Living with the Scars After Breast Cancer: Miriam's Liberating Session
A few months ago, I was put in touch with Miriam. I heard that she had had one breast removed due to breast cancer, and the connection between us felt so safe and warm right away that she trusted me to photograph her. I know it wasn’t easy for her, and that she considered canceling our session several times. Fortunately, her gut feeling that this was a healthy and positive way to challenge herself ultimately won out, and I was able to welcome her with open arms into my little world.
When I open the doors to the Liberating Sessions studio, it’s important to me to reduce stress levels and build rapport and trust in order to lay the foundation for a positive experience. This is important for everyone, regardless of background. But I knew that for Miriam, baring herself—both mentally and physically—could be especially vulnerable. It was all the more powerful to see how she managed to stay grounded in her emotions, for better or worse, and remain mentally present as we took her portraits.
As a photographer, I’m always looking for something genuine in the people I photograph—regardless of the emotion. And seeing Miriam standing there, with her back so straight, her gaze so strong and triumphant, gave me chills several times. I’m probably not the type to cry easily, but there’s something about the Liberating sessions that touches something deep inside me. Seeing women walk in feeling insecure and uncomfortable, and watching them break free and connect with their inner woman—it brings a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes.
Miriam, along with several others, has said that she feels stronger and more confident after being photographed by me, and that she has never seen herself as beautiful as this before. My hope, of course, is that the Liberating Sessions will be an experience that leaves a lasting impression and has a ripple effect, and that participants will walk away with more than just beautiful photos of themselves. That’s why I feel so proud, grateful, and moved by what we were able to convey together through these photos.
Right at the end of the shoot, Miriam accepted a small crocheted placemat I gave her. I knew it wouldn’t cover much, so I was aware that I was challenging her a bit. In some of the photos, she still stood with her back straight, baring just one breast. Looking back, she’s said that these photos were particularly powerful to look at, and that her favorite is the one with the placemat. It’s often the case that what costs a little extra is also what means a little extra. And I also know that these photos will likely mean more and more as the years go by, and Miriam will be able to look back with new eyes on the strength she had in the midst of an extreme and soul-searching period in her life.
Thank you, Miriam, for placing this trust in me and bestowing this honor upon me. It means the world to me, and it also inspires others to dare to celebrate their own strength—whether their wounds are physical, mental, or a combination of both.
