Interiors Photography by Ruth Ribeaucourt

A storyteller who captivates with her heartfelt, soulful photos

I’m forever smitten by fellow photographers that I deem to be far more creative than I in their photographic approach - their journey and life experiences took different turns and twists which created a far different visual story from my own. I’ve always viewed photography as an art form, similar to painting or sculpture, so why shouldn’t the expression be different from photographer to photographer as well?

Photos: Ruth Ribeaucourt

Thing is, I’m often hard on myself, but isn’t every creator? This is how we grow and evolve in our work. We edit, we seek, we self-condemn a little and we seek out those who inspire us and allow them to fire us up again during those windows of pause or hesitance, when we’ve lost passion or lack motivation.

I believe that when we look at someone else’s work and think, “I wish my work was as good!”, this is a clear sign to get back to work only with new goals. Like my friend Paige recently said on her new YouTube channel about product design (she’s trying a new career path),

“It may be time to climb a new mountain.”

When we feel uninspired by our own work then it may be time to find a muse, take a workshop, try a new approach, or change your direction totally. Or just have a glass of wine and a good night’s rest. (wink)

Photo: Ruth Ribeaucourt

Photo: Ruth Ribeaucourt

I’ve been active in the online space as a photographer for many years, even before I became a photographer. I didn’t start using the title, “Photographer” until around 2019 or so. I had trained for many years and by then, I felt ready to use the title since I’d earned it not by degree, but by life experience and since I was being paid to take photos - which is supposedly the official way you know you are a photographer or a writer - when you are paid or published.

I digress.

Anyway, it’s easy to forget that our styling and photos can and should be very different from what others are doing since they are creations of a single person and their viewpoint - our own.

The thing is, in a world overloaded with filters, presets, and loads of amateurs copying the styles of those they love, we often lose sight of how unique photography can and should be. I slowly witnessed through the rise of Instagram, that originality dim, one “look” become everyone’s “look”, nothing feeling quite as special or unique anymore.

and yet…

Photos: Ruth Ribeaucourt

There exists thousands of exceptions of flowers growing through the cracks of all the sameness out there. While millions just copy and paste what they see and call it there own, the originals still exist and those people are my creative fuel, the OGs, the creative rock stars. They show you that photography can still be magical, breathtaking, unique, soul-griping, gut-wrenching, love-infused, rich.

Photos: Ruth Ribeaucourt

Which brings me to introducing the multi-passionate creator Ruth Ribeaucourt, originally from Ireland living in the South of France, whom I reached out to after discovering her magazine over at SFGirlbyBay written by my friend Victoria Smith. Ruth told me she knew me from my books, so an instant connection was formed.

Ruth is an exceptional photographer. She’s also a storyteller, shop owner, retreat founder, workshop leader, journalist, and the founder of the new-ish FAIRE magazine. A woman of many hats like me, and most likely, you as well. An expat too - of which I can relate - a native English speaker living abroad in a foreign language, new culture, who built a life in spite of the odds and became a success story by doing what she loves.

Photos: Ruth Ribeaucourt

I hope that you’ll take a look at her website and also, check out the projects and many other beautiful things that she does, including her upcoming Storyteller retreat in the south of France targeting creatives who wish to captivate through beautiful stories told visually, through their photographic and styling work.

Photos: Ruth Ribeaucourt

It’s truly captivating to witness Ruth's artistic endeavors. Personally, I have been engrossed in her work, drawing immense inspiration from it during the past few days since its discovery. Getting my hands on a copy of FAIRE magazine is a must for me, as it exudes a delightful charm reminiscent of the days I cherished with HOLLY magazine and my own ventures in publishing. The longing for that cherished past and contemplations about self-funding an independent endeavor, detached from a colossal international publishing house, often occupy my thoughts…

Regrettably, my previous publishing venture encountered a tragic twist as the pandemic struck, forcing my publisher to pull the magazine just when it was gaining momentum and establishing a devoted readership. The loss of this dream was truly heart-wrenching, but such is the nature of dreams; there are always myriad others waiting to be explored. Perhaps, in the future, I may once again venture into creating something delightful within the realm of a magazine format. Only time will reveal what lies ahead. For now, I want to write book #5 plus we can revel in the existence of FAIRE and other such indie mags crafted for our paper-loving pleasure.

I believe that print media can and will endure and even experience a resurgence. There remains a substantial audience that yearns for the tangible allure of a well-crafted magazine or book, and this enduring desire will undoubtedly preserve the timeless appeal of print for years to come, especially since the online realm is growing in all directions and feels impossible to truly “grasp”. A magazine is something you can start and end, which feels like a gift nowadays.

Love,
Holly