I believe in strong women, and I love strong women, and as a photographer and a writer, I look for strong women everywhere, sometimes I can see their strength and authenticity in their faces. Kelly, who works at the Foggy Notions (The Bog) restaurant and bar in my town, has that kind of a face.

Every time I come into the restaurant, I ask Kelly if I can take her picture, and she shrugs and smiles, and says sure. She has never asked me why or what I am going to do with the photographs. But I think she knows. It is a great challenge of any artist to capture the face and radiance of a strong woman, it is a curious thing in my life that I am now surrounded by them. My wife, my friends, a dog, two donkeys and a pony. And the ones I run across in my life.

At the bog, a busy and popular small town roadhouse, Kelly handles the bar and the restaurant, often by herself. She moves constantly and effortless, you would think she had all the time in the world, she never complains about how busy she is or rolls her eyes at the travails and troubles of waiting on so many people. She does her work with grace and always a smile.

When you point a camera at a strong women, she does not flinch or fuss with her hair or arrange her clothing or speak poorly of herself or her appearance. She doesn’t say she always takes a bad picture, she doesn’t wish she had more time to get ready. When you point a camera at a strong woman, she looks you in the eye and says, usually wordlessly, go ahead, do your thing, this is who I am and I love who I am. Click away.

Sometimes, there is a radiant smile – Kelly has such a smile, is is natural and as powerful as a lighthouse, even behind the counter of a bar. For me, a portrait of true beauty.

I believe in strong women, they stand  and they deal. They face the world with heads  held high and they carry the burdens and suffering and love of life in their hearts. And in their smiles.

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