I loved photographing beautiful Brandi on the Historic Basque Block for her senior portraits. Basque, what’s that you ask? I didn’t know either until I moved to Boise and I loved learning even more about Basque culture because of Brandi’s senior portraits. Basque Country is a region spanning an area in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. From a Washington Times article posted earlier this week I found some great information about the history of the Basque community in Boise. Here is an excerpt from that article by Kimberlee Kruesi:
“Boise, Idaho is home to one of the biggest concentrations of Basques in the United States, and the best way to learn more about that heritage is by visiting the Basque Block, tucked in the center of the state’s capital city.
Basques began settling in southwestern Idaho as early as the late 1800s, with many coming from the Basque region on the border of Spain and France to work as sheepherders in Idaho. Nearly 8,000 residents of the Gem State identify as Basque today.”
Brandi’s dad is Basque and so she wanted to incorporate some Basque culture into her senior shoot which I thought was a fabulous idea. Now that I am better educated about the Basque culture I notice signs of the thriving local Basque community frequently when I am driving around town. I have seen several Basque flags flying in the yards of private homes and I also saw the Basque symbol, the emblem that Brandi is standing on in the street in the photos below, engraved in a stone next to the entry way of a home the other day.
In addition to some photos downtown, we also went to Kathryn Albertson Park for part of Brandi’s shoot. The park is filled with wildlife and several times while looking through my camera at Brandi a look of shock would come across Brandi’s face and I half expected to see a bear sneaking up behind me when I turned around, but it was only a deer once and a squirrel the other time 🙂 ! Brandi I am so glad I got to capture your beautiful self during this special time of your life as you are finishing up high school and preparing for the next chapter of your life! xo, Rebecca
Those cool shoes that Brandi is wearing were part of her dance costume that she wore when she was a part of a Basque dance team. I think you might just start a trend if you wear those around! You are rocking them Brandi!
This is the Basque symbol that Brandi is standing on and according to Wikipedia it is called the lauburu or Basque cross (Basque: lauburu, “four heads”) and is a traditional Basque swastika with four comma-shaped heads. Today, it is a symbol of the Basque Country and the unity of the Basque people. It is also associated with Celtic peoples, most notably Galicians.
The Basque flag.
What a beauty!
Usually I post more black and white versions of the photos in my blog posts about sessions, but the color versions won out for me for Brandi’s shoot! However, I did love this one in black and white!
Brandi, your eyes are amazing!
I always love it when I remember to jump in a photo with my clients! For the record, Brandi was wearing heels and I was not 😉
To see more photos from Brandi’s shoot click HERE to see the slideshow!