GLADIA

BY: MAIDAH KHAN

Gladia Boldt featured as the subject of my photographs is more than a face in a picture. She is my saving grace in times of hell. She doesn't realize how much her presence impacts so many people around her, especially me. I texted her with no plan, just a camera. From the beginning of our friendship, Gladia never realized her self-worth, as teens, we easily become our biggest self-critics, so I wanted to shoot this series to help her realize her worth in this big world. When I sent her the final images, she was in tears, it isn't the quality of work, but it is the small gesture that was taken to help guide her to a path that entails self-love. "Self-love is the greatest middle finger of all time."