cherish : an artist portrait : meredith

Meet Meredith. She's a beautiful dancer and soul. This lovely woman has some exciting things up her sleeves for the Colorado Dance community. She's one to watch for sure!

Love and Light,

Heather

cherish: welcome them home

I met this family through Welcome Them Home, an organization that connects photographers to military families for portraits of soliders homecomings. We donate our time to military families to thank them for service to this country. It was an honor to photograph Lt. Frantz's return home. The last time he saw his wife and son was the day his baby was born. Five months later, he was returning home.

I met Alyssa and her family at the Denver Airport. We watched the flight updates since there were a few storms heading into the area Lt. Frantz was flying from. The flight was delayed and we anxiously waited for updates. Alyssa was non-stop looking at her phone for her husband to text her when he landed. While we waited, their friends and family visited with each other and shared stories. I met a few of Lt. Frantz's colleagues and their families. It was beautiful to see how much these people cared about this man and that they all wanted to be here to thank Lt. Frantz and his family for their service to our country. 

We all stared at the walkway waiting and as we saw Lt. Frantz walk up the stairs we all smiled. Everyone was crying and the people around us at the airport cheered and clapped for this beautiful family. I cried with every photo I took. I cannot begin to imagine what this moment felt like for this family. I can't begin to grasp this selfless act of serving ones country and the sacrifices military families make for all of us. Men and women dedicate their lives to this country everyday, leaving behind their wives, husbands and children, and this is why I'm a Welcome Them Home photographer. I can't think of a better way to contribute to these amazing families. 

Love and Light,

Heather

cherish : mary lynn : denver photographer

Meet Mary Lynn. She is an extraordinary woman. I've photographed Mary Lynn many times in the last year with the dance company Fresh Blood Collective. This was a special portrait because it was Mary Lynn alone. We met many times to discuss what this portrait would be, what she wanted and what we could create together. As mothers we spent a lot of time discussing the many hats we wear as mothers, creatives, wives, friends and more. More often than not mothers don't take time for themselves let alone have their own portrait taken. Mary Lynn dreamed up her many characters, aliases and artists, and we adventured through the South Platte River neighborhood with these women. These amazing women; each with their own story, dreams and personalities. This portrait was designed to honor each of these sides of Mary Lynn.

This was a very special portrait for me. One of a woman who I greatly admire and respect.  I'm honored to know Mary Lynn and these other women who dance in her mind and heart. 

Love and Light,

Heather