I don’t even know where to begin with this post.  I have been putting it off for a couple of weeks now just for that reason.

There are people you meet in your life that you just KNOW will make a difference.  Rather it’s short term or long term, it doesn’t really matter at the time.  There are people that put off an energy of sincere concern and desire to learn about you.  To get to know you and that really care about you as a person and a human being.  They look around and open their arms to all walks of life, even those that are nothing like them, and offer them a chance.  A ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on, and they open their home.  A home that is a personal living space, their comfort and solace – they open that to a complete stranger.  Chevara is one of those people.

A couple of months ago, I was looking for a venue for which to shoot a bridal shoot.  The weather was calling for rain and then it quickly switched to snow.  I called location after location down town Winston and was turned away or calls were not returned.  Then, 2 days before my shoot, I received a call from Chevara.  She lives in the Leaf Loft Apartments in down town Winston and was wanting me to come visit to see if her home would work for my shoot.  I took her up on her offer, met her that afternoon, and was blown away by not only her beautiful home (which was perfect!), but her energy and warmth.  She welcomed me with a huge, tight hug and a smile that lit up the room.  She was full of energy, asked lots of questions about my photography and told me her house was open for me to shoot in any time I would like.

Later that night, I Googled Chevara, just out of curiosity.  What I read on various websites blew me away and gave me so much encouragement and inspiration. She has her own art gallery called White Space, and began the first transgender panel at Winston-Salem State University, helped found their first gay-straight alliance for students, as well as fights for women’s rights.  She is a member on the boards for the Winston-Salem Symphony, Partnership for a Drug-Free NC, Twin City Stage, Citizen Police Review Board, and RiverRun International Film Festival.  I am sure I have not listed a handful of other things she takes part in, but I think you get a small glimpse at the amazing woman I had the pleasure to meet and work with.  As quoted from another site (because I couldn’t say it better myself), Chevara is “5-foot powerhouse in 4 inch heels.”

Since Chevara was so kind and willing to open her home to me, I wanted to give her a shoot of her own to thank her for her kindness.  These are just a few of my favorites from our day together.  Chevara, thank you for everything, from the bottom of my heart.  You are a ray of sunshine in my life and I think of you often.  You give me hope, encouragement and inspiration and believed in me from the moment you met me.  I cannot wait to see how we can help each other out along our paths in life.

Chevara mentioned that she loved the photos I did of Sterling with her name, Crawly.  Sterling was kind enough to bring him to Chevara’s shoot for us to use!

This is the smile I have seen every time I’ve been around Chevara.  It’s intoxicating.

Yummy light!