The Day I Photographed A Healer
/A few months ago I was surprised and a little confused when I opened an e-mail from a woman who works for CURE Magazine. CURE is a an award-winning publication for cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors and every year they have a special edition that is released known as the Extraordinary Healers Awards Edition. This special edition honors and recognizes oncology nurses who go above and beyond for their patients and truly make the world a better place. They are a beam of light during a very dark time in a person's life.
After briefly looking at the headline, I was thinking what could she possibly be contacting me for.... Surely this was by accident.
Little did I know that it would lead to one of the most rewarding and humbling photographic experiences I have had in a long time. I was asked to photograph one of their chosen Extraordinary Healers for the special edition release.... and she was right here in my county.
Not only did I get to meet her (Jackie), but I also met her nominator (LaVerne)- a cancer survivor and a Paramedic Instructor Coordinator. Spending time with the two of them was an emotional roller coaster as they talked to me about their journey from the diagnosis, the treatments, a death scare, and finally a happier ending.
Jackie, being the humble and amazing woman that she is, of course feels that her entire department is deserving of the award and I couldn't agree more. The work that they do is ... well it seems impossible, incredible, overwhelming, and extraordinary all in one. I can see why LaVerne chose to honor Jackie though. She has a warm and giving personality and is beyond dedicated. As we were going through their story and walking around for photographs, Jackie was taking little side trips to check on her patients. As if a career as a nurse doesn't keep her busy enough, she also helped LaVerne start a much-needed cancer patient support group here in Iron County.
So I will leave you with this last thought and request - Thank a nurse when you see one. Tell them you appreciate them. No they are not in this job for the recognition ... but it doesn't mean they don't deserve it. They give up time with their families to save yours. I'd say that is extraordinary.
**** The CURE Extraordinary Healers Special Edition is now published! I received my copy in the mail not too long ago. Links to the book and essays are below!
You can find the essays on the healers here: http://www.curetoday.com/publications/extraordinary-healer/2016/extraordinary-healer2016
Here is LaVerne's essay: http://www.curetoday.com/publications/extraordinary-healer/2016/extraordinary-healer2016/finding-a-gem-in-the-midst-of-a-cancer-diagnosis
-
For Photographers
17
- Mar 7, 2018 Editing - Mastin Preset VS Kindred Preset Mar 7, 2018
- Feb 28, 2018 Before & After - Light & Airy Images Using Mastin Labs Feb 28, 2018
- Sep 14, 2017 Client Scheduling Tips - Learn From My Mistakes Sep 14, 2017
- Sep 8, 2017 The BEST Advice I can give to New Creative Business Owners Sep 8, 2017
- Aug 8, 2017 Lightroom Editing - How & Why To Make Virtual Copies & My YouTube Channel Announcement Aug 8, 2017
- Aug 2, 2017 Guest Post by Retoucher, Josh Doering - Clone Stamping - A Photoshop Tutorial Aug 2, 2017
- Jul 27, 2017 Stock Images Styled + Shot By Melanie! Jul 27, 2017
- Jun 26, 2017 Lightroom Editing - Learning To See Color FAST Jun 26, 2017
- Jun 7, 2017 Lightroom - How To Make Your Own Preset Jun 7, 2017
- Jun 1, 2017 Shooting Light & Airy - The "Other" 4 Factors & How To Control Them Jun 1, 2017
- May 26, 2017 Shooting Light & Airy - The Equipment May 26, 2017
- Mar 10, 2017 Yes, You Have To Have An Engagement Session Mar 10, 2017
- Feb 22, 2017 Wedding Planning Overload Feb 22, 2017
- Oct 13, 2016 Film. Fish. Fun. Oct 13, 2016
- Jul 14, 2016 Film Is Not Dead Jul 14, 2016
- Jun 2, 2016 How To Export Your LR Smart Preview Catalog Jun 2, 2016
- May 26, 2016 Evolution You Can't Deny May 26, 2016
-
Mom Life
3
- Aug 21, 2019 The Birth Of Our Daughter - March 2019 Aug 21, 2019
- Jan 31, 2019 Our Laidback + Outdoor Maternity Session Jan 31, 2019
