09/13/2026
A captivating performance by Jewels of Fire during Mariam Hovhannisyan's wedding!
When I was about 17 years old, my mentor John Gerecht invited me to a charity runway show to get experience working professional events. All I had was my little Nikon D60 I'd just gotten recently, a "portfolio" of amateur work of friends dressing up for school captured with my Nikon Coolpix point-and-shoot, and cheap paper business cards. Nalini Dance, shown on the right of the image, was one of the dancers present for a performance at the runway show. I was absolutely enchanted watching them dancing, and John told me to go give them my business card after the show wrapped up. I said, no way, I was not confident putting myself out there like that. He convinced me, what's the worst that can happen, they say no and you move on?
You miss every chance you don't take; So I approached them and gave them my business card, even though my voice and hands were shaking. Here was this group of beautiful talented women, and I asked for their time to volunteer for a studio session with hardly a portfolio to demonstrate what I could do. They were so kind and encouraging, and from the session that followed I made friendships that are almost two decades long!
Gratitude is the loom that my passion as a Photographer is built upon. I've seen incredible models, costumes, and scenery, but being in a vulnerable creative space with people behind the scenes is the best part of the experience. This work is about so much more than pretty pictures. It's about connection, encouraging each other, and watching as we evolve into something greater than we were before.
I can't wait for the next time I get to work with these incredible ladies!!
Photo © Noctem Photography 2026
Models (Left to Right): Jaclyn Mackawgy, Anna Corcoran, Natalya Martins
