When I answered the phone, there was a soft, kind voice on the other end. She told me that what she needed was one headshot for her work. And then we talked. She told me about her life, where it is now, and where she wants it to go. We shared stories of love, loss, hopes, and dreams.. we understood that women go through things, both incredibly amazing and devastatingly difficult, that no one else can empathize with, without having experienced it. 

I’ve always been a talker, but sometimes in life, we need little reminders as human beings, we need to connect. We did just this. 

Through our initial conversation and from subsequent chats, we knew there was more to what we could create together than “just” a photo for her work. 

Connection is so vital for us, and it’s why humanity can thrive. We reach out to people, we lean on people, we depend on people, we trust people. 

Thank you, my friend, for opening up to me, for sharing your kindness with me, and for trusting me.

Aniya, xo