“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are”—E. E. Cummings
Last week I escaped to my favorite place at Dillon Beach with a few good friends. The weather was warmer than usual and the tide extremely high. However, on the very last morning, a bit after sunrise, the fog rolled in, the tide rolled out, and I took these photos of my dear friend and July model, Heidi.
I met Heidi about seven years ago in an online support group for surrogates who were pumping milk. Odd, I know! Turned out not only did she live near me, but she also was a writer. She invited me to her writing group, and after a few years of dragging my feet, we finally met.
Thank goodness! Heidi’s now one of my favorite people. She cares not only about her friends, but about the world. She’s smart, ambitious, kind, devoted to her children, an incredible middle school teacher, a talented writer, and she makes damn good guacamole. I’ve witnessed her incredible strength as she’s navigated some really hard things, and she impresses me with her dedication to growth and healing.
These photos are some of the first I took with my new 25mm f/1.8 lens, and it really was dreamy. Unlike most of my sessions, I barely edited these. Heidi fully trusted me and we worked together with such joy and ease that I think it really translated to these images.
Let me know if you have a favorite and give Heidi some love.
What makes you proud?
I’m most proud that I had the courage to dismantle every belief system that taught me to abandon myself in pursuit of acceptance. I’m proud that I’ve been brave enough to walk away from people and places committed to shrinking me, or unwilling to truly see or respect me. And I’m incredibly proud that I’ve chosen authenticity over belonging again and again, even when that authenticity and honesty have cost me security, community, and every version of myself I thought I would become.
What makes you feel brave?
My children make me feel brave because they remind me everyday that every time I choose courage, or step out of hiding and fully into my truth, I’m handing them a permission slip to do the same. To stand in the face of their fears and declare: “You don’t get to tell my story. I do.”
What gives you hope?
Nature gives me the most hope because in her I see the truth that everything is energy. Nothing is ever truly lost, merely transformed. Being in nature has shown me that we are not separate from her; we are her. When I can be still and return to Earth’s natural rhythms, she returns me to mine. In her, I am reminded that life knows how to adapt, regenerate, and begin again. She reminds me that transformation is always possible. And if Mother Earth can do it, so can I.
Here’s here’s a few bonus shots I wanted to add. A dog we met on the beach named Nova thought reminded me of the dog in Peter Pan. A few shots in black and white, deer prints in the sand, a seagull eating a crab, and a crazy bug that was close to Heidi’s face in the cave.
These were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using several different lenses and edited with Lightroom Classic. Let me know what you think, and check out the others in this series if you missed them.
Bridgette Tales 
Gosh, that sea ;ooks grim. That’s why I never wanted to live by the sea. The model’s top provides a nice bit of colour.
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This was a very foggy morning, but I never see the ocean as grim. I see it as always showing it’s beauty in all it’s forms. And yes, Heidi provides all the color and really makes these images special.
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very creative and beautiful photos, Bridgette! Wonderful. ❤️❤️❤️😻☺️☺️☺️
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Thank you so much, John. I’ve come a long way already in my ability to take photos of people and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.
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you’re welcome! I’ve never tried people photography.
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Beautiful model, as they all are. I love the mystic, witchy feel to many of the shots. Great job, as always. 💙
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Witchy, mystic is Heidi exactly! I’m so glad you liked these and I think, maybe, they might just be the best portraits I’ve done. I added a few more today as I was so tired last night and forgot the shots I wanted to add of the atmosphere, including a cool bug in the cave. Also, a seagull eating a crab.
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She’s definitely one who can pull it off. Love it.
I understand that tired feeling. There have been a few times I’ve posted where I look at what went up and have to ask myself how I forgot to add a critical element; like when I’m posting music and forget the mp3. 🤣
Hope you have a wonderful Sunday.
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I like them all! My favorite is #10, because I can never get birds to pose the way I want them to, unlike you…. An obviously less-inhibited model for you. I wonder if the setting made a difference?
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I think it was a combination of a lot of things that made these images so special, mainly my friend being so willing to be vulnerable with me. Her freedom to move around the ocean, a place she feels at home, really allowed for some special shots. I forgot to add in some of the “extra” shots I got, and just added them now, including a creepy bug in the cave you might want to see. Thank you for cheering me on. I did two more shoots on this trip, but I haven’t edited those yet.
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Your friend Heidi is a magnetic model, completely at ease with herself, and that confidence shines through in every pose she struck for the shoot.
The header image says it all—it captures someone entirely comfortable with the world. No. 1 is an absolutely gorgeous photograph and my favourite of the lot. The interplay of the sky, the rock, and the pendant comes together to create a truly stunning image. No. 2 has the feel of a classic stock photograph, yet it suits her perfectly. No. 3 has the effortless poise of a surfer’s stance—not everyone can carry it off so naturally. Is she a surfer? I also loved the photographs among the boughs and the one framed by birds; in truth, I admired every single image.
I absolutely loved your work behind the camera. You have turned your friend into a poem.
Please convey my compliments to Heidi.
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You’ve absolutely made my night with your comment “you have turned your friend into a poem.” Ahhh! That’s what I want to do with all my images, to make them see how beautiful they are by creating real works of art. I was tired last night and forgot to add in a few shots of the creatures we saw during this shoot, but those are here now.
Thank you for supporting my work. I appreciate it so much!
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These are gorgeous Bridgette. What a great subject Heidi is – water is definitely her element, she blends so easily with it. One of your commenters above says ‘witchy’ – indeed I see something of Stevie Nicks’ ‘Rhiannon’ in the header photo.
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Thank you so much, Roy! Heidi is absolutely connected to water and “witchy” things, so this really was the perfect shoot for her. I venture to say these might be my best photos yet. I added in a few more as I was tired last night and forgot some, including a super creepy bug that almost crawled onto her face while we did photos in the cave!
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Heidi is a force! And Nova is such a lovely dog! He or she looks friendly, too!
The beach looks pretty gloomy, but perfect for the photos, too!
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Heidi is a force! You’d love her. The dog reminded me of Nana in Peter Pan, and she belonged to a lovely family with small children. I just fell in love with her eyes!
I’m so glad you liked these. I added a few more images that I forgot to add last night, including a seagull eating a crab. It really was such a wonderful time. Magical!
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