"Of Black and White" "Lizbeth"

This will more than likely be the only piece I ever make that will be titled after someone. The girl you see here is indeed named Elizabeth. So I imagine it is clear to you now that she is of importance in my eyes being as I named this amazing image after her instead of some cryptic 2 word title that could be analyzed for years and years leading to different conclusions of the contents meaning.

I found this spot on the way home from a nearby town. Passing by I immediately thought to myself “I’ve got to do a shoot there” well 4 days later I was hopping the ditch ignoring the no trespassing signs and making amazing images of Elizabeth. Photographing Lizzie on numerous occasions beforehand I knew how she would respond to direction I gave her. In fact it was her that was in the premiere piece of my “Beautiful Simplicity” series.

           I have known Elizabeth since I was 15 years old. I can honestly say that she is nothing like the 14 year old girl I met way back when. Being able to see her transform into the woman she is today has been a complete blessing. I know for certain that I would not be who I am today if it weren’t for my friendship with this amazing woman. With a strong work ethic and determined mind Elizabeth sets her goals high and nearly always accomplishes them. I remember her as a shy blue eyed brunette with the voice of an angel who struggled with self-esteem, and now the woman you see before you in this photo is one of the strongest I know, proud of herself and the accomplishments she has worked hard to achieve. It’s amazing getting to look back on how much she has grown. It makes who she is today all the more amazing. The only thing that I don’t like about this image is that you are unable to see the beauty of her eyes. A rich vibrant blue, a sea of blue infested by gray lines as they glisten, making their way to her pupil, having the glint of a tear without sadness making her eyes shine even more bright than before. I hope that one day you are able to experience them.

             The reason I have named this piece Lizbeth is because to me this image shows her as I see her, she is walking away from this debris, the things that made her weak. Not only is she walking away from it, she is walking away from it proudly with a new found confidence. So without further ado I present to you my best friend Elizabeth in one of my favorite photographs I have ever created “Lizbeth”