When I was in college I took a photography class to fill requirements for my Art Education Major. One of the last projects we were assigned was a free project. We got to pick a subject that was important to us or that we found interesting. I took a weekend to go see my friend Sara and her family, who were visiting family in Utah. Sara agreed to be my subject. I think this photograph sums up the feeling of things that were going on in life. Sara was recently diagnosed with colon cancer when I took this picture. I know that she was exhausted and feeling super crappy, but she still helped me with my project. (I know it must have been so hard to help me by falling asleep on the couch-haha!) But that's just who Sara is. She was always more than willing to help me with anything that I had going on. I didn't even have to ask most of the time, she just knew when I needed help.
It was that way with everyone. She was so giving of her time and her talents, and she made everyone feel important. She was the kindest, greatest, sweetest friend anyone could ever ask for.
Sara passed away from a two and a half year battle with colon cancer on June 10th, 2013.
I had the opportunity to help care for her kids at the beginning of their battle. I'm a photographer, so I couldn't help but take pictures of their family. Lots of them.
These photographs weren't taken in a studio. Nothing was arranged, or staged; there were no extra lights, no backdrops or assistants standing behind me. They were taken in their living room, kitchen, bedroom, backyard. Kids were laughing, crying, hitting each other, hugging each other, and having complete meltdowns for no reason at all.
I love these photos. I see the crazy love that Sara had for her family, and I'm so grateful that I was able to give them something that captured that feeling.
So I'm doing this project in memory of her...but also for you.
I want to give you photographs of you or your family that you can have for years to come, to look back on and remember what your life was like. We remember to take pictures of the big stuff: weddings, birthdays, Christmas. But sometimes we forget about the little moments in between.
My goal is to help capture those moments for you.
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