Some people step into the world with fire already burning in their souls. Vanessa? She is the fire.
Proud. Fierce. Unapologetically herself. A two-spirited transgender woman with a heart big enough to carry a whole community and the strength to lift them higher. She is a force—one that doesn’t just survive but thrives, loves, and leads with a kind of courage that most people could only dream of.
When Vanessa said she wanted to do a photoshoot that captured her in full—every ounce of her power, resilience, and truth—it wasn’t just about taking pictures. It was about reclaiming space. About standing tall in the light. About looking the world dead in the eye and saying, I am here, I am whole, and I will not be moved.
She chose warrior face paint—bold, unapologetic, and deeply symbolic. A reflection of who she has always been: a fighter, a healer, a guiding force in the world of recovery. To bring her vision to life, we found an incredible artist from Face Fiestas, who absolutely nailed the design with stunning precision and artistry. (Though, thanks to my own inability to read, they will forever be known in my heart as Face Fajitas—a name that has now taken on a life of its own.)
But let’s talk about what really matters here. Vanessa’s impact is bigger than words. She is a walking revolution—a beacon for those in recovery, for the LGBTQIA+ community, for anyone who has ever felt like the world tried to erase them.
She meets pain with love. Meets injustice with action. Meets every damn storm with the kind of force that turns tides.
Taking her portraits wasn’t just an honor—it was a front-row seat to witnessing power in its purest form.
And because of Vanessa, this won’t be the last time a moment like this is captured.
She is the heart behind the Rockcovery Portrait Series—a celebration of those who walk the path of recovery with strength, resilience, and undeniable beauty. Her courage sparked something bigger, a reminder that every warrior deserves to be seen, their story honored, and their light captured.
So here she stands.
Bold. Radiant. Unshakable.
A warrior in every sense of the word.
And the world is better for it.
