The portrait (wether painted or photographed) has long been considered a symbol of status. At the turn of the century Kodak introduced the Brownie, a personal camera that made the portrait and other types of photography available for working class families. With this camera people were now able to capture their own experiences and craft their own images to tell the story of their lives.

Birds are deeply interwoven in the myth and lore of the world. These birds have been seen and depicted as involved with powerful forces in almost every major culture recorded. An allegorical symbol often used as a placeholder for people, the bird embodies the idea of freedom.