Julyssa Schenk Photography

A humble Warrior | My friend Lizz

My Warrior-Friend Lizz.

 

I have a friend from junior high with whom, through the wonders of Facebook, I have had the privilege to become reacquainted.  What I have learned about her via emails, IMs, posts, and even face-to-face over the past year has inspired me.  

Lizz was diagnosed with Lupus 15 years ago.  For those not familiar with this disease, it is an autoimmune disease of unknown origin (likely caused in part by genetics) meaning the immune system cannot distinguish between harmful viruses, bacteria, etc. and healthy tissues.  The result is that the antibodies of those with Lupus attack that person’s body causing illness and even damaging organs.  This is a very scary disease.

For Lizz it must have been especially frightening, as her sister had also been diagnosed with Lupus and saw how it can truly take over one’s life.  It causes weight gain, serious mood swings as it affects hormones (Lupus has been coined “the emotional disease”), sickness and fatigue to name a few of the possible symptoms.  It has the potential to completely take over a person’s life, causing severe depression.

In Lizz’s case, her Lupus reached a point where she was treated with Chemotherapy.  Eventually she underwent a kidney transplant. 

Knowing what was coming, having seen her sister suffer from this disease, Lizz made a brave decision: she decided to attack the disease as opposed to allowing it to take over her life.  When she had to undergo chemotherapy and notice her hair beginning to fall out, she decided to shave her head.  That way Lupus and chemo didn’t make her lose her hair, she chose to remove it (I love it).  As difficult as it was at times, she stayed positive despite the mood swings, the sick feelings, and the fatigue.

She was told (and it makes sense) she would not live normal life – no school, no work, relationships would be difficult etc.  In other words, this disease was going to drastically limit her life in everyway possible.

 

That was 15 yrs ago.

 

Since then she went to school, had a wonderful career and even got married to a wonderful, patient man who has joined her in her struggle, supporting her through the toughest of times (even the super emotional ones).

She has also been supported by wonderful friends.  Eventually she needed a kidney transplant and her best friend donated one to her.  Unfortunately, and very recently, her body rejected the transplant, and it had to be removed.  This has forced her to be put on dialysis – yet another very difficult trial.

She has gone through so much and has handled it in such a positive manner, I can only hope and pray she can face this trial as she has this disease over the past 15 years.

Lizz contacted me about taking some pictures of her and her husband, but right before I was to visit she informed me that she was probably going to cancel because the medications that were supposed to be helping her keep her transplanted kidney were making her extremely puffy and sick.  She did what she could to keep the puffiness down and in her true warrior way decided to go through with the photo-shoot and brought along her warrior sister, boyfriend and daughters.

Despite what she was going through, Lizz and her family spent an afternoon with me posing for pictures and having a good time.  To say that I had a such a wonderful experience seeing her again after all of these years AND meeting her family was AWESOME -- would be an understatement.  I felt that this has been one of my favorite photo-shoots because I felt creative, inspired and BLESSED. While she has repeated over and over that she doesn’t feel beautiful, the pictures do not lie.  Lizz, even in one of your most difficult years, you are stunning.

 

Liz, thank you for allowing me the privilege of taking pictures of you and your family.  I know it was not easy.  I pray that you are blessed with a new kidney, with strength to see this through with a positive attitude and with a continued faith in God and miracles.  You are, truly, beautiful.

I will always admire your strength sweet friend. 

To learn more about Lupus, please visit: http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html

 

Lizz, sweet husband and sweet daughter.

 

This is LOVE.

Gilbert, AZ Family Photographer | The N. Family

I think I've spoken briefly about this really cool family.

Some MORE brief words that describe them.

I'm lucky to know them.

They are:

... Really ...

Cool

Quiet

Observant

Funny

Charming

Respectful

Adorable

Beautiful

(you really should click on the images to appreciate them more, just saying)

Glendale, CA Family Photographer 2010 | The V. Family

It is so WONDERFUL to see old friends.  I had a last minute cancellation and the V. Family stepped right up to fill the spot AND I was incredibly happy that they did!

I met Yvonne in Junior (Middle is what they call it now)  High School.  I remember that we were friends and then I remember that "people" started to spread rumors that we were talking about each other and we believed the rumors so then we started not to like each other UNTIL a teacher sat us down and as we began discussing the problem we realized that they were just rumors and THEN we became FRIENDS again.  Crazy!  So thankful for those teachers that take the time to work out the problems between kids.  So thankful that we were able to grow-up.  

Really THANKFUL that we did because I got to meet her awesome family!

Her son is so HANDSOME ... check out those beautiful lips!

This family was amazing to work with ... they trusted me to just put them in different spots and let whatever happen -- Happen.  When that is allowed you see the true joy and beauty in each family AND that is what I enjoy to capture.  I just felt the LOVE they have for their little guy.  He's one lucky little fella.  Wishing them a lot of LOVE and HAPPINESS.

