Nadia and I grew up in the same neighborhood, attended the same schools, and participated in the same extracurricular activities, yet our relationship remained surface-level throughout the years. Recently, I had the opportunity to spend an evening with her, not just to capture her portrait, but to reconnect on a deeper level. We reflected on our lives since high school—where we've been, where we are now, and where we hope to go.

When we first spoke about the portrait session, I told her about my neighbor’s house, which was under construction. It had no windows or inner walls, and yet, light found its way in through the old, dated blinds, creating a sense of warmth despite its unfinished state. I knew immediately that this space would be perfect. The worn-down structure, surrounded by signs of growth, felt symbolic of Nadia’s own transformation.

As we spent time together, it became clear that this environment reflected her journey. The warmth and light pouring through those blinds mirrored her quiet resilience, the growth she was cultivating, and the patience with which she awaited her next steps. These portraits capture more than just her image—it speaks to the beauty of transition, of finding light and warmth even in incomplete, uncertain spaces.