Back in December 2015, a woman walked into my studio who I would come to think of as a sort of muse. She had recently retired from a career in physiotherapy and had just stepped into a new chapter of life as a writer and entrepreneur.
Her first fiction novel, Voices in the Wilderness, had been released in 2012, and she wanted portraits that captured this exciting transition. We experimented with a variety of looks—soft knits, elegant blouses, tailored jackets—and ended the session with a classic black dress. The final portrait, with its quiet strength and timeless grace, became one of the most iconic images to ever come out of my boutique studio. It still hangs on the studio wall today, a reminder of everything I want my work to stand for: style, timeless elegance, and fun.
Nearly ten years later, I photographed her again. Still radiant. Still full of grace. This time, she was returning to update her headshots and to welcome a new book she co-authored: Anchored in Hope: Inspiring Stories of Faith That Endures. There’s something incredibly moving about photographing someone whose transformation and journey you’ve glimpsed once before. This portrait session, like the first, began with warm conversation, lots of laughter, and expert hair and makeup by the ever-talented Madison. Madison’s calm energy and skilled hands brought out the best in our client and set the tone for what turned out to be a deeply meaningful shoot.
Before the session, we had a styling consultation where we talked through what she wanted her new portraits to say. The words that came up again and again were “approachable,” “confident,” and “professional.” She wanted images that could speak to who she is today—someone who has built a second career, connected with readers, and continues to grow. We decided on a series of three-quarter-length portraits, elegant in their simplicity. With the right light and styling, the portraits told a story of a woman who knows who she is and isn’t afraid to be seen.
There’s a quiet joy in photographing someone again, years later, and realizing that while time has passed, the essence remains. She is still the muse who inspired one of my favourite images, but now she brings even more life, depth, and perspective to the frame. These sessions—then and now—remind me why I love what I do. It’s not just about creating beautiful photographs. It’s about witnessing a person’s story as it unfolds and being trusted to hold up a mirror to it.
