From Runways to Remote Villages: Anne Menke’s Photography

02/27/25 • 51 min

at made this world-renowned photographer trade New York's fashion scene for a Mexican surf town?In this episode of "Came Here to Love," host Liz Logan connects with internationally acclaimed photographer Anne Menke, whose work spans high fashion editorials for Vogue, Sports Illustrated, and countless other prestigious publications. From her early days in Germany to becoming a sought-after fashion photographer, Menke shares her remarkable journey of following her passion with unwavering determination. Her work has taken her from the heights of fashion in Paris and New York to remote corners of the world, always capturing authentic beauty through her unique lens.

Now based in Sayulita, Mexico, Menke discusses her evolution from fast-paced fashion photographer to community builder and educator, co-founding the Costa Verde International School. She shares profound insights about slowing down, being present, and the importance of community in creative life. The conversation weaves through themes of cultural connection, authentic living, and the power of following one's dreams, offering listeners a masterclass in combining professional success with soulful purpose.

Anne Menke is an internationally acclaimed photographer who masterfully bridges the worlds of high fashion and bohemian travel, bringing her unique vision to editorial work for Vogue, Sports Illustrated, Elle, and numerous other prestigious publications. From shooting couture in the mountains of Peru to capturing beauty contests on Mongolian plains, her work exudes glamour while maintaining authenticity in far-flung locations. Born in Germany, with stints in London, Paris, and New York, Menke has shaped campaigns for major brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, and Ralph Lauren. Her published works include "Our New York" (2001) and "See The World Beautiful" (2012). She now resides in Mexico, where she continues to blend high fashion with cultural storytelling.
In this episode:

(00:00) Introduction to Anne Menke, Early Photography Passion & Cultural Learning
(03:47) Origins: Growing Up in Germany & Early Photography Dreams
(06:38) The Paris Years & Professional Evolution, Breaking Into Vogue & Career Milestones
(15:01) COVID's Impact & Life Lessons on Slowing Down
(22:11) Raising Three Boys in Mexico & Creating the Green School
(35:47) Thoughts on Community & Human Connection
(41:03) The Gift of Present Moment & Travel's Teaching
(47:03) Soul Essence & Living from Within
(48:11) Closing Thoughts on Love & Future Projects
Subscribe, like, and send us your comments and ideas for future episodes!

Resources:

Anne Menke Website

(00:00) Introduction to Anne Menke, Early Photography Passion & Cultural Learning
(03:47) Origins: Growing Up in Germany & Early Photography Dreams
(06:38) The Paris Years & Professional Evolution, Breaking Into Vogue & Career Milestones
(15:01) COVID's Impact & Life Lessons on Slowing Down
(22:11) Raising Three Boys in Mexico & Creating the Green School
(35:47) Thoughts on Community & Human Connection
(41:03) The Gift of Present Moment & Travel's Teaching
(47:03) Soul Essence & Living from Within
(48:11) Closing Thoughts on Love & Future Projects
Subscribe, like, and send us your comments and ideas for future episodes!

Resources:

Anne Menke Website

Previous Episode

Crafting Conscious Community: Brian Robertson's Psychedelic Church

Can radical acceptance be the key to both business success and personal transformation?In this episode of "Came Here to Love," host Liz Logan sits down with Brian Robertson, the creator of Holacracy, the world's most widespread framework for self-managed companies using decentralized power structures. Robertson has founded multiple successful organizations over three decades, including Holacracy One and GlassFrog. His latest venture is Ledgeway Sangha, a unique psychedelic church that focuses on creating mystics rather than priests, fostering direct experiences of love through sacred ceremonies and community healing.

The conversation weaves through Robertson's remarkable journey from successful tech entrepreneur to spiritual facilitator, including a powerful story about his relationship with his crack-addicted father that taught him profound lessons about unconditional acceptance. They explore topics ranging from sacred medicine and indigenous wisdom to conscious business leadership, discussing how inner work and radical acceptance can transform both personal relationships and organizational dynamics. The episode includes Robertson sharing his acclaimed poem "Knowing Love," which encapsulates his philosophy about love as the ultimate truth.

