Three years ago, a group of Buddhist monks visited my little town here in New Hampshire. My then-5-year-old visited them with me at the high school. They chanted beautifully. They worked all week long on an intricate sand painting that would be swept away at the end of the week. I stood there staring at the sand painting and feeling very moved by the profundity of what they were doing. Impermanence. Nothing is forever. Everything changes. It’s a philosophy that has deeply resonated with me in the last few years and has inspired my life and my photographic work.

I knew I wanted this conceptual shoot to be reflective of this philosophy, and butterflies are particularly symbolic; how they evolve from caterpillars and live very short lives. It was the perfect analogy for change and impermanence. My friend Rebecca studied etymology and is a moth and butterfly expert. She was able to help me to get my hands on these little lovelies.

Danya of Machina Arts was happy to model for me when we discussed the project. Her costume is reflective of the theme and mood of the shoot – elements from nature of course, but also of impermanence (my repurposed wedding dress with natural elements glued to it). I made the crown out of sticks and twigs.

I hope you enjoy this latest Do You Dream in Color? installment called Changeling.

Behind the scenes images compliments of Golden Aura Photography:

Many thanks to Rebecca Podniesinski for her help with the butterflies (none of which were killed for this shoot).

Danya Landis of Machina Arts  for her willingness to put dead butterflies in her mouth.

And Emily Esslinger of Golden Aura Photography  for all the images of me working this shoot.

Firefly Photography is now booking appointments in  NH (Keene, Seacoast, Upper Valley and Monadnock area)  VT  and Greenfield, MA for dreamy maternity, newborn, and child & family portrait photography.

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