My Courageous Friend -- portraits (with warning)

David,

Thanks for sharing info - we pray she will have success or at least end up in all happy inspite of those curveballs life throws at us. I can partly feel some of anguish and anxiety she has gone through, being quadriplegic 40 years (diving accident at 14 - 1961).

in humble silence praying

Jukka
-- http://www.sirucats.comhttp://sivut.koti.soon.fi/jjg47/jukka/index.htm

I concure, to me beauty is also and attitude.

Perfection? well, too me, its in the spirit, and again attitude. (reaching for my kevlar vest)

Heres a question,

One thing that keeps being a puzzlement to men and women everywhere, is:

"Why is the design of Woman's body so powerful"?

I think when we are out of our shell, or clothing, by our own choice! We dont or even cannot hold up the rest of the walls and barriers we hold up all day long in our "real" lives. I will defend the "photographic capture" (dont want to start an ART flame) of women in any state of dress as a normal if not a bit above. And something to enjoy (why? see question above) Dont know, I know it makes me feel alive, not horney. Call me weird I guess, and I htink its something for the woman to be be proud of.

Ill be looking for the scan or your, alphabet/body photo

Laurie Sokoloff said:

Brian Mackey said:

Most if not All of the women I have worked with in the past, that
are invloved in nude, semi nude, or implied as some call it, all
have a similar attitude, they find it relaxing and stimulating at
the same time and it's very interesting to watch them change from
the beggining of the shoot threw to the end, most actually become
more energetic but most seem to have found a peacful place inside
themselves.. Must be a very rewarding emotion.

Click to expand...

Hi Brian - that's a very astute and compassionate observation. And
it also makes me chuckle. Years ago as part of a photo course,
some artists friends and I did some nude photography of each other.
It was very educational, and very liberating. I have this one
photo that I took of me with little signs on all the body parts I
didn't like . . . like "chin too pointy", and "buttocks too sad".
By the time I was through, I was barely visible! [G]

We all have such trouble accepting our bodies, especially women.
And why not, when we're told that the standard is "perfection". My
spontanious reaction to David's photos was, "Who says you have to
have two breasts to be beautiful?" Not I, certainly - and
especially not after seeing these pictures.

Best,
Laurie

Click to expand...

-- http://members.home.net/mackey135/njdigitalservices.htm 'I have discovered digital photography' Livin life at 5 megapixels!

now! if I could just get rid of this keyboard virus so I could spell

Laurie Sokoloff said:

Brian Mackey said:

Most if not All of the women I have worked with in the past, that
are invloved in nude, semi nude, or implied as some call it, all
have a similar attitude, they find it relaxing and stimulating at
the same time and it's very interesting to watch them change from
the beggining of the shoot threw to the end, most actually become
more energetic but most seem to have found a peacful place inside
themselves.. Must be a very rewarding emotion.

Click to expand...

Hi Brian - that's a very astute and compassionate observation. And
it also makes me chuckle. Years ago as part of a photo course,
some artists friends and I did some nude photography of each other.
It was very educational, and very liberating. I have this one
photo that I took of me with little signs on all the body parts I
didn't like . . . like "chin too pointy", and "buttocks too sad".
By the time I was through, I was barely visible! [G]

We all have such trouble accepting our bodies, especially women.
And why not, when we're told that the standard is "perfection". My
spontanious reaction to David's photos was, "Who says you have to
have two breasts to be beautiful?" Not I, certainly - and
especially not after seeing these pictures.

Best,
Laurie

Click to expand...

-- http://members.home.net/mackey135/njdigitalservices.htm 'I have discovered digital photography' Livin life at 5 megapixels!

David,

The, as you say, “physical effects of cancer surgery and chemotherapy treatment”, must be particularly hard on her since she makes at least part of her living with her body as an actress and a model. She needn’t worry. She is a beautiful woman and no disease will change that.

She is also, as you said, a very brave women, not only for keeping her head held high through it all, but for actually wanting to help others as she goes through so much.

Thank you for sharing. We’re all hoping for the best.

Also, congratulations to your friend for landing the film role.

Trent

PS - I don't think any of us responding could put it better than you did when you said:

DF said:

I think my friend's courage and strength are the very definition of
beauty.

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Bill Siegrist said:

Bill Siegrist wrote:
Greetings David,

When you posted the four photos of your friend severals weeks ago .
. . I picked up a bit of a hint of more to come . . . I have been
waiting, expecting when the timing was right you would open the
door wider.

