NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Dealing with Loss Through Photography

Kellie Kano and Abigail Seymour, each of whom operate successful photography studios within Revolution Mill, recently led a four-week photography workshop for teens who have been impacted by the serious illness or death of a friend or family member.

During the four-week session, participants were introduced to the power of photography as an art form and received an overview of different photography techniques. Then, each student was asked to take photos that conveyed some of their own unique feelings of the impact that illness, loss and change have had on their lives.

The pictures each teen took on their disposable digital camera were downloaded and printed for review. Each teen, often with input and conversation with other group members, selected one photo and a title that captured the feelings they wanted to convey to viewers … and to themselves.  Kano and Seymour then printed and mounted each photograph in preparation for the Kids Path photography exhibit and reception held December 10 at Revolution Mill. Parents and other visitors express amazement at the depth of feelings captured in the teens’ work. For example, one participant was eager to explain why he had chosen a photograph he took on a family outing to Pilot Mountain.

“This picture shows we are all happy and it was a beautiful day.” Because of a serious family illness, the teen explained that there is no assurance every day will be good. Therefore, when you have a perfect day, like the outing to Pilot Mountain, it is a day to celebrate and to remember forever.

Kids Path staff would like to thank Kellie Kano of Kellie Kano Photography and Abigail Seymour of Abigail Seymour Photography for donating their time and talents to this workshop.

In addition, special thanks also goes to Revolution Mill for their donation of studio space for the reception, and to Master Color for printing and matting the photographs. In-kind and cash donations from the following allowed food to be provided at each session: Sally Anderson, Bonnie and Dan McAllister, First Presbyterian Caregiver’s Group and the First Lutheran Church middle school youth group.

http://www.hospicegso.org/pdfs/NewslinesFeb2008-WebReady.pdf