Jeremy & Ida // Portraits
August 19, 2010 // Posted by in Families Portraits
Morning friends! Man, I can’t even describe the past couple days. We just finished up holding a workshop through Photography Concentrate, and it was incredible. The photographers we met and connected with were truly amazing people, and to share our insane love of photography with them was the best thing we could have asked for. So I’m already in this slightly emotional state of mind, and now I’m sitting down to write this post. This could get mushy :)
You may remember the portraits we took of the Wiens Family; an absolutely beautiful group of people full of love, and undergoing some challenges in life with their little boy, Kortlandt. He is still fighting, and we saw him running around Ronald McDonald House at our last visit.
Well, that shoot really really inspired us. Not just inspired us, but motivated us to do more. So we met up with Jessica, the amazing Fund Development Officer at the House, to chat about how we could be involved more. We said that we wanted to try to shoot a family every month, and now that’s exactly what we’re doing! I can’t even begin to thank Jessica and all the other employees at the House. They have been working hard to make this project happen, and we are truly truly honoured to be working with such an amazing organization. More and more we’re seeing that great things can happen when you team up with people who love what they do!
So this month we shot Jeremy and Ida. And wow. Wow wow wow. This was an experience for us, and I’m positive we came away profoundly changed.
Sadly, Jeremy suffers from an inoperable brain tumor that is causing increasingly frequent seizures. He is the only child of Ida. And they had never had a “good” photo taken of the two of them. I can’t tell you how happy we were to be able to do that for them.
You see, despite the sadness of their situation, they are so filled with love that it knocked me backwards. Jeremy was quite shy, and didn’t want to look at the camera too much, but that didn’t stop him from telling his mother that he loved her. All the time. They shared butterfly kisses, belly laughs, looked at clouds, and just enjoyed spending time with each other. It was truly powerful to sit two feet away and watch them, and really be drawn in by the connection they share. (I told you it was going to get mushy :) But I’m totally serious, when you’re that close, you really do feel it.)
I hope by looking at these images you’ll know just what I mean.
Looking at the clouds.
We found a heart.
And a galaxy.
We used our Fuji Instax to take a couple photos for them. The effect those simple photos had was really incredible. We found the same when we traveled in Peru. Digital cameras are fun, and showing people the images on the back is great, but it can’t replace the tangible feeling of holding a photo in your hand. We took a shot of them, then let Jeremy watch it develop. He very quietly whispered “Magic” and my heart exploded. Photography IS magic.
Then Rob got Jeremy to shoot a photo of his mom. I hear the entire House has seen these Instants, he is really quite proud of them.
We also got to chat with Ida a bit after the shoot, and hear about what Ronald McDonald House means to her. It’s not a house, it’s a home for them in a very difficult time. She doesn’t have to worry about anything except Jeremy, and I can’t even begin to imagine how valuable that is. So if you feel like giving, Ronald McDonald House is truly an amazing organization.
Lauren :)
Caroline 5 days, 19 hours ago
Simply beautiful photo’s….you have captured memories that will last forever.
marcela 6 days, 22 hours ago
you are right Lauren the images speak for themselves…Simply beautiful!
Robin 1 week, 6 days ago
Once again. Lovely photos. One day I’d love to have kids and this photo session brought me to tears. I’ve encountered patients and families that have been clients at RMH and they’ve all said wonderful things of the organization. This is a great cause to partner with.
Amy @ Muddy Boots 1 week, 6 days ago
This is my first comment here, though I’ve been reading for a couple months… WOW. What a gift these images are to this boy… and especially his mom. A mother myself, these pictures moved me to tears.
Cindy Bain 1 week, 6 days ago
Wonderful pictures. Ida will cherish them for a lifetime.
Tesa 1 week, 6 days ago
You guys are doing an amazing thing with the RMH! RMH is an AMAZING organization helping to do exactly what Jeremy’s Mom said…not to worry about anything but their child!!!!!! I know Patty (Wiens Family) loved their photos and will cherish them forever….thank you for what you are doing! You are giving more than photographs to this family!
Katrina 1 week, 6 days ago
These are the best
Sharon 1 week, 6 days ago
Amazing photos from you two are a given. Perhaps what’s even more amazing is your passion to serve others and those around you. Bless you heart Rob and Lauren.
Joshua Segraves 1 week, 6 days ago
Awesome pictures. The last black and white is just incredible. That’s a wonderful moment.
Natasha 1 week, 6 days ago
These are amazing.. thanks for making me cry!!!! I love the black and white of him laying on the grass looking at the camera… for a boy who didn’t want to look right at you this is BEAUTIFUL!
mae 1 week, 6 days ago
these photos are absolutely beautiful!
Ravyn 1 week, 6 days ago
That is so beautiful. The photo of Jeremy playing with her necklace got me.
Carlee 1 week, 6 days ago
Wow. What a powerful post. The love, strength, and sincerity in these pictures is absolutely breath taking. Photography=a powerful medium indeed.
andrea 1 week, 6 days ago
tears tears. you two are such incredible people. and these images are so special. xox.
steph 1 week, 6 days ago
absolutely beautiful!
Buffy 1 week, 6 days ago
Really amazing, guys!
Nikki 2 weeks ago
Having kids myself this post spoke to me in a really deep way. The love in these images are absolutely tangible.
Christine 2 weeks ago
You two are so incredible, this post gave me goosebumps. This is such a beautiful thing you are doing for these families, I’m feeling the love from over here. Amazing photos!
mchahal 2 weeks ago
Brilliant idea doing a shoot of a family once a month guys. You make my heart smile. As do these photos.
Katherine 2 weeks ago
These photos are fabulous. Ida is so beautiful. Jeremy is so charming. . . I love how ‘real’ these photos are. Awesome. Just awesome.
Kennedy 2 weeks ago
You two are so wonderful <3