I’ve started this post a hundred times - and deleted each beginning.

It goes without saying, that each of us knew - in the abstract - “someday, this would come.” But neither of us considered “today is the day.” When I received the 3:00 a.m. phone call that “this is the day” the abstract became an unwanted (somewhat unexpected) reality.

I’ve tried to be lyrical with my words, but the romance of the words denies my grief, my heartache and my tears. Lyricism is not authentic in these moments - for me, anyway. I still cry and ache that he is not here with me.

What I do have is this portrait.

He never liked this portrait because “it wasn’t stern enough”, which if you really knew Frank that thought would make you laugh out loud. He wanted any picture - especially if it might be used professionally - to portray him as the gruff, demanding, professorial scientist. If you looked for his picture on a professional website, he wanted to project the sense that he was “all business” and not one to tolerate trifles. He wanted to instill “healthy fear” into his students. He wanted his demeanor in the image to convey how serious and life changing the generation (and correction) of knowledge is. He wanted to convey his expectations of high scientific standards, from himself and anyone else.

I have plenty of those pictures to remind me of Dr. Lebeda.

I also have this portrait.

In those many moments when I’m tearfully blinded by the absence of his exuberant belly laugh, his scent, his physical presence; in those moments when I find myself thinking “I have to tell Frank…” only to realize he’s no longer in the house; in those moments when I count the progression of new, unwanted anniversaries - I have this portrait.

His portrait is a gift to myself

The portrait sits on my bookshelf in the dining room. I pass it untold times on my way to the kitchen.

To gaze on his portrait is a meditation of the man I knew and loved. What do I see?

• I see the man who supported me in EVERY thing I ever wanted to do.

• I see the man who made my heart more open, more intimate, more loving.

• I see the brilliant mind that explored the intricacies of molecules, proteins and history because he was intrigued by the unknowns.

• I see the man who could travel deep and winding conversational roads of science, ethics, statistics and science jokes with me.

• I see the humble man who reveled in my pet name for him.

• I see the man who was in awe that so many people loved him deeply, because according to him, “i’m just little ol’ me.”

• I see the man whose belly laugh always made me smile. I so enjoyed his love of silliness.

• I see the man whose kindness illumined those around him.

• I see the man who offered his full attention to others.

• I see the man who was blessedly surprised by the fact he had 8 grandchildren. This was something he had never considered a possibility. (Although with 4 kids between us, I don’t know why he never thought this.)

• I see the man who expended the energy and took the time to be truly present with his grandchildren on their levels. Yet, he quietly led them to higher levels of thinking by sitting with them, playing games with them, teaching them.

• I feel immense gratitude for the glories of the past 25 years with him.

There are so many things I see when I pass this portrait, when I look at him for a moment or two. Each “Frank meditation moment” brings a little more solace, a little more gratitude, a little more wisdom, a little more understanding, a little more grace.

His portrait is a gift to me in these days of grief while isolated. I have the visual reminder of this man’s heart, soul, brilliant mind, and his love.

This is the gift of his personal portrait to me and to others.

May you have a gift such as this for yourself and to share with others.

Some day “this does come” and often that day comes in unexpected times.

One of the most powerful portraits I’ve ever seen was of three sisters, ages 91, 93 and 100. It was a glorious testament to three women who had enough history and life to fill an encyclopedia. I knew their families adored and valued the portrait immensely. The most glorious understanding of this portrait was directly related to a quote by the late and very great photographer, Peter Lindbergh.

If photographers are responsible for creating or reflecting an image of women in society, then I must say, there is only one way for the future, and this is to define women as strong and independent. This should be the responsibility of photographers today: to free women, and finally everyone, from the terror of youth and perfection.

And this is the purpose of the BOLD WOMEN Ages 50 to 100+ Campaign; to honor those women who have stepped outside the expectations of society about well-lived women. We’re looking to those women who are excited about their new visions, new businesses, generating new knowledge and new adventures.

The Exhibition

BOLD WOMEN ages 50 to 100+ will culminate in a community art exhibit, highlighting the portrait of each woman. Women must agree to their portrait hanging in the exhibition.

Who do you know?

