Some birds surprise you.
The Bufflehead may be small, but when sunlight hits its feathers, flashes of iridescent purple, green, blue, and bright white suddenly appear across its dark body.
It transforms in the light.
That’s what it felt like photographing Denisha Holland.
As the evening unfolded and she settled into the rhythm of the forest, something shifted. Her confidence expanded. Her movements softened. Her smile widened.
And slowly…
She became the bird.
How We Met
Denisha and I met through Lindy Hop classes at Rapid Rhythms.
I’ve loved watching her move across the dance floor over the past year — especially during our planetary fashion show, where she fully embraced movement, rhythm, and play.
There’s something deeply meaningful about getting to know someone through dance before photographing them.
Movement reveals trust.
Comfort.
Joy.
And Denisha carries all three.
Who She Is
Denisha is a 5th-grade teacher and graduated from Michigan State University in 2023 with a degree in education. She loves watching children’s minds develop and grow — helping them become more confident, curious, and capable.
That nurturing energy carries into every part of her life.
She has been with her husband, Tyler, since high school, where they first met in history and science class. Their relationship deepened through college at Michigan State and strengthened further when they moved in together during the uncertainty of Covid.
Together they love:
- games
- movies
- music
- building a life rooted in companionship
But outside of that partnership, Denisha has something entirely her own:
Swing dance.
And you can feel how alive it makes her.
Why the Bufflehead
The Bufflehead duck is one of Michigan’s most visually dynamic waterfowl.
Though small in size, the males shimmer with:
- iridescent purples
- emerald greens
- deep blues
- bright white contrast
They are quick-moving, playful, and often difficult to fully catch in motion.
Buffleheads are also cavity nesters — often returning to spaces that feel safe and protected.
That combination of vibrancy and groundedness felt deeply aligned with Denisha.
She is warm and nurturing, but also playful.
Steady, yet full of movement.
The kind of person whose confidence unfolds gradually as comfort grows.
The Look
We built Denisha’s look by layering around pieces she already had, allowing the styling to feel collaborative and natural:
- Shift dress base layer
- Magenta rayon scarf tied as a shirt and a rayon bracelet
- Kingfisher wrap top and a rayon bracelet
- Green scarf headband
- Brazil Nut scarf belt and wrinkle rayon wrap for movement
The colors mirrored the Bufflehead’s iridescence beautifully — flashes of jewel tones against grounding neutrals.
The contrast made her glow.
The Session
We photographed at Ball Perkins Park, wandering through mountain bike trails and wetlands alive with sound.
Birdsong echoed through the trees.
Frogs hummed from the water’s edge.
Everything felt alive.
Denisha, Tyler (just outside the frame), and I wandered through the forest together, chasing the last pieces of sunlight as they filtered through the trees.
At first, Denisha moved carefully.
Then gradually…
She opened.
Her shoulders relaxed.
Her laughter grew louder.
Her movements became freer.
By the end of the session, it genuinely felt like she had grown three inches taller.
That’s the part I love most about these portraits.
Watching someone step into themselves in real time.
Color Connection
The Bufflehead’s colors are all about contrast and reflection:
- Kingfisher blue → confidence and communication
- Emerald green → growth and vitality
- Magenta → expression and warmth
- Brazil Nut → grounding and steadiness
Together they create movement.
Depth.
A reminder that softness and strength can exist side by side.
A Bird in Bloom
Watching Denisha become the Bufflehead was joyful to witness behind the camera lens.
Not because she changed into someone else, but because she relaxed enough to become more fully herself.
And sometimes that’s all these sessions really are: An invitation to bloom.
Find Your Bird
Every person carries colors, movements, and symbols that already belong to them.
Sometimes it’s a bird.
Sometimes it’s a feeling.
Sometimes it’s simply the permission to play again.
If you’re ready to explore what comes alive in you—
Let’s build a look together and see what takes flight.
