Lights, camera, feminism! Buckle up, fellow viewers, because this week’s cinematic journey takes us on a wild ride through the vast and vibrant landscape of feminist filmmaking. Forget the tired clichés and worn-out stereotypes; it's time to celebrate the refreshing wave of shows that dare to break the mold and redefine what it means to portray women on screen.

In a world where female characters often blend into the background or adhere to societal expectations, a breath of fresh air emerges in the form of shows like Fleabag, Insecure, I Love Dick, and Take My Wife. These gems not only challenge biases but also dive headfirst into a kaleidoscope of diverse experiences, serving up a delightful blend of pain, humor, and nuanced relationships.

Picture this: a symphony of characters, each wielding their unique feminist powers. From Fleabag's razor-sharp wit to the unapologetic authenticity of Insecure, these shows refuse to be pigeonholed. They don't fit into a single, neatly packaged descriptive line; they're rebellious, they're complex, and they're unafraid to shatter stereotypes.

As I pondered the impact of each show, I stumbled upon a revelation: trying to encapsulate their feminist essence in a mere sentence is a fool's errand. These shows defy categorization because their strength lies in their refusal to conform. They puncture through the fabric of media by simply existing outside the confines of stereotypes, showcasing the raw, unfiltered lives of diverse women from all walks of life.

Roxane Gay once said, “We need pop culture that demonstrates not only the ways people are different but also the way we are very much alike.” And oh girl, do these shows deliver! Through authentic performances that span races, ages, shapes, and sexual preferences, they weave a tapestry of inclusivity. In each character, there's a piece of relatability—a mirror reflecting aspects of our own lives.

It's not just about showcasing diversity for the sake of it; it's about building an inclusive feminism that transcends individual experiences. The more we immerse ourselves in these varied narratives, the closer we get to constructing a feminist movement that resonates with all—regardless of gender.

It's time to cheer on this cinematic revolution, to celebrate the rebellious spirits of these shows that challenge the norm, and to embrace the multifaceted nature of women's experiences. So, grab your popcorn and settle in—because these shows aren't just entertainment; they're a rallying cry for an inclusive, diverse, and unstoppable feminist future.

There’s a reason American Photo named Christian Oth one of the world’s ten best wedding photographers: His experience in fashion, photojournalism, portraiture, advertising, and still life combines into a singular method that has come to define the aesthetic of contemporary wedding photography. For more than a decade, Christian’s authentic, evocative approach to shooting a couple’s wedding has refined the discipline into an art-form—a process that continues to evolve with every client. “My photographers and I have a darting eye that’s constantly scanning the room. But we don’t walk in with preconceived notions. I like to come up with new shots, to open up to new visual stimulation. It’s out there if you know where to look.”

Christian established his namesake studio in 2005, beginning with a space on Seventh Avenue in Chelsea and, as business grew, moving to the studio’s current location in 2011. But it was really in 2002 that Christian first pointed his lens at the subject of weddings, initially for an intimate group of friends and then for New York City at large as the appeal of his unique style gained momentum.

As a high schooler growing up in South Africa, Christian’s love for photography started at the age of 16, although it wasn’t until he arrived in New York City at 19 that Christian met professional photographers and began taking classes at their encouragement. “I just wanted to do it—I felt like I should be a photographer. Once you start seeing the world in pictures, you frame things with your eyes with a higher consciousness of your surroundings. I love that I can see things in a certain way, whether I have a camera or not.”

Imagine you’re enjoying a vacation on the Outer Banks, soaking up the sun and taking in the ocean view. Off in the distance, you see something incredible. — A massive figure gliding through the water that could only be a whale. That’s right! Whale sightings, while rare, do happen on the OBX.

An Experience of a Lifetime:

Just last month, a family staying at Les Dunes experienced the most awe-inspiring events. Over the course of their vacation, they spotted two different species of whale. Right outside their back door were a humpback and a rare North Atlantic right whale. While humpbacks are the species most commonly sighted off of the Outer Banks, the North Atlantic right whale is another story. With only 356 individuals remaining in the wild, right whales are critically endangered.

Meet Salem, the North Atlantic Right Whale:

Understanding the immense significance of seeing these amazing creatures, the family reported the sightings using the Whale Alert app, which then prompted a few calls and emails with a North Atlantic Right Whale Project coordinator in Florida. The researcher on this individual animal shared some incredible information with the family:

“The whale’s name is Salem. He’s an adult male born in 2006. He was born in the water off of Florida’s east coast in November 2006 (first sighting as a calf). His mother’s name is “Silt”, she’s about 40yrs old, and is believed to still be living (last seen in 2021 with a new calf). Salem is believed to have 4 siblings. He spends his summers in the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia (Canada) and winters off of Florida. His last recorded sighting was in April 2021 in Cape Cod Bay. Right whales are currently experiencing an Unusual Mortality Event (UME), which means they are dying, mostly from ship strikes and fishing net entanglement, faster than they are being born (57 births and 92 deaths since 2017). If this trend can’t be reversed the Right whale could be extinct in the next 30-40 years.”

Helping Whales One Sighting at a Time:

The alert from this family, as well as the new imagery, are helping researchers track and learn more about these whales. When asked if we could share the incredible photos taken by this family, they only hoped that it could bring awareness to this serious situation.

They encourage all those that are willing and able to “Adopt a Right Whale” through the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life.

OBX Whale Crossing:

Every year around this time, three species cross our coast along the Outer Banks. Humpback, fin, and North Atlantic right whales all enjoy a summer in the north Atlantic and head south to warmer waters in the early days of winter. While sightings are infrequent, it is possible to spot them twice in one year. In the spring, they migrate northward once again. As conservation efforts continue to increase their numbers, we look forward to the day that these remarkable sightings are no longer once-in-a-lifetime experiences. But rather, we hope they become a beautiful tradition on the Outer Banks.