One of the reasons behind building a sustainable business (besides paying the mortgage that is!) was to be able to give back to my community and gift photographs to families who may not be able to afford it, or, in this case, who wouldn’t think of hiring a photographer during such a difficult time in their lives.

Back in January 2018, Réiltín was diagnosed with Leukemia. In July 2018, I visited their family home.

Réiltín had a tube called “Freddy” that her strong amazing mama used for her intravenous chemo while her equally amazing daddy held her gently. She also had a toy called “Chemo duck” and was fed through a tube.

The previous 6 months had been like hell for this family.

Yet, during this session, what most touched me was the love they all had for each other. The singing. Réiltín’s big sister’s serious dance moves. Réiltín’s smiles.

"I can and I will. Watch me. Réiltín"

This is what Ciara said, back then, when sharing the images with her friends & family:

The day Johanna came, we did some really abnormal things. We gave our daughter intravenous chemo and we fed her through a tube. But this is our normal and this is how we care for Réiltín. Johanna managed to capture our day so beautifully and more importantly, she captured the simple things that we will never take for granted… our children’s smiles.
Ciara in July 2018.

Printed sheet with Réiltín's treatment for leukemia

Today, before publishing these images, I asked Ciara how she felt about the images now:

It’s fabulous to look back now where we were 18 months ago. She was so sick. And now, we have just 8 weeks of treatment to go. A time to celebrate all she has achieved with a smile on her face.
Ciara in January 2020.

You may also wish to read an update of this family through this article published in The Irish Times a few weeks ago. After Réiltín’s chemotherapy being cancelled last minute, once more, Ciara shared their story with the media. The hope is that politicians finally focus on some much needing improvements to the country’s health system.

Réiltín has down syndrome and the most beautiful smile Réiltín and her father playing and clapping Réiltín is crying while her father brushes her teeth before the chemo treatment Everyday events for this family with a little girl fighting leukemia Réiltín looking at me while her father gets her ready Réiltín sitting and looking out the window Réiltín and her father waiting in the hallway while Ciara prepares the treatment Réiltín wanting to touch my camera Ciara getting the needle ready for the chemo Ciara getting the needle ready for the chemo Everyday events for this family with a little girl fighting leukemia Ciara getting the needle ready for the chemo Ciara administering the chemo to Réiltín while smiling and singing at her Ciara administering the chemo to Réiltín while smiling and singing at her Everyday events for this family with a little girl fighting leukemia Réiltín waiting on the bed while her dad gets her clothes ready Pat dressing up a crying Réiltín Réiltín's legs and feet on the bed Everyday events for this family with a little girl fighting leukemia Réiltín's big sister watching her tablet while her parents administer chemo to Réiltín Réiltín's family singing her songs with the gestures Réiltín's laughing proud of herself Réiltín making the hand gestures for a song with her mother Réiltín and her big sister doing a show Réiltín's big smile Réiltín's clapping and smiling Réiltín's older sister making dance moves with her mother Réiltín's family playing music and dancing Réiltín and her mother clapping and singing songs Réiltín pointing at what she would like to watch on the tablet The family enjoying the sun in the green Dearbhla doing a cartwheel Réiltín's parents playing with their older daughter cord jumping Réiltín looking excitedly at the dog Réiltín and her mother laughing outside in the green Réiltín receiving her food through a tube while being treated for leukemia Réiltín receiving her food through a tube Réiltín sitting on her mum's lap and looking at her sister while being tube fed Réiltín and her mother smiling while being tube fed Réiltín playing with chemo duck, a soft toy receiving chemo like her Réiltín playing with chemo duck, a soft toy receiving chemo like her Réiltín's older sister resting on her mother's lap The family playing together in their living room

Pay What You Can Program

In 2020, I will be opening a few slots to photograph families on a “Pay-What-You-Can” basis. If you would like to apply, please fill out my contact form and let me know why you wish to be considered. You may also want to nominate another family. Every family session will be merit-based and limited in availability.

Contact Form

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