Healing in Art | Fort Collins Family Photographer

    It’s been a year of highs and lows. That is likely an understatement. In mid April my grandmother passed away. She was only 69 years old. I made the age old mistake of assuming there was just so much more time. We had long planned for sweet friends to visit from California the same day that my grandmother passed… and I’ll be honest. I didn’t want to get out of bed. It took every ounce in me to. But having friends rally around us and prove to be a beautiful distraction brought it’s own kind of healing. A very tiny sliver of my heart mended just being with them in the trenches. We went out to photograph their family and I will be honest, I was worried that creativity wouldn’t come. Sure, they are gorgeous and Colorado is gorgeous so under any normal circumstances they would be an instant muse. My heart though, it was so heavy. The one thing about grief that no one tells you about losing someone you love– is it physically hurts. There is actual pain. Pulling my camera out though, it just brought it all together. I wanted to give them images that I wish my grandmother had with her family… that I had with her.

    And so we met in one of my favorite places to shoot, because there is peace in these mountains. We showed them around and I lugged my camera out and I slowly eased my way through the grief.

    I don’t know if I did them justice, but there is love in these images. There is something a bit raw here. I put my very heart out there these days. It has been a few months since our loss, and I don’t think it gets any easier, but the work has come from a more honest place. I have been in touch with how important photography really is, something I didn’t even know I had lost.

    And I feel so insanely thankful to get to this.

    As photographers, we give the gift of memories. It’s the closest thing to the gift of time we can get to.

     

    22 Lovely Comments  •  Leave a Comment for Sarah

    22 Beautiful Souls Commented

    1. Paige says:

      I love the way we can find healing in our art. ❤️ These are stunning.

    2. Anna says:

      So beautiful! These pictures are incredible! I wish I could take pictures as good as you!

    3. Anna says:

      So beautiful! These pictures are incredible!

    4. Diane Schaefer says:

      Absolutely stunning!

    5. Nancy Benson says:

      I’m so in love with these images ❤️

    6. What a lovely family and so many beautiful moments captured in our gorgeous front range!

    7. Amanda Perry says:

      I am sorry for your loss. My husband and I have lost three grandparents between us in the past two years. It does physically hurt. I admire how you turned your grief into gorgeous memories this family will treasure. Thank you for always inspiring me to rediscover my love of photography and what its really all about.

    8. Amanda says:

      Your art is beautiful! I hope to have you capture my family next year in our annual Estes Park vacation.

    9. Kelly Horowitz says:

      Goodness! I love all the emotion you can feel throughout this session!

    10. Erin says:

      These are beautiful! 😍

    11. Rae Barnes says:

      Your work is like a dream. So amazing!

    12. AVA Howard says:

      Omg love! Esp the laying down photos!

    13. Kathryn Mendoza says:

      I love how all of your work portrays tangible love, and this session is no exception. Gorgeous family, gorgeous photos!!

    14. Ashley Roberts says:

      I looove this session. Those little freckles. And i can almost hear that little girls laughter!

    15. Angela says:

      Absolutely adore, love and got all sorts of feelings from this post! Thanks for sharing and it’s amazing what a photo can do for a family ❤️

    16. I’m so sorry for your loss this year. You channeled that sorrow beautifully though. What a gift you gave this family. ❤️

    17. Kayla Dunham says:

      Sarah, your work is inspiring and you have always been a role model to me and how I structure my own photography business and personal. You were one the people that helped remind me to capture everyday memories of my children. Your workshop was amazing. And my family would be honored to be photographed by you in Colorado!

    18. Kaley Whitenton says:

      These are all so dreamy, I love how they all make me feel!

    19. Amber says:

      This session is absolutely gorgeous!!!

    20. Tanya sains says:

      Beautiful Sarah, really beautiful. ❤

    21. Sara says:

      I’m so sorry for your loss ❤ we just had a loss here too. My FIL passed away from cancer the evening before Fathers Day. He was not old.
      I’m very good at pushing things wayyyy down deep, but in the quiet moments it always finds a way to creep back in. The sorrow for the person lost, the memories you’ll never have the chance to make…its all so unfair. Sending hugs from Cali.

      Sara

    22. Linda Pfeiffer says:

      Sarah, these were absolutely beautiful!! Your heart is in every single one!!

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