Because Life doesn't pause
this is my why
"Your brother has synovial sarcoma."
You know how people say "Time stopped."? That's exactly how it felt when I heard those 5 words.
My oldest brother, Josh, had cancer and, unfortunately, there was nothing anyone could do about it. He tried everything he could, but in the end, we lost him.
On a sunny, early morning on May 22, 2015, my oldest brother passed away. He left behind a beautiful wife and three lovely boys, as well as 5 siblings, two wonderful parents, and many nieces and nephews.
This photo of the sky was taken the morning of May 22, 2015 after I left my grieving mother and sisters.
For some reason I really needed to remember what the sky looked like.
Shortly after my brother passed, as we were planning his celebration of life, our family went through the old photo albums. The joy that I felt when I found the photo I knew existed was quickly replaced by grief and disappointment when I figured out it was the only photo I had with just him and I. We had a lot of family ones, but none that showed the relationship only him and I had. I thought about why I hadn't taken any selfies with him, or why didn't we update any of our family photos through the years??
Pictured are Josh and my middle son, Wyatt. This was taken about 3 weeks before his passing.
He was always loving on the babies.
In 2016, I started my professional photography journey. I did six months of online courses, while borrowing a camera from my sister-in-law to practice and start my portfolio. That year, I received my very first camera from my husband for Christmas!
From there I grew and grew, going from families to seniors, to babies in the hospital, to grandma's 90th birthday, to business events, and finally, to weddings. From the very first one, I was in love, maybe even more than the bride and groom I was photographing (haha).
Since then, I have photographed over 250 weddings, which is absolutely insane to think about.
While I'm here, I'd like to thank all the families who were my first "victims". They really were so kind while I figured out my posing, my editing, and my business.
I would also like to thank (and apologize to) all the amazing wedding photographers that have helped me, taught me, guided me, and let me shoot with them. Even though I kinda sucked, they helped me through it. I can never thank you enough.
Special shoutouts to Jennifer Madden Photography and Rebecca, from Believe Photography.
You ladies have become the pillars as well as my closest friends.
The only photo I have of just my oldest brother and I.
I never wanted anyone to feel the way I did.
I loved taking photos, and I still do. But it really drove me to make sure that families had their loved ones close by, as they remember them through the years.
To this day, I will take what I call End of Life photos for anyone who has a loved on with a terminal illness, free of charge. I guess it's my way of making sure everyone gets that photo, the one that I so desperately needed for myself. I also offer family sessions for "healthier" people that have cancer or other illnesses.
Please reach out if you would like one!!!
My brother and his family <3
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if you made it this far, we should probably talk.