It's been awhile since I've set aside time to work on Women with Icons. A longstanding personal project, I began it back in 2004, shortly after graduating college. It's sat dormant for far too long.

Danielle graciously posed for me the other day, after heavy spring rain had flooded the area. Here we are, enjoying the puddle you saw yesterday, only with St. Peter.

Here's my statement on the project:

Though the Eastern Orthodox church is very traditional in its beliefs, it has a long history of recognizing the contributions that women make to society and to their faith. Through the recorded lives of the saints, individual believers can learn about the plethora of female saints commemorated in Orthodoxy, many of whom are depicted in icons--paintings--that line the walls of Orthodox churches.

Upon joining the Orthodox church, individual believers make a connection with the saints by taking on a saint's name. This saint becomes their patron saint, protecting them and interceding for them before the throne of God.

Modern Orthodox women, therefore, have an automatic and deep connection to the women of the past. Women With Icons investigates this shared heritage and history. My goal with this project is quite simple: to photograph Orthodox women of all ages and backgrounds with an icon of their patron saint. I hope to do so in a compelling way, bringing insight into their personalities and revealing the impact that Orthodoxy has on their lives.

Capturing the essence of a person in a single image is a difficult task, and one that takes considerable time and effort. I have yet to master it.

Hopefully I'll have more to add later on.