October 17, 2025 | By: Jennifer DiDio
JDP senior Heather and her mom came to their planning meeting excited and with very different visions for what Heather's senior portraits would look like. Heather had inspirations to share that were on the darker/moodier/edgy side. Kristina wanted to see her beautiful girl's smile and joy and Heather was not interested in big smiling portraits. I was confident we could reach compromise and create along the lines they both would love.
We talked through each of their ideas and I saw the artist temperament in Heather emerge. She's a creative in love with art who just also happens to be an accomplished competitive swimmer.
Heather's been swimming since she was 7. When she was little, her team needed more swim judges. Heather's mom stepped up to the plate and completed the training to be an assistance to the team. She's continued judging ever since. This has meant Kristina has judged Heather throughout her swim career. Amazingly these two have a real understanding of the technical nature involved in this and there's no hard feelings when race doesn't go well. The bond between them runs deep and Kristina is Heather's biggest fan!
Thank you to Kristina who held onto me while creating this epic swim portrait below! She prevented me from tipping into the pool!
Heather is an artist who creates in any medium you place in her hands. She sees the beauty wherever she goes and is compelled to record it in sketch or photograph. She sees the story in life and was eager to be in the story we created around.
Heather's not sure what the next stage of life holds for her as a swimmer. She loves to compete, but practice is not the place she's interested investing her time anymore. But, she continues to cut time at meets, soooooo....
Heather's also competed as a pole vaulter. The strength that's been built for her via 10 years as a swimmer is an incredible asset to her hurdling herself through the air!
Heather had some cinematic inspirations for her outdoor portraits. This led to some brainstorming about how we could use those as a launch pad for her own unique pieces. The feel of these just makes me want to know the story. Then it makes me want to paint!
Heather, your creative soul is a treasure for this world! I can't wait to see what you'll have on your Etsy shop very soon! You can check out Heather's art work on Instagram at cam_unconstrained. I look forward to seeing all you will create in this life of yours lived with such wonder! You are eyes wide open to the possibilities and that always makes for the best portrait times...and the best lives!
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