Doing a portrait session like this has been a dream of mine for a while. I have a firm belief there is a beauty found in the every day, and that when you photograph someone in their environment you are able to represent the person better. This is Phebe. I came to her home for a portrait session that lasted around 45 minutes.


When we were talking about what we would do we decided to document how she spends her days. I asked her what she enjoys doing during her days. I also wanted to photograph her in as many rooms of her home as possible. We started in the dining room by her collection of beautiful orchids and the big windows.

Elegant senior woman in coral outfit with beaded necklace.
Portrait of senior woman wearing glasses and coral colored jacket.
Senior woman knitting by window with orchids in cozy wood-paneled room.
Close-up of weathered hands knitting with teal yarn and wooden needles while wearing a coral sweater.
Black and white image of hands knitting with dark yarn in a peaceful indoor setting.
Detailed view of experienced hands working with teal knitting yarn and wooden needles.
Portrait of an elderly person wearing glasses and a coral sweater with a floral scarf.
Person in coral cardigan tending to white orchids near a window in a wood-paneled room.

Next was spending some time at the piano where she played some beautiful hymns for me. This piano was a gift from her late husband Sid. She described when he gave it to her (when she had young children).

Side view of someone playing piano in a wood-paneled room wearing a coral sweater.
Black and white profile shot of someone playing piano in a wooden chair.
Close-up of aged hands resting on vintage piano keys in warm lighting.
Distant view through doorway of someone playing piano in a wood-paneled room with warm lighting.
Close-up of hands playing piano with hymnal and sheet music visible on the music stand.
Close-up black and white shot of elderly hands playing piano keys.
Senior wearing peach cardigan playing piano in warm interior setting.
Senior piano player gesturing expressively during performance.

Next she sat in the kitchen and I asked her to open her bible to her favorite passage. We had a lovely time as she shared it with me.

Wrinkled hands holding open Bible or religious text.
Senior reading at dining table under vintage hanging lamp in rustic interior.
Aged hand resting on open Bible page showing Philippians text.
Senior reading from book at white tablecloth covered table.
Senior wearing coral sweater and floral scarf in warm portrait.
Senior wearing peach colored sweater smiling warmly at camera.

Towards the end of our session Phebe asked if she could do some pictures with her gardening hat. I loved the she got creative. During the entire session I encouraged any and all ideas she had, and constantly incorporated her feedback. When I do these types of sessions I have no agenda except accurately documenting my subject and what matter mosts to them.

A figure in silhouette sits at a vanity table with a mirror in a dark room.
Dark bedroom interior with window curtains and decorative cow figurine on shelf.
Senior woman in straw hat and coral outfit gestures while standing by window.
Black and white portrait of senior woman wearing wide-brimmed hat.
Aged hands hold ornate silver frame containing vintage wedding photograph.
Senior woman in coral sweater and straw hat stands by window with natural lighting.
Senior woman in coral outfit looks at framed photos while sitting on white bedspread.
Close-up of hands holding vintage photograph in ornate silver frame.
Senior woman in coral sweater holds an antique framed photograph.
Weathered hands holding vintage black and white photograph in ornate frame.
Elderly person in coral sweater holding vintage black and white photograph in decorated frame.