Episode 8: You are Art with Danika of Flesh & Flora Photography
Ari interviews queer, non-binary Photographer Danika (she/they) of Flesh and Flora Photography in Denton, TX. As a trauma-informed Erotic Portrait Artist, Danika captures raw and erotically-charged moments for clients and help them heal in the process. Danika talks about their start as a nature photographer, how unseen chronic illness affects them, and answers Burning Questions like:
What it’s like to create aesthetically-driven pornography
The benefits of shooting people embodying their sensuality and sexuality
How they establish boundaries during intimate photo sessions
The power and anxiety that comes from capturing vulnerable moments of others on camera
How to create a space to take your best sensual photos
Listen Here
Editor’s Note: We forgot to ask Danika bout their best orgasm (oops!) follow their work to get a vibe.
Leave ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ at Apple Podcasts // Listen on Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts
Stream & share the SensuElle Podcast here!
Subscribe to The SensuElle Newsletter
Follow The SensuElle Podcast and Ari on Instagram
Featured in this Episode
Danika
Photographer & Trauma-Informed Erotic Artist
About our Guest: Danika owns Flesh & Flora Photography and is a queer, nonbinary artist who aims to capture people and lovers in their most pure and raw forms. They are trauma informed and use a somatic approach to document clients through erotic and intimate portraiture.
Danika is based in Denton, Texas.
Pronouns: She/They
More from Danika: Check out Danika’s Trauma-informed background in this article Coming Home to Your Body After a Photographer has Hurt You
Follow Danika: Danika/Flesh & Flora: Site // Instagram // Twitter | Farrah (NSFW): Farrah’s Instagram // Farrah’s Twitter
Resources, Tangents, & Mentions:
Rosa Lee Bloom ’strap’ photoshoot (NSFW)
Floggers - get %10 off with code SENSUELLE at SexologyShop.com
Danika’s Photoshoot with Tula Moore, Chola Magnolia, & Birdie Holly
“Female Death Grip” Reddit Thread
Sex Ed // Definitions:
Somatic - a group of alternative medicine approaches, experiential movement disciplines, and dance techniques. In relation to psychology, it’s a form of alternative therapy aimed at relieving the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental and physical trauma-related health problems by focusing on the client's perceived body sensations. It was developed by trauma therapist Peter A. Levine. — from Wikipedia
Trauma-Informed - Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) understands and considers the pervasive nature of trauma and promotes environments of healing and recovery rather than practices and services that may inadvertently re-traumatize. — from University of Buffalo
Polyamory - a relationship style that allows people to openly conduct multiple sexual and/or romantic relationships simultaneously, ideally with the knowledge and CONSENT of all involved in or affected by the relationships. Polyamory is just one of the ways to practice consensual non-monogamy or CNM. — from PsychologyToday
The Male Gaze - is the act of depicting women and the world, in the visual arts[1] and in literature,[2] from a masculine, heterosexual perspective that presents and represents women as sexual objects for the pleasure of the heterosexual male viewer — From Wikipedia.org
Scopophilia and Voyeurism - Formerly known as Voyeurism in DSM-IV, this disorder refers to (for over a period of at least 6 months) having recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving the act of observing an unsuspecting person who is naked, in the process of disrobing, or engaging in sexual activity. The person being considered for this disorder, in some way, has acted on these urges towards a nonconsenting person, or the sexual fantasies/urges cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. — from Research Gate
Flogger - An implement used to strike a person, consisting of a handle with multiple lashes attached to it. The lashes are typically made of leather, but may also be made of materials such as rope, suede, horsehair, or even Koosh balls. — from BDSM Glossary
Death Grip / Death-Grip Syndrome - Decreased sensitivity due to frequent masturbation that often involves loss of sensation from vibrating toys. — from Reddit
Sources // Further Reading:
Danika’s Blog
7 Different Kinds of Non-Monogamy — Psychology Today
The Male Gaze Wiki
“Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema” by Laura Mulvey — from ASU (1975)
Are women still objectified? | Laura Mulvey Male Gaze theory explained! — The Media Insider on Youtube
How the MALE GAZE changed The Queen's Gambit — Robert Macfarlane on Youtube
What is the Male Gaze? Definition and Examples in Film — Studio Binder
Explainer: what does the ‘male gaze’ mean, and what about a female gaze? — The Conversation
Voyeurism and Scopophilia — Research Gate
How to use a Flogger — YouTube
Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good — Adrienne Marie Brown
Death Grip Syndrome Wiki