Tampa Photography Blog

"For Just One Hour"

When a family friend asked me to photograph her, I was more than a little surprised.

Karen asked me to shoot portraits of her when my mother and I were visiting her at her Tampa home. She has been battling cancer (as well as numerous other illnesses) for seven years. Karen was confined to her bed, in severe pain 24 hours a day and on steady doses of morphine. And somehow she manages to keep her sense of humor through all of this.

Then she told me why she wanted to do the photo session.

She said she wanted to leave behind something special for her husband so he’d remember her in a positive way.

After I hugged her and wiped my face of tears, I, of course, said yes.

This woman has known me most of my life and all I’ve ever seen her do is give to others. She has an amazing heart and what she’s probably known best for is the cards she sends. Every birthday, anniversary and holiday she would send cards to friends and family without fail. I think she made up holidays sometimes just to have a chance to send more cards. She apologized to me once for missing my birthday—I didn’t receive a card from her and I had every year. Karen said she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment and didn’t remember to send me one. That’s a pretty good excuse in my book.

So, after we visited her on a Friday, I quickly put everything into action. Her prognosis was not good so I wanted to make sure I did this one thing for my friend before she passed on.

I asked a friend and stylist, Holly Nazario of Collective Creations, if she or someone she knew would be willing to volunteer their time to do Karen’s hair and makeup. I wanted Karen to feel pretty and special and forget about cancer, even if it was just for one hour.

Holly immediately said yes and I was touched at the idea that she was willing to give her time to someone she had never met. Sometimes it’s nice to know there are people in this world who still do kind things, just for the sake of kindness.

We scheduled the shoot for the following Wednesday and as soon as we arrived, Karen lit up. She was so excited to meet Holly and be the center of attention for just a little while. Holly brought great props and did a beautiful job on her makeup. I set up my lights and we were set to shoot.

The challenge that comes with photographing someone in this physical state is that moving the subject or asking them to pose differently is out of the question. So, my mother held my legs while I stood on the edge of Karen’s hospital bed (situated in her crowded bedroom) and I shot over her so she didn’t have to sit up. She couldn’t change shirts without being in pain so we draped scarves and sweaters over her. I know it wasn’t ideal and I wish I could have done more.

But for just one hour, she focused on me and my camera and not as much on cancer.

It was truly such an honor for her to invite me to photograph her while she was struggling with life itself. I hope I helped Karen in some small way and made her feel like the sweet soul she is and always will be.

Karen passed away 11 days after our session. She’s no longer in pain and that gives me peace.

Thank you Holly! :)