In their dual portrait, the ethereal figures of Dale and Gail sense that they possess the same fleeting delicacy as the frothy sea-foam that pools around their ankles. Like shifting sea sprites, they emerge from and belong to the foggy idyll of Pacifica. Capturing the rare, blanching sunlight, the photographs reflect the feeling of overexposure that can result from revealing our essential humanity. Katy Grannan’s portraits transcend mere documentation, offering glimpses into the profound layers of Dale and Gail’s identities and aspirations. Through her delicate compositions and ethereal lighting, Grannan invites viewers to ponder the intertwined complexities of human existence, where the external and internal landscapes converge in poetic resonance. Part of a larger series titled The Westerns, these portraits delve into the notion that California is a natural haven for dreamers, a construct that juxtaposes notions of innovation with under-currents of fantasy and illusion.