If you know a Woman aged 50 and above who is BOLD, has new visions, new business, generates new knowledge and loves new adventures, tell her about this opportunity.

This is a time limited opportunity and must be “in the books by March 13, 2020.

Request more information via the contact form and I’ll be thrilled to talk with you!

I’m just going to place this visual reminder right here; reminding you that the tiny ones you hold so dear, won't stay tiny very long. They grow, evolve, develop skills, sprout personalities and establish minds of their own. They are an absolute wonder to observe as they progress through this life.

Please allow me help you hold onto those finer points that might fade from your memory.

I believe in letting kids be kids - because afterall - that’s why you love them.

“Epiphany” - noun. from the ancient Greek. “manifestation, striking appearance.”

An epiphany is an experience of sudden and striking realization about the meaning of something. An epiphany can often come about due to some experience that may trigger that sudden realization.

Her portrait epiphany is now leading her through a new life path, a path that she recognized is her siren call to answer.

The gift in a portrait experience

As this lovely lady said, “…you birthed something so beautiful in me. So I am grateful to you and your outstanding team. I really can’t articulate at this second, everything I have received from the entire experience…lots of ideas, inspiration and gratitude.”

This is the power and the gift of a portrait experience - “the sense of being set free through being seen.” (poet, David Whyte)

There is another, very important point made by the message of this portrait. Breast cancer is not the raison d’etre of one’s life. The protracted experience of breast cancer and its requisite treatments can be viewed as one of those dark tunnels that life presents us - a dark tunnel that is traversed via an entry and an exit. And as is often the case, the unknown journey through a tunnel can be fraught with opinions and fears. Yet, this journey through the tunnel is not the definition of a your personhood.

Personhood

The definition of your personhood is never complete, it is never only “one thing”.

We travel too many miles, have so many experiences, desires, and goals, loves, losses, dark nights of the soul, and blossomings of talents and beauty to be defined by only one event on our journeys. Our personhood grows from our first breath to our last, and not by a segment of time that requires our deepest attentions.

“I want you to see yourself the way I sometimes see you.”

“I want you to see yourself with the self-same eyes that have me shy of telling you what I see.”

“I want you to come across your self and see yourself, the way I did that first morning, as a beautiful, incredibly kind and inviting stranger.”

“I want you to knock gently on your own door and stand there astonished…”

I invite you to capture your own epiphany and see your self. We are in the studio to serve you.

HMUA: H. H Piper Smith-Crawford
Ass't, BTS videographer: Taylor Bevard

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SEEING YOU From THE BELL AND THE BLACKBIRD
Poetry by David Whyte
APRIL 2018 © David Whyte and Many Rivers Press

Calling all women 50, Fabulous and beyond! It's time we see ourselves in media. It's time to be represented in marvelous portraits! I want to photograph you.

The Effect of Social Media

Social Media would have us believe that only young, thin, effervescently joyous young’ish women inhabit the world. You and I know better. We know the world is filled with women of all ages, sizes, talents and gifts. After all, where did all those young’ish women come from if not from us?

I get to see a lot of these older, accomplished women in my daily doings; women whom I would love to photograph in order to document that powerful light that resides in each one. And yet, they are afraid, or uncomfortable to come into the studio. I think it is because their confidence level might be a touch low.

The Age of 50

The age of 50 is a miraculous milestone. It’s the age of transformation - 50 has become a cultural marker of new possibilities. Just yesterday, I was asked at what age did I leave my long and storied career in health care to become a portrait artist. Well, yes, it was somewhere in the 50 to 54 year age bracket. The woman asking the question was embarking on a new journey of “doing what just has to come out of me.” How exciting for her! Yet, she felt alone in her journey, even though she knew many women doing the same.

One part that I am totally excited about is the way my time with you has planted seeds of personal and professional change - seeing some of those photos made me feel bolder and braver in some tiny corners I've been holding back on....more on that another time, but filled with gratitude! - words from a recent portrait client.

Undeniably, every woman who has trusted me to create portraits of them has felt, and expressed, an increase in confidence. Our portrait experience allows each woman to be seen, to be known, to be heard. The ability to see one’s self as powerful, creative, builds confidence to take on those new possibilities.