- Jan 24, 2019 These 11 Things Made My Pregnancy More Enjoyable Jan 24, 2019
-
Personal
25
- Aug 21, 2019 The Birth Of Our Daughter - March 2019 Aug 21, 2019
- Jan 31, 2019 Our Laidback + Outdoor Maternity Session Jan 31, 2019
- Jan 24, 2019 These 11 Things Made My Pregnancy More Enjoyable Jan 24, 2019
- Apr 13, 2018 Mexico Trip - 2018 Apr 13, 2018
- Aug 28, 2017 It Was Time... To be IN the photos. Aug 28, 2017
- Aug 3, 2017 5 Items I LOVE For Travel & Long Trips Aug 3, 2017
- Apr 21, 2017 Africa - In The Village Video Apr 21, 2017
- Apr 19, 2017 In The Village - Rural Zambia in 4 Days Apr 19, 2017
- Apr 13, 2017 Africa Reflection Apr 13, 2017
- Mar 13, 2017 Worth The Trip - Episode 2 {Huacachina, Peru} Mar 13, 2017
- Mar 7, 2017 Worth The Trip - Episode 1 {Las Penitas} Mar 7, 2017
- Mar 2, 2017 Africa Housing Project Update Mar 2, 2017
- Feb 15, 2017 How We Earned A Free Plane Ticket Feb 15, 2017
- Jan 27, 2017 Africa... So What Is It REALLY Like? Jan 27, 2017
- Jan 13, 2017 Let's Go To Africa Jan 13, 2017
- Jan 10, 2017 To Alaska! Jan 10, 2017
- Jan 5, 2017 Forget Frames And Get A Little METAL Jan 5, 2017
- Jan 3, 2017 A Decision, A Change, & A Very Merry Christmas Jan 3, 2017
- Oct 13, 2016 Film. Fish. Fun. Oct 13, 2016
- Jul 14, 2016 Film Is Not Dead Jul 14, 2016
- May 26, 2016 Evolution You Can't Deny May 26, 2016
- May 5, 2016 Have Flower Children Instead! May 5, 2016
- Apr 13, 2016 Personal Projects Matter Apr 13, 2016
- Apr 7, 2016 The Day I Photographed A Healer Apr 7, 2016
- Jun 10, 2015 To My Brides That Changed Everything... Jun 10, 2015
-
Tips & Tricks
20
- Mar 7, 2018 Editing - Mastin Preset VS Kindred Preset Mar 7, 2018
- Feb 28, 2018 Before & After - Light & Airy Images Using Mastin Labs Feb 28, 2018
- Sep 14, 2017 Client Scheduling Tips - Learn From My Mistakes Sep 14, 2017
- Sep 8, 2017 The BEST Advice I can give to New Creative Business Owners Sep 8, 2017
- Aug 8, 2017 Lightroom Editing - How & Why To Make Virtual Copies & My YouTube Channel Announcement Aug 8, 2017
- Aug 3, 2017 5 Items I LOVE For Travel & Long Trips Aug 3, 2017
- Aug 2, 2017 Guest Post by Retoucher, Josh Doering - Clone Stamping - A Photoshop Tutorial Aug 2, 2017
- Jun 26, 2017 Lightroom Editing - Learning To See Color FAST Jun 26, 2017
- Jun 7, 2017 Lightroom - How To Make Your Own Preset Jun 7, 2017
- Jun 1, 2017 Shooting Light & Airy - The "Other" 4 Factors & How To Control Them Jun 1, 2017
- May 26, 2017 Shooting Light & Airy - The Equipment May 26, 2017
- Mar 10, 2017 Yes, You Have To Have An Engagement Session Mar 10, 2017
- Feb 24, 2017 What is a first look and why should I have one? Feb 24, 2017
- Feb 22, 2017 Wedding Planning Overload Feb 22, 2017
- Feb 15, 2017 How We Earned A Free Plane Ticket Feb 15, 2017
- Jan 5, 2017 Forget Frames And Get A Little METAL Jan 5, 2017
- Jun 2, 2016 How To Export Your LR Smart Preview Catalog Jun 2, 2016
- May 26, 2016 Evolution You Can't Deny May 26, 2016
- May 5, 2016 Have Flower Children Instead! May 5, 2016
- Nov 10, 2015 3 Tips For Better Wedding Photos Nov 10, 2015
-
Travel
10
- Apr 13, 2018 Mexico Trip - 2018 Apr 13, 2018
- Aug 3, 2017 5 Items I LOVE For Travel & Long Trips Aug 3, 2017
- Apr 21, 2017 Africa - In The Village Video Apr 21, 2017
- Apr 19, 2017 In The Village - Rural Zambia in 4 Days Apr 19, 2017
- Apr 13, 2017 Africa Reflection Apr 13, 2017
- Mar 13, 2017 Worth The Trip - Episode 2 {Huacachina, Peru} Mar 13, 2017
- Mar 7, 2017 Worth The Trip - Episode 1 {Las Penitas} Mar 7, 2017
- Mar 2, 2017 Africa Housing Project Update Mar 2, 2017
- Feb 15, 2017 How We Earned A Free Plane Ticket Feb 15, 2017
- Jan 10, 2017 To Alaska! Jan 10, 2017
-
Weddings
7
- Mar 10, 2017 Yes, You Have To Have An Engagement Session Mar 10, 2017
- Feb 24, 2017 What is a first look and why should I have one? Feb 24, 2017
- Feb 22, 2017 Wedding Planning Overload Feb 22, 2017
- May 5, 2016 Have Flower Children Instead! May 5, 2016
- Nov 10, 2015 3 Tips For Better Wedding Photos Nov 10, 2015
- Jun 10, 2015 To My Brides That Changed Everything... Jun 10, 2015
- Jun 1, 2015 Bay de Noc Wedding - Katie & Adam Jun 1, 2015