Liquid Grace

A passion project results in truly timeless beauty

n Homer’s Iliad—an epic poem written almost 3,000 years ago—the mother of hero Achilles is Thetis, a sea nymph or nereid. Another type of water nymph was the naiad: beautiful, long-living creatures who resided in the mesmerizing world of fresh water, including lakes, rivers, and springs. Naiads had unique powers related to the waters they inhabited; each had a role to play in their world, just like us. In these photographs, we’ve plunged beneath the surface of Cypress Springs to find an ethereal figure (Meredith Hackwith Edwards) who by chance embodies the spirit of the naiad: self-assured, curious, and imbued with otherwordly grace. What might her supernatural powers be? Perhaps she protects our priceless springs. For photographer Romona Robbins Reynolds, this image was a passion project created for personal joy. It unites two of her typical subjects: fashion and marine life. The result is a feminine alchemy of epic proportions.

About the Photographer

Romona Robbins Reynolds is a photographer and visual storyteller with a background in fine arts and biological sciences. Her work spans over 42 countries and includes collaborations with National Geographic, Travel Channel, and Lonely Planet. A self-described mixed-race military brat, Reynolds draws inspiration from her love of travel, culture, and connection. She currently teaches underwater photography workshops with Blue Water Travel and continues to seek out stories that unfold naturally—above and below the surface. To see more of Ramona Robbins Reynolds’ work, visit her website at RomonaRobbins.com.