kay JostranD
Being and Becoming
ARTIST STATEMENT:
“What’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn?
That since day one she’s already had everything within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not.”
Rupi Kaur
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In the spring, our family life accelerates to warp speed: multiple sports, dance, and end of school-year activities. It’s oh so easy to become lost in the busyness of it all. One of the joys of portrait photography is the gift of slowing down and seeing into the heart of the person being photographed.
This spring, I challenged myself to stop and truly see my 8 year-old daughter. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then these images write a novel spanning a few weeks of her life. Her authenticity inspires me to see her for exactly who she is and who she is becoming.
The delicate balance of encouraging her to reach for her dreams while simultaneously grounding her in the security that she is already whole is a seminal part of what it means for me to parent a young woman in our world today.
She is more than enough.
Smart. Funny. Courageous. Kind. Spunky. Contemplative. Joyful. Athletic. Curious. Creative. It is my hope that in the years to come, she will continue to embody her wholeness while she endeavors to become all she dares to dream.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Kay Jostrand grew up in rural South Carolina surrounded by extended family, enchanted with family lore. Tales of rapscallions, spunky women, hard times, and the love that weaves a family together captivated her imagination. Some of her fondest Thanksgiving memories include squatting at the feet of her family elders while they swapped stories around a smoking hot woodstove.
Kay began telling stories through images when her grandfather handed down his old Brownie camera when she was eight. She swapped the lens for the stage when she debuted as a vulture in a third-grade production of The Jungle Book. Kay’s fascination with storytelling and love for the people behind the stories blossomed throughout her childhood and into early adulthood, when she chose a career in faith-based and social service organizations. Once again, she found herself enthralled with and humbled by people’s stories, and the redemptive and healing power found in the telling.
Fusing her love of photography, people, and storytelling, Kay’s work focuses on honoring people through the lens. The art of being truly present is an integral part of her artistic process. Kay’s greatest joy is seeing into the heart and soul of the people she photographs; capturing a moment in time, telling the story of a lifetime.
Visit her at www.kayjostrand.com or on Instagram @KayJostrandPhotography.
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All artwork is available for sale.
For pricing information contact
Kay Jostrand:
kayjostrand@gmail.com