Just over a year ago, I had the opportunity to meet total strangers that had a HUGE impact on my life.  Their friends, the Steadman Family, hired me to do family photos.  I was honored to be able to give them this gift.  Here are my thoughts (from my personal blog) from a year ago:

My dear, dear friend Julie hired me to go and take pictures last week of her friends, the Brown family.  I had never met them prior to this, but I instantly knew I liked them when I arrived at their home.  They were funny, and very down to earth.  Here is a link to their story. 

Here is a link to the pictures I did for them (the condensed version):

www.jessistringham.com/familiesareforever

I know they would appreciate any comments of encouragement during this time on their blog.  I am sure they enjoy receiving them and reading them, even if you don’t know them.  Here is the link that contains the full version of pictures and a spot where you could leave a comment of encouragement for them.

This was a very emotional photoshoot for me, naturally.  I felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility to do a good job and create a lasting memory.  As I lost my own father at a very young age, I really wanted to document their relationship together.

I decided that it would be nice to do both some shots in their backyard, which was perfect for this, as well as some against a backdrop.    Bryce gave me one of his bracelets and couldn’t stop thanking me for coming and taking pictures.  I could relate to Tammy so very much, and admired her strength.  She gave me a big hug as I left and I was very overcome by her appreciation.  She snuck some chocolate truffles into my car and I found them when I got home.  Anyone that gives me truffles is a friend for life.    Bryce lasted longer than most of my dads do on regular photoshoots, and he didn’t complain once.  He wanted a lot of kissing photos because as he put it, “it’ll be very important to Dani in the future.”  I couldn’t agree more.  

I was a blubbery mess and couldn’t stop crying all day last Saturday as I edited these pictures to get them online for them.  I cannot begin to imagine what they are going through, but I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet them.

Unfortunately, Bryce lost his battle with cancer a few weeks later.  Now, a year later, I’m still touched by the gift this family gave me.  I think because they were close to my age (early 30’s), it hit me even harder, being able to relate so easily to their situation.  Both my husband and I went and had a 100% body scan done by a dermatologist.  In fact, I had a pre-cancerous mole that I would have NEVER guessed was pre-cancerous.  I’ve always been a big fan of sunscreen, but even moreso now.  For my trip to Florida, I didn’t go to the tanning beds……instead, I had a horrible experience having a spa apply self-tanning lotion (which is a great story in itself!).  I make sure to share their story with everyone I know, in hopes that we would all become a little better educated on this terrible disease.  I encourage you to go read their story.  It will touch you.

I love her name!  She was a TINY peanut with red hair when she came to visit me a few weeks back……I think 5lbs 14 oz or so……just so tiny!  Both of my kids were over 8 lbs, so I can’t imagine a 5 lb baby….and she was most smiley newborn ever.  She was definitely camera ready!    Mom is a librarian, and you may remember the shot while little Nora was still inside, but we had to get another shot of Mom reading to Nora on the outside.  Her parents also brought one of their favorite red blankets to the newborn shoot too (I love when people bring stuff that means something to them!).