Capturing the Spirit of ALMÁR 369: a journey into spiritual photography
Somewhere during the summer of 2023, I received a message from my cousin Kyra, one of the founders of Almár 369. She asked if I could take photos for her company’s social profiles, alongside her friend and business partner, Aylene. By this point, I had become fairly confident in my personal photography, and the opportunity to use my skills for more professional purposes — especially for someone dear to me — filled me with excitement. I had in fact been daydreaming about taking on a professional shoot, and so Kyra’s request couldn’t have come at a better moment. It felt like a wonderful surprise and gift.
Speaking of professional experience, during the COVID lockdowns, I found myself behind the camera at Rumors Vintage & Design in Amsterdam. With the shop closed to customers, I transitioned from shop assistant to an impromptu photographer, tasked with creating content for the store’s webshop. Being trusted with the role of photographer brought me immense joy. However, at the time, I was still completing my studies in Art History, and hadn’t yet recognised just how deeply I loved photography — or that it could one day become a career path.
This time, the experience felt entirely different. When Kyra reached out, I already knew how much I loved photography and was eager to embrace the opportunity. This shoot for ALMÁR 369 carried a deeper sense of purpose and intentionality, allowing me to approach my craft with newfound clarity and connection. Beyond the joy of the creative process, it was lovely to work on something that represented not only Kyra and Aylene but also their shared vision for ALMÁR.
ALMÁR focusses on mindset and spiritual coaching, both through courses, group sessions and their YouTube channel. The shoot’s primary purpose was to authentically represent Kyra and Aylene, capturing the energy and values that underpin their work. In many ways, the opportunity felt like a manifestation of its own, aligning perfectly with one of the themes of ALMÁR: postive manifestation. It could almost be called a full-circle moment.
We all loved the idea of conducting the shoot in nature, a setting that feels inherently spiritual to all three of us. Roermond, their hometown and my birthplace, still has an abundance of beautiful natural spaces, making it easy to find the perfect location. Ultimately, we chose a forest in Heythuysen. Its serene, sunlit clearings, dense wooded areas, and a tranquil little lake offered a variety of landscapes that was perfect for a shoot like this. It was a beautiful and inspiring space to create.
As the shoot progressed, our ideas flowed naturally, emerging in harmony with the landscape. Together, we explored ways to utilize each setting, envisioning poses that reflected the company’s ethos. I aimed to make every frame convey a sense of connection and presence. Each shot became more than just a photograph; it felt like a meditation, a moment of alignment with the energy of the environment and the spirit of ALMÁR’s vision. This shoot wasn’t just about capturing their physical likeness; it was about embodying the intangible qualities they represent: their warmth, authenticity, the purpose that fuels their work, and, last but not least, their humour too.
Fortunately, we were aligned in our approach, which made the process feel seamless and deeply collaborative. As the afternoon unfolded, Kyra and Aylene grew more confident and natural in front of the camera, and I found myself sinking further into the role of photographer. The experience felt both spiritual, relaxed and fun — carried by a creative flow that seemed to guide all three of us. The result was a collection of photos that resonated with ALMÁR’s message and purpose. I believe we were all happy with how it turned out.