Now for the rest of the story . . . thank you for your professional
and empathetic approach in sharing this ongoing drama which
continues to unfold in your friend's precious life.

Onward . . . several months ago, I shared the following quote with
you: “Momentum dies in my life when I allow people,
circumstances, or my past to author my life instead of my choice to
decide my direction.” As I read this unfolding story, your
friend was made some courageous decisions. I am sure she
appreciates your support and the gift of the relationship which you
share.

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Hi Bill,

Thank you very much for your sensitive and insightful comments. One of the key elements in my friend's battle for recovery is indeed her strong and courageous choice to decide her own direction. And she is doing that with great honesty and determination.

Bill Siegrist said:

Finally, your photos are tasteful and communicate strength.

Click to expand...

Thank you! That was exactly a major part of what we were after.

Best wishes to you, and hoping all is going well in Texas,

David

Bob Graham said:

Bob Graham wrote:
A very courageous women indeed. Bill Harris said it best-
She is lucky to have a friend like you. My prayers go out
to her.

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Hi Bob,

Thanks so much for those comments, and for your prayers.

Having me for a friend is a burden she somehow bears with patience and good humor.

Best wishes,

David

Jukka Jarnberg said:

Jukka Jarnberg wrote:
David,

Thanks for sharing info - we pray she will have success or at least
end up in all happy inspite of those curveballs life throws at us.
I can partly feel some of anguish and anxiety she has gone through,
being quadriplegic 40 years (diving accident at 14 - 1961).

in humble silence praying

Jukka

--

Click to expand...

Hi Jukka,

Thank you for your kind and prayerful words. Somehow I knew that you would feel particularly empathetic for my friend. I suspect that in your own life courage has also played a large part.

Best wishes to you and yours,

David

I never suggest nude, if the person yor working with does not have it on their mind, then Ii dont want to try and guide them, succesfull "capture" of nudity, casual or candid, or pose, must come from within the person your shooting...

Not gospel, just this mans opinion

DF said:

DF said:

Brian Mackey wrote:
Most if not All of the women I have worked with in the past, that
are invloved in nude, semi nude, or implied as some call it, all
have a similar attitude, they find it relaxing and stimulating at
the same time and it's very interesting to watch them change from
the beggining of the shoot threw to the end, most actually become
more energetic but most seem to have found a peacful place inside
themselves.. Must be a very rewarding emotion.

regards

Click to expand...

Brian,

My observations parallel yours about this. I think there's often a
fair amount of anticipatory anxiety that models have about the
prospect of posing (whether clothed or unclothed), but then they
often find, as you say, a relaxing and stimulating energy in
expressing themselves in the work.

My friend would describe this a little differently, I think. For
her, the expression of her body is an act of both risk and honesty.
This is particularly so in the aftermath of her mastectomy and
(temporary) hair loss.

Best wishes,

David

Click to expand...

-- http://members.home.net/mackey135/njdigitalservices.htm 'I have discovered digital photography' Livin life at 5 megapixels!

TrentMcD said:

TrentMcD wrote:
David,

The, as you say, “physical effects of cancer surgery and
chemotherapy treatment”, must be particularly hard on her
since she makes at least part of her living with her body as an
actress and a model. She needn’t worry. She is a beautiful
woman and no disease will change that.

Click to expand...

Hi Trent,

You are so right. And your comments are truly appreciated.

TrentMcD said:

She is also, as you said, a very brave women, not only for keeping
her head held high through it all, but for actually wanting to help
others as she goes through so much.

Click to expand...

This is typical of the kind of person she is.....always wanting to help others. She was really hoping that these photos might be some comfort or encouragement to other women.

TrentMcD said:

Thank you for sharing. We’re all hoping for the best.

Click to expand...

Thank you!

TrentMcD said:

Also, congratulations to your friend for landing the film role.

Click to expand...

Yeah....that is very exciting. I can't wait to learn more about the script, shooting schedules, etc.

Best wishes,

David

Hi David

I hope your friend's road to full recovery continues, a courageous lady indeed who possesses both internal and external beauty.

Having had dealings with cancer in the past with my father 1989-90, I can only say it is a very sobering experience where the important realities of life are brought rapidly into focus and little things become precious.

Alas, I lost my best friend at the early age of 67, but those last few years brought us very close and left me with precious memories. And from him I gained courage to tackle a lot of the things I have had to deal with over the last decade. This world really has some wonderful people in it, that in the midst of their own problems, they still have time for others. This is where the true grit and beauty lies.

I wish you and your friend well, and good luck with her acting career.

Best wishes

Gerard

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