Tucson, Arizona
The COVID quarantine has given me space to evaluate the ways in which I connect with other survivors. I was prompted to start a new series called #beyondthestroke; interviews featuring young women and men who have persevered through a brain injury, moving to forward to create interesting careers and fulfilling lives for themselves.
We are more than our strokes.
I met Bridget, a Photographer out of Tucson, via Instagram some odd months ago – we bonded over our shared experience as young survivors of cerebral hemorrhages. She has a playful personality; followers open a window into her universe: Bridget the Mother. Bridget the Survivor. Bridget the Photographer. Her enthusiasm for the latter is mirrored in her collage work - exploring different shapes, colors and textures - sometimes using her kids as inspiration.
Under the Tucson Sun.
At the center of Bridget’s business is Boudoir – a sensual style of photography that aim to celebrate the beauty of women’s bodies. The word “Boudoir” is French meaning ‘a lady’s private dressing room.’
Such a sexy style of photography, juxtaposed against nurturing displays of motherhood, unwrap the competing layers that women often deal with – she addresses this in a recent Instagram post, “I am going to start posting my Boudoir work here. I should have done this long ago, but I was like ‘oh I can’t, someone will get offended.’ I am choosing to let go of the fear and choosing my happiness instead.”
I was curious to learn about her shift into photography and how the bleed opened a pathway to recognizing a new passion. Like myself, Bridget had an AVM rupture in her mid-twenties, “I was two miles into one of my favorite hiking trails with my daughter when it happened.”
The rupture occurred in her cerebellum, the part of the brain controlling balance and motor activities. She talks about the beginning of her photography journey shortly after her hemorrhage, using it to retain precious moments with her children.
“About a month after my stroke, my husband and I took my daughter out trick-or-treating - I woke up the next morning and realized that I couldn’t remember what she dressed up as, what candy she got, or which houses we went to. It made me sad to know my brain was now broken and I might miss out on those memories with my kids. I started taking pictures of everything, almost like a ‘backup hard drive’ for my broken brain.”
One of the more difficult parts of recovery is having to relearn basic proficiencies. Depending on the severity of the bleed - walking, talking, reading and life skills can be struggle. Bridget taught herself how to navigate around a Canon T6i using resources like YouTube, but adding the task of mastering photography on top of stroke recovery, present more challenges.
“Learning how to use my camera was tough. Processing new information so early in my recovery was next to impossible. I would get frustrated with myself very easily; I view the world in a different way than most. Photography is about finding beauty and art in situations or moments that you wouldn’t normally see. My stroke rewired my brain to view the world in that way. Now, it’s just all about snapping that photo so the rest of the world can view it as that too!”
Finding the beauty in the madness as a form of self-expression, require a high level of creativity and confidence; Bridget constantly bucks the tradition with her photography.
“I thought it had “rules” in the beginning. I thought my photos needed to look a certain way. I convinced myself that my work had to resemble what my favorite photographers were doing. I had to teach myself how to trust my vision as an artist, and once I came out of my shell and did that… the magic started happening.”
Her brush with death reframed her outlook, “I’ve put blinders up to most negativity. I don’t focus on it – it doesn’t tear me down and get inside my mind. All I know now is to keep creating and making art that I love.”
I asked her about the creative process behind her photos and how she prepares both herself and clients for a shoot:
“Most clients have never had a Boudoir session and are extremely nervous. When it comes to my Boudoir work, I try and go over every single step of the session with them: how they will be posed, what I am looking at or what light I want to be able to catch in their hair. My clients are also my muse. I really soak in their vibes the second they walk in. When I am bombarded with all of the magical ideas in my mind, it’s tough to think of the right words to say or describe what I am thinking. Most of my clients find me through IG and are aware of my brain injury. They are aware of my unusual tendencies and the way I create. I am thankful for that.”
She shared a few stores with me about specific client sessions that stood out, highlighting the impact of working with women survivors of all kind.
“A woman came in for a session three weeks prior to getting a double mastectomy. I am all about loving your body at every single stage of your life and the fact that she trusted me to document that for her, was everything. Another was a stroke survivor: it was beyond rewarding for me. After a stroke you become a “new version” of yourself. I didn’t like “the new me” for a very long time. I would take photos of other women who were beautiful, but I didn’t think of myself that way. Once I got behind my own lens and saw myself how the “photographer” in me would see me, it was a game changer. Being able to provide another stroke survivor with that view, was indescribable.”
Bridget’s story reminds me of something I read long ago: one of the ways to build confidence is by authentically giving to others. Feelings of accomplishment from offering direct, positive impact – in her case, letting clients view themselves in the way she does – by extension, increase self-esteem.
Her advice to those coming out of post-stroke recovery: “Be patient with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Love yourself.”
Bridget is currently taking a break from her regular studio work due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “I’ve been getting creative and doing different styles of shoots to feed my soul for myself. I like the direction it is taking me, and I can’t wait to see what comes out of it!”
Fast5 Facts:
Define Success: Happiness
Coffee or Tea: Green Tea Latte
Who/What Is Your Motivation: My Children
What Balances You: Hiking
Favorite Color: Pink
You can catch up with Bridget on IG @bridgetclarice
Mood Music: Bright Eyes – Bowl of Oranges