English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

If this is too dense for you, take a walk. Thank you.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

Just a short note to help out DEC... I lost a fiance' back in 79, so never got the chance to marry her. I also felt there was nothing to go on for. Years later my grandfather was not too well but surprisingly it was my garndmother who passed away first, suddenly.

My grandfather questioned our priest as to why it was that she had passed on when he was the one that was ill. I must say I also question why my love had been taken away from time to time, for such a kind caring sole as she was.

That was a difficult question for our poor priest but he had a think and bounced back to say that he felt she was taken first because my grandfather was stronger than she was. Therefore, if she had survived him she would not have been able to handle it as well as he was going to be able to handle her passing on first. He then understood that it had to be that way, and it was for the better and was more accepting of the situation. He passed away 5 years later to the very day.

For you DEC, when anyone passes away we always wish we had been able to have more time, see them one more time, say things we always saved for that special occasion to say to them and of course wished we had taken more photos of them to remember them by. And when I say photos, I don't mean the formal possed shots because those being nice, are not as much fun to look back on as those fun captured moments in time where we recall a wonderful moment happening between them and us or of just them having fun.

Those are the times we like to remember best and those are the images that are so often missing in a family album or show box full of photos. Therefore DEC, you are here to go out with your camera and allow others to share in the experience of you taking photos of them, of their loved ones and of them WITH their loved ones, as recorded images of time spent enjoying the world and enjoying each other and enjoying that one moment in time, captured by you and your camera. That will allow them to relive those wonderfull times for many years to come.

So DEC, I say to you, that is what your purpose is now with your camera. To spread the joy of a captured image of others. And remember, as long as the name is still used around you daily, those that have passed on are never really gone, they are all around us every day. They are the wind that blows the clouds, they are the sun that gives life to spring flowers, they are the rain that falls from the sky giving life to all that grows on this earth. They never really left us.

bobert Loc: Broken Arrow Ok

this post has also led me in a new direction THANK YOU

Nikon13 Loc: North Carolina

I am a nurse in an inpatient Hospice facility. I want so badly to do end of life photography ,not people who have already died or actively dying, but those with life limiting prognosis. There is a bit of red tape with HIIPA laws and the privacy acts. My employer is nervous about it. I wish I had some pictures made of my Dad in the last months of his life. This would be a volunteer venture for sure. I am going to try to work on a plan and present it.

woodsliv Loc: Tehachapi,CA

I like this post. I work with boys online. These boys are orphans and all have been through hell and back a few times. I only communicate through the computer, so I can't take their pictures, but what I do is find their interest and then find pictures relating to what they like. It helps open them up and gets them talking to me. I have a set of 9 year old twins who won't talk to the psychiatrist. I found out they like bugs, so I have been collecting as many bug pictures as I can and sending them to the boys. In 2 weeks I have got them to start talking. A picture is worth a thousand words.

JJ9 Loc: Sussex County, DE

You are welcome...but it really is...time to pull in those fangs.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

This does not have to be a volunteer thing at all. If you present the idea, there will be many families who might wish to book a photographer to do a photo session of them with a loved one that is close to passing. There is nothing wrong with charging for this session, just like any other session. Funerals are very sad events but I don't know a single funeral home that volunteers to do it all for free.

Let's keep everything in perspective here and don't just throw things out there for free that people would be happy to hire you to do. That would spoil the whole business of photography. Would you like someone out there offering to take over your job and do it all for free because it just makes them feel good to do it?

There are some things we do for free of course but keep a control on things for everyone concerned. And EW thanks for starting this thread. You are making a lot of people think in ways they never thought of before.

Nikon13 Loc: North Carolina

You just have to be careful about taking advantage of people when they are at a very emotionally difficult time in their lives. Lots of people would want this but could not afford it. Non profit Hospices provide services to all regardless of their ability to pay. I am not a professional photographer and I would make this known upfront. If they want professional services they can certainly pay someone else for that. As far as taking business from the professionals...well, around here they are out shooting weddings, babies, grads, models etc. There are not any that I know of marketing to the dying. Our society as a rule looks away from the whole "death and dying" thing like it is ugly. Its not ugly, its natural and we are all going to do it. Your comment does give me something else to mull over so thanks for that.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

Good, my comments were not to take anything away from the needy I just wanted to remind you that there is sometimes people who will turn the tables and play on your emotions to do things for free for them, despite them having lots of available cash.

By all means offer what you wish to those with no means to pay but at the same time, we all need to feed our families. So don't be afraid to charge where appropriate, assuming you can give quality services for what is being payed, naturally.

waterbug49307 Loc: All over, currently Big Rapids Michigan

Kudos to all of you who think outside the box, and with your heart! It really makes a difference.

Coolcameragirl Loc: Bradenton, FL

For those who may be interested, I am a member of help-portrait.com. It is a worldwide organization taking pictures of people in need, who would otherwise never have a family photo or a photo of themselves. They feel they are "giving pictures", not "taking them".

prestonphoto Loc: Bath, NY

Beautiful lady - all 4 are good pictures but I think "look outside" and "look at me" are the best 2.

Dontrain Loc: Chicago suburb

Wonderful series! A series of photos can and should tell an important story. Your pictures have powerful impact even without the explanation. Thanks,I'm inspired.

prestonphoto Loc: Bath, NY

And my input. I have been paralyzed for 25 years now from a motorcycle accident. I searched off and on for years for a hobby that I could really engross myself into - and about 12 years ago I got hooked on photography. Have taken thousands of pictures since. Not long ago I got involved in applying effects to and with the photos. See my avatar for an example. Becoming paralyzed - I found out people all of a sudden treat you like you got some kind of wild disease and avoid you if they can. I learned how to take life in stride and ignore the less educated. I drive, I work - very physically independent. Becoming paralyzed is the end of one life - and the beginning of a second life. We have our advantages just like "normal" people have theirs. Becoming disabled isn't a time to give up - it's a time to dig in and really move forward.

ALYN Loc: Lebanon, Indiana

Stunning Photos; Tecnically right on the money. Ingenious posing. As for that " worm" of a husband; don't let him step off the curb in front of me. One can still see the hurt and the anguish in her eyes. ALYN