Sometimes photography is more than photos.
I rarely feel nervous about a shoot, but yesterday was different. When my friend Alisha called me with the request for this shoot it brought me to tears, and I wanted to make sure I was capturing exactly what she was hoping for. I worried about my ability to hold it together, make it fun for the kids, and also create images that I knew this family would cling to in the months and years to come.
Alisha's mother in law is a fighter. Her story is one of courage, faith, and fortitude. She has battled breast cancer 5 different times over the past 28 years. That kind of warrior strength is almost unimaginable to me. Her family and especially her grandchildren, have been a constant source of strength as she faced setbacks and victories. This year, they determined that they had exhausted all available treatment options. Faced with that knowledge, Alisha decided to document the bond between her children and their Nana so they could hold these photos and never forget how deeply loved they are. Sophie picked out a bouquet and got to play dress up in her mother's wedding dress and veil. Nana helped her with her veil and put boutonnieres on the boys. Sophie got to look at family wedding albums and was especially interested in the kissing photos. :)
I left the Bledsoe's home feeling so grateful to have been a part of this beautiful moment. I prayed and I thanked God for the gift of family and the promise of perfect healing and no more pain in our heavenly bodies. And I cried for the joy and the sadness of all of it. If there is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved, then Georgette Bledsoe has known immeasurable happiness.
