Category Archives: children

This month’s story is not entirely my own. I have a dear friend that I met just over three years ago. In the past three years we’ve shared many, many things. She recently gave birth to her precious daughter and I had the opportunity to do newborn photos. I posted the photos to FaceBook but I only realized when I received this amazing email from her that she wrote for my website, that I hadn’t posted the pictures from her session on the blog. Here is her story (the very email that made me cry the ugly cry!). I secretly think she does this to me on purpose

Almost one year ago from the time I write this, I stood in my washroom with my mouth hung open. My hand was glued to my cheek in shock. I was holding the evidence that told me of the surprise that would join our family in about 8 and a half months! A few short months later, as the excitement of a new baby was taking hold we would face another shock. My 30 year old husband was diagnosed with Cancer.

Devastation is an understatement. This wasn’t my life. This was my nightmare. I wanted my dreamy life back that had my healthy little family thinking happily of the future as five. Not this. Not to my family! But Jon handled it in a manner true to his character. He was firm in his confidence, unwavering in his faith and brave in his fight.

When our precious daughter, Elizabeth was born we were blessed that Jon was able to be there. He had only a day to spend with her before he had to leave for a few days for his treatment. During this time,
Verity, not only a talented photographer but my very good friend, urged me to take photographs. This time was so surreal. I was struggling to simply get through the day, taking an abundance of photographs was not something I was thinking about. She asked if I would allow her to come and capture these early memories.

The paradox of our situation is such that on one hand we had something so wonderful and on the other so terribly hard.

Verity in her gift for immortalizing the moment was able to capture my family as it was, at this time, despite everything else; beautiful, happy, in love. Strong.

These photographs. So generously gifted to us are images that I treasure. They allow me, when I am feeling overwhelmed with everything life has handed me right now, to remember how blessed I am. How wonderful they are, and what life is truly about.

In the future I will no doubt look back on this year that was, for the most part, a blur and stop, right there in that moment, on that day. When everything was perfect. In tiny eyelashes and toenails. Big brothers falling in love. New parents, more in awe of the miracle of life than ever before.

I cherish those images that can bring me right back to that place.

Thank you Verity. For your gentle nudging. Your loving approach in capturing your newest, tiny subjects and for sharing your gift.

With love and Gratitude,
J

Elizabeth Annabella Joy, we are so, so pleased you are here to bring happiness and joy amid the chaotic time your family is facing.

Can you believe we’ve done this for an entire year?? Nope, neither can I!

What is it that these life stories are about, you might ask?

Ever see a photographer who starts out with a 365 day project, or even a 52 week project and never finishes? Yeah, me too. Well, I recently joined a group of a few other busy photographers who decided to commit to a 12 month project! If we fail this, we’ll be taking donations for a time management seminar. We’re calling the series “The Story of ________” and we’ll each be filling in our own blanks. At the end of this post is a link to another photographer who participated and she’ll be linking to someone else. It’s a whole big circle of stories in pictures. Click through and enjoy!

The next story in the circle belongs to the fantastically talented Nicole Ridella of Ordinary Days Photography. Be sure to see what story she has to tell this month!