My 2023 Wrapped! ✨

Hello lovely people!

Welcome to my somewhat quarterly/ more frequent newsletter! Woooo, we’re back and this definitely is not attempt no.3 of doing something like this... 👀. Though this time I have the intention to; share a bit about me and my work (past and present), get connected with you and share some of my reflections and lessons I've learnt.

(Oh and maybe some exclusive offers! 🤩)

As we are in 2024 January and I feel like everyone was wrapping up last year in a bow thought I’d do the same with you and share some of my favourite photographs I took last year, talk about some events of 2023 both personal and work related then let you know what words I'm standing with for 2024.

1) Photographing Annie Lok's Workshop @ Siobhan Davies Dance Studios

2) 2023 was the year of *job applications* !!

My gosh, I have never been on so many mailing lists, noticeboards, hiring Instagram page- it was a non stop rotation, Mon-Sun checking multiple times a day, just relentless and a full time job in itself. I have been self employed for just over three years now (wow) and I am so proud of myself. Amongst my freelance work I have worked as a photographer, dancer, writer, administrator, facilitator and digital coordinator -many many hats! And I am so grateful l for each and every opportunities as it meant I had the chance to try, succeed and learn from it all and progress in a sector I love.

What I found myself needing was consistent income and at the time I wasn't able to secure that especially with my health taking a down turn, I had run myself ragged. Surviving not thriving. Trying to balance out taking great paying work, delayed payments from clients and taking more immediate lower paid jobs to make up for the loss. I did not want to do it anymore!! Thus, last year being the endless search and applying for part time work and not hearing back, so disheartening.. I worked super hard on crafting a solid CV and cover letters weekly, personalising them t fit the job criteria. The more I wrote and submitted application the better I got at narrowing down what kind of job I wanted and the more confident I felt in my ability and knowledge to do the jobs I was applying for. I have had (still often do have) really bad imposter syndrome and I've never felt like I know enough, or am good enough to to a job. And actually while I was applying for all these jobs someone said to me that woman tend not to apply for jobs if they feel they cant confidently do 80%+ of the job specification while male counterparts will apply for a role they can do with 30%-50% . All that said, its been a wild time filled with tears, fist pumps and intense hours spent over my lovely laptop and I am really starting to see what I can do, and I am super proud of that! And there is a job is round the corner I know it! I AM (more than) CAPABLE.

A discussion facilitated by Tarik Elmoutawakil with speakers Raquel Meseguer Zafe, Sho Shibata and Xan Dye.

3) Dance Umbrella & Independent Dance Panel Discussion: ReWorking Rhythms

Ahhhhh! I have been an event volunteer with Dance Umbrella for the last 5 years and this festival brings so much joy to me. Finding dance on your doorstep or a short train ride away blew my mind - I wish I found out about it sooner! End of 2022 I also had the chance to collaborate with Independent Dance (an organisation I've w wanted to get into for years too!) and this past year I have photographed four artist focussed events, one of which was this partnership event and of course my answer was yes!

Something I love about being a photographer in movement/dance spaces that are inclusive, welcoming and encourage an exchange of practices means its always a space of learning and nurturing. I love that I get to capture works of movement and process and hear the artists decipher what they do with excitement and glee in their eye. To view the panel discussion you can watch here.

4) Photography - Movement - Writing - Facilitation

My bread, butter and cheeseee! Things I find myself always coming back to in my work and practice. From these I can connect, play and capture those moment experiences for people that are creative, stress relieving and grounding.

Services I currently offer:

🌸Photography:

Documentary

Portraits

Commissions

🌸Movement:

Dancer/Improviser

Writer

Movement director

✨ If you think we could connect and/or work together send an email to chenwarner.creations@gmail.com !

Moving into 2024, my words of the year is security and roots, I am wanting to find this in work, life and interactions. To deepen those connections I have worked hard to build and nurture and find peace in them, I want to enjoy them and enjoy the fruits of my labour in emotional and financial safety. This is my year, and I am ready for it.

Thank you if you made it this far, I wish you a sweet sweet January.

Treat yourself,

Chen 🌻

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