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2026 Rising Stars Hillsborough and Pinellas
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2026 Gallery

Daycare Moment

by: Connie Springer
Cincinnati, Ohio

"A person, like an exquisite flower, blooms when nourished with respect, warmed by care, and cradled in love."

quote by: Lilit Hakobyan, Glendale, California

Purchase Canvas Print of this Artwork

Artist Statement

When Zoe was three-and-a-half years old, I flew to Vietnam to adopt her. Zoe adjusted well to her new life in America and was very loving. As with all our kids (two others), I loved to capture her interacting with family, friends, and mentors. In this piece, her teacher at daycare gave her a heartfelt hug, and I captured the feeling of connection.


I love picturing diversity in my photos, including people differing in age, ethnic background, and more. I also strive to explore kinship between people.

I have been a photographer for over 50 years, ever since I spent a summer in Israel and photographed the dynamic people and landscape. I have won photo contests, participated in many exhibitions, and created two photo/narrative books: POSITIVELY NINETY about spirited nonagenarians and OUR FAMILIES: A Celebration of Adoption featuring adoptive families.

For the past 16 years, I have also worked as a watercolor artist, painting artwork from photos taken in my travels.

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