Renee is a wife, mother, and friend… and I’m lucky to have her for a neighbor too. She made a big impact last year when she shared and documented her battle with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. She is a special soul and I was honored to play a small part in her journey by photographing her: Renee’s Chemo Chronicles.
(This photo was named a People’s Choice Top Ten Best Face Photo of Summer 2011 at i heart faces, was featured on The Pioneer Woman,
and was included in the short film, Every Day is Yours to Win.)
Renee shared her first bout with breast cancer three years earlier on her blog, Team S, and created a huge support network of amazing people. So it was no surprise that when the cancer came back in March last year, metastatizing in her lungs and bones, Renee’s network rallied around her. Declared a triple negative NED (no evidence of disease) in November 2011, Renee considers her NED status a miracle and attributes her survival to her deep faith in God. She continues getting weekly chemo to stay cancer free and is a huge inspiration to all around her. She hasn’t just survived, she has thrived… all the while blogging with honesty, optimism, faith, and love. In the midst of the worst of it, Renee started Project Sending Love, a project to honor gratitude and make others feel special. How amazing is she?! And now… now, she has rolled all of her artistic and creative energy into Embracing Life, Love and Art. She creates beautiful canvases with inspirational messages… in fact, I got one last year after our photo session! Her business is growing by leaps and bounds and I invite all of you to visit her shop on Etsy and Facebook.
At the center of her support is her amazing husband, Eric. He is devoted, caring, and kind. I saw him take off work to be with her during her treatments. He would take Ian, their 4-year old adorable son, outside to play, never once mentioning if he was tired or had a hard day at the office. And what can I say about Ian? He is a ball of energy, sweet, a bit shy, and he adores his mom. Enough gushing, let’s get on with the photos! Here a few of my favorites from our session.
Look at Renee now! Isn’t she beautiful? She is so vibrant, in every aspect of her personality.
She had so many ideas for our session including hanging frames and bird cages from trees as well as some of her canvases. Isn’t she creative?!
Like most kids, Ian loves getting swung between mom and dad!
I love Ian’s attitude in this shot!
I love this image… something about how he was shyly talking to me about Skylanders while Renee and Eric snuck a kiss in the background just melts me. This was one of my favorites.
They are such a loving unit, it is absolutely wonderful to see them all together so happy and light.
Yes, we totally brought a chair to the session. Look at all of those wonderful smiles! They ordered this one on canvas. 🙂
Ian being contemplative. Renee cracked up at this shot.
A sweet candid moment between father and son. Eric takes the time to teach his son about all the little things.
Gorgeous family. Renee has great style!
So much love here, I can feel it.
Eric is a gentle, kind soul. I’ve never seen him complain or be cross… he is an inspiration to me.
Cutie-patootie Ian! He was pretty much done by the end… hot and tired and ready for lunch, but you couldn’t tell. His smile is so infectious!
Renee, it has been my absolute pleasure to be your photographer. I am so proud of you and honored to be a part of your support network. I can’t wait to see what you conquer next!