Here are the images that they chose (my selections will come later).

 

my Muse

My little/big girl was the reason I started dabbling in photography.  Most photographer moms begin photography because of their adorable children.

I became frustrated with my P&S camera and it's horrible delay.  I kept missing the adorable smiles and cute moments because of it ... and then I saw what my Sister-in-law was able to capture with her DSLR and I was impressed and I wanted to do the same.  

My photography skills have improved over time.  I have learned a lot from other photography blogs and workshops that I have attended.  I'm always trying to learn and improve and that is why I love PHOTOGRAPHY SO VERY MUCH.

I also don't mind sharing anything/everything I have learned.

If you have a question ... ask away.  There is so much we can learn from each other.

AND

because it is always rewarding and fun to take pictures of my little princess

enjoy (I know I do)

Gilbert, AZ Family Photographer | N. Family Sneak Peek

This isn't going to be much of a sneak peek because I ran a 10 mi. race this morning and I'm tired

BUT

I wanted to share this picture because the light was beautiful, the family is awesome and I just enjoyed our session so much!

I met the Queen of the home through Adam, my hubsand.  They work in the same office and he raves about her efficiency and work ethic.  I had met their family once before, but it was so great to meet them all over again this way.  I just LOVE meeting new people and getting to know them.  For instance her 18 yr. old son was trying to be silly with me and told me his name was Bob, when in fact it was another name ... from then on he was Bob to me and it was quite funny every time I called him that.  I seriously enjoyed taking their pictures ... they were all so fabulous that the session only lasted about an hour.

Thank YOU all for being so great!

San Tan Valley Family Photographer 2010 | The E. Family

I just adore this family!

I was given the pleasure of taking their pictures last year after they found me through a friends blog.  She contacted me and we met in Phoenix (since they lived in the opposite direction) and I fell in LOVE with their little super cool family.

We've kept in contact through FACEBOOK this year and when she asked me to take their family portraits again I was ecstatic.  They are GORGEOUS inside and out.  So easy to photograph and fully trust my vision.  

AND

I just LOVE, LOVE the way they dressed for this session.

I LOVE meeting new clients and getting to know them through our sessions AND becoming friends.  There are so many reasons why I LOVE photography but I admit that the connections I have made because of it is my greatest joy.

(you must click on the image to see it bigger, it's so much better)

Glendale, CA Family Photographer | The Aguilar-Solis Family

I completely fell in LOVE with this adorable family.  They are on the quite side soaking in the whole experience.  I had to work fast because I knew this little guy only had about 15 min. of my attention.  He stole my heart.  He quickly made me his friend and I loved every second of it.  

I met Karla, I believe it was in Junior High School ... not sure how, but I haven never forgotten her.  I love that she follows me on my family blog (her husband told on her) and that she looks forward to my weekly posts of my little baby.  I know I'd follow her if she had a blog, that's for sure!

I'm extremely proud of calling her my friend.

Next time I'm in town we are going to have to get the kiddos together.

BTW, he's Guatemalan with Green eyes.

Glendale, CA | Family Photographer

  
I'm so lucky to have the best clients

AND

most of them dear friends.

I've known Rudy since 8th or 9th grade, he was like my brother, he'd walk me home from school to make sure I got home safe.  We'd talk on the phone for hours about his girl troubles or about life.  I think there were times that some thought that we were more than just friends, but we never were, he was like family.  I remember when he met his LOVE ... because that was when I lost my bf for a little while.  She has been the LOVE of his life since 9th grade!  I think it is absolutely amazing.  They fell in LOVE and then started their beautiful family.  The last time I saw their kids was when their youngest was only a few months old.  It was so great to see them again.

The world of Facebook has brought us back together after such a long time and I'm so incredibly thankful that they chose me to capture their amazing family the way they are today.

This session was a mini-reunion of sorts, we chatted and posed and laughed.  Just the way it should be.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Booking My last 2 sessions of the Year

I have 2 spots left open for family/children/Senior sessions for the year.

I will still accept baby sessions until 2nd week of December.

Please contact me at 

julyssaschenk@cox.net

for further details or questions.

 

S. Brooke

I met this young lady when she was 13 years old.  Her family became our best friends here in AZ.  Sierra quickly became our best babysitter ... her sweet disposition and maturity where some of the qualities we loved most about her.  Our kids were overjoyed every time we told them she was going to babysit because she PLAYED with them.  Her family have already moved and so she will be joining them now.  She's a current senior at her school ... so before she left we had to quickly take some senior portraits.  Now that she is leaving ... I'm really going to feel the void because for a little while she was the reminder of her mom and family.