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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Family Reaction to Tragedy Photos
Kolman Rosenberg, Photographer
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Mentor | OH | USA | Posted: 10:22 AM on 04.25.08 |
->> I had something very comforting happen to me a few months back that another string (about Arlington Funerals being blocked) prompted me to post here. Hopefully it will make many of us here feel better about some of the photos we take of tragic events.
Last summer I shot photos of the search for a teenage drowning victim that occurred on Lake Erie. I posted several shots, including one of the grieving mother, on my SportsShooter gallery.
In February I recieved an e-mail from the boy's mother stating that she would like to purchase some of the photos I had taken. She had seen them on my SS page, presumably after doing a Google search. She stated that the day had been a blur and she was putting together a scrapbook to remember her son. She had no recollection of what the very rough lake had looked like until she had seen my photos.
In my response, I expressed my sympathy on the loss of her son and told her how difficult this type of event was for a freelance photojournalist to photograph. I assured her of the great effort our local public safety officials had made to rescue/recover her son in very dangerous conditions and that my photos would show that, and I told her that I would send her the photos at no cost.
After sending her the photos, I got this response:
"I received your pictures in the mail yesterday that you took at the beach the day ---- drowned. I want to say my husband and I were very moved by them. I know there were many people involved in helping to rescue ----- but to see it in pictures is overwhelming. I cannot thank you enough for sending them to us. I can say today that I was very glad that you were there taking those pictures......"
Although I am sure this is not always the case, knowing how this family reacted will always be comforting to me and I hope to others when shooting these types of events and feeling self conscious about being there!
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Ron Kuenstler, Photographer
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New Berlin | WI | USA | Posted: 10:32 AM on 04.25.08 |
->> I had the same response after posting photos on SportsShooter of a funeral for a undercover officer killed in the line of duty a few years ago. The family was very grateful for the photos I shot and the gallery I created. It is a simple reminder that even though we might feel uncomfortable photographing tragic events, the people involved might appreciate it someday. I occasionally still see members of this family around town, and every time, they introduce me to other people around as the one who made the wonderful photos from the funeral.
Thanks for sharing. Peace....
Ron |
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Kolman Rosenberg, Photographer
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Mentor | OH | USA | Posted: 10:56 AM on 04.25.08 |
->> Thanks Ron, I guess it's not as rare an occurrance as we may think.
What's interesting is how much impact this event has had on me. It took me a few days to get my thoughts together to respond to the mother's intitial e-mail. Since then I thought I had managed my emotions, but a few weeks ago I was relating the story to a local photography club and I got all choked up. I guess it had and continues to have more impact on me than I had thought!
I've always wanted to make a difference with my photography and in this case, I guess I have. That's a very nice feeling.
Peace to you too. |
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Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 12:14 PM on 04.25.08 |
->> I heard of a gal who specializes in taking shots of the family in infant deaths. If a baby dies in childbirth or from some complication soon after birth, or premature births, etc. the family gathers around holding the body and has portraits made; candids. Evidently it's becoming a big deal and more and more people are doing it.
Talk about finding value in your work...
Phil |
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Richard Favinger Jr, Photographer
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Pottstown | PA | USA | Posted: 12:54 PM on 04.25.08 |
->> Phil, the group you may be referring to is called 'Now I lay Me Down To Sleep'... the photographers who are members specialize in Infant Bereavement Photography... There is also another group called 'American Child Photographer Charity Guild' and they specialize in terminally ill children. (Like Make A Wish).
Feel free to google them and look or join for your self. It's not for every one, but the families that take up on the photographic offer are very grateful. Most photographers do the service free of charge.
If you read more into it, taking photos for bereavement of people, especially children, has been preformed since almost the beginning of photography. Though it may be morbid to some, remember... it may be the only memory the family has. |
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Kolman Rosenberg, Photographer
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Mentor | OH | USA | Posted: 1:03 PM on 04.25.08 |
->> I've met several photographers that are members and do this work. I have a tremendous amount of respect for them but don't think I could do it.
It's not a new practice, just gaining popularity again. It was very popular in the days of daguerotypes. |
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Derek Montgomery, Photographer
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Duluth | MN | USA | Posted: 2:45 PM on 04.25.08 |
->> I believe SS member Mark Hoffman has some images about the infant bereavement photography on his member page. His gallery is at
http://www.sportsshooter.com/members.html?id=6316
It is quite powerful work and something I didn't know went on until seeing this gallery. |
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