There are moments in the Michigan Birds series when the transformation happens almost instantly — when someone steps into color and movement, and suddenly the bird appears. That’s what happened with Selah.
For a half hour along the edge of the Grand River at Riverside Park, Selah hopped between tree stumps, climbed low branches, and balanced on fallen logs as if she had been flying through that landscape her entire life. Her movements were light and curious. Her laughter carried through the quiet evening air.
Watching her move through the trees, it became obvious.
Selah had become the Cedar Waxwing.
How We Met
Selah and I met on the dance floor at swing dances held at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. During the long Michigan winters, these gatherings become a way to shake off the cold and dance away the winter blues.
Selah has one of those presences that immediately stands out — not because she demands attention, but because she listens. She asks thoughtful questions and responds with intention. Over the last year, I’ve watched her blossom on the dance floor, becoming more expressive and confident with every song.
And she is rarely alone.
There are almost always friends orbiting around her — girls and guys alike — drawn to her warmth and generosity. Selah is magnetic in her kindness, generous with her smiles, and naturally pulls people into community.
Which makes perfect sense when you learn about the project she started.
Selah is the founder of Ladies & Literature, a book club experience that connects young women across Michigan through a shared love of reading. Each month, members gather around a selected book, enjoying curated goodie bags, themed appetizers and mocktails, and thoughtful discussions led by moderators. The experience blends storytelling, creativity, and social connection — building friendships while exploring meaningful ideas. Learn more about Ladies & Literature here: https://www.ladiesandliterature.com/
It’s a beautiful example of the kind of person Selah is: someone who creates spaces for people to gather and belong.
A Moment That Says Everything
When we were scheduling this portrait, Selah had just agreed to step in as a stand-in dance partner for a community class because the instructor who was supposed to lead it had gottenhurt. She told me she didn’t know the dance she was going to teach — but she was willing to give it a shot.
That moment stuck with me.
It revealed something essential about her character: Selah shows up for people. She’s willing to make mistakes in front of others if it means helping the community keep moving.
That kind of confidence — the confidence to try, learn, and laugh while doing it — is something I think many of us could learn from.
The Look
Selah has golden-blonde hair and a light, rosy complexion, so we began searching for Michigan birds that share those natural tones.
We landed on the Cedar Waxwing, one of the most elegant birds in the Midwest.
The waxwing’s plumage is soft and silky — warm caramel browns blending into honey and amber tones, finished with a sleek black mask and tiny flashes of yellow and red along the wings and tail.
The colors we used in Selah’s look were:
- Marigold
- Amber Waves
- Golden Brown
- Hot Black
These shades blended beautifully with her natural coloring. The richness of Golden Brown created depth against her light hair, while Marigold added a vibrant glow that echoed the waxwing’s golden undertones. A Hot Black dyed scarf mirrored the bird’s distinctive mask and beak, bringing the whole look together.
When Selah stepped into the colors, the transformation was immediate.
Cedar Waxwing Vibes
The Cedar Waxwing is a bird of quiet elegance.
It travels in flocks and is known for sharing berries with other waxwings — sometimes passing fruit down a line from bird to bird before anyone eats. They follow sweetness through the landscape, moving from tree to tree as berries ripen throughout the seasons.
And tucked into their wings are tiny red wax-like tips — small flashes of brilliance that give the bird its name.
Selah carries many of those same qualities.
She builds community through Ladies & Literature, bringing women together around stories and conversation. She notices people who might otherwise be overlooked and invites them onto the dance floor. She moves through the world with kindness, curiosity, and grace.
Like the waxwing, Selah gathers people together and shares the sweetness of life.
The Session
We photographed Selah near the first entrance to Riverside Park — an area of the park I hadn’t yet explored through my camera lens. We arrived at sunset, hoping for dramatic skies, but clouds rolled in, softening the evening light. What we ended up with instead was a calm, clear stillness along the river.
Selah didn’t hesitate.
She climbed trees, balanced on logs, and leapt from stumps with fearless enthusiasm as we moved along the riverbank searching for places where she could fly. Her movements were natural and exuberant — the kind of playful energy that reminds you that portraits don’t have to be stiff or serious.
For about thirty minutes, our phones stayed tucked away as we wandered the edge of the water, capturing moments. And somewhere along that quiet stretch of river, Selah became the Cedar Waxwing.
Find Your Bird
The Michigan Birds series is about more than costume or photography.
It’s about discovering the colors, movements, and symbols in nature that resonate with who you already are.
Every person has a bird.
Sometimes it shows up in your natural coloring. Sometimes it appears in your personality or the way you move through the world. And sometimes it reveals itself the moment you step into the right colors.
If you’re curious what bird might be waiting inside you, I’d love to help you find it.
Come play with color, movement, and imagination — and let’s see what takes flight: book your session
