Bri Horne (pictured above) refers to herself as an intuitive photographer and it is this ability to connect and tap into her intuition that has become her guiding force in life. On first meeting Bri I was drawn to her soft and gentle nature but over time I noticed a deep inner wisdom and strong sense of self that defies her age.

Bri is not drawn into the busyness or the need to acquire that is so prevalent in today'‘s world. She has learnt to live life to the beat of her own drum, at her own pace and in doing so trusts that this is what she and our future world needs.

There is so much wisdom here, please read on …

Tell us about your career so far and when you decided to become a photographer?

Mmmm … what a journey it’s been. I think I’d describe my career so far as being a slow, intentional unfurling - as a human and as an artist. A collection of moments of feeling lost, followed up by many moments of re-remembering to move from my mind back into my heart, trusting the wisdom that resides there, and using the little nudges from within, to take the next little step.

I remember feeling super lost after finishing my degree in 2016. I completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in theatre and minoring in performance. I knew the timing didn’t feel right to pursue a career in theatre or performance, the spark wasn’t there for me. The spark that was there for me was using my creativity, my passion, my sensitivity to contribute to the planet and to humanity in a meaningful and purposeful way.

I was practicing photography for fun, working as a lifeguard and duty supervisor at a sports centre, doing some volunteer storytelling work for Take 3 for the Sea. I’ve always been quite aware of my internal world but this period after finishing uni was a real phase of self exploration. Finding and practicing yoga, reading, writing a lot, unfurling, trying to remember that there’s no rush to ‘figure my life out’.

“Now I honestly have never felt better. I know myself. I trust myself. I don’t feel a need to force anything.”

My first paid photography gig was with my local yoga studio at the time - 432 Yoga. The beautiful Sally, who is actually now a peninsula local as well, thought that I took nice photos and asked me to take some for the studio. I think I’ll always remember this feeling. It felt so nice and supportive to have someone who I look up to believe in me. It really opened my eyes to what might be possible.

I went on to part participate, part photograph the incredible Kate Nelson’s (Plastic Free Mermaid) sailing retreat in Fiji. That was such a powerful experience, a rite of passage perhaps. I continued working at the sports centre, slowly building connections and a photography portfolio and taking on some social media storytelling clients too.

In short, the past six years has been quite slow and a natural experience of being lead by purpose, trust and my heart. Now I honestly have never felt better. I know myself. I trust myself. I don’t feel a need to force anything. Ahhhh it feels like such a relief after the many many many moments/periods of self doubt, unease, anxiety, feeling lost. Thank you for allowing me this moment of perspective, Di.

You have such a deep connection to nature, what do you think has inspired this?

Growing up on Wurundjeri Country in the Dandenong Ranges, I think that deep connection has always been there. I’ve always spent a lot of time outdoors going camping, going for walks and swimming in the ocean.

I guess as well, having grown up in very close proximity to mental illness, spending time in nature has always instinctively been a way that I’ve processed my emotions and regulated my nervous system. I wouldn’t have had the language for that as a child and a teenager. But looking back now that’s definitely a huge part of why and how I’ve developed this deep connection to nature which is quite beautiful, I think.

In more recent years, since moving to Rye in 2018, my connection to the natural world has only deepened. I don’t think I’ll ever not be completely in awe of the beauty, the wild, the wisdom of the nature that surrounds us. It can be easy to get lost in the chaos of life as a human in this time in history. Being in nature allows me to come back to the natural pace of the world, and to the truth that what I see within nature also exists within me. We are all one.

You describe yourself as an intuitive photographer. Can you explain what this means and how you go about your work?

I suppose there’s a few ways the word ‘intuitive’ might be interpreted. All that I do is guided by my intuition. I am a highly sensitive person and an empath. I’m extremely in tune with my senses, with my body, with the natural world and with the divine. This flows into my photography and into my business. How could it not? From a business perspective, I feel this is the way forward. Of course, the mind is wonderful in it’s own way, and is always going to be there and there’s a bunch of unconditioning still to be addressed. But I try as much as possible to lead from my intuition, from my heart.

