Photography is fun. It’s a passion and it can be addicting. It can be more than fun photographs on facebook though. Photography can be meaningful in many different ways.
The closest to home for me and many is preserving the memories of a loved one who has passed.
Last year was tough. My mom was diagnosed with throat cancer and died about a month later. A five year old daughter of neighboring family and friend was diagnosed with brain and spine cancer. Olivia has been fighting but chemo hasn’t helped halt the spread of cancer. The family is instead cherishing all the time they have with her.
Another little girl in my small community, Sophie, one I’ve watched grow in ballet classes and swim team with my daughters died suddenly in a freak accident. Tragic reminders that life is fleeting.
Photographer Lizzie Metcalf is an inspiration to me. Not only is she an amazing photographer, see her post here and later this week, but she is a fighter and a survivor. Lizzie is only 20 and she has been fighting cancer this past year. You can read her story here on her Chemo Chronicles blog. Seriously inspiring and touching.
Lizzie’s response has been to give back. What follows is a series of images she took of other cancer patients she has met on her journey. She calls these sessions her Lemonade Sessions — as in when life gives you lemons, make lemonade — all you need is a little sugar. Lizzie is that spirit embodied.
Do you have tears? I do.
How do you give back with your photography? Tell us.
We are running our Technique Thursday on giving back and we need submissions. Send us 1 photo, sized 600 dpi across, no watermarks, and a story on how and why you give back. Or how other photographers can give back. We want to hear all about it.
One of the biggest blessings in a trial is being able to reach out to others who are going through the same thing.. To give each other a little hope and encourage each other to be proactive. I’m so thankful that my gift of photography can be used in that way. Thank you for featuring me today! I love you guys!
you are so beautiful Lizzie! I’m so very inspired by this and cannot wait to spend time with you tomorrow. xo
How do you tell people you are willing to offer these services without seeming self serving or like you are trying to promote your business? I want to do these sessions! Truly do. We just lost my husband’s grandfather to cancer and those last photos we have with him are so important to us. (And yes, I’m crying after this post!)
that is such a good question Lisa. I know there are organizations out there or you may want to contact your local Hospice. Hopice is an amazing service and its probably a good place to get started.
Lisa, as someone who personally has cancer myself, I think as long as you approach it in a gracious and humble way, they will be extremely appreciative. It’s also easy for me to offer this as a service because I understand, which is why I love doing them. But I don’t charge (which may be a no brainer).. But obviously each circumstance is different, so I think each case is a judgement call. But who wouldn’t appreciate having their moments documented? Just be sure to be sensitive, and don’t expect them to die, because know one knows how long they have, cancer or not.. And when people talk like that it’s just not very encouraging :)
AMAZING Lizzie! What an inspiration you are!! xo
So inspiring!
Loved these! Very heartwarming. Wonderful job Lizzie.
truly inspirational!
So brave and inspirational.
So awesome!
Thank you so much for sharing this. Hard to hold back the tears.