About
My name's Charissa Soriano. I'm a Seattle-based Filipina documentary photographer and visual storyteller; I run Purple Butterfly. I decided to pursue family photography because I have always done it for my own family back in the Philippines. When my dad brought home a Casio digital camera in 2006—I was 11 years old—I immediately became enthralled by the act of making pictures. I began to express myself in ways I hadn’t before, but I also began to connect more deeply with my surroundings, including my family. Since then, I have created thousands of images of my family. More importantly, I have created pathways to memories for us. That’s what I believe photography is: a bridge to who we were (and who we can be). ​
As a family photographer, I won’t only make beautiful portraits of you and your family; I will also document mundane and special moments at your home that speak to who you are, what you value, and what you want to pass on to the next generation. Together, we can make archives of your personal and collective history.
Why Purple Butterfly?
Purple is one of my favorite colors, particularly when I see it in the ever-expansive sky. The sky has always brought me comfort. It reminds me of the many sunrises and sunsets I’ve seen in my homeland while assuring me that my family and I can see the many shades of purple in the sky.
As for Butterfly, I have known butterflies to symbolize our loved ones—yours and mine. This fits right into who Purple Butterfly is for: families like yours. Through photographs of you and your family, I hope to preserve the love and memories that flutter through time. Wherever life takes you, me, us, we’ll carry our butterflies with us. We'll remember.
Where you may have seen my work or my story:
Cascade PBS, The Seattle Times, The International Examiner, South Seattle Emerald, Lifestyle Inquirer (Philippines)
Who I've worked with:
International Community Health Services (ICHS), Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Family Law CASA of King County, Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS), Business Impact NW, among others