A portrait will always remind you and others that you are a goddess, you are wisdom, you are strength. Your children and grandchildren will look to your portrait and know there is something amazing about you. Confident, elegant, graceful, and commanding.

And they will find the same within themselves - thanks to you stepping into something new.

I invite you to my studio so I can help you feel that confidence, that wisdom, that strength.

Call 240-409-3959 to book your Wise Woman Portrait Session.

There you have it. We’ve completed my TOP TEN FAVORITE portraits for 2019.

2020 is going to be an exciting year in the studio with so many campaigns lined up. We'll be creating photographic art in Business Portraits to "Showstoppers" to celebrating women aged 50 and beyond.

Will you be in the list of my TOP TEN FAVORITES for 2020? We'd love to have you!

Our #1 favorite photo in the studio from 2019.

This beautiful soul came to the studio for “The Bodice Project” Campaign. The Bodice Project is focused on emotional healing of breast cancer through art. She is a spirit of strength, compassion and wisdom. Her experience with us birthed a new vision of her work for others with breast cancer. We were blessed and honored to be a very small part of her new vision, her new works.

BTS: @taylorkimberlyphotography
HMUA: H. Piper Smith-Crawford

Another entry in the Girls and Dogs Campaign for Frederick Lifestyle Magazine. Both the girl and the dog are toddlers. And we know toddlers, whether they are little girls or young pups, have minds of their own. This is one of my top favorites because they fell into the perfect pose just being their toddler selves.

BTS/dog wrangler: Taylor Bevard
Backdrop: Fine Art Backdrops

HMUA: H. Piper Smith-Crawford
BTS/Ass’t: Taylor Bevard
Dress: Client

Oh my gosh, how could this absolutely precious portrait of Esther and Luna NOT be in one of my top ten favorites?

The answer is they HAD to be in the ten. Esther and Luna took part in the “Girls and Dogs” campaign and ended up highlighted in the Frederick Lifestyle Magazine this past August.

Esther and Luna were perfect models, and I know Esther’s parents were thrilled.

HMUA : Esther’s Mother
Styling & Photography: Me
BTS: @taylorkimberlyphotography

HMUA: Piper Crawford-Smith
BTS: Taylor Bevard
Concept & Styling: Rebecca LaChance, client wardrobe

HMUA: Omolewa Cosmetics
Native Dress: owned by the client
Backdrop: Fine Art Backdrops

Backdrop by @fine_art_backdrops. HMUA: @artistrybymarquita
@danicavcmedia

Thank you Danica for opening the door for so many!

HMUA by Artistry by Marquita

A Story of Friendship and Breast Cancer

In a time not too long ago, a woman was diagnosed with breast cancer. She worked her way through the treatments and recovery. Her artist friend decided to help her by creating a personal sculpture. The artist wrapped her in plaster-filled gauze to create a body cast. The body cast was then painted and embellished to produce a glorious sculpture - a bodice - that celebrated the woman and her strengths.

Soon, half a dozen other artists in the community joined in, creating works of art that celebrated women and men experiencing breast cancer and its effects. Each bodice sculpture represented the beauty of the model, regardless of surgery or other forms of treatment. The result has been an amazing collection of sculptures that reflect a breadth of artistic style - all focused on the strength and beauty of women and men who have experienced breast cancer.

Goal of The Bodice Project


The goal of The Bodice Project is to aid in the emotional healing of those women and men facing the challenges of breast cancer and to open the eyes and hearts of others. It is a project that brings together artists, breast cancer survivors, patients and the public in a unique and meaningful way. Artists from the Mid-Atlantic area have created bodice sculptures, some of actual women and men who have undergone mastectomies or reconstructive surgery. These beautiful works evoke a range of emotions from empathy to solace when viewed by the members of the public.

