Pink on pink was the theme of this shoot. And I swear it was planned before I’d heard anything of the Barbie movie that was due to be released in the summer of 2023.

And although Ella is certainly pretty in pink, I find that it does her no justice to compare her to Andie, the protagonist of the classic flick, anymore than comparing her to Barbie. She dazzled in her pink prom dress. The mood was lighthearted and fun and she was game to let me experiment.

Ella is a girl who follows her heart. She’s an athlete whose soccer skills could have taken her to the next level had she chosen to go down that road. But she didn’t–because she had other interests she wanted to pursue. She’s a young woman who embraces new experiences and new possibilities. I don’t think she’s fearless, but she seizes opportunities and makes the most of them. Nobody can predict the future, but it seems impossible that hers won’t be a bright one.

I have only seen trailers for Barbie and it has been ages since I watched Pretty in Pink, so I can’t tell you much about either of the main characters of those movies. I can tell you that Ella does look pretty gorgeous in her pink prom dress. And since this shoot she has moved on to college, gradually working her way toward the “Real World.” If the past is any indication of the future, she will find her way around it just fine.

If you’d like a themed photo session, or maybe a shoot in your prom dress, please contact me! I have all kinds of ideas and am always open to more.

Artist or architect?

Both.

Becca does not currently work as an architect, but many of the same creative instincts that drove her to that career earlier in her life still play a role as she shifts the use of her talents to painting still lifes. Architects are artists. She just happens to be one whose expertise in designing structures translates well to painting canvases.

Becca, the artist and architect, mother and teacher, creates. She brings ideas that live in the imagination to life in the material world. Sometimes her art is practical and functional. Sometimes it pleases the senses. Oftentimes it achieves both.

Incorporating elements of design to make a functional and aesthetically gratifying structure is not completely different from applying the same principles to paint a canvas. Whether painting, designing buildings, writing, composing music, sculpting, cooking, or otherwise creating, the artist starts with a plan. The plan takes shape as she outlines her subject and then gradually fills in details. She uses line, shape, dimension, detail, texture, and color to give her work substance and meaning–and to make it her own.

Becca sees the extraordinary in the ordinary and appreciates the beauty which accompanies her in everyday life. Inspiration flows from a need to express the feelings generated by something–some sight, sound, action, or memory. When it strikes, a barrage of ideas compels the artist to make something. A blank canvas (whether literal or figurative) can be intimidating, but it can also be a welcome opening to convey a message or story. Ultimately, every piece is inspired by meaning and in turn means something to Becca.

Becca is an artist who can apply her skills, ingenuity, and imagination in multiple disciplines. Though many people are familiar with her paintings and her background as an architect, conversations with her reveal knowledge and an artistic bent in other aspects of her life as well. She is the quintessential artist, with appreciation for subtleties, the finer points of beauty and design, and the talent to eloquently translate that to a work on canvas.

You can learn more about Becca and her work on social media or see some of her pieces in person at Circa Arts Gallery.

Among the masses of people in this world, some humans catch my eye, tickle my funny bone, or otherwise make me feel that I must photograph them. They are individuals who own a special something that defies words. They remind me that people are miracles–and that the uniqueness of each of the billions of people on Earth is itself a miracle. There are infinite combinations of looks, temperaments, talents, and quirks. And each of those can take on a different appearance when seen in different light. Sometimes features are hidden in the shadows, only appreciated when we shine a light on them.

This young lady is one of those people that inspires me. When I met her, she seemed a bit unsure about being photographed. But she has an air about her and a style that is all her own. She doesn’t pretend to feel something she doesn’t feel or to want something she doesn’t want. She showed a lot of energy at the beginning of the shoot, hamming it up for the camera and striking amazing poses. As time went on, she took on a more subdued frame of mind, which fit her personality just as well. When she held her violin, she went into a violin-playing world. This girl brought it all, making no attempts to hide any aspect of her personality. She needed only allow the light to hit her to show it off.

In his book, The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis talked about glimpses of Heaven seen on Earth and how an artist could find success on Earth because he was able to paint those glimpses. His talents highlighted these little bits of Heaven so that others could appreciate them as well. (Full disclosure: That was not the point of the conversation in the book. But the thought resonated deeply with me.)

Photography is the medium that gives me opportunities to capture everyday moments and people– everyday miracles. On this day, I felt enamored, delighted, moved, and even surprised at times. And I wanted to create images that tangibly bundle those feelings for her parents. These photos are a way for them to stop time and appreciate their daughter and the way she makes them feel. They can turn to them later on–as she changes and they change. In ten years, they will see the special qualities she held at age 12 and find them still there at age 22–though they may take on different appearances in different light.

Isabelle is a studious girl, a lover of books. One of her favorites is The Alchemist, a novel about a young shepherd who sets out to find a treasure, his destiny, that he knows about through a dream. He sells his sheep to fund a journey to find the treasure, encountering several obstacles and detours along the way. He reaches the pyramids, where he had been told to dig for his treasure, only to discover that it is not there. Alas, he has more traveling to do. And eventually he ends up right back in his homeland, where his treasure indeed awaits him.

The book is about an odyssey, listening to your heart, and finding happiness in pursuing your destiny. In doing so, one recognizes omens and listens for the directions in which they point. Destiny is not reached without a journey and the journey is often long and arduous. Sometimes you set out on one route, but have to alter it. Along the way, trials force you to hone new skills; the people you meet along the way change you. Innumerable experiences teach you about yourself little by little.

The journey to high school graduation parallels that of the shepherd boy. At times you feel you must be so close, but then realize that the final destination is still so far away. And sometimes the people you meet support you in your travels, while others get in the way. Along the road, you discover new abilities, and new interests. And you practice the perseverance it takes to get you to that walk across the stage. Then you finally hold your diploma in your hand. But as the applause fades, you take a deep breath and contemplate the next step. You realize that there’s more work to do, more to accomplish, more people to meet, more to learn. You have reached the intended destination, the graduation pyramids, but your destiny still awaits.

It’s no surprise that The Alchemist is one of Isabelle’s favorite books. Like the shepherd, Isabelle is thoughtful and full of hope and promise. She listens to the people and the world around her as she strives to understand where she is going in it. Isabelle loves to read and she is a deep thinker. Her interests and talents are broad: She cares deeply about the environment and also enjoys singing and performing. She is articulate in what she cares about and confident in her decisions. She draws upon these many gifts as she continues her journey to fulfilling her destiny.

Most of all, like the shepherd and the book itself, Isabelle inspires. Her friendliness, positive attitude, and willingness to navigate obstacles will undoubtedly propel her along the road to her destiny. May she always listen to her heart and mind the signs that guide her in the right direction.