By Dr. Ralph Basui Watkins, MFA, PhD
The Scholar with a Camera!
There’s something magical that happens when people see themselves—not just in a mirror, but truly see themselves through the lens of love, light, and legacy.
One of the images that’s quickly becoming a signature of mine is of co-creatives looking in the mirror during their session. It wasn’t something I planned—it came from witnessing the awe people experience when they pause and take in their reflection. Not just the outer self, but the soul that shines through when the lighting, pose, and energy all align.
In every Image-Making Session, I tether my camera to a large screen. As we create together, I pause to show my co-creatives what we’ve captured. And more often than not, they’re stunned.
They gasp.
They smile.
They whisper, “Wow… that’s me?”
Yes. That’s YOU.
What makes these images powerful isn’t just my camera settings or the lights (though yes, professional lighting makes a big difference!). What truly brings the image to life is you being you—relaxed, present, open. When you let go, when you bring your whole self into the room, something sacred happens. You show up in your fullness. And the camera catches it.
As a professional portrait artist, I’ve studied light, angles, and emotion. But nothing compares to the moment when someone sees themselves as they really are—radiant, resilient, remarkable.
Too often, we breeze past the mirror on our way out the door. We see a quick reflection, maybe adjust a collar or smooth our hair, and keep it moving. But in the studio? You get to pause. You get to really look. And what you see can be life-changing.
Because when you see YOU, you begin to understand how God sees you.
Fearfully and wonderfully made.
Crafted in divine image.
Beautiful. Worthy. Whole.
You need to see you.
Not the version the world critiques. Not the version you second-guess. But the real you—your joy, your history, your strength, your beauty.
You need to see you because in seeing you, you are reminded that you belong. You are loved. You matter.
And that, my sibling, is liberating.
So yes, come for the portraits. But stay for the breakthrough.
Because this isn’t just photography—it’s freedom work.