Why I photograph the quiet moments of grief and loss

I wrote this article in the summer of 2019 while still in the midst of undergoing cancer treatment. It was the first time I fully shared my story and photography with the world and I was blown away by how fast the article traveled and the response I received. It became clear to me that there is a huge need in our society to open space up for conversations around grief and loss and the role of storytelling and photography within those spaces.

A platform for young grieving folks to connect and find community This organization offers community based spaces for young folks navigating life after loss to openly and candidly discuss grief and loss and connect with others who have experienced the death of someone close to them.

This was the first book I read after I was diagnosed with cancer. I would sit in the hammock chair in my backyard, or on the couch in the radiation lobby, and read with tears streaming down my face. Nina gave me what no one else was able to at that time — permission. Through her story, I realized I could tell my own, and that there was healing to be found in doing so.

A podcast about honest feelings. Nora McIrney, a fellow TED speaker, has been deeply influential to me in my work and in the way I have learned to talk about grief and illness. Her podcast, Terrible, Thanks for Asking, is one of my favorites. It offers a refreshingly real look at a multitude of topics with honesty as the backbone of every exploration.

A complete and holistic approach to advanced care planning In the weeks before my craniotomy, I discovered Five Wishes and completed Voicing My Choices, a guide for young folks facing serious illnesses, based off of the Five Wishes advance directive. I highly recommend this organization as a starting point for discussing the ways in which you want to be cared for and comforted in life threatening situations.