Meet the sweet S family, the latest recipient of The Share Your Wish | Shine Your Light Project. This is another family with an amazing story that will inspire you, and their shoot was so refreshing for me. It’s a little different than what I typically do, but that’s just one of many reasons why it was refreshing. I showed up to document their REAL life and I followed them around in their house to capture the tidbits of a morning in their home. I met their favorite dollies and pet alligator, I witnessed their favorite pastime of jumping on the guest bed and playing peek-a-boo in the pillows, I got to admire two little princesses running around in their finest dresses for some donut holes and baking in the kitchen, all the while being shepherded around by mom, Ashley, who has a special wish for her two little girls…
A year ago, I was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis). That date marked a finite change in my life. My view on how I see my life now is 200% different than how I saw it prior to that date. It’s been an emotionally challenging year – filled with fear, sadness, and sometimes bitterness. One thought that has been consistent throughout this new “journey” and new chapter in my life is how God faithfully uses the bad in my life to somehow make good. I’ve always known this was true, but sometimes it does take a life altering event to make it more apparent. I’ve been connected to more people over this past year that I would never have been connected with before my diagnosis. My wish is that my two young girls know that God always uses the Bad to make Good.
Sometimes I question “why me”, “why now”; I’m 32 years old with two very, very small children. I have learned to try and stop questioning the why’s, and instead, just move forward with my life and strive to be a wonderful mom/friend/wife/daughter and play the cards I’ve been dealt. We all have struggles, and my sincere wish is that my girls know to make the most of the situation they’ve been given in life, and that Good will always come from the Bad .. we just have to find it.
You’ll notice this is delivered all in black -and-white and you may be asking why, especially since you know how much I love color and since it is one of the key facets of my style. It’s because to me, there’s nothing better than a black-and-white image to capture the raw emotion of a moment and to capture the magnitude of life. I hope you leave FEELING this session and being THANKFUL for the life that you live!
Winnie - What a touching story and what an attitude this mom has chosen. I felt like I knew this family from these beautiful pictures!
Cathy - Love it Ash!! Great pictures.. I’m proud of you for how you are handling what you have been dealt. XOXO
Katherine - I’ve known Ashley since she was 10, and she’s been my stepsister since she was 12…I’ve watched her grow into a beautiful woman, an amazing mother, and a great friend. Age and geographic differences make it hard for us to be as close as I would like, but watching her face these challenges with such grace and bravery remind me always how blessed I am to have her in my life.
Lara Cassidy - Beautiful pictures of a truly beautiful family! Love you Ashley!!!!!!
Emily - Beautiful pictures! Ashley, your attitude and outlook during such a life changing set of circumstances is astounding. May God bless you and your family and hold you tight! Thanks for the inspiration!!!!
Kelli Maurer - Wow! These pictures are amazing! Portrays the real beauty that can be found in the most ordinary of days:) Xoxo
Valerie Averitt - Ashley, your attitude and outlook are inspiring! This brought tears to my eyes. Your two beautiful girls are lucky to have you, as is Matt. God Bless!
gigi - You are an AMAZING woman with a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing your story. I will be praying for you.
Sheila Alvarez - Ashley, you’ve demonstrated inner and outer beauty your entire life, but the incredible grace and courage that you are displaying serves as an inspiration to all who know you personally, and to those who are getting to know you through this magnificent photo shoot.
Lori McCoy - To see my baby sister on a daily basis living her life with such joy and strength and happiness is a true inspiration to me and to everyone that knows her. I am so proud of her! xoxo
Susan Teggatz - Ashley, I loved reading your story and the pictures are just beautiful. You are a real inspiration to me as I am beginning to deal with my own set of cards that have been dealt. God will see us through and give us the strength we need. Please let me know if I can ever be of help. I’m right up the way. Susan