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My dear friend Bec

My dear friend Bec

Please meet Bec, Russ, Ava and Aidan.

This may look like a beautiful family session to you and of cause it is, but this beautiful family has a bigger story to tell.

My dear friend Bec At 36 weeks pregnant found a lump in her breast, she assumed it was a blocked milk duct. When the lump wouldn’t go away and it was tender she took herself off to the doctor. By 39 weeks pregnant it was confirmed Bec has stage two breast cancer.

Bec invited me to their home before she starts her chemo treatment  to take newborn photos of gorgeous little Aidan and family photographs.

I told myself I could do this, that I could handle what ever I was about to walk into. I wanted to capture beautiful moments for this family.

As soon as I saw Bec, I put my game face on but truth be known I was terrified.

I saw her beautiful radiant face and new mummy glow but deeper then that I saw fear in her eyes. I saw a broken woman in a time that is meant to be beautiful.

While Bec and Russ are trying to keep everything normal and taking extra time to embrace their beautiful new baby and little miss Ava I could see how much Russ would stand back to allow Bec to get lots of photos with the kids, how he would suggest giving “mummy kisses and cuddles, how Bec focused on doing things like playing dress ups with Ava, feeding Aidan and making sure she had plenty of images in her words “while she still has hair” I could feel this sense of despair. It really hit me, they are clinging on to every little thing we take for granted every single day. It sent my anxiety through the roof being in a home that is experiencing such a terrifying time.

I told myself Bec would want me to be normal, ask questions and listen to her story.
Truth is what do you say to someone who is terrified of their future?

My job is not all glamorous and fun. It can be confronting and challenging. I want to help this family tell this story, like Bec said it can happen to anyone. Someone above is looking out for her giving her Aidan as she may not have found the lump if she wasn’t heavily pregnant with him at he time.

I want to share Bec’s story, she is just 32 and growing her little family, she didn’t see this coming and didn’t see this in her future. But in true Bec form as scared as she is she wants the world to be aware and to beat this dreaded disease.

Bec has one request that every single one of you reading this please check your boobs no matter how old you are, male or female. Men please get your prostate check. The best way
To beat this disease is early detection.

I am blessed to call Bec a friend, a friend who has done so much for others, she is always giving to everyone. I am even more blessed she trusts me at such a delicate time in her life.

Thank you Bec and Russ for inviting me into your home and allowing me to document this bitter sweet time in your life I feel touched and honoured.

Bec begins her treatment journey tomorrow beginning with Chemo, my thoughts are with her on what will be a very daunting day, but I know she will tackle this head on and make us all more proud then we already are of her courage and fight.

I leave you with this, don’t sweat the small stuff, embrace every single moment, capture your memories, exist in your photographs and don’t take a single thing for granted, we don’t know what tomorrow brings and never did I imagine this would happen to Bec or anyone I know. Live life and be present.

Lauren xx

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography

Family Photography Lauren Elyse Photography