Photos We Hold Onto: Why Families Choose a Photo shoot During Palliative Care

There are moments in life when time stands still.

When a family hears the words “palliative care”, the world can suddenly become quieter. Plans change. Priorities shift. Conversations become deeper. The little things that once seemed important begin to fall away, and what remains is what has always mattered most…… love, connection, memories, and the people who have shaped our lives.

In these moments, many families make a decision that may feel difficult or not a priority at first but turn into a gift: they choose to have photographs taken together.

Meet Sarah and her family, some of the most resilient and brave in the face of tragedy people i have ever had the pleasure of spending time with.

Can you tell from this image who Sarah is? No? Because the smiles are genuine. It’s a normal family photo shoot.

A family photo shoot during palliative care is not about focusing on illness. It is not about saying goodbye before the goodbye arrives. It is about capturing a person exactly as they are……surrounded by the people who love them, in a moment filled with warmth, laughter, stories, and connection.

It is about creating something that lasts.

Because photographs become more than images. They become pieces of history.

Its about going to a special place or a favourite location where the memories are good and returning to that place will always hold those happy memories.

Years from now, when voices become memories and little details begin to fade, families will look back and remember the way someone smiled, the way they held their children and their grandchildren, the way their hand felt in yours, the expressions that belonged only to them.

A photograph can bring back a feeling, the sound of their laugh.

It can remind a child of the grandparent who always made them laugh.
It can remind a partner of a lifetime shared together.
It can remind a family that life is bittersweet and to love the time they had together.

“If something happened to me i would want my children to have a beautiful photo of us together, laughing and genuinely connecting not a selfie i took that’s cute but half decent - they deserve more than that”.

Don’t get me wrong…. there were definietly tears behind my camera but it wasn’t because it felt too sad, it was because i was overwhelmed with seeing this celebration of life play out before me.

Anyone who has lost someone in an instant may have one wish…. that they could have spent just a few more days or weeks with them, enjoyed the company of them for a little longer, said things, did things or even have the chance to gather the whole family together, laugh and play in a sentimental place and have those moments immortalised.

If your wondering why i’m writing this blog that’s, lets face it quite deep and maybe even triggering its because i get asked often to do photo shoots when families find out someone is going into palliative care. Its a nice idea but not everyone is on board because it’s hard. Yes it’s very hard but it’s just an hour, an hour where i do my best to distract from the obvious and highlight the goodness. So if you are reading this or have been sent this because you are in this position…. please don’t be afraid. You wont regret it.

Every photo shoot that comes to me as a result of a palliative care diagnosis will have 10% of the session fee donated straight back to the hospice charity that is looking after them.

This is why I believe these sessions are so important.

Every family deserves the opportunity to preserve these moments, especially when time becomes precious.

Through this work, I also want to support the incredible organisations that care for families during these difficult journeys. Charities such as Marie Curie, The Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, and other hospice organisations provide comfort, dignity, and support to people and their families when they need it most.

Hospice care is not only about helping someone at the end of their life. It is about helping families navigate love, loss, memories, and everything in between. It gives people the chance to focus on what matters, being together.

By raising money for these charities, we can help ensure that more families receive the compassion, care, and support they deserve.

Because behind every photograph is a story.

A family photo shoot during palliative care is not simply about taking pictures.

It is about creating a legacy.

It is about giving families something they can return to again and again a reminder that love remains, even when someone is no longer by their side.

And sometimes, the most meaningful gift we can leave behind is a moment captured forever.

To donate to a hospice that does this saintly work please do so here:

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity - By making a donation to Arthur Rank Hospice Charity you are helping make every moment count for patients and their loved ones living in your community. A gift that makes the biggest difference, at a time when it really matters.

Marie Curie - With your support, we can continue to be there for anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from, and those close to them. Donate today to help ensure a better end of life for all.