07/10/2026
❤️ I NEED YOUR VOTES! COMMENTS on the MAIN POST IMAGE are the ONLY votes that count! ❤️
If this image speaks to you, would you please click over to the original post and leave a comment on the image? Likes are appreciated, but only comments count toward the voting. Voting ends Monday, July 13.
This portrait is titled "Life Made Her a Warrior."
It isn't just a photograph. It's a tribute to my beautiful little warrior.
Children who undergo heart surgeries are often called warriors...and they truly are. My sweet little girl has already endured 4 open-heart surgeries and 16 major procedures in just the first 2½ years of her life. Her strength is beyond words, and I've always dreamed of creating a portrait that captured who she is.
This summer, the incredible team I'm part of with Spoiled Rotten Photography participated in our annual Personal Project. The challenge is to find an inspiration image and use it to push yourself creatively beyond your usual style. One of our core values is excellence—continually growing as artists by finding inspiration from photographers, artists of every medium, and even nature. It's about creating meaningful art that connects with the soul, not simply taking pictures.
The image had to be photographed between May and June. Ironically, I spent 3½ of those weeks living in an out-of-state hospital with my daughter during her latest surgery. I honestly didn't think I would have time to participate.
But this project gave me the push I needed to finally create the portrait that had lived in my heart for a long time.
On a last-minute whim, I googled warrior woman and the image that came up was so powerful, I knew I found the perfect inspiration image (I am am putting in the comments on the main post that needs the comments). It featured a woman in armor kneeling before the Lion of Judah, symbolizing strength and courage.
To make my vision come to life, I incorporated a lion from a photograph I had previously taken at the zoo. I reached out to a local moms group looking for a warrior costume, and not only did several moms offer to help, one amazing mom who works for a local costume distribution company insisted on gifting me everything I needed. The white knight armor was absolutely perfect.
One of the most meaningful details is one many people won't notice right away. I photographed my daughter's fresh chest scar and digitally blended it into the trunk of the tree, where it becomes part of her story instead of something hidden. I then digitally hand-edited the entire image with painterly techniques to transform it into what looks like a painting.
I'm so grateful this project inspired me to finally create the portrait I'd dreamed of making for my little warrior. You know how life happens... it could have easily been years before I finally made the time.
💛 If you'd like to support this image, please click over to the original post and leave a COMMENT on the image. That's the only thing that counts as a vote for bragging rights.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my little warrior. ❤️
"Life Made Her a Warrior"
Jeane Boness - SRP Milwaukee
