Teena’s Aniseed Valley Empowerment Experience

Spring mornings in Nelson can be unpredictable — sunshine one minute, wild wind and rain the next — and Teena’s empowerment experience in Aniseed Valley was exactly that: a little bit of everything. The shifting weather mirrored her energy beautifully, a balance of strength and vulnerability that unfolded moment by moment.

Teena came to her empowerment photoshoot to celebrate a milestone birthday and honour her journey through motherhood. At first, she was a little nervous — which is completely normal — but by the end, she was radiating confidence and power. “Bad bitch energy” doesn’t even begin to cover it.

We started gently, leaning into soft light and fluid movement. Then, as the clouds rolled in and the mood deepened, the images grew bolder and stronger — full of contrast and emotion. Using nothing but a sheer Kmart curtain in the river, we created something that felt ethereal and powerful all at once, like modern-day Ophelia vibes meeting fierce feminine energy.

The most unforgettable part? Teena braving the cold river, stripping herself bare in every sense of the word. She gave everything — emotionally and physically — and it shows. The photos from those final moments are raw, unapologetic, and breathtaking.

This is what an empowerment experience is truly about: celebrating who you are, in every phase and form. It’s about seeing your own beauty, your strength, your story — and letting it shine through.

Every woman deserves to feel like this. To feel powerful, seen, and completely herself.