Rebecca Wilbur Photography

18/07/2024

Available for creative photo shoots. Female empowerment, our relationship with nature, fashion, bo***ir... Open to ideas, suggestions and collaborations ✨️

17/07/2024

You would never guess this was this ladies first photo shoot. Cool as a cucumber ✨️

17/07/2024

'Photographing Invisible Illness '

When Dave Henderson was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis he was pretty much told by his consultant to "go home and get back into bed and not bother getting up again", such was the severity of the prognosis.

Dave has Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) neuro genetic condition with chromosome 17. It is generally an inherited condition, with each offspring having a 50% chance of inheriting the condition.
In Daves case there was no family history of the condition and he was classed as a spontaneous mutation.

NF1 varies widely in how it affects those who have the condition. Many people with the disorder will be affected very mildly and may have nothing more than skin changes. A minority of people (around a third) who have NF1 will have medical problems related to the disorder at some time in their life. Some of these problems will be mild and easily treatable and others will be more severe.

Dave was first diagnosed at the age of 11 when a lump about the size of an egg appeared on his neck overnight. It was treated as Mumps for a while but when it didn’t disappear he was sent to hospital to have it removed. It was then discovered to be von Recklinghausen disease which is now called Neurofibromatosis.

Dave went on to develop small lumps all over his body.

"At the age of 26 was when major issues started, I started to get aches and tingling in my arms and legs and could hear clicking in my head when walking a tumour was discovered on my spine.

This tumour could not be removed so had a bone fusion to stabilize the spine but this broke down. I now have 2 metal rods which bolt my skull to my spine which is now stable. But this does limit movement of my neck.

I still get more body skin tumours appear but it’s a case of living with them. I did have one on the inside of my thigh about the size of a small melon which was removed. This left me with issues walking on uneven ground

At the moment I have a tumour growing in my windpipe that is giving issues and awaiting surgery to have it reduced in size it can’t be fully removed.

I’ve also suffered a bleed on the brain which given some memory loss, can’t remember much of my childhood now. Also photography is my hobby and at times I cant remember what settings I need to change to get the image I want".

Having worked with Dave in his role as a photographer I can say he handles his Illness with the most incredible courage, dignity and humility and will not let his illness get in the way of his career as a photographer. He is a inspiration to us all.

He's having a risky operation to remove some of the lumps in his windpipe over the next few months which will improve his breathing. I would like to take this opportunity to wish him well for his op and a speedy recovery ✨️🙌

06/12/2023

I'm looking for new people to photograph in 2024! Get in touch if you'd like to work with me. All kinds of projects considered.

Always available for portrait photography in West Cornwall

08/07/2023

One of my favourite shoots from 6 years ago. Yani you're so beautiful 😍

07/07/2023

Well that was a surprise scorcher of a day eh?

04/07/2023

This one singular massive magnolia flower 😍. Big as my head!

02/07/2023

Lovely shoot with the beautiful soul that is Nathan Kitchen, who pretty much single handedly built and financed the new Touchgloves gym in Penzance.

He's also started an amazing venture called the Phoenix 333 Project, helping to give support to anyone who is struggling with their mental health.
It provides a free local walk in service where there is always someone to talk to. Nathan is passionate about Muay Thai boxing (he has a famous daughter!) and ending the stigma around mental illness. I'll be sharing Nathans story as part of my new Photographing Invisible Illness project soon.
Touchgloves Gym

12/04/2023

I'm still looking for people who'd like to be photographed as part of my Photographing Invisible Illness project.

Do you have a debilitating condition that you consider to be 'invisible'? One that no one would know you had because you continue to live life to the full but sometimes feel judged for that?
Maybe you feel your friends and family don't think your condition even really exists!

Having an invisible illness or disability can be a very lonely experience. Would you like to help raise awareness?

Get in touch! X

10/04/2023

I've decided to include the menopause and perimenopause in my 'Photographing Invisible Illness' project. Of course, it's not an illness as such, but it's become something that's very important and relevant to me and so many of my friends. And I would absolutely define it as an 'invisible condition'. And also one that still carries so much taboo and shame.
It took me years to even accept it was happening to me! I was in denial all through my late 40s. I didn't want to accept I was growing old, changing, and in my mind, becoming less of a woman.

The worst symptom for me is brain fog. Literally, I've felt like I'm losing my mind. Like my brain is full of cotton wool. So frustrating. So embarrassing.
It's affected my ability to write (composing this post has been a huge effort this morning) and it's affected my ability to hold a conversation. I've become a recluse more or less. Like a shadow of my old self. But I'm finding ways of stepping back into the light again.

What are YOUR most distressing symptoms of the menopause or perimenopause? Do you feel misunderstood? Is there shame? Fear? Embarrassment?

If you'd like to be featured in my portrait project please do drop me a DM or have a read through the info on my website.
There is power in sharing your story.
The link is in my bio ✨️ Lots of love to those of you also struggling ❤️

04/04/2023

I've had such a great response to my Photographing Invisible Illness posts. It's a project I began before the pandemic and I'm just starting to pick up from where I left off.

My hope is that I can photograph as many chronic conditions and disabilities that are not immediately visible but nevertheless impact greatly on the sufferers quality of life. This can cause judgment from friends, family and co-workers causing shame and denial and ultimately more suffering.

This time round I want to photograph people doing 'their thing' despite having a debilitating condition or disability. This could be something people would normally associate with being very healthy. I want to show strength and resilience despite suffering.

Want to get involved? If you live in the west Cornwall area and would like to be photographed please get in touch. There is a link to the project below.
You can help raise awareness for your condition and help the people who you're close to understand the impact of your condition and the strength it takes you to do the things you love. Maybe you have a very physical hobby like surfing but also struggle with crippling joint pain... Get in touch!

20/03/2023

✨️Looking for more people to help raise awareness of invisible illness ✨️
I will be re-starting my Photographing Invisible Illness project this summer. It was put on hold during the pandemic but I'm ready to start raising awareness again.
And actually since the pandemic my own understanding of how we all view others health concerns has greatly increased. Look at the way so many were judged throughout the worst of the covid years. Now we also have LONG COVID to consider and understand.
If you'd like to take part just drop me a DM and I can tell you more. Or take a peek at www.rebeccawilburphotography.com/photographing-invisible-illness