In honor of the pets who become family.
Our sweet Molly, who we said goodbye to in 2023. She was a sweet, loving girl, loved car rides, snuggling in the blankets with us, and telling us all about her day.
How it started…
I’ve been blessed to love many animals throughout my life. But they never stay long enough. I’ve also had to say goodbye to many of them, and I know what happens to the photographs afterward.
The ordinary snapshots become treasures. The face you saw every day becomes the face you’d give anything to see one more time. You notice the little things—the shape of their cute little (or floppy) ears, the gray around their muzzle, the way they looked at you—and you’re grateful someone thought to take the photo.
That’s why I created Before the Rainbow Moments. Through this project, I offer complimentary photography sessions up to 30 minutes for families whose beloved pet is elderly, seriously ill, or nearing the end of their life. Not because goodbye ends the love. It doesn’t. The moments happen before the rainbow. The love lasts long after.
If you’re reading this because your time with a beloved pet is growing short, I am so sorry. My heart truly goes out to you. Loving an animal means someday facing a goodbye none of us are ever ready for, no matter how many years we’ve been lucky enough to have with them.
I know arranging photographs may feel like one more difficult thing to do during an already emotional time. My goal is to make this part easy, gentle, and comfortable for both you and your pet.
There is no need to hold back your emotions during our time together. Laugh with them. Love on them. Tell me their stories. And if there are tears, that’s okay too. This isn’t a session about saying goodbye. It’s a session about honoring the love that’s still right there in front of us.
Come Exactly As You Are
Please don’t worry about how your pet looks or what their care requires. I spent time working as a veterinary technician and have fostered dozens of animals, so I am comfortable around elderly and medically fragile animals. Mobility challenges, medications, medical equipment, tubes, accidents, smells, and the other realities that sometimes come with aging or illness are nothing you need to apologize for or hide.
Your pet doesn’t need to be freshly groomed, sit perfectly, or look at my camera. They don’t even need to get up if resting comfortably is what they need that day. We will meet them exactly where they are.
What Your Session Looks Like
These sessions are quiet, gentle, and centered around your pet. We can photograph them in your home or at a comfortable local location where they feel safe. I’ll photograph the little details you love, but I also want you in these photographs. Hold them. Kiss their head. Scratch their favorite spot. Let them lean against you. Tell them they’re a good boy or girl one more time. These aren’t photographs about perfect poses. They’re photographs of the love you shared.
What You’ll Receive
Before the Rainbow Moments sessions are complimentary and last up to 30 minutes. You’ll receive all quality edited digital images from our time together in a private online gallery.
When Time Is Short
I understand that sometimes there isn’t much time to plan. I will do my best to accommodate these sessions as quickly as my schedule allows. Sessions can take place in your home or at a comfortable local location that works for you and your pet. Your pet’s comfort will always come first.
If You Need Me
If your family is facing this difficult time and you’d like a Before the Rainbow Moments session, please reach out. Tell me a little about your pet and what you’re facing, and we’ll go from there.
I can’t promise I won’t shed a tear with you. I probably will. But that’s because I understand how deeply we love the animals who become our family.
Please tell me a little abour your pet and situation. If time is especially short, please let me know by texting my business phone at 309-863-5085.
The Animals Who Taught Me Why This Matters
From top left to bottom right:
Doolittle, the sweetest giant you’d ever meet.
Snickers, forever my soul dog.
Maggie and Chloe, we raised them as bottle babies and loved them dearly.
Ellie, a cute 4 pound sack of cuteness and energy.
Molly, our most recent loss and heartbreak.
