I am so excited to bring you this raw, natural session with Belle Lyons.

Belle is a beautiful, gentle & creatively driven soul with natural talents in design & art. Being around her feels spacious, & I am so happy we have met since I moved to the coast.

Fresh out of high school, she reminds me of myself in this chapter, with the world in front of her. What I admire most about Belle is her high level of self-awareness, in being able to see that she wanted to take the year to explore rather than rushing into studies / the future. I was not able to give myself this kind of space to feel things out at the age of 19. I had already dropped out of uni, & was already onto the next thing, searching for myself in the world as I had been taught.

Belle & I met at my house the morning of the shoot (we live one minute from each other, oh the joy of small town beach life) & walked down to the beach at sunrise. I just snapped whatever Belle expressed & I went for a much different edit than I normally do, giving the photos an untouched quality to suit belle’s gentle spirit.

I truly hope you enjoy this breath of fresh air, she has such a beautiful outlook. I am excited to watch her journey.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I am still growing up! My dream was always a hybrid of environmentalist, interior designer, national parks ranger, politician and getaway host. However I always had a stronger calling to interior design.

3 words to describe your now-season?

Transitional, fresh & passion.

What is it that inspires your creations/practice/ or just inspires you generally?

Generally coming away from a talk with a complete stranger inspires me. I learnt from an early age that no matter who you are everyone is dealing with their own issues, the way people can overcome these and still go on to do amazing mind blowing things inspires me. Never pass up an opportunity to get to know someone on a deeper level because I can guarantee you will leave the conversation enlightened and enriched.

5 words to describe YOU?

Driven, Excitable, Complex, Creative and Quirky.

What most people wouldn’t really know about you?

Since 3 my favourite number is three. I have a great memory, which I use to retain facts. My middle name is Hazel: after my free spirited, hippy Irish grandmother's mother. Oooh and i have freckles on my knees.

What lights you up?

The Sun, I have always believed that I am solar powered. I need to feel the warmth of the rays on my skin. A few days of cloud causes me to feel trapped and detached.

Do you manage a day-job-hustle? How do you find that balance?

It's my first year of the day job hustle so I am still learning. I am very lucky to work with some of the most wonderful women that share their knowledge on this topic. I also made a promise to myself at the start of the year to make a connection to the beach everyday, whether it's a morning swim, lunch in the sand or an afternoon beach run.

Where are you being called towards in future?

I definitely see movement in my future, somewhere to quench my thirst for knowledge. I love to have a deep understanding of the world and how everything works, to satisfy this motion between places is needed.

Anything you are working on within yourself right now?

At the moment I am focusing on fluidity in life. Meaning I am learning to trust what life has in store for me. Slowing down to enjoy the passion in life and put it before anything else.

What is most coming forward / blooming within you currently? Life is too short. Too short to be in a job you hate, too short to hang out with people that suck, too short to go with the crowd. Life is too short not to speak the truth and not go after what gives you happiness - start living before you're longing

A little piece of advice for anyone following the non-linear whispers of their heart in this linear world?

Don't underestimate the power of one person. One person has the ability to completely change the course of your life. They have been placed in your life for a reason, find out what it is & don't let the past hold you back.