The importance of having 'photos' from the most difficult times imaginable...

I want to be able to make a difference in peoples lives through my photography. One calling I have is to 'give' my services to someone who is facing the biggest milestone in their life and who would like to remember it as a time of growth and strength.  Also to those who have been diagnosed as terminal and would like to leave to their loved one photos of strength and love. 

If you know someone in one of these situations and you feel it could be something that would resonate with them I would be grateful if you could share with them what I wish to do.

Recently I asked a dear friend Sandy who is a cancer survivor to write something for my blog. I didn't know exactly what to tell her to write. I wanted her to share with me what it would have been like to look back had she had someone capture her in the most difficult and challenging period of her life.  

Below is what she wrote for me to share here on my blog.


Last fall I captured a friend's father who was was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. This friend Matt Gaddow kindly wrote his feelings below also.


Thank You Sandy, Matt and Miles xx


Jill


          -----------------------------------------------------


In 2003, I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer.  Diagnosed on a
Tuesday, I started chemo that Friday.  Not much time to think.  I remember
them telling me not everyone lost their hair, but most people on the course
I was taking, did.  I decided I would be one of the ones that didn't. Ha!
They said it usually started around Day 12.  I got to Day 14.  I remember it
hurt when my hair fell out (and hurt even more when it grew back!).
Cancer was a very private experience for me.  I got through it on pure and
utter stubbornness, and by being uncharacteristically insular.  I took one
self-timed photo of myself after I lost all my hair.  My bald self wasn't so
bad.  It was the drawn on eyebrows that used to drive me nuts.  Now, seven
years later (yay!) I wish someone had taken a great photo of me during that
journey.  It's a milestone, a landmark.  As such it should be honored and,
catalogued.  Jill Rosell is a dear friend of mine who takes photos from the
heart.   I wish she had been with me in Australia to capture that part of my
journey.  You don't think of it when you're in it.  Now, on the other side,
it's a loss I regret.  Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a beautiful
sitting with Jill.  It will be a light to enjoy during the darkest of times.

Sandy Henderson,
Bend, Oregon

                     --------------------------------------------------------------------




"When I first heard the news about my Dad's cancer diagnosis, the first
thing I thought of was having some photos done, and I immediately thought of
Jill Rosell, and her new love of photography.  Her ability to capture my
father, and our family was priceless.  I asked her to come and do a photo
shoot at our house, and we rushed to schedule something as soon as possible.
My father was a little reluctant at first, and the weather didn't look like
it would be cooperating, but Jill urged us to keep the appointment, and at
least try and get some shots.   I'm so glad we did, as Jill managed to
bring perfect weather and lighting, and my Dad rallied to her unique
shooting style, and we ended up with a GREAT set of pictures.  As my Dad got
sicker, and we went through some tough times, those pictures were able to
remind me of the many happy times that our family had with my father.  Now
that he's gone, I am so grateful to Jill for providing some memories of our
family that will be with us forever...

Thanks to Jill, from the Gadow family.."

From one beautiful dog to another...

Last year I photographed a good friends dog called Bella ( means beautiful). Bella was terminally ill with cancer at the time and ended up living just two days after our photo shoot. This session was very special to me as it enabled and taught me how to feel peoples energy through the lens. That may sound a little strange to some, but during this photo session because of the circumstances there was so much love being displayed. I believe what I am capturing during these emotional moments are peoples souls. I can even feel it when I am sitting behind the computer editing such photos. These moments are very dear to me and are truly rewarding and what I want to be able to capture for my clients. When someone who looks at a photo I have created and truly feels something in their heart, I feel I have accomplished what I set out to do.

(Bella is cropped in this photo due to a tumor on her font leg.)

The happy news I want to share is this same family now has a new family member. Her name is Callie, which also means beautiful in Greek. She is a golden retriever and is just 9 weeks old.
I got to meet Callie on Saturday and she won my heart in the first second. Of course I grabbed my camera and got a few shots. It was the end stage of my son Jack's birthday party so I was multi tasking. I am planning on a private photo session with just Callie and her Mommy over the next week so come back for a peek.
Can't wait to capture Callie's Soul again.

A wedding disaster...

Came across this video and had to share it.
Although this is a bride and grooms worst nightmare and a photographers! it also is pretty funny...

Enjoy...

A Mother's Day photo session up the Deschute's River near Bend,OR

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing Nikki and her Mom. Nikki was so creative and sweet by surprising her Mom with a photo session for Mother's Day.
Nikki is a beautiful young business owner here in Bend Oregon. Stop in and see her trendy store called  MARY JANES on Wall Street, downtown Bend.
We decided the perfect setting for the session would be a quiet spot up river amongst pine trees.
Both Nikki and her Mom are musically talented so their instruments became extensions of them in the photos. The sun was shining as it usually does in Bend, so a perfect time to pull out some sun umbrellas. They actually became protection from falling pine cones. I could have gone all day from one setting to another with this fun mother and daughter.
After finishing the session, I though to myself how fortunate it would be to one day have a similar mother daughter relationship as Nikki and her Mom with my daughter Sophie.

Thanks Nikki and Maggie for being an inspiration!

A photo shoot on a Bend summer morning...

This week I meet up with three year old Emerson and her Mom on the first real 'summer is in the air' morning. Far from shy, Emerson was ready to do whatever I asked. We grabbed what we needed and headed into the new foliage in the picturesque Shevlin Park.
It was hard to get a bad shot of this wee lady! From the denim look we went to the real girlie look and ended up on the banks of the pond where we could find some shade on this beautiful morning.  I am sure her Mommy and Daddy are going to be thrilled with these photos which capture Emerson's sweet personality and her wee soul.

Well done Emerson.. :)

A Neighborhood Family Photo Shoot....

Over the weekend in the early evening I met up with a fabulous family and friends for a photo session.
First stop was a photo in their very cool tree house. From there we ventured around their very quaint neighborhood. Everywhere I looked there was a photo opportunity to be had.
I provided some New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc so they were at my mercy :). They were a little surprised to be asked to get into a recycling bin but they did so without hesitation.
Their love for reading shows at the local rustic antique store.
A little more vino and some sprinkles of rain and we were off to the nearby river and park for the last of the photos.
We had to compete with the colorful prom night kids in the park but we got what we needed and then the rain started up and we went our ways.

Thank you Pearl Family for being perfect subjects. It is always a delight to capture such a happy and loving family. As you can see your smiles bring so much genuine warmth to the photos and to peoples hearts..

Enjoy

A Consumers Guide for Custom Photography.

I thought I would share a great link about Custom Photography.
It can be hard choosing a photographer and sometimes one can wonder what one is really getting in return for their session fee and print costs.

Enjoy...


Click here - Custom Photography Guide

Little Sisters...

Yesterday I meet up with a lovely family in one of my favorite locations near Bend. Nestled amongst Aspen and Pine trees were many great spots to photograph two little sisters. Although a  little chilly and getting close to nap time I managed to capture them interacting and enjoying themselves.
I will be submitting both girls into the Portrait Contest for this month. Don't miss out on your chance to win up to 5,000 in cash prizes. Call me for details...
Here are my favorite shots..