots.” Me.

There are some new photos from yesterday to edit, hopefully more with this chap at some point this week, and this gorgeous woman is flying into the country just in time to get in on the February Photofest action. So I definitely haven’t lost the love for this challenge! But on this slightly fuzzy headed Monday I’ve decided to have a little breather by wheeling out a random leg shot…

Self Portrait