Beautiful Growth
Growth can be a funny thing. Sometimes it’s completely obvious, like when I try to put on shorts after a long brutal sub zero winter, only to discover that once again they have “shrunk.” Other times, it is so subtle I don’t notice it in the day to day… and then something will happen that will set me on my heels and say “WHOA!!”
During one of my Senior Sessions this summer, that is what I happened. I was reminded of how far I have come. I was reminded at how quickly time goes and those around us grow and change without us sometimes really noticing.
I have known Elizabeth since the Fall of 2014 when I took up Ballet. That spring had NOT been a good one for me, physically. I had a major physical set back and came out of it with a “life’s too short” attitude.
I decided at 40 that I would do something I had always wanted to do: Ballet.
Our class was originally 5 females: 3 adults and 2 teens.
(i.e one MATURE adult and the rest almost young enough to be my daughters…)
We were as they call it now the “OG.” In a twist of fate, I will photograph both of these young ladies senior images this year.
During this time in my life I adamantly expressed “I was not going to be a photographer.” But as I have come to realize, when you taunt God with YOUR plans that YOU are going to do, or not do… he laughs and laughs and laughs….
The Spring of 2015 Micaiah, the Ballet Instructor asked me to take images of the classes. I happily obliged, though I was still not a going to be a photographer. Here is Elizabeth as she has remained in my mind. Our sparkly, wonderful, carefree spirit, Elizabeth. There is truly no one like her and I have loved her through the years.
But sometime, when I wasn’t looking,
She grew up.
She is beautiful. She sparkles from a carefree confidence it has taken me almost 45 years to pretend to have. She is one of those people your life is better, having had her in it.
And I grew into my passion. After denying it and pushing it away for a long while, I came to terms with the fact God had given me a gift to use, and we are called to use our gifts. So I have. I’ve learned and grown and learned some more, and set my standards higher and higher… And sometimes I get to see just how far I have come.
I am so utterly grateful for being able to capture her then, and now, as she heads into her Senior Year.
Wherever life takes her, she will laugh and sparkle and dance.
That is just the Elizabeth way.
XOXOXO
Has pointe shoes, will travel
Bre joined Micaiah's Studio of Ballet last fall, making the trek from Enderlin to practice and rehearse with us, sometimes multiple times a week. She has danced since she was 3 and has been so fun to get to know! Bre asked me to photograph her in some of her dance outfits and our shoot was so fun! We wandered around Valley City the same night as a car show, as if it was totally normal to be wearing a tutu in the middle of Central Avenue! Thanks for this experience Bre! Love ya girlie!
