On June 10th, a woman passed away after a two and a half year battle with colon cancer. She was a young mother of three crazy beautiful kids, a wife, and a dear friend to everyone she knew. Her name was Sara.
Sara is a true example of strength and humility and love. She was kind and sweet and generous, and hilariously funny (like, cry-so-hard-you-wet-your-pants-funny)
When you talked with her, she made you feel like you were the most important person, and her smile was absolutely infectious.
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.
We have so many photographs of weddings and engagements and family portraits. I want to offer a different take on these. I want the honest, simple photo.
The photo that captures who you are as an individual or as a family. Nothing staged.
Shed the uncomfortable shirts and bow-ties. No forced smiles. Just an honest photo that you can look back on and remember what it was like at that time in your life. As fun, crazy, loud, and beautiful as it may be.