The healing power of art

“Art is a wound turned into light.” ~ Georges Braque

My science experience requires me to share the conclusions about the healing power of art. (Sorry, Not Sorry!) Studies have shown that expressing themselves through art can help people with trauma, depression, anxiety, or cancer make sense of their experiences. Creating the art allows the people to re-evaluate and give meanings to the events. Creating the art has also been linked to improved memory, reasoning, and resilience. *

Art is experiential – it is a “doing process.” It is also very personal. Creating art is a journey of personal expression and self-awareness. When art expresses what is inside of us it becomes a powerful way to ease pain, both physical and psychic. We are better able to tap into the power of self-awareness to heal ourselves.**

The Portrait Fundraiser

Rebecca LaChance Artistic Portraiture knows the power of beauty and art to heal. Therefore, I am honored to present a portrait offer that will supply financial support to The Bodice Project. Each portrait will honor the transformations experienced by you, the person being photographed.

What’s Included in the Portrait Fundraiser Offer

• No Session Fee is required

• A Style & Clothing Consultation

• 3 hour studio session

• Professional Hair/makeup Artistry

• up to 3 Clothing changes

• Healthy Snacks provided

• Guided Portrait Review & Selection

• 10% of your portrait purchase donated to The Bodice Project

Who should take advantage of the Portrait Fundraiser Offer?

• Any person in any phase of his/her breast cancer journey.

• Friends of people in any phase of a breast cancer journey.

• Family members of people in any phase of the breast cancer journey.

• Any person who believes in supporting the healing of others.

Is this a time limited offer?

Your portrait session must be booked by November 26, 2019 and 10% of your portrait purchase will be donated to The Bodice Project. (Your actual portrait session may occur anytime between now and February 28, 2020.)

Call 240-203-7794 to book your portrait in support of The Bodice Project.

***************

The Bodice Project is currently on exhibit at District Arts, 15 N. Market Street, Frederick, MD. It will be at District Arts through the month of October, 2019. We hope you are moved to stop in and take in the depth of creativity, beauty and the power of art to heal.

You can learn more about The Bodice Project.

*https://www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/the-healing-power-of-art

**https://www.healing-power-of-art.org/art-and-the-brain/

pho·to·gen·ic (fō′tə-jĕn′ĭk) adj. - caused or produced by light

Well, here we go down the rabbit hole.

As a photographer, I hear many statements about why someone doesn’t want to have portraits/photographs taken. Undoubtedly, the most frequent reason given is “I’m not photogenic.”

The "labels" (such as "I'm not photogenic") a person attaches to herself in a portrait are the result of 4 very important components. Those components are; lighting, makeup, posing, and self-concept.

Let’s address the "I'm not photogenic" portrait objection on the two most important fronts; photographer skills/knowledge and self-concept. We'll start with the easier points.

1. It’s all about the lighting.

Take a good hard look at the pictures above. It’s probably very easy to decide which one is the “Before”.

First, this was taken under the LED ceiling lights in my studio. Every light around us has a color tone, whether we “see” it or not. The effect of these ceiling lights is to project a blue/green coloration to my skin, hair and shadows. Hence, my hair color is dusky, dirty grey.

Second, the lighting is “from the top down” which means the light is projecting downward, This form of light projection increases and brings out any shadows in the face. If you happen to have deep set eyes (such as I do), your eyes will disappear into “eye caves”. Any wrinkles will be deepened and much more visible.

Third, I am standing in front of a white wall in the studio. Doesn’t look white does it? Again, it’s because of the color tone from the overhead lights. There is no real distinction between my hair and the wall. They are almost the same color. (Aaacckkkkkkk!)

Now, examine the lighting in the “after” portrait.

You can tell the lighting is much more “straight on”. It is purposefully positioned to decrease shadows, wrinkles, etc. The position of the lighting allows for my eyes to be more visible. Did you notice the “catch light” in my eyes? Catch lights make us see the subject as “alive”. There were no catch lights visible in the Before photo.

The position of the lights also allows for “sculpting” of my face. Did you notice the shadows trail gently off the sides of my face? This technique allows the viewer to focus on the most important part of any person’s face: eyes, nose and mouth. These three features are what show us the inner person.

Also, I deliberately selected the grey backdrop behind me. I wanted my hair color to stand out. In art composition, this is known as “figure to ground”. The artist specifically separates the figure (me and my hair) from the ground (the grey background) via shadows/light/color.

2. Let’s talk makeup

Back to the before picture…notice all the uneven skin colorations? (I am not wearing any makeup in the before picture.) My skin color is a yellowish tone with lots of red splotchiness.

