tucson portrait photographer

Cancer Survivor Brannon + Amy | Lifestyle Love Story Session

If ever there was a love story... 

Shooting pictures in the home of these cancer warriors was  a whole crazy reorientation to love-story-telling. Brannon was diagnosed with cancer and Amy has been by his side relentlessly. People deal with fear so differently. Grief. Bad BAD news. More fear... I talked a bit with Amy about how she has dealt with the fear and pain. She has opened up the door to her home and the private spaces of this journey since the beginning and continues to share so much of the pieces , news and nuances with their surrounding community. Being in their home to shoot a piece of their very "real and authentic NOW" was beautiful. They literally LAUGH constantly. In fact... my favorite part was learning about Amy's inhaler. Her friends say that "it wasn't an authentically GREAT time unless Amy has to whip out the inhaler." .... apparently, we #nailedit. :D

The tuesday after our shoot, Brannon was going in for his LAST chemo treatment! Amy was a baller and made a sign. 

Brannon is a HUGE mountain biker. It actually took me off guard when we went outside to just do something "normal" and they whipped out their bikes and he did some wheelies and you could see him sit strong, comfortable and in his element. Right before wrapping things up and heading back inside I asked them to just take a moment to love each other a little bit--smack dab in the middle of a street that has been their neighborhood in the last lacing flickers of an Arizonan sunset.

I am so so honored to have been allowed into Brannon & Amy's home and their private spaces during this intense journey. Their support for each other is deep and beautiful; brave and withstanding. Thank you for sharing this part of the raw and rugged--that there is laughter even with pain and fear! B & A, you are so deeply loved and fiercely supported through this crazy time! - LKM

Post note from Brannon + Amy

We can not even express how much we appreciate your interest in Brannon's story and his fight against this vicious disease. You have captured something we can't explain. The magic that B and I feel when we are together is obvious in each photo! Thank you so much for giving us this gift. You are incredibly talented and kind. We love your work and we love you!  Thank you! - The Mamulas

HAPPY APRIL! Announcing Spring Sessions 2014!

I still remember my first spring here...i wasn't in a very good spot. 2011 was wrought with painstaking drudgery and the last place I wanted to be was in the desert. And then April hit and I was driving down in a borrowed car on North Houghton, kids cranky in the back, my heart hurting and hating all things dead and brown. Suddenly i passed over a wash and nearly slammed on my breaks. There, for miles, were Palo Verde trees exploding into shades of yellow and happiness. 

It really is incredible. Even on a few unfortunate streets around town, these unsuspecting trees take center stage and remind me that life and happiness are here. You just have to patient for it. 

So Happy April! Take your family out and enjoy the perfect weather. Embrace a little life. And possibly, just maybe, I can meet you there. (And if you're on the fence, go to my FAMILY PORTRAITS page and maybe i'll convince you there. ;) 

Go to my page with SPRING PORTRAIT SESSION DETAILS here.