Photographing Warrior Princesses & Heros

Everyone has gifts.  Everyone has talents.  I believe that I have been gifted to be able to do what I love.  I also feel that with these gifts, I have a responsibility to give to others.  The way in which I have been called to do so, is to photograph children with life threatening illnesses.  My deepest hope is that these photographs will help these children to remember the courageous fight they won in overcoming their illness.  However, sometimes that is not the case.  My hope then, is that these photographs provide precious memories of each child for their parents and loved ones that are grieving them.  

A little background may be helpful.  I am a registered nurse by profession.  As a result of this, I am comfortable in a hospital setting, and with the many special needs and equipment children with life threatening illnesses often come with.  I have photographed these amazing children in the Neonatel ICU, Pediatric ICU and general pediatric areas of the hospitals.  In addition, I have been invited into the homes of these families and was able to capture those special everyday moments in their lives.  

With each child I have been blessed to meet, I have been encouraged, inspired and quite simply awed by their bravery, courage, and most of all.... their love!  These children struggle daily to live, yet smile easily.  These children hurt, yet hug readily.  These children face fears daily, but laugh quickly.  How can one so little, face so much, and still bring sunshine into each day?  I am in constant amazement, because each of the children I have been blessed to meet in this journey has brought sunshine to others.  Each in their own way.

I would like to share the story of two of these extraordinary children.

First, I'd like to introduce you to Princess Warrior Azalee.  

At the age of five, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma.  I was lead to her shortly after diagnosis.  I was following one of my other amazing children on Facebook.  Due to a typo, I landed on Prayers for Azalee's page.  She had just 800 or so followers.  I read her story.  Immediately I messaged her mother and offered to photograph Princess Azalee on this journey.  Amanda, Azalee's mother, responded quickly.  She wanted to make sure I realized that they lived in Baton Rouge, Louisana.  I didn't, but it didn't matter.  After a few more messages, my wonderful assistant and I decided that we were called to meet Azalee and her family.  Within a week, we were in the car on a road trip to Baton Rouge.  When we arrived, Azalee and her family greeted us like family.  

We spent a few hours photographing this amazing family, and then joined them for a traditional Lousiana Gumbo.  The next day, we said our goodbyes with hugs and smiles.  During that short visit, Azalee and her family touched our hearts.  Their strength.... their courage..... their love were (and still are) an inspiration to us.  

We continued to keep in touch with Amanda, and prayed daily for Azalee and her family.  Azalee fought a courageous battle, and smiled everyday of her life.  Sadly, she was called to her heavenly home on November 18, 2013.  She is missed.  Behind my desk hangs a portrait I took on that trip, and reminds me daily what COURAGE looks like.  It looks like a beautiful little girl, in a pink shirt, black leggings, flowered flip flops and a smile that will light up your day.  

Her name is Azalee and she will always be remembered by me, and the hundreds and thousands of others she inspired in her courageous battle.  

The next hero I would like to introduce you to is Bryson.  

Bryson was diagnosed with Spina Bifida while still in utero.  At 28 weeks gestation, he and Mom underwent fetal surgery to repair the opening in the lower half of his back.  He was born at 34 weeks, and has defied the odds everyday of his life.  I first met Bryson and his family when he was just a week or so old.  I photographed him in the NICU and UNC Chapel Hill.  

There was so much uncertainity.  There was so little known about what to expect.  Yet Bryson's family knew that he was their special blessing and God had provided a miracle and would continue to do so.  

They were right.  

Bryson just turned three.  

He has underwent dozens of surgeries and procedures.  He is paralyzed from the waist down.  He has daily therapies.  The simple things, like eating, bathing, and playing are challenging for him.  Yet.... he smiles!  Yet..... he laughs!  Yet.... he loves!   Bryson calls me 'Jo-Jo', and let me tell you, hearing that from this precious little boy will light up my day!  My family and his family are very close friends, and he is a blessing not only to me, my husband and my son, but every single person that knows him.  He has an outgoing personality.  He is so very loving.  God made him perfectly Bryson!  Many children his age are anxious with strangers.  As is our nature as humans, we are curious.  When Bryson wheels around in his tiny wheelchair and smiles, it engages people.  They tend to look.  When they do, instead of being shy and timid, Bryson clearly says "Hi!".  He pulls people in, and makes friends everywhere he goes.  Despite the struggles Bryson faces every single day of his life, he is happy and spreads that happiness everywhere.  It is truly an honor to be a witness to the power of God's miracles daily in the life Bryson.  It is truly an honor to call this amazingly strong, courageous and handsome young man my friend!

It is but a little thing, but it is a thing I can offer.  Portrait memories of these brave little people, fighting for their lives, and their loving families battling right next to them.  If you know of a child with a life threatening illness whose family would like photographs of their little warrior, please have them call me at 919-570-1009.  This offering I make, as a way to pay it forward, and to tell their amazing stories of love, courage and determination.