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Episode 25: End-of-Life Photography: A Compassionate Lens on Love and Loss

cancer content warning photography Sep 23, 2024
Image of Podcast Cover With Honey, Santiago and guest Kelly Brown

*Content Warning: This episode contains discussion about end of life photography, including a sensitive account of a stillbirth photo session.

In this heartfelt episode of Thoughtful Planning, Honey and Santiago are joined by Kelly Brown, a compassionate photographer and the founder of Rose Colored Lens Poetic Imagery. This episode highlights end-of-life photography and Kelly’s goal of starting a non-profit.

Today’s essential question: How important is it for you to capture life events using a professional photographer? 

Episode Highlights:

  • The Start of Kelly's Journey: Kelly shares how she discovered her passion for photography as a way to pay for school and how it became her life’s calling. She explains the turning point when she realized she could use her skills to create lasting memories for families going through end-of-life experiences.
  • The Emotional Experience of End-of-Life Photography: Kelly recounts her first end-of-life photo session, photographing a stillbirth, and the challenges she faced, from emotional turmoil to technical difficulties. She emphasizes the beauty and humanity in capturing these deeply personal moments.
  • The Birth of the Rose Colored Lens Foundation: Inspired by the impact of her work, Kelly shares her vision for her nonprofit organization, the Rose Colored Lens Foundation. She explains how she hopes to make bereavement photography accessible to families across the country and eventually around the world.

Advice for Listeners:

  • Be Open to Emotion: Kelly advises both photographers and families to embrace the emotions that come with end-of-life moments. She highlights that empathy and vulnerability can lead to a more genuine and impactful experience.
  • Supporting Loved Ones Through Photography: For family members who might be hesitant to capture these moments, Kelly suggests approaching the topic gently, emphasizing the lasting memories and the healing power of having these photographs to cherish.

Key Takeaways:

  • Photography as a Healing Tool: Kelly’s story illustrates how photography can serve as a powerful medium for capturing memories, helping individuals process grief, and providing a sense of comfort.
  • End-of-Life Photography Is Not Strange: Many people might feel uncomfortable with the idea of capturing end-of-life moments, but Kelly’s experience shows that these photographs can be a deeply meaningful way to honor and remember loved ones.
  • Creating Lasting Impact Through Nonprofit Work: The Rose Colored Lens Foundation’s mission is to make end-of-life photography accessible to everyone. Kelly’s dream is to ensure that families in hospitals, hospice centers, and other settings have the opportunity to capture these precious moments without the burden of financial worry.

Conclusion:

In this episode, Kelly Brown reminds us all of the power of capturing life’s most significant moments, even those that are incredibly difficult. Her journey from a casual photographer to a creator of beautiful, heartfelt memories shows us the importance of empathy, vulnerability, and the impact one person can have on the lives of many. As you listen to this episode, consider how capturing life’s events – whether joyful or sorrowful – can create a legacy that lasts beyond a lifetime.

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