Professional Portrait Day in March

I used to be a social worker, and even though I’m not in that field anymore, I have so much love and admiration for folks doing that work. Our communities and neighbors deserve care. The folks doing the hard, relentless work (often underpaid, under-resourced, and emotionally wrung out) deserve all the extra love.

Back in March, I hosted a professional portrait day for people working against the commercial sexual exploitation of young folks. One image isn’t going to fix systemic harm, obviously. Sometimes it helps to give money, time, and skills. Some of these folks may have speaking gigs, need some imagery when applying for funds, or just simply want a current photo that honors their current look.

As a portrait photographer (family portraits + outdoor boudoir), I’m paying attention to power, consent, and how people feel in front of the lens. Portrait day wasn’t about perfection or stiff, corporate “smile like you love capitalism” energy. It was about making space for people to show up as themselves: soft, tired, badass, kind, complicated. I want folks to walk away with images that actually feel like them.

If you’re someone doing care work, advocacy, or community organizing: I see you. You deserve to be held, hyped up, and photographed like you matter - because you are fucking important.