Many years ago I photographed Jan, an homage to the hard work she had put into her body and into her life. She was cut and tight and strong and no one could take that from her. Just freshly emerging from a season that was incredibly painful, she had hardened. She looked damn good though. The pictures turned out amazing. I remember leaving the session feeling so empowered and excited about the images we captured. Little did I know that Jan was at the peak of a serious eating disorder. The control over her body had reached a dangerous point, her harm of self out of control, and it was not long after our session that she was admitted into a rehab for treatment.

Fast forward to this Summer.

She came to me so bright and in her body…like it was a home not an enemy. I noticed the new ink on her arm, ”brave”, and thought to myself how incredible it was that she could say that word about herself. We wove in and out of the river, clinging to trees, sinking into the roots and it was magical. I noticed how soft she was, melting into the earth and into herself. I noticed how strong her body still was, confident. We talked about life and how freaking hard it is, she opened her hands to the warmth of the sun. Oh we celebrated. Oh we giggled and squealed in delight. Oh how we sat in the silence of the forest with the stream trickling by.

This is how I want my sessions to be forever. A sighing praise.