I've been a little obsessed with dreamcatchers as of late. I've been inspired by some desert related fine art prints and dreamed up this little styled shoot. I'm thankful to have a model that is easy going and will to play around in a cactus garden - I managed to be the only one that walked away with a few injuries. Enjoy! And please inquire if you're looking to do a styled/collaborate portrait shoot. 

It seems like it wasn't that long ago when I was photographing Sandee (a story from 2012) a woman who was fighting breast cancer, but I guess if I think about it - a lot of time has past. It wasn't until Sandee's death that I had somewhat of an awakening about my photography. It's as if I've been hibernating since I left my college photography classes. While I absolutely love photographing couples in love, families laughing, parents with their newborns, and local events (and let's face it San Diego has some pretty incredible events) - I constantly feel like I was given a talent to photograph on a deeper level. To tell the stories that aren't always easy. To tell the stories where I may find myself uncomfortable - even fighting back tears. 

I was over the moon when I met Brie! We photographed her last chemo treatment together which was an real eye opener for me. Her energy and fierce attitude is similar to Sandee's and it's these stories I want to share. There are many forms of cancer amongst men and women; however I'm particularly drawn to women fighting breast cancer. The mental and emotional challenges of losing your hair and breasts, when we as woman are often defined by those single elements, is what makes it amazing to have someone like Brie come out on the other end with all smiles as she takes this head on. 

I created another site (http://www.helpfulhealingproject.com) a while back in hopes that these photographs and stories will eventually coming together some day (in a more complete website) to help empower other women going through these struggles. 

Here is Brie at her last day of Chemo...

Every now and then I seem to find a little pocket of time to work on a personal project and this weekend was it! I finally got around to editing these images I took in a small town of Northwestern, PA called Sugar Grove. 

Meet Sandee & Sheri! 

Hear more about their story in an upcoming book titled...The Trailer of Love: Loving What Is. The story of a blended lesbian family, second (and third) chances and a diagnosis.

Set stylist: Dana Pruskowski