A photographer on a forum I belong, Lyndsay Stradtner, of life.in.motion Photography recently posted a thread that she titled “Terminally Ill” and it started off talking about this bad day she had. I’d like to post what she put on here blog:
<<I’m not sure i have the words | austin family photographer>>
<<where do i start? i’m not quite sure how to articulate my experience with this family this morning. being at a loss for words is not something i normally struggle with ((insert my husband throwing out an amen here - ha!))
<<a few weeks ago i was have a rough day. i had made a decision that was not easy for me to make, but it was with my family at heart. i believe i was judged unfairly and some people had some harsh and untrue things to say. wallowing in it a bit, i sat at my computer feeling down. i was surfing the web and came across a story about a family from dallas. a family that has overcome a whole lot. a family that is fighting for life.
<<alex began having shortness of breath on his 27th birthday (2001) and soon discovered he had cardiac angiosarcoma - better known as heart cancer. at the time, he was the eighth documented patient to be diagnosed with this type of cancer. with surgery and chemo, he beat it. then, in 2006, the cancer came back, but he was able to beat it once again. he’s had three open heart surgeries, the tumors removed twice and his heart rebuilt both times. unfortunately, alex’s cancer is back and this time is not operable.
<<i instantly felt silly. my problem was not big. it didn’t matter at all. it was silly and trivial and in the big scheme of things, other peoples judgments didn’t change who i am or the people i love. cancer has touched our lives, my father-in-law beat kidney cancer last year….our good friends are fighting a cancer battle ((and they will win))…..alex’s story tugged at my heart. i read on about this family and the benefit that would be held in austin to help them. i instantly contacted one of the people working on the benefit and offered to photograph the family free of charge when they came to austin. we went back and forth and i’m soooo glad we worked out the details and timing. it took some coordinating and location scouting, but we even worked it out so that many of those that came to austin to support alex and his family could participate in their session. their benefit was a huge success, i wish i could have been there. i really wanted to be, but i was working. we met up this morning before they left town and before we starting shooting, i asked them what they wanted the most out of our time together. alex looked at me and said “all the inbetween moments”……ahhh, that’s what i love the most too. and i’m happy to say, we caught many of them. i will have more to share over the coming weeks, but i pulled just one today that makes me smile…..>>
The images can be seen starting here on her blog. But on the forum she posted this: “alex’s story tugged at my heart. i read on about this family and the benefit that would be held in austin to help them. i instantly thought about Monyeen Black and her inspiring relationship with Clayton McDonald and his family.” W.O.W.! Now that is awesome! really! awesome! I then watched this video. Lyndsay, did a beautiful job. The video left me speechless. I wanted to share the beautiful work she did.
Enjoy the video: My Name is Alex
and keep them in your prayers, please. You can visit her blog to leave comments for Alex and his family.
Lyndsay, thank you for sharing this. I’m so touched that I inspired you. God bless you.
Here is one image taken by Lyndsay of Alex and his beautiful family.

Image © life.in.motion photography, Lyndsay Stradtner
Kathy McCornack: I love it! It's everything and more than I hoped for. You captured the true beauty of our family, our home and a memory of a Husband and Father. Thank you!
lyndsay: they are both gorgeous but wow, the second shot I love. I would love a shot like that with my boys....sigh
Jill Mc: Beautiful picture. It brought tears to my eyes....
Heather: very touching!
heavenesque: Just beautiful!!! You captured them perfectly:)
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