I knew, even as I raised the camera, that it was the last time I’d see your face.

It'd be the last time I would hug you. The last time I'd get to be here in your house. I know the photos I made today would be the only ones I'd have of us.

And that felt so important I couldn't miss it.  As a documentarian I need this, these photos of when he meet his great grandchildren.

 

 

Covid.


My Papaw Jim's house and funeral that was later to come.

Oklahoma Based Candid Photographer because real life doesn't wait for you to be ready.


Florence, MS

 

Portrait of senior man with white hair and beard against orange wall.
Two people embracing while wearing casual attire against orange wall with photos.
Two senior men standing together against orange wall decorated with photographs.
Person looking at collection of framed photographs displayed on bright orange wall.
People gathered in a room with orange walls covered in family photographs.
Black and white view of a vintage kitchen interior with checkered floor.
Two people sit in chairs in a room with orange walls covered in family photographs.
A candid moment in a room with orange walls and many family photos displayed.
A tender black and white portrait in a room decorated with photographs.
A view of a small white house with a front porch and garden tools leaning against the wall.
A modest white house exterior with a wooden porch and garden tools visible.
A moody shot of a small house exterior with a wooden porch and garden tools.
Black and white portrait of someone relaxing in a leather armchair.
A joyful moment captured in black and white with photo-covered walls in the background.
A candid black and white shot showing laughter and joy indoors.
People relaxing in armchairs in a room with bright orange walls covered in photographs.
A rustic wooden cabin with large windows nestled among trees in a wooded setting.

 

Taken in June 2019

I didn't see you often. Up until this visit it had been many many years actually. You still look the same to me. I recall your same perfect smile, wide eyes, and a somewhat uncomfortable around kids vibe. You weren't the papaw I knew to run and hug and honestly I was afraid to visit alone out of fear you wouldn't know me at all. I needed my dad with me; your son.  




We received a call that you weren't doing great and we should come. You're holding Braddock here and we were stationed in Georgia. Dad came in from Oklahoma and being a stay at home momma allowed the boys and I to drive over for the meetup too.  



You were doing much better than we expected, but knowing it would likely be my last visit with you I turned into the camera to savory the feelings and memories of the day.  I was surprised to find a bright orange wall with photos surrounding your favorite chair.

 

White dress shirt hanging on wardrobe next to orange painted wall with white patch.
Was it covid?


May 2020



It was a really hard trip to make. Watching my dad. The strongest man I know going through something so painful. I couldn't yet begin to understand the loss he was feeling. The grief crept in and out like ocean waves.  I stood back and stood present as we drove the streets of MS talking memories. Dad was asked to give the message at the service. There wasn't very many that came, but the few that were there knew the risk of covid was a serious one. This year we were living in a plague. Something that we'd had to consider taking the risk ourselves to fly in. Myself, I flew in from Joint Base Lewis McCord in Washington. While it was important I didn't risk taking the kids with me on this one.  




This is the last image I'll have with Papaw Jim.

Green canopy tent set up outdoors with signage for a gathering or event.
A white funeral home van parked in an outdoor lot with funeral services signage visible.
Close-up of Chancellor Funeral Homes logo and text on brown cover material.
A wooden temporary sign reading 'Please No Parking Funeral' stands in an empty parking lot.
A COVID-19 update notice posted on a glass door in a wooden frame providing service information.
Interior of a funeral home chapel with empty wooden pews and an elegant chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
Long rows of white church pews lead to an altar under crystal chandeliers in a funeral home chapel.
Two people stand in silhouette on a covered porch overlooking a landscaped garden.
An elegant casket decorated with red and white floral arrangements displayed in a funeral home setting.
A close-up view of The Florence News newspaper header in black and white print.
A silhouetted view through ornate doors showing people gathered outside in daylight.
People gathered under green canopy tents at an outdoor event.
Multiple green event tents arranged in a line at an outdoor gathering.
Crowd mingling under white and green canopy tents at an outdoor event.
Tables and chairs arranged under green canopy tents at a community gathering.
Hand-drawn mushroom sign on white wooden wall next to door frame.
People relaxing on a covered porch with chairs and casual outdoor furniture.
Room with vibrant orange walls and white covered chairs arranged in rows.
Medical or care-related procedure being performed in a clinical setting.
Indoor gathering space with orange walls and white chair coverings.
White cardigan hanging on clothes hanger against wall with orange paint patch.
Tabby cat sitting on a windowsill next to food bowls and dishes.
Weathered wooden walkway leading to a rural house with a front porch.
A delicate magnolia flower blooms with soft pink petals against dark green leaves in a moody garden setting.
Green canopy tent set up outdoors with signage for a gathering or event.
A white funeral home van parked in an outdoor lot with funeral services signage visible.
Close-up of Chancellor Funeral Homes logo and text on brown cover material.
A wooden temporary sign reading 'Please No Parking Funeral' stands in an empty parking lot.
A COVID-19 update notice posted on a glass door in a wooden frame providing service information.
Interior of a funeral home chapel with empty wooden pews and an elegant chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
Long rows of white church pews lead to an altar under crystal chandeliers in a funeral home chapel.
Two people stand in silhouette on a covered porch overlooking a landscaped garden.
An elegant casket decorated with red and white floral arrangements displayed in a funeral home setting.
A close-up view of The Florence News newspaper header in black and white print.
A silhouetted view through ornate doors showing people gathered outside in daylight.
People gathered under green canopy tents at an outdoor event.
Multiple green event tents arranged in a line at an outdoor gathering.
Crowd mingling under white and green canopy tents at an outdoor event.
Tables and chairs arranged under green canopy tents at a community gathering.
Hand-drawn mushroom sign on white wooden wall next to door frame.
People relaxing on a covered porch with chairs and casual outdoor furniture.
Room with vibrant orange walls and white covered chairs arranged in rows.
Medical or care-related procedure being performed in a clinical setting.
Indoor gathering space with orange walls and white chair coverings.
White cardigan hanging on clothes hanger against wall with orange paint patch.
Tabby cat sitting on a windowsill next to food bowls and dishes.
Weathered wooden walkway leading to a rural house with a front porch.
A delicate magnolia flower blooms with soft pink petals against dark green leaves in a moody garden setting.
Rustic wooden porch exterior with vintage signs mounted on white siding.

 

How can I help you? What photo can I make for you to treasure?


If you have love ones that you don't see that often, just take the photo. Professionally or not. Awkward or not. You wont regret it.  

 

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