Float Seattle: Sensory Deprivation Tank and Float Spa Photoshoot
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of joining some friends and fellow Seattle creatives for a photoshoot at Float Seattle.  I had never floated before but to be honest have always been interested in trying it! The thought of having full sensory deprivation in a dark tank full of warm salt water, I must admit, sounds a bit terrifying but also interesting enough for me to give it a shot! Our busy lives in the hustle and bustle of the city can be a bit hectic so getting a chance to just relax, have fun shooting, and be creative with like-minded individuals sounded like heaven.Â
Upon arriving at Float Seattle, I was not sure what to expect! The tanks seemed like something out of an Alien movie – like incubating embryos of which, the colorful changing lights only added to the very futuristic vibe. The event was hosted by a local group of creatives called Collective Sway – an organization that connects photographers, models, bloggers, stylists, and videographers and brings them to unique locations to shoot, be creative, network, and simply produce content.
I was a bit nervous at first but once in the tank, I laid back and to my surprise easily floated with little to no effort. My whole life I have struggled floating on my back and never really understood why people found it was relaxing…until now. The tanks are not deep (probably only 1 foot), so it was certainly not as intimidating as I thought. A quick google search can tell you that there are “roughly 850 pounds of epsom salt and 200 gallons of water in an average sized float tank”. With salinity this high, no microorganisms are able to survive, so they are in fact quite sanitary.
After floating for a few minutes, I must admit I was feeling very relaxed. Mind you, this was a photoshoot, so I did not get the entire sensory deprivation experience, but I loved feeling weightless in the warm water. The epsom salt was definitely relaxing my sore muscles and making my skin quite soft over the course of the evening as well. One thing I’d say though, is to try VERY hard not to get the salt water on your face or in your mouth. It’s quite bitter to the taste, and will sting your eyes, so overall just try to avoid it!
My evening at Float Seattle was everything I imagined and more! I of course love shooting with other creatives and getting to meet people in the photography/modeling/blogging world, but I also loved trying out something new! As mentioned above, I had always wanted to try float tanks, and have heard a lot about them from various people in my life and online. As scary as they may sound, they are actually very relaxing and I loved the overall experience! The lids do not latch closed, so don’t be worried about getting locked in. The temperature of the water is a familiar 93.5 degrees – that of your body heat, so you really do feel weightless and start to forget you are even in the water. I’d recommend making a reservation ahead of time, as this place can really book up! I am already making plans for my next visit so I can get the whole experience and take an hour to myself to just float and relax.
Enjoy these incredible photos below taken at the event. All rights go to the respected photographers.
xo,
Colleen
follow me on Instagram @itscolleenk to keep up with my daily posts.
Location/Organization
@floatseattle http://www.floatseattle.com/book-your-float
