9/20

i am so impressed
with my mother's fortitude and courage during this difficult time
that i want to celebrate her
and to that end
i have chosen to photograph the couples
i see on the street holding hands.
i tried at first to do this as candid street photos
but realized that for the images to be truly powerful,
i would need the couples to participate in the project.
i have been a photographer for many, many years
but never have been comfortable walking up to strangers
and asking if i could share in their personal space;
i am such a private and shy person
that i never felt my need to take a picture
was greater than respecting someone's right to be alone.
but the desire to honor my mother
has created a reason for me to stretch
outside this particular comfort zone
and i am taking these portraits
in the spirit of both courage and love:
the courage to break barriers
and the love that these couples share with each other
and with us through the simple gesture of holding hands.