I’ve known her since we were 13. Back when we were just trying to survive middle school, crushes, bad decisions and dark eyeliner. We’ve grown up together — cried, laughed, held each other through heartbreaks, celebrated tiny wins like they were everything. So when I say this shoot was personal, I mean it deeply. Now here we are, both 29, and this shoot? It wasn’t just a birthday session. It was a celebration of her survival, her power, and the way she’s still rising. It was a tribute to a woman who has fought like hell to become who she is.
She’s survived so much.
An abusive relationship that tried to steal her light. The kind of pain that leaves marks you don’t see in photos. She’s a single mother raising a daughter with special needs — with so much love, patience, and strength, it blows me away. And even with all of that, she’s still pushing every day to get one step closer to her happiness. Her peace. Her dreams.
She didn’t just get a Jeep. She got her freedom.
On her own. No help. No handouts. Just grit, late nights, and raw determination. That Jeep is more than a vehicle — it’s a symbol of everything she reclaimed. It’s giant fuck you to everything and everyone that tried to break her. It’s proof that she’s in charge of her own story now.
The day of this shoot, she showed up glowing. We giggled like we were teenagers again. We blasted music and sang our hearts out. She dropped a dozen fire outfits onto my couch, tried every one on and did some spins and prances showing she was THAT BITCH.
We get to our destination she's in a fire outfit. Hair, makeup, vibe on point. But more than that — she brought her energy. She stood in front of my camera, bold and unapologetic, and I swear… I could feel the shift. She wasn’t posing. She was claiming her space. Even though she had her bestie yelling at her to fix her face and trust the process, she shined brighter than ever before.
And behind the lens, I wasn’t just a photographer.
I was her best friend watching her become everything we always hoped we’d grow into.
This is why I do what I do.
Because moments like this matter. Because women like her deserve to be seen in their power. Because healing isn’t always loud — sometimes, it’s a photo that says, "Look at me now fuckers."
If you’ve made it through something that almost broke you, and you're ready to see yourself in a new light — I’d be honored to help you capture that. Photography is more than pretty pictures. It’s therapy. It’s healing. It’s proof of how far you’ve come and how powerful you really are.
To every woman who’s been through hell and is still standing, I see you.
If you’ve got a story you’re finally ready to celebrate — whether it’s messy, magical, or still unfolding — I’d be honored to capture it. Let’s turn your resilience into art.
To my best friend:
I love you endlessly. Watching you rise has been the greatest privilege of my life. You'll always be my Remedy Hay.
