I feel like we are living in a time where the need to create fresh aesthetically pleasing content for our instagram feeds is more important than sharing our meaningfully curated portfolio. I see professionals in my sector working around the clock, travelling thousands of kilometres several times a year to create off-the-grid content. Then I see newbies in the industry following suit. There is this lingering sensation of a race being ran, the need to stay one step ahead, better, bolder, more unique, or the inevitable could happen - low engagement.

As we are slowly becoming more conscious of the impact our diet has on the environment, spending our money to vote for what we believe in and recognising time as our most valuable resource, I feel we have conveniently turned a blind eye to the impact our work styles have on the environment. Flights are being caught as frequently as one used to catch the bus, and travelling to the other side of the world for short stays has become normal.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe we should all have the opportunity of experiencing and exploring our extraordinary planet and I recognise that getting out of our comfort zone can bring incredible people into our lives, can broaden our understanding of the world which enables us to grow and ultimately become a better version of ourselves. All these positive factors are inevitably going to make our work better. However, as with anything in this world, balance is essential, And being on the go constantly is exhausting, which can prevent us from fully valuing the experience.

I have thought about this need to #exploretocreate, this idea that traveling to new locations, produces better work, and I can’t say that I agree. Distinct work definitely, but it only possibly feels better due to exploring the unknown.

When you have less to work with, you actually begin to see the world differently. With constraints, you dedicate your mental energy to acting more resourcefully. People who invent new products or launch unconventional ideas are often inspired by their constraints. They are not limited by what they don't have or can't do. They leverage their limitations to even push themselves further.

-Thomas Oppong, founder of AllTopStartups

So could this need to travel to the world’s more breathtaking locations to shoot/design a styled shoot with infinite possibilities be preventing us from unlocking our most unique work? Is it really necessary for us to release so much carbon into the atmosphere for that viral instagram shot? Maybe, traveling should be left for; real adventures, self exploration, connecting with nature, learning new languages, immersing ourselves in the local culture and making a positive impact in the world.

As a new decade unfolds, I am looking back at some of the designs I have created for my beautiful couples, intentional and intuitive creations that align with the natural setting and the one of kind relationships I get the opportunity of stepping into.

Photographer | Joy Zamora & The Kitcheners |

Ceremony

vows exchanged in the midst of nature

Florals

Wild, sacred & earthy

Lighting

shimmering, magical, dreamy ambiences

Cakes

fresh flavours and healthy alternatives

Tables

bohemian al-fresco dining

Food & Drink

local, seasonal, regenerative & wholesome

Travel less, travel better

Don’t share/tag locations
Let’s maintain some of our worlds breathtaking wilderness for flora and fauna to thrive, and for the locals to enjoy. If you are asked to share locations, you can reply by saying - location scouting is part of the creative process
Try to fly direct
Taking off releases the most carbon emissions into the atmosphere
Set a limit to the number of km’s you travel per year by planning ahead and thinking about which destinations you would like to explore in advance
Every year Jose and I travel to one far away destination, this year we chose Costa Rica, because Jose's first wedding of the season was in Puerto Rico. When travelling, we spend as much time as possible in one place to immerse ourselves in the local culture, to learn about their way of life and to recharge
Carbon Offsetting isn’t as efficient as not taking flights, but it’s definitely better than nothing
At the end of this season I donated 50€ to for the flights taken for our wedding in Mallorca and the km’s driven for this seasons weddings

I would like to add that all of the above designs were created in my home region of Andalusia, apart from one which was created during my holiday in Bali last year. I hope they inspire you to use your local setting as the basis of your creations. Weddings like this were not being created in Andalusia when I started my business, I saw the potential and persisted with my ideas. Our craft is an extension of us and when we create from the soul, I believe it really shows

Slow design