Many women want to skip the services of the makeup artist. Perhaps, they’ve had a bad experience with a makeup artist in the past. Or they’re afraid of “not looking like themselves.” Others have said they were uncomfortable with being the “center of attention”.

A professional makeup artist knows how to correct skin tones and shadows for portraiture; and this includes women of color. This is the reason I offer the services of a professional makeup artist in my studio. She (or he) knows how to make your skin look even and healthy.

I’ve mentioned before how I audition any makeup artist who will work in my studio. I am delighted to have a very experienced professional makeup artist. She has a multitude of experiences. She can do perfect makeup for women of color, theatrical makeup and she understands that different genres of portraiture require different styles of makeup. She always listens for your comfort level with the makeup.

3. Facial expression and posing

The Before picture highlights my “tight-lipped-Yeah-I’ll-do-this-but-I’m-not-into-it” look. The effect is to tighten the muscles all around my mouth, chin, and neck. This pose shows facial stress.

Facial stress shows up every single time in the early stages of a portrait sitting. It might be because people are generally self-conscious, they may not like their teeth, or they think they “must smile” for the photographer.

Not every portrait requires a smile.

And the best smile is from someone who is “outside of her own head” and having a good time. Oh yes, this state of mind requires a lot of relaxation. That relaxation builds more and more during the session. The more relaxed you become, the more relaxed and natural your facial expressions become.

Posing, or body position, also affects the final portrait. Straight on portraits are rarely, if ever, beneficial for anyone. Your body posture will convey a message all its own. In the before picture, you can see I am facing forward with my shoulders squared and my head is tilted back and to the side. This body position says, “I really want to withdraw from this situation.”

The after portrait is more open, inviting with my face and body leaning into the picture.

This is the gift a professional photographer brings to your session. She knows how to pose you to your best advantage. She knows how to ease any stress in your face and body. You don’t have to worry about posing; she’ll direct you gently.

How everyday life influences the false perception

Whomever invented/put fluorescent light bulbs into Ladies Rooms of every building in the world should have his lighting credentials rescinded.

Seriously, how can anyone feel good about her reflection in a mirror where she looks yellow, orange, shadowed and lined? Those same lights are everywhere; your grocery, hardware store, department store, physician’s office. Arrgh!

Can we pledge right this moment that we will never believe what is reflected back to us in those self-concept torture rooms is the REAL US?

Go ahead… pledge right now. I’ll wait.

The role of self-concept

Conversations with women in my studio indicate the belief about not being photogenic is most often based in a false belief. Somewhere, somehow the story was planted and grew that the woman wasn’t “worthy” or “not good enough”. There is a deeper fear the portrait session will “prove” she is not photogenic, and ipso facto, she’s “not good enough”. She is afraid to challenge the false story.

Combine the very strong hold of a self-concept story with the effects of ugly lighting in everyday places; the end result is a woman who holds herself in low self-esteem - a woman who is “not worthy or good enough” to experience how beautiful, how strong she really is.

Lighting + Makeup + Posing + Self-Concept = True Portrait

When someone tells me she is not photogenic I reply she has never experienced a professional portrait session. A professional portrait photographer has learned and understands the power of light, art principles, uses of makeup, the role of posing. These are skills and knowledge that only an experienced portrait photographer can bring to your session.

A professional portrait photographer also understands how the depths of feeling “unworthy” can inhibit choices, not only in portraits but also in life. It is not surprising that most often, women who have experienced a glorious portrait session feel stronger about themselves. The women see themselves in a way that frees them to be their true selves.

If you’re ready to challenge the belief you’re not photogenic, call me. Together, we’ll present the real you.

In a previous post, I wrote about the role empathy plays in my portrait process. And, I talked about how empathy allows me to tell your story in a visual manner. Sometimes, the story is much deeper than what you or I may originally know. Often times, with the passage of time and conversation, the purpose, meaning and story behind the portrait explodes into a visual “AHA!”.

This story is one of those times.

We start with the interview

“Sit with me awhile.

Tell me your story.

Tell me your dreams.

Tell me who you are.

What makes your heart beat faster?

Tell me of your loves.

