The Start of Groupon

In all the years of being a photographer, I have never been brought to tears. Today we started a groupon deal with a salon. To our great surprise, a GREAT SUCCESS! But one of the buyers was in a time bind. She called and asked if she could schedule an appointment today. She told me about how she was in going in tomorrow to have her left breast removed and this was the last chance she had to be brave and have boudoir photos done. I was put in a bit of a bind knowing how Groupon worked and it was not guaranteed that the deal would go on. On top of which, I was not entirely sure if I was being told the truth and she understood that. So I gave her the benefit of the doubt.

When I arrived to the salon to fix up my mini studio, the girls were talking about their concern if this woman could be scamming us. I told them either way, I am not worried.

The woman arrived in her hat, and I immediately knew she was telling me the truth. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and after a year of chemo therapy, more lumps grew. Everything  happened so fast for her, and she finally decide to be brave on the last minute and have her photos taken to remember how she looked with her breast.

During the session, she showed me her scars. All the while telling about all the things she went through. I came to conclusion that she is a brave woman with positive attitude.

At the end of our session, she asked to do one last photo. She wanted one with a pink feather boa wrapped underneath her breast. I took 2 shots, but the last one I knew IMMEDIATELY it was the one. The photo was the epitome of my company's name. Her photo was truly worth a thousand words. And with that thought, I had to step out. It brought me to tears. I will never forget her!

February 22, 2011 Update:
The brave woman has consented for me to use the very image that brough me to tears.

 

 

 

February 6, 2014

 

RIP Theresa! Thank you for letting me share this with the world. You reminded me of why I wanted to be a photographer. Whenever I want to give up, I think of this moment!