Why I do what I do

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As a photographer, yet first and foremost a stay at home mom of my 9 year old sweet Lil’ Miss I would like to share with you the “Why” of what I do…

My daughter is medically fragile who requires to this day 24/7 oxygen therapy and feeding tube for supplemental nutrition. The translation of this equals looking like we move wherever we go on a daily basis. She’s feisty and full of life so the opportunities of being a mom and a photographer are endless to capture life in still moments.

While my daughter was a toddler I had an experience that forever changed my life. I took her to a “studio in the store” to get the traditional family Christmas pictures taken at the request of grandparents. I will preface this with the fact that I already was not a fan of the cookie cutter backgrounds, poses and props that are so predictable at the “studio in the store”. Upon getting my daughter out of her stroller with all of her equipment to get her into position for the photographs, I struggled to place her where the person taking the pictures wanted her to sit. She was not able to sit up without assistance, so I needed to prop her up in order to get the pictures. The person taking the pictures then asked me to get into position myself and right before I thought she would take the shot, she asked me the question and made the comment that would drastically change the course of not only the session but my life….

“That tubing that’s on her nose….can you take that off? It’s distracting in the picture” First of all I had to take a deep breath before responding “Do you mean her oxygen????? NO I will NOT take that off she needs it to breathe!!! Just take the picture!” She rolled her eyes and proceeded to click the shutter. That was and will be the last time my child will ever be subjected to a “studio in the store” session. I have from that day forward taken all of her pictures wherever she’s comfortable and the reason “I do what I do”

For all of my sessions I work with my clients to find where they are the most comfortable…if it’s their local park or their grandma’s house or somewhere in between that’s where we’ll be. As a mother to a specially-abled child I am very sensitive to the needs and requirements to capture those family moments that may happen in between that also need to be celebrated as spontaneous moments of life! I believe in making my clients needs and desires the priority of capturing their special moments they have trusted me with!!

 

Ruairi the "Woodland Fae"

 

11 Responses

  1. Kimberly

    Your on-site photography was well executed and tremendous fun! My dance company will certainly find excuses to call on you again.

    • Collette

      Thank you Kimberly! I thoroughly enjoyed working with you and your dance company and it would be my pleasure to work with you again!

  2. Jill

    Love your story. I am very blessed to call you and Lil Miss my friends!! You both mean so much to me :).

    • Collette

      Thank you Jill! Your kind words mean so much to me and we are so blessed to have you as an extended part of our circle of friends!

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