The Story Behind
Portraits of Hope
Every picture has a story to tell. For the eight courageous women featured in the Portraits of Hope project, their stories are of resilience, strength, and unity in the battle against cancer. Cancer is a formidable adversary. It invades the body, disrupts life, human connections, and tests the mind. For many, the diagnosis brings profound fear and uncertainty. The women in Portraits of Hope faced this fear head-on, each with a unique story of struggle and perseverance. Their journeys were marked by moments of doubt, pain, and the constant battle to maintain a sense of normalcy in a world turned upside down.
As we captured their stories through pictures, we were astounded by the common thread of resilience and courage. Each woman had her own way of coping and her own source of strength. Some found solace in their families, while others drew strength from their communities, counselors, or personal faith. Despite these differences, they were united by a solid will to fight, survive, and find hope even in the darkest of times.
To us, the Portraits of Hope project was more than just a series of photographs; it was a celebration of life and humanity's level of resiliency. Each portrait session was a deeply personal experience that reminded us to appreciate life and its small pleasures. We aimed to capture not just their physical appearance, but the essence of their journeys. The laughter, the tears, the moments of reflection—each photograph tells a part of their story.
It is said that among all the ingredients in the will to live, hope is the most vital. The portraits are a testament of their strength and serves as a reminder that hope is a powerful force. It is this hope that has carried them through their trials and has now become a beacon for others who are on similar journeys. Through their portraits, we see women transformed by their experiences. Their faces tell of battles fought and won, of scars that have become symbols of their resilience. Each of their stories is a testament to the power of their fight to live and the importance of life, love, community and genuine support.
Cheers to these icons of hope! Thank you Savannah, Lindsey T, Lisa, Martha, Rumaisa, Christy, Lindsey J & Claudia for sharing your stories.
Thank you to the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer for inviting us to capture these precious memories. Read more about these brave women’s inspiring stories here.
WRITTEN BY: PRISCILLA OYINLOLA, SYLVIA ONYEWU & TABEEKA JAMES
