Photojournalism for Photographers: This Is What Love Looks Like: Eileen and Jonathan

My greatest love and responsibility as a photojournalist is telling someone’s story with photographs.   It’s a terrific relationship when a couple in love trusts you into their life with a camera.  When Eileen and Jonathan asked me to document their wedding, only one month away, I fell in love with them, their courage and their love for each other.  These photographs were taken while Eileen received a chemotherapy treatment at Prentice Women’s Hospital and later at the home she and Jonathan share in Chicago.  I’ve posted Jonathan’s words to accompany my photographs of their story below.  Thank you, Eileen and Jonathan, I’m looking forward to your wedding next month at the Chicago Athletic Association, and thank you for allowing me to document and share your beautiful story.  Please enjoy your photographs.

From Jonathan:

“In January of 2016 Eileen and I got engaged on the snowy beaches of Northern Michigan.  Two months later I would be holding her hand as we received the news that she had Ovarian Cancer.  Parents don’t teach you what to say to your partner when she finds out that she may never have children.  The life we were trying to build, in a blink of an eye, was completely derailed.  In that moment everything came in to focus.  It was amazing how easy it was to let go of everything else.  All of the pettiness in our lives melted away almost instantly.  On March 22nd, 2016 Eileen and I were married in a hospital chapel in front of our immediate family and closest friends.  As soon as the ceremony was over, she went into surgery to have her tumor removed.

The days since have been profoundly difficult, but I’ve found tremendous comfort in the courage, bravery and strength that my wife has demonstrated every day in her battle towards recovery.  She has said to me often that she could never do it without me, and I always tell her that she’ll never have to.  She and I are one, and we’ll fight this together.  Our story is just beginning.”

===========================================================================================================

Photographers: Want to photograph stronger moments? Only THREE spots left to my next Moment-Driven Photojournalism Workshop, September 13-14 in downtown Chicago.

Request a FREE Strategy Session with me!