JDP senior Bella

JDP senior Bella, as a six year old, was the only girl on her t-ball team. She wasn’t sure she wanted to go back when she realized this. Boys are girls rarely mix at that age in play. However, it became readily apparent that she was also the only one on the team who the coach toss pitched to. Her dad thought, ‘we have something here.’ Wonder what those boys were thinking as they stood at the batting tee?

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Bella started playing on a travel softball team when she was just 8 years old and never looked back. She’s just always loved hitting and catching a softball.

Bella–I want to paint you!!!! What a vision you are!!!!!

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Combine Bella’s love for the game with her love for her team and she is in her zone. She’s made some of her best memories at team dinners with the girls closest to her heart. Her dad is a coach and he set a very welcoming tone for the team. No clicks. No drama. None of that is allowed on this team. Instead, these girls cheer one another on. They’ve laid aside the jealousy that often causes the demise of teams and have learned the strength found in supporting one another.

As we were preparing to create, Bella threw me for a loop as she was finishing her styling and said, ‘I’d like to create all my portraits outside.’ I was surprised but happy to oblige…but I did also ask Bella to give me just a tiny segment in studio prior to venturing out on the studio grounds. I always assure clients, no pressure! If you don’t love them, don’t pick them! Spoiler alert, several made it into her favorites for print!

Bella’s mom can hardly believe she’s already at Bella’s senior year. She still remembers with tenderness her sweet little Bella below who really didn’t want to have her portrait taken this day years ago!

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Bella has taken her commitment to softball seriously, from field practice to the weight room. Bella’s musculature in her upper body was astounding and a credit to her discipline. If you see Bella on the field, you’ll most likely see her on the pitcher’s mound or playing second base with her game face on.

May have been a first, simulating powerful swings in our meadow! Bella ends her swing with her bat hitting into her back with a thud! I was concerned and she shook off my concerns, assuring me that’s totally normal and how a lot of swings end. Yikes!!

Bella also plays basketball since she was in kindergarden. Her dad coached this for her as well. She’s a guard who understands the game. Her dribbling and passing has a grace to it that speaks of her awesome sports IQ.

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Bella, the girl with the electric smile, volunteers with Operation Smile via Glenelg High. A close friend encouraged her to be a part. What a perfect serving opportunity for the girl who smiles so easily!

Bella is just as serious about her studies as she is to her athletics. She’s in the National Honor Society and is proud of the commitment she’s shown to do so well in her studies. It is helping to set the course for her to become a nurse practitioner. She hopes to pursue this training at University of Maryland.

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What an absolute delight you are Bella! It was clear how your mom gushed with pride over you throughout all our time together! I know she’ll always smile fondly remembering how she got to do the touch ups to your hair throughout your session–a long awaited dream for her! I wish you all the best as you soar dear one!