What is the story that will unleash your possibilities?”

The portrait above resulted from our chat; a portrait that projects strength and determination. Many people who have viewed this portrait ask me if the woman is royalty? Others ask if she is someone famous.

I always respond, “She will be.”

As time progressed, the portrait took on a deeper meaning.

Recently she shared more of her story with me. As she told me the depth of her story, I looked to her portrait and I saw the depth of what her portrait revealed. I experienced the portrait photographer’s “AHA” moment.

• This is a woman who would not let past events define her.

• This is a woman who would not let other people define her.

• She is defining herself.

• She is defining her future.

• She is growing in her own strength and power.

  In our initial interview she was able to tell me what she wanted her portrait to show about her. It’s very obvious (in retrospect) that her traumatic experiences were the basis for what she wanted the world to know about her. Neither of us knew how deeply her emotions ran nor how influential those experiences were to her plans and development.

  The portrait allowed us to connect the dots. The portrait became more meaningful to her.

  What story do you want to tell ?

There is always beauty, strength and power in every person.

Every person has a story worth sharing.

The perfect portrait of you exists and together we will create it.

Welcome to my dream.

The Designer and the Portrait Photographer

One of the never ending jobs of a business person is “getting the word out” and trying, with all your might and know-how to make sure the message is correct in every aspect. You want a potential client to “see or hear the word” and have an “AHA” moment - the moment when the potential client realizes that you can solve some problem for them, or fulfill some need/desire they have. (And even better, they purchase your services!)

The difficult job for you is trying to find THAT ONE person who is a superb designer, understands your work and communicates your message with incredible beauty. I found that designer in the open heart of Latifah Shay Design. While this post might serve as a blatant recommendation (it is!) of Latifah and her work, I really want to highlight how Latifah understood the role of empathy in my portrait process.

You know that WOW feeling when someone “gets you”? When someone really understands what you do? Yeah, it’s a feeling of surprise + gratitude = validation! That’s what I felt when I read Latifah’s words.

And I certainly work to generate that same set of feelings for my clients.

The Designer’s Words

I recently had the pleasure of working with photographer Rebecca LaChance at Rebecca LaChance Artistic Portraits.

Rebecca is a fabulous photographer - that's the obvious part. Then when I got to hear how she so gently and expertly coaxes her clients to a place of real vulnerability and emotion, where their true selves are present - and then she captures the moment 'on film'. I was blown away. She's like this magical creative person that encourages love, intimacy and connection. She said she has been known to assign 'homework' to her clients, and even had one husband write a love note to his wife as part of the photography process.

Below you'll find one of the print ads I did for her. She has a wonderful studio in Thurmont and can be seen out and about in Frederick. See her online gallery here:
https://rebeccalachance.gallery

Empathy

Ahhh, where to start? I guess it starts with the recognition that we are all overwhelmed by the “noise” of our daily lives, the tasks, the required “doings”. Slowly, the “deep Beingness” of ourselves gets stowed in the imaginary closet that holds “things I’ll get to later when I’m not so busy.” Eventually, more things get stuffed behind the door of that closet, pushing each memory and knowing of our Being further back into a dust covered pile.

You might not have ever considered that a portrait could be about recovering your Being, your memories, your connections, your love, your Self. I am here to tell you that a portrait is, and should be, much more than a “smile and a snap.” It is my job to see the world through your eyes, your experiences, your story. It is my job to hold you in my heart and honor your Being, your heart, your soul, your love.

That is the empathy that I bring to bear in every commissioned portrait. And, it requires work and trust from you. It is scary being vulnerable about yourself. I work to foster those self-revelations in a very safe emotional space for all involved.

• A portrait should remind you of your story, not someone else’s ideas about who you are.

• A portrait should hold the power to inspire you every day.

• A portrait should be about what or who empowers you, who fills your heart.

I can only create these purposeful portraits through time spent with you. If you’re in a hurry and think a portrait is a quick snap in fancy clothes, then you won’t be happy in my studio. If you’re the person who wants to be heard, wants to be visible, wants to be valued for your uniqueness, then I think I can meet your need and fulfill your desire.

Until then…may your days be easy and filled with love and happiness.