The BE Project | Caitlin and “Present”
Every year, The BE Project invites people into my studio to pause, reflect, and choose a word that will guide the next chapter of their lives. It is not about perfection or reinvention overnight. It is about honesty. Courage. Becoming.
When Caitlin stepped in front of my camera, she carried her word with intention: “Present.” It came from a year that felt fast, crowded with screens, business demands, and the quiet realization that life was moving forward whether she was fully in it or not .
The BE Project exists because I believe that we are all evolving and every person deserves to see themselves as art while they are becoming the person they are meant to be.
Why She Chose “Present”
Caitlin shared that much of last year was spent pulled toward social media and her small business, leaving her feeling disconnected from the moments that mattered most . She spoke honestly about how easy it is to live on her phone, especially when she is focused on building something she loves.
With a four-year-old son and a thirteen-year-old daughter, life feels full and emotional and loud in the best and hardest ways. Getting her anxiety under control in 2024 became a turning point, giving her the clarity and calm to step back into her life instead of watching it blur past her .
“I feel like I’m ready to be present. More.”
What She Is Working Toward This Year
This year is about reclaiming attention and choosing where her energy goes.
Caitlin is practicing being more intentional with her time, learning how to step away from constant scrolling, and giving her children the version of herself that is fully in the room.
It is about building a business without letting it steal the moments she cannot get back.
What Grounds Her
When asked what keeps her grounded, Caitlin did not hesitate.
Her work.
She spoke about her love for making clay and how creating brings her calm, even if she never turned it into a business. It is something she does simply because it fills her cup and quiets her mind .
That love of making with her hands is part of how she returns to herself when life feels overwhelming.
What She Is Learning About Herself
Caitlin is discovering that presence is not passive.
It is an active choice. A boundary. A decision to notice the people in front of her instead of the notifications in her pocket.
She is learning that slowing down does not mean stepping away from ambition.
It means letting life be felt while she builds.
Photographing “Present”
In the studio, present looked like soft focus and steady breath. Like someone settling into her own skin.
There was ease in Caitlin’s movements and clarity in her eyes, the kind that shows up when a person has decided to stop rushing past themselves.
A Final Reflection
Caitlin’s story is a reminder that the most powerful thing you can give the people you love is your attention.
Your time.
Your now.
What word would you choose for this season of your life?
What are you stepping into this year?
Get added to the waitlist for The BE Project at Beautiful Evolutions Photography in Burleson, Texas.
The BE Project is a black-and-white portrait series by Beautiful Evolutions Photography honoring growth, courage, and the beauty of becoming.
