Women’s History Month Project

Former State Senator Carolyn Nelson, photographed in her home in Fargo, ND.

One project I’m particularly excited about in 2020 is a series of portraits featuring women across the country for Women’s History Month and beyond. So far this year I’ve photographed two women in North Dakota, with plans to travel later this year to several locations in the United States and Canada.

The project is for one of my clients, Touchmark, and will later be converted to a calendar, detailing the stories told by the subjects alongside their portraits.

My direction for these portraits was soft, dramatic lighting that immediately draws the viewer’s eye towards the subject.

Behind each subject is a hand-painted olive colored canvas backdrop (created by Ashley Simmons of Fine Art Backdrops) that I had originally purchased for some portraits of my children. When I was approached for the Women’s History Month project, I knew immediately my canvas would provide the perfect backdrop for the portrait series.

Personally for me, the project is of significance as I have three daughters of my own in addition to having one heck of a mom and one amazing wife, plus an awesome sister. Women have shaped and molded me throughout my entire life (as has my dad - but hey this isn’t a men’s history month post lol). When I reflect on the women in my life, it’s so very clear to me that I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them.

And so, this project is very special to me.

In some ways, it’s just my way of saying “thank you” to all the amazing women out there, changing the world and kicking ass.