Brian Robertson is the creator of Holacracy, a widely adopted framework for self-managed companies that replaces traditional hierarchies with decentralized power structures. He founded HolacracyOne to help organizations unlock creativity and empower leadership. Additionally, Robertson founded GlassFrog, a software company that enhances organizational transparency and alignment. His passion for human potential is fueled by spirituality, which he often explores in talks and interviews blending business, management, and consciousness. His book, *Holacracy: The New Management System for a Rapidly Changing World*, has influenced tens of thousands of companies globally.

In this episode:

(00:00) Introduction to Brian Robertson, Creator of Holacracy, what we’re loving right now
(03:16) Brian's Work with Psychedelic Church, Introduction to Ledgeway Sangha and Its Mission
(06:45) Liz’s Background with Sacred Medicine and Indigenous Wisdom
(13:23) Brian's Journey from Business to Spiritual Leadership
(17:40) Profound Father-Son Story and Lessons in Acceptance
(23:23) A beautiful poem: Knowing Love
(30:11) Discussion on Sacred Ceremonies and Community
(37:58) Business Wisdom and Inner Work
(41:56) Perspectives on Past, Present, and Change
(48:26) Deep Reflections on Identity and Love
(52:32) Closing Words and Contact Information
Subscribe, like, and send us your comments and ideas for future episodes!

Resources:

Brian J Robertson LinkedIn

Ledgeway Sangha

Holacracy

Next Episode

The Great Adaptation: Zander Grashow's Vision for a Heart-Centered Future

“We need to figure out how people can be wrong, but not evil.” - Zander GrashowIn this episode, host Liz Logan engages in a heart-centered conversation with Zander Grashow, founder of Adaptive Leadership Plus and creator of Explorer Process. As a confidential advisor to presidents, activists, and change agents, Zander brings his extensive experience working with global business, philanthropic, entrepreneurial, and creative communities. The discussion explores what Zander calls "The Great Adaptation" – our collective realization that current systems are unsustainable and the need to envision new possibilities.

Zander shares profound insights on accessing wisdom from six sources: within ourselves, from others, the collective, through play, from nature, and the divine. Drawing from his personal experiences as a single father raising three children after losing his wife to cancer, he illuminates the balance between head and heart, the importance of approaching parenting as stewardship rather than ownership, and finding harmony amid polarization. The conversation highlights political division, environmental crisis, artistic expression, and the healing power of present-moment awareness, ultimately focusing on compassion and kindness as essential needs in our rapidly changing world.

Zander Grashow is the Founder of Adaptive Leadership+ and Creator of the Explorer Process, a recognized authority on leadership and transformation. For over two decades, he has served as a confidential advisor to presidents, activists, and change agents during critical transitions. With a broad reach spanning global business, philanthropic, activist, and creative communities, Zander designs uplifting, challenging programs rooted in the principle that adaptation is vital to human flourishing. His commitment to sharing effective approaches led him to co-author "Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing the World" from Harvard Business Press and the Harvard Business Review article "Leadership in a Permanent Crisis."

In this episode:

(00:00) Guest Zander Grashow, his background and credentials as an advisor to leaders, philosophy on finding wisdom through play, nature, and the divine
(03:30) The Great Adaptation: Zander shares his perspective on our broken systems and the need for a new collective vision to move beyond fear and polarization
(10:46) Love as action versus fear as reaction: Exploring the concept of seeing opposition with compassion and the importance of dialogue over monologue in politics and relationships
(18:04) The head-heart balance: Understanding trauma responses, learning to operate from the heart, and the transformative power of intentional gatherings and present moment awareness
(24:20) Sources of wisdom and nature's harmony: Discussing the six sources of wisdom (self, others, collective, play, nature, divine) and how time in natural settings helps us reconnect to our essence
(30:07) Parenting as stewardship and honoring love: Zander reflects on fatherhood as a journey of stewardship rather than possession, and shares about his wife's passing and raising children as a single father
(51:30) Final reflections on what the world needs now: more compassion and kindness for all
Subscribe, like, and send us your comments and ideas for future episodes!

Resources:

Zander Grashow LinkedIn Adaptive Leadership+