Some birds migrate alone.
Others find a companion and begin to move through the world in rhythm.
That’s what it felt like photographing Wren and Justice.
The Lazuli Bunting and the Baltimore Oriole.
Two vivid birds.
Two distinct personalities.
Two colors that somehow make each other brighter.
How We Met
I met Wren and Justice through Lindy Hop classes at Rapid Rhythms.
Wren leads in class, and over the past year we’ve shared long conversations while moving across the dance floor together. There’s something deeply comforting about being led by someone who listens through movement.
As an identical twin, I’ve always been fascinated by mirroring — the way bodies sync, soften, and communicate without words.
And around Wren and Justice…
My body rests.
They create that kind of safety.
Who They Are
On their own, both women are confident.
But together?
They sparkle.
A smile appears.
Shoulders drop.
Eyes soften.
You can feel the comfort they offer each other.
They met in high school when Justice gave Wren her first deck of Magic: The Gathering cards — a detail Wren remembered years later when they unexpectedly reunited behind the meat counter at Horrocks.
Justice got so nervous from the attention that she immediately left.
But she kept coming back.
For months, she bought sausage from Wren’s counter — despite not even eating it — simply to have a reason to see her. She cooked it for coworkers instead.
Eventually, a shared love of painting Magic miniatures became their opening into something deeper.
And now?
They are building a life rooted in play, creativity, movement, and care.
Healing Through Love
Not everyone receives the kind of love they needed growing up.
Justice’s mother had her young, and she was largely raised by her aunts.
Wren’s mother struggled in ways that required distance and boundaries.
And yet…
Instead of hardening, they softened.
Justice talked about learning to forgive her mother by witnessing her growth over time — understanding that healing is messy and human.
Watching Wren and Justice together, you can feel how much they mother one another now.
Not in control.
Not in perfection.
But in gentleness.
In attention.
In comfort.
In the simple act of staying.
Why These Birds
Wren as the Lazuli Bunting
The Lazuli Bunting is a small songbird known for its brilliant turquoise-blue feathers and warm cinnamon tones.
The males are especially vibrant during breeding season — glowing against the landscape like little moving pieces of sky.
They are energetic, expressive birds, often singing from open branches where they can fully be seen and heard.
Wren immediately resonated with these shades.
She shared that aquamarines and teals were colors she naturally wore when she was younger — before adulthood and practicality muted some of that playfulness.
And when she stepped into those tones again…
Something reopened.
Justice as the Baltimore Oriole
The Baltimore Oriole is impossible to ignore.
Bright orange-yellow against deep black, they move through trees like living embers.
Orioles are also known for weaving intricate hanging nests — carefully crafting spaces for safety and belonging.
That felt deeply aligned with Justice.
She is nurturing.
Patient.
Protective.
A woman who creates spaces where people can soften.
The Looks
Wren — Lazuli Bunting
- Aquamarine rayon square scarf as a shirt
- Wrinkle rayon aquamarine wrap tied as a shrug
- Celadon rayon scarf for draping
- Chamoise stretch denim wide-leg pants
- Celadon wristbands
The palette felt airy and fluid — like water meeting sky.
Justice — Baltimore Oriole
- Deep yellow cotton circle skirt
- Cerulean blue stretch rayon top
- Marigold and deep yellow hoodie
- Rayon scarf for movement
- Rayon scarf rose tied at the neck
The warm yellows made her glow.
Together, the teal and gold played against each other beautifully — distinct, but harmonious.
The Session
We photographed around Rockford Dam, a place that grounded me deeply as a child.
The rushing water has always brought me peace.
And bringing these autistic women into a sensory space that also calms my nervous system felt profound.
There’s a knowing that happens when you’re around people whose bodies move through the world like yours.
Not identical.
But compatible.
We wandered through grasses, laughed at geese, and danced into the evening as pink lights began glowing around us.
The water rushed beside us.
And for a moment…
Everything softened.
Comfort Before Play
One thing Wren shared stayed with me.
When they first met, their wardrobes were different. Wren wore tighter lace pieces, dressing more for expectation than comfort.
Justice slowly introduced her to softer clothing. Looser silhouettes. Fabrics that allowed her body to rest.
And then…
They started playing.
That feels important.
We often think self-expression starts with boldness.
But sometimes it starts with comfort.
With finally feeling safe enough in your body to explore joy.
Color Connection
The Lazuli Bunting and Baltimore Oriole are both birds of visibility.
- Teal → openness, communication, emotional flow
- Gold → warmth, optimism, vitality
- Black accents → grounding, clarity, protection
Together, these colors created something alive.
Not performative.
Authentic.
A Shared Flight
Watching Wren and Justice in these looks was visually stunning.
But more than that…
It was healing to witness.
To watch two people love each other into fuller self-expression.
To watch comfort become play.
And play become freedom.
Their joy fed me.
And I think that’s what authentic self-expression does.
When we embody it fully,
we give others permission to soften into themselves too.
Find Your Bird
Sometimes your bird reflects who you are alone. And sometimes…
It reflects who you become when someone finally sees you clearly.
Whether your expression takes the form of a bird, a color palette, or an entirely different kind of fantasy—
I’d love to help you build a look that feels like home in your body.
Let’s see what takes flight.
