Intensity. I’ve always been fascinated by this word, in part because it’s a large part of who I am. Everything I decide to take on, to love, to be a part of, I do whole-heartedly. Full of passion. No boundaries. I’ll fight tooth and nail for something I believe in. I see it in almost everyone I know; witnessing the thing that sparks another’s intensity is the reason I love storytelling photography.

I see the same in my son, and am reminded of it when I catch a glimpse of his natural expressions. Incredible intensity, yet such a profound gentleness about him at the same time. Honest, fierce, playful, imaginative, hopeful, adventurous. Magic is real. Everything is achievable. In his mind, even the sky has no limits.

I’ll never tell him to say “cheese”. I don’t want to see a forced smile for the sake of aesthetics – I’d much rather see his contentment in his strength and curiosity. He is comfortable being himself, and that’s all I ever want for him.

He is small, but boy oh boy is he mighty…

our different sameness is a project between a group of photographers celebrating our differences and sameness through images and words. Take a minute to see what the whole group came up with for this month’s theme!

– m