She Waits
📍 Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
The rain had been falling for some time. We found her settled deep into the undergrowth, arms folded, rain moving through her fur in slow rivers. She was not distressed by it. She was simply waiting, with a patience so complete it had become indistinguishable from stillness itself. In the highlands of Rwanda, mountain gorillas will often pause their feeding in heavy rain, hunkering down into the vegetation until it passes. The forest asks nothing of them in these moments. And so they simply remain.
What I was not prepared for was the gaze.
She looked at me the way you are looked at when someone has decided you are not a threat but has not yet decided what you are. Not curiosity, exactly. Not indifference. Something more considered than either, a long, level appraisal that lasted several seconds and felt considerably longer.
I chose black and white because this image was never about the forest, or the rain, or Rwanda. It was always about that face. And some faces ask to be seen without the distraction of color.
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All prints smaller than 16x20, as well as metal and acrylic prints, are open edition.
Larger prints are limited editions of 50 prints. Each limited edition print is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity.
Archival Paper (Framed or Unframed)
Archival paper is a professional-grade fine art print medium designed to resist fading and degradation over time. These prints are made to last generations, not years. I use archival Hahnemuhle fine art papers. Archival paper prints are matted with a white mat and are built to resist fading. Framed versions are finished under UV-protective glass and arrive ready to hang.
Aluminum
Aluminum prints are created by infusing images onto ChromaLuxe aluminum. The result is a vivid, contemporary piece with a slight metallic sheen and exceptional durability. No frame or glass needed.
Aluminum prints are lightweight and moisture-resistant. They arrive with a float mount attached to the back, giving the print a clean, frameless appearance on the wall.
Acrylic
HD acrylic photo prints are stunning, crisp, and bring out the best of any photo or artwork, intensifying color depth and giving the image an almost luminous quality. They make a striking statement and are ready to hang.
All Acrylic prints are HD-printed directly onto the back of a sleek aluminum panel for added durability.
Acrylic prints make a dramatic statement and work particularly well with images that have strong light, color, or contrast. They arrive with mounting posts and are ready to hang.
Archival Paper Prints
Keep out of direct sunlight to preserve color over time. UV-protective glass helps significantly. Clean the glass gently with a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not touch the paper surface itself.
Aluminum Prints
Wipe clean with a soft, damp cloth if needed. Avoid abrasive cleaners. Aluminum is moisture-resistant but not waterproof, so avoid humid environments like bathrooms. No glass means no glare, making these a great option for brightly lit rooms.
Acrylic Prints
Use an anti-static, acrylic-safe cloth to clean the surface. Avoid paper towels or ammonia-based cleaners, which can scratch or cloud the acrylic. Because acrylic can attract dust, a quick wipe-down every few weeks keeps it looking its best.
General
All prints are best displayed indoors, away from direct heat sources. For large pieces, we recommend using proper wall anchors appropriate for your wall type.
Walnut Frame
A warm, natural wood frame with a clean modern profile. The walnut finish complements earth tones, warm light, and organic subjects particularly well. If the image has warmth in it, this frame will bring it forward.
Black Frame
A satin black frame with a slim, contemporary profile. Works with virtually any interior, letting the image do the talking. A reliable choice if you're unsure, or if the print is going into a modern or neutral space.
Walnut or Black Frame (Archival Paper, Matted)
Your print, matted and framed, with UV glass. Hanging hardware attached. Ready to hang out of the box.
Archival Paper Unframed (Matted)
Your print is matted and in a protective sleeve with a backing board. Standard mat sizing means it fits readily available frames if you prefer to choose your own. Unframed archival prints are matted to the following sizes:
- 5x7 print with 8x10 mat
- 8x10 print with 11x14 mat
- 11x14 print with 16x20 mat
- 16x20 print with 20x24 mat
- 20x24 print with 20x30 mat
- Please note that the 20x30 does not come with a mat
Aluminum
Your print, mounted on aluminum with a float mount system attached to the back. Ready to hang. No additional framing needed or recommended.
Acrylic
Your print, face-mounted behind clear acrylic with mounting posts attached. Ready to hang.
Every print is made to order. Please allow 5 to 7 business days for production before your order ships.
