Note: Nude content
About a month ago I received a call from an old photographer friend.
His wife is going through breast cancer and she wants to document what is happening to her.
What a worthy idea.
I called his wife, we talked, mostly I listened.
As it usually goes in any kind of collaborative endeavor, she inspired me, and I shared my ideas.
We brainstormed a million concepts as we sought to capture her feelings.
It was obvious, during the shoot, that the time my client and her daughter spent together making props together was important to them.
The changes in her appearance (e.g. no hair) were at first shocking, but then the magic that happens when I’m photographing someone showed up.
She and I connected through the lens of my camera in a way that transcended the superficial. The surface distractions disappeared and her spirit, who she really is, cancer and all, showed up.
Her beauty, vulnerability and fear.
Me? I was a nervous wreck. I didn’t want to fail her.
When I do these kinds of shoots, I never know what will come up and out of me, it all happens so organically.
What an honor to work with her, and humbling to be of service.
Thank you Jill
As she looked before cancer took over her life.
Wow! Wow! These photos are beautiful and brilliant…oh my goodness…just touches my soul. Beth, you’re a fantastic photographer. How lovely for your friend to have you document her journey and to share it with us…I am in awe. You did not fail her……and I sincerely hope that she will recover.
As a cancer survivor myself, I know how important it is to be really seen. She is brave to let you close at such a tender time. The work is beautiful!❤️
Wow, this tugged at my heart strings & made my eyes swell up. You’re such a brave woman. Thank you for sharing such a private part of your life Jill. Continuing ?? coming your way. ??
Beth and Jill, this is so tender and raw and beautiful. Well done, brave and artistic women!
Those photos were powerful and really captured the battle with cancer. There will be scars but the war will be won!
Tender. Raw. Amazing photography. Only you, Beth, could capture this in this manner. So beautiful and goes straight to the heart. What a powerful piece of work.