Labelle Photo » Ottawa Professional Headshot and Portrait Photographer

Help-Portrait Update

Hello everyone,

Just an update to let you know that Rebekah and myself have just finished our first Help-Portrait assignment.
This was a tough one as it was for a beautiful 11 year old girl at Rogers House who does not have much time left.

To be perfectly honest with all of you, when I initiated this project in Ottawa, I envisioned taking portraits of seniors in nursing/retirement homes, happy children, single moms, people of modest means etc.
When I received the call from CHEO on September 8th and they described Heather and her condition, I was a little nervous because of the responsibility and importance of these photo’s.

We had a a good shoot last Thursday and came away with some awesome shots for Heathers family.

I spent the weekend editing my shots and on more than one occasion my wife Nicole and I got teary eyed seeing Heathers beautiful eyes and their gaze back… as Nicole said, it’s as if Heather is looking back at us through the eyes of an old soul…

This particular session has touched me like no other and will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I’m sure that Rebekah feels the same…

Perhaps later we may post a few pictures of Heather… just not now…

Thank you Rebekah so much for your support and contribution to this shoot… I cannot thank you enough!

Thank you also to Colina who was scheduled to participate in this particular shoot but came down with a cold and could not be near Heather. I know you were with us in spirit, thank you!

  • November 5, 2009 - 4:56 pm

    Ed Krisiak - I am on the list of volunteers and I am surprised about the story. It is a heart breaker.

    It is truly a worthy organization and I hope I can help in some small way.

  • November 23, 2009 - 2:00 am

    ser - thank you for sharing. it really touched me.

  • November 27, 2009 - 2:47 pm

    ruanviljoen.com » Blog Archive » Help-Portrait initiative - […] already read some amazing stories that came about as a result of this initiative, e.g. the story of Heather, an 11 year old girl who’s portrait was taken only a few weeks before she passed away.  […]

  • December 11, 2009 - 5:19 am

    bruce - Awesome. Thanks for sharing.

  • July 19, 2010 - 3:28 pm

    Dale Mead - Thanks, Jean, but can you please say a little more of what was wrong with Heather? Your blog is written on the assumption that we either already know what her affliction was (maybe you’re assuming this isn’t new to any reader) or perhaps that it isn’t relevant. Your gracious gesture can be better appreciated if you spell out the context. Perhaps you need a link to an earlier blog that does give the background.

  • July 19, 2010 - 3:54 pm

    Jean Labelle - Hello Dale,

    Thank you for your comments.
    Perhaps the links are not very clear in the posts?
    The post and hyperlinks point back to:

    https://www.labellephoto.com/?p=473

    I will revisit the post and see how I can improve the visibility of the hotlinks.

    Again, thank you for your constructive feedback, much appreciated!

    Take care,
    Jean

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