I've seen this kind of story crop up a number of times before and always found it strangely life-affirming the way we get to see and capture not just the beautiful, but also the tragic moments in people's lives doing what we do, so now that it's happened to me I thought I'd share my story.....
I covered a wedding on August 22nd this year and for weeks ahead of the date, during the formal shot planning stage, the bride had mentioned doing all the photos involving her mother first because she wasn't in the best of health, obviously we agreed to this, and on the day both myself and Sue (my 2nd shooter) were saddened to find the lady in question was obviously very ill, confined to a wheelchair, seemingly unable to speak much and not showing a lot of cognition of what was occuring around her.
Jenny(the bride)'s strength through the day was very inspiring, balancing the joy of her wedding day with continuing to worry about, and care for, her ailing mother.
I discovered a couple of hours ago that her mother unfortunately passed away a few days ago, and I was planning to send a letter of condolence to them along with a 10x8 of the photo below, which I hope will help them in some small way to remember her fondly as she was on their happy day - maybe this is slightly self-indulgant, but as those too few photographers from here that I have met will know, my own mother is currently in hospital recovering from a brain haemorrage which occured 2 weeks ago, and I can't help feeling that these 2 events, and the photo shown below have made me appreciate this amazing job that I'm lucky enought to get PAID to do, about how lucky we all are as a community to have a talent allowing us to capture those seemingly fleeting moments that could so easily become incredibly poignant in times to come.
What a sad story. That picture captured an incredible moment and I am sure it will be treasured by the bride and her husband. I hope that your mom has a full recovery!
i lost my mom the end of march - her first brain hemmorage in february left her with asphagia - unable to communicate - and the second hemmorage was when we lost her. i still pick up the phone to call her ..before i remember. we both loved full moons, and everytime month there has been one visible (without clouds) i make a point to wander outside in the middle of the night...to say hello.
I have an aunt that was days away from dying of cancer. She personally asked for me to take a photo of her with my 2 cousins and uncle. Hospital light/window light was crap, but the family treasures this last photo I took.
You're doing the Human thing by sending a card and photo. Not everything is about business.
Good show.
Paul
You did EXACTLY what you were hired to do. Great job. That picture is going to be something that she will cherish for the rest of their lives. Great job and I hope your mom gets well soon.
I would make sure they get that print ASAP as they may even want to put it on display during the services as I am sure this image is VERY important to them
Very sad story.. I can imagine though that her mother was incredibly happy for her that day and I am very happy for the bride that she has had this very amazing day in her life to share with her mother.
RIP
And I also will give my thoughts for your mother's strength and a good recovery.
This is what makes photography more then ink on paper. Good job on the photo and keep preserving moments.
At my wedding a couple months ago we put a small table aside that held photos of the grandparents that have passed on. Each photo was taken from their weddings over 70 years ago and although the photographers back then where much different then today that moment will forever be there for us. I am proud that I could remember them in that way.
