01/25/2026
What can I say but that portraits can be so similar and yet so different at the same time.
Why? Because there's so much for people on both sides of the camera to interpret. There's also expectations you may have depending on who is in the picture, what the represent, etc. Two people in the same pose or environment can take on different meanings in the mind of the viewer base on assumptions, biases, or expectations.
As a viewer, I might assume portraits of a contestant for Miss Colorado would have portraits that are manicured, flawless, and pristine. But as a photographer working with a contestant, instead I wanted to show the human side. I wanted the viewer to look at these images and see someone who was confident, fun, strong, and approachable. And REAL.
Ask past me what an environmental portrait of a pageant contestant might look like, I might say airbrushed and manicured to death. But you don't have to ask now me what I think they should look like, because I can show you instead. And they look like this.
Now of course this was a collaboration. I do not simply impose my view onto this session. Clearly I want to ensure that my work reflects what my client wants. Which is why I loved working with , because she was just as happy with what came out of this as I was. And I can't wait to work with her again!
