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Photography: Women Are…

“A winner is a loser who tried one more time.
Not the smartest.
Not the fastest.
Just the one who didn’t stop.”
—George M. Moore Jr.

For the month of March, my model was my dear friend Penny. I met her in 2013 at the table read for the Listen to Your Mother stage show. We locked eyes across the table, and instantly connected. She possesses a warmth and kindness that allows her to make people feel profoundly seen, a rare gift. She’s a singer, writer, storyteller, caregiver, and one of my favorite people on the planet.

We met last week at the beautiful St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, where she sings as cantor. The space was gorgeous, and she was a natural at posing. We only had an hour to spend together because of our schedules, but we made the most of it. She trusted me fully, and I think it shows in the way she’s looking at the camera/me.

Penny normally doesn’t like her photo taken, but she said it was fun with me. And she loved the photos! That’s the whole point: helping my friend see her own beauty. Each time I do another shoot, my confidence grows and I’m learning more and more. I’m so grateful for this growth! Please, give her some love in the comments below and tell me what you think of this shoot. Do you have a favorite? Do you see improvement in the quality of these photos?

#1

#2

#3

What makes you proud?
For most of my life I have been able to do what I loved, what I was good at and things that made a difference on the planet. The fact that I usually also got paid was icing on the cake.

#4

#5

#6

What makes you feel brave?
I’ve been a family caregiver for over 30 years. If that didn’t break me, nothing will.

#7

#8

#9

What gives you hope?
Children. They are the future. The fact that God keeps sending them is a sign that He hasn’t given up on us yet. 

#10

#11

#12

Thank you to everyone who is cheering me on with my photography. I’ve been very focused on it lately, but I’m still writing. I’ll be sharing some words soon. Promise!

  • These were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using a 14-150mm lens and edited with Lightroom Classic.

33 thoughts on “Photography: Women Are…”

  4. This is such a heartfelt and inspiring share. 💛

    The bond you’ve described with Penny is truly special, and it beautifully reflects in the way you’ve captured her essence. Your intention—to help someone see their own beauty—comes through so clearly and meaningfully.

    There’s also something deeply uplifting about your journey of growth and gratitude. A wonderful blend of art, connection, and purpose. 👏✨

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    • You always say the kindest things. Thank you. I’m proud of how these came out and that Penny likes them! That’s the absolute best feeling in the world. I’m taking my sister’s photos next month and I can’t wait!

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      • That’s wonderful to hear! 😊

        It’s such a special feeling when your work resonates with others, and I can imagine how happy it must make you that Penny enjoys them too. Your excitement for your sister’s photos next month sounds contagious—can’t wait to hear how beautifully they turn out! 📸✨

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  7. Beautiful thoughts there Bridgette. Your friend Penny is a natural in front of the camera and you have portrayed her warmth and goodness perfectly. On the technical side I have no clue but for composition #1 is excellent and I think I’d choose #12 among the many good portraits. OK, off to check out Penny’s blog.

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  9. What a nice change of pace from you! You grabbed me with that top photo, delivered to my email. In general, wonderfully captured images of your subject. Given that the locale was a Catholic church, I would’ve liked more which showed the meditative and/or solemn aspects of that. This isn’t a ding against what you posted, rather a comment about what you *didn’t* post. I like #3. Shot #5 is nice—perhaps just on the hands, though? And sidelight on #7, very, very effective! And #’s10 and 11. It’s difficult to pick out photos because they show your model off to good extent in all of them.

    And a thought for your Penny (yes, intentional): I sang cantor today, Palm Sunday, the cathedral’s 2000 seats filled, and the bishop presiding. I’m a low bass, and hitting the D in the psalm’s verses was a crap shoot, basically. Mucho prayer as I waited out the first reading. Made it! Thank you, Holy Spirit. Tell her how wonderfully welcoming she looks in all of these photos, but that the easy nonchalance with which she holds those rosary beads in #4 made it my top photo of her. One can tell how familiar those beads are with her fingers.

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    • Thank you for such a beautiful response! I’ll make sure Penny sees your comments. I’ve never shot in a Catholic Church before and it was such a wonderful experience. The organist was practicing while we were shooting, and several times I found myself just looking around feeling the energy of the place. When Penny was sitting in the pews she shared the history of the building with me, and I really took it all in. I’m so lucky to have someone so incredible in my life. You are right, I should have leaned into the reverence of the place even more, but I’m learning. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to do another shoot like this again.

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