09/30/2026
The evening of this senior portrait session with beautiful Ella was one of those nights that I wish I could bottle up. Ella’s mom is a friend of mine, and the kind of friend that is always smiling, always grateful, always finding ways to make everyone’s day- and just the definition of a beautiful soul.
I hadn’t met Ella previous to this evening, but was I in for a treat. Ella’s kind eyes were the first thing I noticed. I have found the old sayings about eyes being the window to the soul to hold deep truth. But as I got to know Ella throughout the evening, I got to really see what a special young person she is. At only 17 years old, it is clear that she already knows exactly who she is. And she is just like her mom- the kind of person that inspires others and lifts everyone up- simply by being themselves. The kind of person who seeks to comfort. The kind of glass half full person who sees the beauty around them.
Portrait photography often helps me to see not only all the beauty in the world, but all the beauty in people. My job becomes about noticing the things around me, getting to know my subjects and helping them to relax and open up. The outcome of a session is contingent upon those things. I am so thankful that my job gives me this gift because it forces my intention to be in the right place. There’s no place for negativity. No room for selfishness. No room for unawareness. With everything going on in this world, it is often easy to operate on auto pilot as a survival response. But life is short. And there is so much beauty all around us, all the time. This was a night when my job was as easy as it gets. This girls beauty shined straight through her eyes. Photographing her was effortless. And the fall weather, with aspen leaves falling on the ground, was magical.
This night was a reminder to me not to blink, and not to operate on auto pilot in this short life. Opening our hearts and really living means that we will also feel deep sadness, discomfort, and pain at times. But it also means that we will experience the most indescribable joy, peace, and contentment. It will allow us to be in positions where we are able to be of help and service to those suffering around us. And there is no better gift than the gift of giving. The happiest people are never those getting more, but always those giving more. It took me years to learn these things, and at 40 years old, I am continuing to learn. At 17 years old, Ella has them figured out. Young people like her give me so much hope for the future✨🥰
