Today I had the honor of photographing many lovely women in Pittsburgh for my Women with Icons project. Among them were Mary and Lydia Halkias. Mary contacted me through the internet, and since she happened to be located near to Nathan & Liana's house, we made a special trip to visit our friends and take the opportunity to visit with Mary and a few of her friends.

It was a gorgeous sunny afternoon; fortunate, because the forecast had called for thunderstorms. Mary talked with me between shots about how important it was to her that she choose a saint's name for her daughter that she would use everyday, and that she would grow up connected to that story and to her faith. And she herself expressed her feeling of honor for being named after "such a powerful intercessor" as the Mother of God.

Mary & Lydia Halkias

Out of all the portraits I took with Mary, the ones with Lydia struck me as being the most touching. The tenderness that exuded from Mary for Lydia I found so striking that I thought that it would be important to convey that in the portrait I chose for her.

Lydia Halkias

As for Lydia, she struck me as a very self-confident and friendly child. She was very openly curious and intelligent, but with a lot going on behind the surface. I wanted to place her in a confident stance that emphasized how strong she was for one so young--small in relation to her surroundings, but proud, forward, and young.

Reflections on other photos taken on this day to come.