A Study of Athena

My primary focus for this portrait was to establish a relationship between the model and the owl that symbolizes the underlying myth of the goddess Athena. My model, Cate, is a close friend and MMA coach. She is one of the strongest women I know, with a kind heart, who empowers women and children in her community in countless ways.
She brought a level of panache to her photo session for this project that was unmatched by any other model in my Wild Woman portrait series. Cate literally showed up with trunks full of costumes and props, including real swords, a bow and arrows, and a faux bear pelt. She is the embodiment of strength and beauty.
This portrait develops a concept based on the goddess Athena. I narrowed my focus entirely to her face and her relationship to the owl perched on her shoulder. In future renditions of this concept, I hope to refine Cate's facial expression and the details of texture and lighting hinted at in this piece.