TRADITION
I loved this session so much. These portraits were taken just over a year ago, but because of the challenges of Covid and the challenges of caring for a child requiring out of state medical care, it has taken some time for me to be able to reflect on the session and share the beauty that was created.
So much was changing when these photographs were taken and so much has changed since that time, but the sweetness and the joy of this afternoon together has always stayed with me.
While Doua took care of all of the details involved in professional makeup application and hair styling, Nuna shared stories about Covid engagements and the difficulties planning a wedding when venues were closing down and it felt like there was no safe way to bring everyone together.
Both women shared stories of the challenges wrapped up in honoring family and family tradition while also finding space to cultivate their own identity in the world they live in today.
They told me about the traditional Hmong wedding attire and the way young Hmong girls traditionally learned to bead and sew with their Mothers, Aunts, and Grandmothers. It was easy to see the love and attention that went into every detail of the clothing that Nuna brought to be photographed in.
As the makeup application went from "everyday" makeup to an exquisitely beautiful and contemporary look, it was easy to see how we were searching for ways to blend together tradition and creativity, to honor heritage while also learning how to make our own mark in the world.
As much as our conversations were an exploration of who we are in relationship to our past and who our families have been, our conversations were also celebrations of women we were becoming. I could see it in the styling and posing. I could see it in the growing craft of photography and lighting.
Kim Berry of Something Floral arrived with absolutely unique and contemporary floral designs. She brought amazing orchid jewelry. I had never seen anything like it before. She also brought an incredible bouquet with bright vibrant colors and unique angles, shapes, and textures.
We were weaving together the past and the future. We were creating our own paths forward.
Just as I stepped out of the shadows to work with this fabulous team, I stepped back into the shadow to care for my family once again.
A year later I am revisiting these images and again thinking about tradition. Sometimes the passing of time is painful and we do not want to continue reliving it. But sometimes the memory are beautiful and they lift us up, encouraging us to continue growing into more compassion, caring, and loving people.
The last year was filled with challenges for my family, but this session remains a beacon. It was a day filled with hope and love.
As I sat down are retouched an image from this session that I had not worked on a year ago, I continued to think about tradition and finding my way.
I thought again about this session being a beacon, radiating out light for others to see. I realized it was also a beacon radiating out light that I, myself, could see.
I gave myself permission to pause long enough to really take that in. The tradition I am creating is to see others in a beautiful and compassionate way. When I do this, it lights a way forward not just for others but for myself as well.
We are all finding our way while weaving together the past and what is unfolding in the very real moment of today. May we all be beacons for one another, and may we all learn to celebrate the beautiful people we are becoming.
Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to these women that are beyond incredible. And happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to all of us because history, culture, and contributions that are shared are beautiful beyond measure.
Please reach out if you are interested in session that celebrates your heritage or help you weave together the past and the present to create your own beautiful path forward.
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