Documenting Courage

FREE portrait sessions for cancer patients and survivors

So many people today are battling for their lives, and I've thought a lot about what I can do to help in their fight. I've donated to cancer research, helped with fundraisers, and ran in “race for the cure” events, but I always feel like there is something more I could do. One day I was thinking about my mom and going through old photographs of her and wishing I had more. That's when it dawned on me. I may not be a brilliant doctor, making scientific strides in the search for a cure, but I do have the gift of photography to give. Whether it's documenting the strength of fighters or celebrating the battle won for survivors, I would like to offer my gift of telling your story through photographs.

Celebrating Life! My gift, unwrapped

I offer photographic services to document your courage and strength before treatment, during your fight, and/or as a victory celebration when treatment is completed and you're on the road to recovery.

What my gift includes:

• An on-location, 20-30 minute photo session. Note: I will travel to any location within 50 miles of Hartsburg, Missouri.
• Image editing and retouching
• Digital images with a print release

You can choose to have portraits taken alone or with your favorite battle buddies; family, friends, fellow fighters, etc. It's your story. You decide how you want it to be told.

Why I do it

Cancer has had its grasp on my family for many years. Both of my grandmothers are breast cancer survivors, one of them having to have a mastectomy. 

Then, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. After having part of her lung removed and a good deal of chemo and radiation, her cancer was "gone." She had several good months after that, but soon began having debilitating headaches. When she told her oncologists about them at her next check-up they decided to do another CT and a PET scan. The results were devastating. The lung cancer had metastasized to her brain.  After brain surgery and several more rounds of treatment, my mom sadly lost her fight, but I am so blessed to have been there with her every step of the way in her last months.

Cancer reared its ugly head again when my dad was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin lymphoma several years later. For months he underwent chemotherapy and has made a lot of healthy lifestyle changes to improve his health and strength.  I am so grateful to say that he has been in remission for a couple of years and continues to be healthy and happy. 

Today, both of my grandmothers, as well as my dad, are living full and happy lives and their strength and courage inspires me daily. 

Spread the word

If you or someone you know is currently battling cancer, or has completed treatment within the last 12 months, and lives in or near Columbia, Jefferson City, Hallsville, Ashland, Hartsburg, or any other surrounding Missouri city, please let them know about my gift of celebrating life. I can be reached via email at info@redblossom.net or by telephone at (573) 825-5407. Contact me and tell me your story.