A Very Special Family Portrait Session

For those who follow me on Facebook and read my blog, you know that recently I held a model search and that baby Liam won with the most votes. What I didn’t mention was that I was slightly surprised that he won after his Mom told me she barely uses her Facebook account and his Dad only created one so he could vote. Well, it turns out they have lots of friends and family who do and they sure showed their support. I got to meet Liam’s parents before he was born and follow their journey as new parents this past year. They were among my first clients that weren’t already friends when they hired me but I feel we have become so now. Their support and praise for my work has been invaluable.

After suggesting to do their complimentary family session outside when all the Fall colours were out, I got an email that just made my heart drop. I have asked permission to share this with you in the hopes that it might help someone else, or ultimately, help many. Liam’s mom couldn’t wait for the Fall colours, she had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and would be undergoing chemotherapy. We were able to quickly schedule a studio session the day before she cut her hair short knowing that it would soon be falling out. With all the fear, worry, anger and sadness her whole family has been dealing with these last few weeks, winning the contest was one of the few things that made her smile recently. So I wanted to keep her smiling for this session and feel the joy that you feel when you are in love, have a child together and become a family. I recently sent her a slideshow with all the images and was happy to know that although her treatment started last Thursday and she has been feeling the awful side effects, the slideshow with some fun music made her smile again. And this made my day and reaffirmed why photography is important and photographs can be among the most precious things we own.

Still, it breaks my heart that she won’t get to fully enjoy her son’s first year but like she said, seeing him coo and smile is what is keeping her strong and focused on beating this. She is barely 30 years old with no family history and is not in a high risk group. Those of you who know me personally, know that I recently lost my mother-in-law to breast cancer and that my aunt is a survivor. It has also taken the life of a member of my extended family who, like Liam’s mom, found a lump while nursing her young son but in her case, the doctor dismissed it as a blocked milk duct until it was too late. She was only 36 and left behind a loving husband and two very young children. But there is a silver lining, Liam’s Mom is lucky she caught it early and her prognosis is very good. I have no doubt she will beat this but like one of her friends so aptly put it: “She should be enjoying this time in her life and not fighting for it!”.

So now, it is less surprising that Liam won the contest. I am truly moved by how her husband, friends and family have rallied around her during this difficult time. They will be running in her honour in the CIBC Run for the Cure on October 3rd and I hope that everyone can show their support for this important cause that has touched and taken away too many lives by contributing even a nominal amount. Every little bit helps.

Please leave a comment if you donate (even if you did already for her team or for someone else running – just let me know who). I will randomly draw a name from everyone who donates and leaves a comment here on my blog. The winner will receive a complimentary session with one 11×14. The winner must live in or be able to travel to Ottawa, the City of the Kawartha Lakes or Toronto before November 2010 in order to take advantage of the prize. I will do the draw on the day of the run.

Below are a few images from my session with Liam and his amazing parents. I’m so glad I was able to capture Mom’s beautiful smile and her beautiful hair. I wish her all the best for a full recovery and getting through these next few months of treatment!