Mescalero Maidens Ashlee Belin and Malia Enjady and their mothers Bea & Rainey with Photographer Jan Butchofsky at Shelby House Santa Fe. Photo by Pilar Law.

In August I was blessed to display my photographs representing almost a decade-long project titled Ceremony: Coming Age | Mescalero Apache Maidens. The exhibit at Shelby House in Santa Fe was meticulously curated and beautifully optimized and printed by my collaborator, Mark Berndt. Thank you, Mark, for your careful eye and steady ease. I also send a heartfelt thanks to Liz Rees and Leon Morrison at Shelby House for hosting my exhibition, and to all the guests for their curiosity and enthusiasm. I am more than thankful that you attended the event.

Mostly I thank the maidens, Ashlee Belin and Malia Enjady and their mothers Bea and Rainey, and all the family who attended the exhibit and who invited me into their sacred ceremony circle. I love you all. I am honored to have documented your ceremony and even more honored to have so many of you present at the exhibit.

Finally, a special thanks to Sherman Blake (Ben), Medicine Man and teacher. Thank you for your grace, your inspiration and your kindness.