A few weeks ago I met my friend Nancy at her mom’s room in a local hospice house. Because she wanted me to capture her new son, Alex, and her mom Gayle.
But you see, Gayle was dying. So it wasn’t just a normal Grandma/new Grandbaby photo shoot. It was different. It was harder. Sadder. And yet, more joyful.
Which was good because Gayle was full of joy. And life. And humor.
A couple of years ago when Gayle was diagnosed with a brain tumor she asked me to capture her family one day as we were leaving church. Did I mention I’ve known Gayle most of my life? That I grew up with her daughter Nancy at Emmanuel? And did I mention that Nancy ended up, randomly, being Grayson’s delivery nurse? Or that we recently got to photograph her new son? Which was actually my fourth photo shoot with this family in the last two years!
Anyway. Gayle asked me to capture her family just before she left for Duke to get her first chemo treatments because she knew her hair would fall out. So I met up with Gayle, her two daughters, her husband Jerry and her niece and nephew down on The Hill for some photos. For what I thought would be normal family photos but turned out mostly to be about cheering on Gayle. She actually bought the four “kids” Duke t-shirts so that she could take these photos with her to each chemo treatment… so her cheerleaders would be with her during the hardest days.
I loved that.
(photos taken during my Jodified days a few years ago)
Over the last couple of years I watched Gayle get thinner and fight harder and enjoy life to its fullest. I watched her youngest daughter graduate high school and blossom into an amazing woman. I watched her oldest daughter fall in love and become a mom. Whenever I ran into Gayle at Bread Co. or church she always made me laugh. I’d walk away from a quick chat knowing I was blessed to know her. And even more blessed to be a tiny part of her journey. Because Gayle LOVED photos. LOVED THEM. From what people have said she was still concerned about her camera at the very end when she could barely talk. She didn’t want a moment to pass without capturing it.
But at the end, when she was lying in bed, fighting for life, with friends and family surrounding her, she couldn’t capture any more memories.
But I could.
I could capture her smiles.
And her Grandson Alex’s smiles.
I could capture four generations.
And my favorite image, which captures two mothers looking at their child.
I could capture a conversation between mother and daughter.
And a sister-in-law lovingly feeding cranberry juice through a syringe.
And a new aunt doting on her nephew.
And a husband getting quiet support from his own mother.
But truly, I was able to capture the love and joy that filled that small hospice room. Listening to stories and memories and laughter. The love was palpable. As they all celebrated Gayle’s life and sat by her side as she died.
gayle. from Fresh Art Photography on Vimeo.
When my time with Gayle was done I leaned down to give her a hug and thank her for letting me in to such an intimate time in her life and as I leaned close to hug her she whispered, “thank you.” She wasn’t talking much anymore so it meant the world the she knew I was there, knew who I was and was happy I could help her continue to capture her family’s life.
As photographers we are paid to capture memories for families during the happiest of times. Births, weddings, birthdays, etc. But I want to encourage everyone out there, professional photographers and non-pro photographers, to capture everything. Because what I’ve found doing NILMDTS and being with Gayle especially, is that there is joy in every sorrow. There are beautiful moments you will want to remember one day in the midst of intense sadness. And there is always love.
I want to thank my friend Nancy for inviting me into this space. Into that loved-filled room with her mom. To help her remember these incredibly hard moments in her life.
And thank you to Gayle. Who captured moments. And who allowed me to capture some of her last.
Jodie, I don’t have words. These images are beautiful and so heartfelt. The love that this family had for their mother, wife, daughter was amazing. You are giving them a priceless gift. I wish I would have had images like this of my dad and our family before he passed away. Keep inspiring us, you make me want to be a better photographer (and give back!)
Wow. Beautiful. Sad. Happy. Tears. Memories. You have captured everything. Simply wow. Speechless. Lost my mom way too early too. These pictures will be part of their lives forever.
This is one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve seen captured in photos. Thank you for sharing.
Beautifully written and beautifully shot. Thanks for sharing.
Life, love, pain, joy. Caught. Perfectly.
Tears are flowing. For all who will miss this precious woman and selfishly for my wish to get to experience love in a family so obviously. Beautiful.
No words, just tears. God bless you and this family.
I am in tears, such beautiful memories for this family, and for you too, to hold close to your heart.
Oh my daughter, you are amazing, that post is beautiful.
What an amazing series of photos. You captured so much love in them. These will be truly treasured. I can’t say enough. Susie
this is an amazing piece of art, photojournalism and is just magical. thank you for sharing it. this family is blessed to have these memories.
Beautiful. Your are a treasure for creating such gifts.
What a beautiful family. You captured their love in every shot and brought me to tears. You are so good at what you do and your words are elegant. I love the photo of the “two moms looking at their child.” Lovely!
Amazing and inspiring! Thank you for sharing.
Your work is beautiful. I warmed up just watching the images on your home page. smiles. then on to the Gayle piece. another smile, but only in my heart. I too was blessed.
Amazing, inspiring, beautifully written and shot!! I was with my dad at home when he passed away…….what an incredible gift you have given this family…..and what a BEAUTIFUL family……..
Stunningly beautiful. God bless your heart.
I stumbled upon your website by sheer accident… or was it? I’m not sure. Words cannot express how I feel about this…. My heart and prayers are with you and this family… I lost my father to brain cancer… and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t pass and touch the pictures I have of him in my house. Memories fade, but pictures… they stay. 🙂 {{hugs to you!!!}}
I am literally quite speechless…and I will leave it at that.
Beautifully done. As much of an impact on you as it is to them, I’m sure. God bless you, Jodie.
Amazing. This was heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. Thank you for sharing this amazing woman and her story.
I will always miss Gayle.
What beautiful pictures! I will always remember Gayle with that wonderful smile! She was an amazing woman and I will always admire her for her strength and incredible positve attitude. I feel lucky to have known her!
Thank you so much for these pictures. I too was with Gayle all throughout her illness and am touched by these wonderful pictures. She was one of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure to know and one who I miss every single day. She is our angel now.
Beautiful
Wow. Words cannot express the beauty of what you have captured. It is amazing.
Thanks for your talents in capturing how God has made such beauty out of sorrow and pain. God used Gayle so mightily to lead so many to Christ by her daily walk. She was such a good and faithful servant. We will miss her. Thank you for sharing.
Wow! I randomly came across this website and was so tremendously moved and blessed by these images and this Gayle! God’s ways are wondrous and I pray His blessings for all.
What a beautiful gift you have given this family. This touched me so much. What a big heart you have!!
Beautiful, simply beautiful.
I’m moved beyond words… Absolutely beautiful!
All I can say is… Thank you.
beautiful and touching images. :~)
This is amazing. I have tears rolling down my cheeks right now, not only from your beautiful images, but the words you’ve put with them. What an amazing family to chronicle, they’ll cherish your images forever. Breathtaking.
Beautiful. I just appreciate that you have made her life even at this point so meaningful.
Thank you. You’re correct—their is always love! And beauty–thank you for sharing this intimate moment with us and reminding us to soak in all the days we have together.
people like you have a special place in heaven… : )
So beautiful – love just filled every moment you captured. This will be a treasure for her family, what a gift you were able to provide them….
Thank you for sharing….
I am reading this over 1/2 a year later. Watching the video. And it is BEAUTIFUL!!! It has touched by heart deeply. There is love. Care. These pictures have captured the beautiful emotions that are present. The Lord blessed Gayle so much by filling her last days with the great love of her family!!!