This is one of Lady Hawarden's finest and most characteristic photographs. Her daughter Clementina is shown seated in front of a mirror, gazing intently at her reflection. Beyond her in the mirror can be seen the balustrade of the balcony of the family house at 5 Princes Gardens, South Kensington, London. Beyond that, out of focus but still visible, are houses across Princes Gardens. Light from the French windows leading to the balcony strikes the young woman's bare shoulder and white blouse. Such bold lighting is typical of Hawarden's work and distinguishes her from most of her contemporaries. The subject of young women gazing into mirrors in reverie became a favourite subject of the painter James McNeill Whistler: it is likely that he knew Hawarden's photographs through their mutual friend Seymour Haden.