Denise C

While I wasn't surprised to see that physical strength was on Denise's list of loves, (after all she's a very passionate personal trainer and even won first place in the first fitness competition she ever entered), I did find it interesting that her other loves also had to do with strength. I began to form this idea in my mind of a warrior, and while envisioning potential ideas for the shoot, I told myself that I would look for her softer side. It wasn't hard to find. As strong and muscular as Denise is, she's more like a butterfly: gentle and colorful but determined to burst out of her cocoon, transform herself and take flight. Ironically, in this shot she does resemble a butterfly. The whole scene was mesmerizing to me. I took it before I even got to the shoot. 

BTW, I can attest to Denise's strength and fortitude firsthand: it was extremely cold and windy at the beach that morning.  I had three layers on. She braved the elements with not much more than dignified grace and humor.