Victoria
“Why am I here, why I agreed to this, it is so boring, why are you taking pictures of me”
Rough girl, with strong attitude Victoria presented herself as. Body language was showing high-opinion about herself with a “brick” wall between her and the outside world. Her interests were not to be shown easy. However there was a look in her eyes, those crystal green eyes that aroused interest in her story. There was more of her then she was showing.
“My mom is my everything, its my life”- 16 years old girl was capturing attention with her tattoos as well. Proudly explaining the meaning and her connection with her mother. Person that raised her when her father abandoned them, person that she lives with in Kostice, while educating herself in Dolna Banya with her grandparents, and the person that supports her the most. “ I want to make more tattoos, but my mother will kill me if I come home with another” humorously she explained.
“Do you like photography, try it, take a photo of your friend, see how fun it can be”. Truly she was not letting camera out of her hands. Her friend although shy, was enjoying the photo shooting, finally helping them relax, creating the trust into our presence.
Finally the smile appeared on her face, “wall” was removed and connection has been made. “Come let us change the surrounding, lets do something fun “
-Who are you Victoria what do you like to do what is your dream, you are special, don’t forget it, Dolna Banya is just the start of your story. Even at young age she is determined to follow these exact words. Vision of herself studying in Sofia and becoming a nurse is set in stone. The whole world is out there for her to take. My uncle died recently she said, father abandoned her,” life was not bed of roses” and for those exact reasons fear was nowhere to be found. Limitations are not blocking her to extend past the borders of Dolna Banya, of Sofia, of Bulgaria, putting her eyes on Spain as place for the future.
In a different life we could have been sisters. The demeanor, the way when you look each other into eyes , that mysterious look is writing the story of its own, its expressing the soul, what can not be showed with the words, but only captured with the photograph, in that exact moment, giving chills, once the realization about the resemblance , about the reflection of previous self, can be found in another person from the different part of the world.
If she could have a person to follow, to look up for, the change, the potential would not be left unused. Show a person that doubts a reason to act, and you might witness a transformation in front of your eyes. Its a talent that lies deep inside of all of us, allow a guidance and you will have a masterpiece worth of attention and time.
“My love” as she would describe her best friend showed us different side of her persona. Rough and tuff behavior was replaced by natural happiness once in the hands of the trustworthy person. A girl of the exact opposite attitude and yet capable to befriend her. It shows that in each one of us is the need of that certain someone that will be there for us, even when we are not there for ourselves.
Vicotria dances for around 10 years, and she was finally ready to share her skills with complete strangers, by opening to them part of herself , part that she is proud of , that in the same time is giving us different picture, honest one that can not be held back by repulsive attitude.
“They say true friends bring out the best of us, even flying Is not impossible, for that brief moment in the air, you feel relieved and free”
It feels like looking at the mirror, mirror of difference and yet great similarity. Mirror that is showing you a person who you are, who you want to be, and the one you can reach out to be. Its balancing virtues and flaws, and even if not perfect, its not what you seek, its about that other part of you that helps you going higher,wider, deeper…..
“Once you brake the mirror and blow up the smoke” here she is, with her true colors, smiling, positive and energetic, capturing the attention even more, once the beauty is not hidden. In this moment captured by camera everything is possible for her, and the girl that didn’t want to be there, to open up, to speak ended up showing more then expected. She shared personal details with strangers, played with them, presented her passion and dreams, and in the end invited them to support her with her dancing as guests. That’s who Victoria is, a girl , special girl from the small village of Dolna Banya in Bulgaria that is dreaming about big bright world that is out there. Will she be able to capture her dreams or will she change for good or bed is yet to be seen, but this one moment is writing the story of its own and can never be erased from our memory. “ eyes are the mirrors of our soul, just take a look “.