I met Heather a few years ago when she contacted me to photograph her belly dance troupe. She was very kind, gentle and soft spoken. She was also an artist and knew what she was looking for.
Soon after I did the photos for her belly dance troupe, Heather and I went out on our own and shot some portraits – most recently are her maternity photos I posted a few weeks back. She was an amazing model, very graceful and I loved working with her. She came up with ideas on her own that in the end looked amazing. All the while, I thought to myself, “this girl has something special about her…the open mind of an artist, the eye of an eagle and she, too, should be doing this!” It wasn’t long after that and another shoot together that she told me she was looking into purchasing a camera and wanted to start taking photos herself. By the summer’s end, she had her camera in hand and what came from her mind, through the lens and into concept was beyond breath taking. I knew she had a long standing interest in photography, but it was as though she was finally able to explode all of that energy into the world and show everyone what was inside her mind.
Heather has come so far in just the few short years since she’s picked up her digital camera. I find myself anxious for her next photo, her next idea, her next inspiration. She told me that I was her inspiration for taking the plunge back into photography, but I can hardly accept that without acknowledging how she inspires me to look at the world in a different, more sincere light. Her raw, yet vintage style has won over a lot of fans and even graced the cover of a few books, as well as being featured in one this past year.
She finally has her first solo gallery open right now and I had the pleasure of going to her opening last weekend. Only 2 hours in, and most of the portraits were already sold. Portraits, that she titled so perfectly, ‘Domesticated’. They are her own take on the view of gender and the woman’s role in this world. After becoming a mother herself, only one month ago, her and her husband and baby daughter are relishing in this way past due opportunity to view her work along the walls of a quaint cafe down town.
Heather, you really do inspire me, as well as many other artist – especially women. I have already learned so much from you and cannot wait to see what is ahead for you in the photography world. I adore you!
Here are just a few shots I took of her gallery opening last week. For those in the area and that are interested, her gallery will remain up through the month of November. You can view it at Mary’s Of Course, in down town Winston-Salem, and on her website. No matter your style in art or photography, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
