carlton county portraits: alicia

Saturday, May 21, 2011

carlton county portraits: alicia

alicia is one of the bravest persons i know.

she is from a small town in carlton county, new brunswick and has not spent much time out of that small town, and the comfort and her close knit family and community of friends, in her 21 years. it wasn't until she came to university in st. stephen four years ago that she lived anywhere else. and i am pretty sure it wasn't until her travel study terms with st. stephen's university that she had ever traveled, let alone flown internationally!! but this is not why i think she is one of the bravest persons i know...

in april, alicia graduated from university with first class honours, pack up and moved home for two weeks, repacked and moved to toronto to participate in the explorer program, wherein she studies french for six weeks immersed in the language and customs! when she is done she will stay in toronto to work and attend george brown in the fall taking classes that will hone her awesome skills as an editor! but, again, this is not why she is one of the bravest people i know...

alicia is one of the bravest persons i know because she has not let fear prevent her from seizing every opportunity presented her, nor has she allowed fear to prevent her from creating opportunity for herself. she has faced every personal battle straight on, perhaps shrinking back at first before standing firm in the face of adversity, insecurity and every other yucky thing that life throws one's way! in the four years that i have know alicia i been impressed time after time by her strength, conviction and sheer will power to write her own story rather than it come simply from the pen of another. she is brilliant, has an incredible gift for all things grammar, is a star swing dancer, a self-taught designer and seamstress, and an incredibly b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. young woman inside and out!

alicia approached me about doing some grad photos for her by saying, "i want to feel beautiful and have the pictures to prove it!" alicia, you are beautiful and i hope you agree that these photos have captured every beautiful smile, giggle, contemplative, strong, and free spirited expression you gave my camera. you are a star in front of the camera. i hope these photos remind you how beautiful you are!

alicia designed and made this navy blue dress... in fact she is accredited with starting a trend at the university for the girls to hand sew their own dresses, skirts and whatever one might be inspired to stitch together!