I can not tell you how many tears I cried...
My heart broke when the doctors said that my knees would not be able to endure a career as a ballerina.
So I fled... to France. It was autumn, the air was crisp and the vines had reddened, ready to drop their leaves for the winter. I was in a hot air balloon, warmed by the heat of the flame overhead. We soared over the vineyards of Sautern and as we passed the ruin of a chateau, I had an epiphany. I photographed the balloon's shadow and at that moment knew that I wanted to be a photographer. I remember so clearly the relief I felt at finding a new path and being filled with hope again for a bright future.
I returned to university and immersed myself fully in photography, sometimes spending up to 14 hours in the darkroom. It was not long before I was drawn to photographing people. And also not long before my friends tired of posing for me. So I started taking self portraits.
I just dug out these two photographs that I shot 24 years ago. What I find amazing is how similar they are to my recent work in that the light is soft and even on the face.
For twenty years, I have been photographing women. Creating beautiful images has brought me such joy, but what makes me happy is hearing how the images have made them feel...