Once shipped, domestic orders typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a tracking number as soon as your order is on its way.
Free shipping is available on US orders of $100 or more, excluding metal prints (aluminum and acrylic).
If you need to expedite an order, or for international orders, please contact us before ordering for a shipping quote.
All prints are carefully packaged to arrive in perfect condition. If your order is damaged in transit, please photograph the damage and contact us within 7 days of delivery and we will make it right.
These prints make meaningful, lasting gifts for the travelers, nature lovers, and art enthusiasts in your life. If you'd like a gift message included with your order, add it in the notes at checkout, and it will be tucked inside the packaging. For gifting questions or anything requiring special handling, reach out directly, and we'll take care of you.
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About the Photographer
Christina Trester
Christina Trester discovered photography long before she understood its power. A quiet obsession that began at thirteen, it would eventually reshape the entire course of her life.
She has photographed all seven continents, into the mountains of Rwanda and the dust of the Lower Zambezi, through the early mornings of Ranthambore and the golden hours of the Serengeti. Her lens seeks not merely to document the natural world, but to reveal something of its interior life: the weight of a gaze, the geometry of a creature in motion, the silence that precedes something extraordinary. The moment the light does something in a forest that no description can quite hold.
Travel has always been inseparable from her work. The places that produced these images are not backdrops; they are the whole point, and sharing them with others is one of the great pleasures of this life. Christina leads small group expeditions and curates bespoke luxury travel experiences for those who want to see the world not as tourists passing through, but as people genuinely entering it.
She is based in Dallas, TX, and is perpetually in motion, following the light wherever it leads.
Print size guide
Select a size to see it at scale
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Frequently Asked Questions
Prints
Each photograph is available in five formats: walnut frame (archival paper, matted), black frame (archival paper, matted), unframed archival paper (matted), aluminum, and acrylic. Sizes range from 5x7 up to 20x30 inches.
Archival paper is a professional-grade fine art print medium designed to resist fading and degradation over time. These prints are made to last generations, not years. I use archival Hahnemuhle fine art papers.
Aluminum prints are created by infusing images onto ChromaLuxe aluminum. The result is a vivid, contemporary piece with a slight metallic sheen and exceptional durability. No frame or glass needed.
Aluminum prints are lightweight and moisture-resistant. They arrive with a float mount attached to the back, giving the print a clean, frameless appearance on the wall.
HD acrylic photo prints are stunning, crisp, and bring out the best of any photo or artwork, intensifying color depth and giving the image an almost luminous quality. They make a striking statement and are ready to hang.
All Acrylic prints are HD-printed directly onto the back of a sleek aluminum panel for added durability.
Prints are available in 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, 16x20, 20x24, and 20x30 inches. If you are looking for a custom size, please reach out and let us know how we can help create a custom piece specific to your needs.
Framed prints arrive ready to hang. Aluminum and acrylic prints come with a hanging system already attached. Unframed archival prints are matted to the following sizes and are ready to insert into a frame:
- 5x7 print with 8x10 mat
- 8x10 print with 11x14 mat
- 11x14 print with 16x20 mat
- 16x20 print with 20x24 mat
- 20x24 print with 20x30 mat
- Please note, the 20x30 does not come with a mat
All prints smaller than 16x20, as well as metal and acrylic prints, are open edition.
Larger prints are limited editions of 50 prints. Each limited edition print is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity.
If you would like custom mock-ups to see the artwork in your space, please reach out, and I'll put together a mock-up for you.
Production & Shipping
These prints make meaningful, lasting gifts for the travelers, nature lovers, and art enthusiasts in your life. If you'd like a gift message included with your order, add it in the notes at checkout, and it will be tucked inside the packaging. For gifting questions or anything requiring special handling, reach out directly, and we'll take care of you.
Please allow 5 to 7 business days for production before shipping. If you need expedited shipping, please reach out, and we will discuss options.
Free shipping is available on US orders of $100 or more (excluding metal prints). For standard shipping, please expect 7-10 business days. If you need expedited shipping, please reach out, and we will discuss options.
Questions & Returns
You can reach Christina directly through the contact page.
You should love your art. If something is not right when your print arrives, reach out, and it will be made right. See here for the full refund policy.