Photographing the true beauty of an ugly cancer...

In 2006, I decided to change my life forever... To make a shift from "corporate/executive" to "artist". It was difficult, I spent many sleepless nights trying to accommodate my new goals and aspirations with the overwhelming responsibilities of being a single parent of two gorgeous, growing boys. My first big move....
To start an exit strategy for my Magazine (N.O.sotros Magazine 2002-2008) and start working as a full time Art teacher while still maintaining/running the business, completing board member terms in different companies and organizations in the area, and maintaining my reputation in the Business scene. This continued for approximately 2 years, at which point, I was ready for the big jump... N.O.sotros closed its "doors" and I started teaching Art at a local international school; immersed myself in French, Visual Arts, and Belly dance and continued working in Photography. I look back at all these changes and even though there are things I miss, like writing my monthly editorial, photographing Fashion Do’s and Don'ts on the street, Monthly cover shoots, and covering international events like Miami Fashion Week, etc. I feel total peace and have never been happier, after all, I finally have my life back. Part of the reason for the deep thoughts today was that my "summer" is over, and I looked back and thought I didn't work much; something I do not like. Teaching allows me to focus my energy during the summers on my lifetime passion... Photography. I book and double book and photograph families, babies, preggers, weddings, just photo session after photo session. I thought long and hard today, all day... and for a minute, was disappointed at the very few photo "jobs" I took on this summer. Then I looked thru every memory card, my cell phone, my husbands cell phone and realized, I never stopped photographing for one minute. Except this time, it was the most gratifying, beautiful, and longest photoshoot of all. Every photo, every memory card, filled with photos of my daddy. His fight with cancer and paraplegia began Friday, June 10, 2011, my photo session has lasted from that day and will continue. I photograph the smile, I photograph his cries, I photograph his pain, and his blank stares, I photograph his little skinny legs, and his beautiful wrinkly arms, I photograph his falling hair, his delicate feet, I photograph him when he gets into his wheelchair, when he gets out, when he lies down, when he watches a movie... It has been the most rewarding job of all. My favorite photography session thus far. Papi, thank you for being so open and honest and allowing me the opportunity to participate in your recovery the best way I know how... thru writing and photography! I love you. You are my favorite photo session ever!
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Papi's fight against cancer photo album