Deb Schwedhelm —The Becoming

My husband’s retirement from the military in 2018 brought, for the first time ever, a sense of stability for me and my family. With the ‘baby’ turning 13, this was the beginning of a significant transitional chapter of redefining my role as a mother. Suddenly, my children were focused on seeking their independence and needing me much less. It was also the first time in many years that I felt I could begin the inward shift to the rediscovery of my own identity. In this series, I explore the metamorphosis that takes place as the layers of time are shed and simultaneously memorialized. The sense of self begins its movement inward and the identity begins to blossom again. The photographs in this series examine the delicate dance that takes place during this period of discovery — a journey of love and loss, courage and fear, strength and fragility, letting go and ultimately becoming.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Deb Schwedhelm was originally trained as Registered Nurse and subsequently spent 10 years employed as an Air Force Nurse. Although she has been passionate about photography since her early 20s, it wasn't until Deb left the military that she was finally able to pursue the medium as a full time career.

Deb's photographs have been exhibited widely and featured in numerous publications throughout the world. She has received awards from Mt. Rokko International Photo Festival, Japan; World Photography Network, Richmond, TX; Texas Photographic Society; PhotoNOLA, New Orleans, LA; MPLS Photo Center, Minneapolis, MN; The Perfect Exposures Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; A. Smith Gallery, Johnson City, TX; Santa Fe Photographic Workshops, Santa Fe, NM; and The Art of Photography Show, San Diego, CA. Deb was named one of the Top 50 in Critical Mass, 2013. Her photographs have also been selected for multiple permanent collections.

Deb currently resides in Williamsburg, Virginia, but hopes to be living on a sailboat, traveling the Americas, within the next five years.

For more information, please contact Deb Schwedhelm at: deb@debsphotographs.com or visit: www.debsphotographs.com