I feel we all have such wisdom within us, innate gifts, and for the most part, we’re living in a society that doesn’t really respect this. Greed and unsustainable growth and extraction and pace and more more more is respected. But yikes, we all know there’s no more time for that bullshite.

So this way of working, of living, of creating, is my contribution, I guess. It’s going to look different for everyone, because all of our gifts are different. And I see the intuition as a compass into this glorious, unique trail. Firstly, to figure out what actually are my innate gifts. What comes naturally to me. What makes me, me. And then to continue taking the next step, guided by the intuitive compass, the inner knowing. From a place of love. As love. For the sake of humanity.

What is your favourite field of photography?

That’s a tricky one. Landscape photography has such a special place in my heart. It’s such an embodied experience of union and solitude with self and nature.

I absolutely love capturing like-minded humans. I live for those connections and to be able to use my gifts in a way that helps their gifts flourish and be seen. Our shoot for Aeaea (pictured above) with the divine Hannah Nowlan will forever be a fave. When it all feels aligned, that is when I am the most zesty and fulfilled. My most recent shoot was with Hayden Calnin, a lovely and talented local musician. That was super special. It’s such a delight working with other creatives and artists.

You have recently held an outdoor exhibition at Pearses Beach on the Mornington Peninsula. Can you please describe this body of work and what inspired them?

Yes. I had my first exhibition, COMING HOME, in April/May as part of O_C_E_A_N, which was one of the keynote projects in the Drift Arts Festival put on by the shire. It was such an incredible experience.

COMING HOME is a body of five landscape photographs, all created within five kilometres of home, during a five week period of living alone, during one of the first big lock downs in 2020.

I had never spent that much time by myself and, of course, being in lock down, it was a whole different ball game not having any family or friends within my radius. So I really leaned on my creativity and time in nature as a daily practice. I was going out every evening at sunset, sitting in stillness, capturing the beauty that surrounded me. I learnt so much about myself just by witnessing and watching the cycles and rhythms come and go.

The experience of that time when these works were created was a coming home. A coming home to self, to nature, to solitude. With the exhibition I wanted the experience of viewing the works to offer a coming home to the folks who came through. To be honest and … maybe I shouldn’t say this … but for me it was more about facilitating an experience of connecting back to nature and to self, as opposed to viewing/exhibiting my works. I mean. that was a glorious experience of learning to take up space as an artist but wowee, the moments I witnessed and were shared with me the experiences of deep connection and reflection will forever be etched into my heart.

“I’m in a real state of magnetism right now. I trust very deeply that whatever is meant will unfurl and be delicious and beautiful and fulfilling.”

Do you have a vision of your career in the future? What would be your dream?

I have little hints. For the most part what feels most exciting for me is not knowing where I’ll go and what I’ll create.. I’m in a real state of magnetism right now. I trust very deeply that whatever is meant will unfurl and be delicious and beautiful and fulfilling.

But I also do have a couple of dreams, ha. I’d love to create a book of poetry and photography. I’d love to write a novel one day. I’d love to continue capturing incredible change-making humans! At the core, I’d love to continue living in a beautiful, cyclical way that feels inspired and abundant and supportive for my nervous system. I think this looks like continuing to create bodies of work and exhibiting them in ways that feel aligned and purposeful.

What things do you like to place into your day for your health and well-being?

This ebbs and flows. At the moment, I’ve been getting up every morning at sunrise - heading down to the ocean with a cup of tea, walking, meditating, journaling. It’s been a super supportive practice. Breath work is a consistent practice I do - from guided classes with the divine Uma Neave Spender, to constantly coming back to my breath throughout the day. Living in tune with the moon and with my menstrual cycle is a daily practice that feels vital to my health and well being.

I also love the little material things that enliven my senses and support my energetic health. My candles, essential oils, sage, and I love my Nunchi mood spray and body oil. These special things bring a sense of ritual and pleasure to my life which for me, is so lovely and supportive.

Explore Bri’s photography | www.brihorne.com

AN INTUITIVE VIEW THROUGH THE LENSE