words don’t matter you do across a table carrying our years cups in hand shadow pens starry paper ray dotted cheeks called-out names like a song jane says look up we rewrite the room
*28/100: For the next 100 days, I’ll be writing and posting a poem every day.
**All photos are mine, taken with an Olympus E-M1 MarkII and edited with Lightroom Classic.
saunterstep beside me pretend you flashcapture everymoment ohthelightreallylovesyou dreamyou beautybeautybeauty wordslike whisperskin foldtogether alwaystouching sunlightyou knows howto saunterstep beside me
*15/100: For the next 100 days, I’ll be writing and posting a poem every day. **All photos are mine, taken with an Olympus E-M1 MarkII and edited with Lightroom Classic.
my shadow threw flowers into the sea for you. floated words on petals, threads for you to pull. calling through bright sun, casting into murky waters. see how closed curtains float when blown. fresh lemon wind leaning against bark until the wood vibrates you—again and again.
*8/100: For the next 100 days, I’ll be writing and posting a poem every day. **All photos are mine, taken with an Olympus E-M1 MarkII and edited with Lightroom Classic.
sweet girl, when those fast feet dance outside the library to music living inside your bones, and my screen glows awake to swallow the moment, do you know it’s the years i’m holding? you, right now— a bright flash of wild curly hair saved for later.
you call out “gigi dance” and I do, because my tired body wants to always remember what it feels to move with you. your small hand guiding my heavier bones.
we play, talk, and say hi to our oak tree, but it’s when we sing together and you press your head into my chest before climbing into your big girl bed, i feel the new weight of your lengthening limbs.
*3/100: For the next 100 days, I’ll be writing and posting a poem every day. **All photos are mine, taken with an Olympus E-M1 MarkII and edited with Lightroom Classic.
cars zoom past to anywhere but here, each carrying someone’s entire world. bees swarm inside my chest, heavy and frantic, a hum vibrating beneath my ribs. only my finger moves, pressing each letter into my phone, like sitting years ago in the sand, pushing rocks down as far as they would go. maybe if i press hard enough now it will reach you. a little gift from my hand to yours. a single bee let loose across the distance. do you see the sun cutting through the leaves too? does the air taste like honey there? i need everything to be okay, for you, for us.
clouds streak white, smudges in pale blue. buzzing slows to a quiet ache.
i just need to hear you say— it’s all going to be okay. one more thread for us.
*2/100: For the next 100 days, I’ll be writing and posting a poem every day. **All photos are mine, taken with an Olympus E-M1 MarkII and edited with Lightroom Classic.
“She did not succumb to the battering of the brutal elements in her life. No, instead, with nourishment and strength from those surrounding her, and from her own deep, strong roots, she continued to grow; not just grow but thrive! So much so that she did not buckle under the weight that was not her own.”—Claudia
For the month of June, my model was my lovely friend Claudia. We met during sunrise, to avoid the heat, and our time together was magical. We wandered the same wooded area I had taken photos in last month, but it looked different, more golden and less dark green. I focused my camera on capturing her lovely energy, smile, and how she connects to nature.
I met Claudia when our kids started first grade together. My first memory of her is volunteering together to paint the school office. She was working hard (something I learned is how she’s wired) and we got to talking. I instantly knew she’d be someone I wanted in my life. She’s caring and kind, but doesn’t allow boundaries to be crossed. She’s a loving mother who taught her kids to speak up for themselves and is the very epitome of unconditional love.
I’ve seen my friend go through some very rough times in the last few years and really focus on healing. She’s in such a good place right now and I saw it, radiating off her (see the photos at the end for photographic evidence, maybe?) I’m really loving these sessions with my friends and can’t wait to keep growing and sharing my photos with you all.
Enjoy!
#1#2#3
What makes you proud? Watching my kids advocate for themselves and set boundaries, and knowing that I provide well for them, not just physical needs but in all of the ways that matter makes me really proud.
#4#5#6
What makes you feel brave? Reminding myself of how much healing and growth I have done these past few years makes me feel brave.
#7#8#9
What gives you hope? Trusting the path that the universe has set for me, believing that it has good things for me, and reminding myself that it has always taken care of me (even though I endured a lot of pain and trauma), gives me hope.
#10#11#12
When we first starting taking photos together, I told my friend to just take a moment to look around the woods. Relax a minute and feel the energy. I snapped this shot. Although it’s most likely just a unique sun flare, my first thought when I opened the image was “did I capture her aura?” I had to share it with you all too.
And here’s some extras, just because I like them:
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.
“If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” —RuPaul
For the month of May, my model was my lovely momma. We decided to include her best friend, Olive, in the photo shoot and I’m so glad we did. My mom is a lover of animals, loyal to those who are kind to her children, and a bit silly. She knows how to make me laugh, is always there when I need someone to listen to me, and loves me more than anyone else on Earth. I credit my mom with giving me my resilience, a childhood filled with animals, and being my number one fan.
My mom lives in Washington now where she and her dog can take daily hikes in the woods, her favorite thing to do. While she was here for my daughter’s graduation, I had to get her in the woods for some photos. This little spot filled with oak trees and a few wild flowers was perfect. This shoot included way too many burrs in our clothes, a tiny bit of rain, and a lot of giggles.
Thanks mom for being a light in this dark world. I love you more than you’ll ever know.
#1#2#3
What makes you proud? My kids and grandchildren make me very proud!
#4#5#6
What makes you feel brave? When I’m out walking in the woods with my beloved dog Olive.
#7#8#9
What gives you hope? Looking into the eyes of my granddaughter and grandson. I hope for greatness for them both.
#10#11#12
I’ve got over twenty photo shoots under my belt now and I’m starting to find my stride. I’m currently on a trip to Vegas with my daughter and her best friend, and leaning into a more documentary style. I’m experimenting with leaving the images a bit grainy, editing less, and exploring more with composition. I’ll be curious to see what others think of those images when I post them, and what you think of these. I also did very minimal editing on these, and I think I’m starting to find a sort of style I like. Let me know what you think, and check out the others in this series if you missed them.
“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?
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!
“One day you will look at those photos with much kinder eyes, and say, ‘dear God, I was a beautiful thing!'”—Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose
Today, I’m starting a new series where I photograph the amazing women in my life. I’m hoping to improve my photography skills while at the same time honoring those who make my life so beautiful.
My daughter, Lola, agreed to be my first model. I’m grateful for her creative spirit, willingness to try new things, trust in my abilities, and endearing vulnerability.
Let me know if you have a favorite and have a great weekend.
#1#2#3
What makes you proud? Pushing through things and still being here.
#4#5#6
What makes you feel brave? Sharing my art and performing music.
#7#8
#9
What gives you hope? The kind, beautiful people in my family and life.
#10#11#12
These were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using a 50mm lens and edited with Lightroom Classic.
Bridgette Tales 