03/23/2025
When I first walked in I could tell Brooklynn was a little nervous.
"I think she's feeling a little anxious" her friends mom said.
To be honest I was feeling a little anxious myself. I felt so honored to be there to help capture Brooklynn before starting her first doses of radiation. I wanted to make sure I could contain my feelings enough to make her feel safe. I did not want her to feel sad, scared or nervous around me. This was such an important photoshoot!
I had gotten a message just a few days before. "Can you take photos of Brooklynn? She's 11 years old and was just diagnosed with stage four glioma. Terminal brain tumor. "
As I entered the house I quickly dropped my stuff and asked Brooklynn if I could sit across from her on the couch.
"I'm Amanda! I heard you love makeup and softball!? Have you ever seen a play!? I love theater... I was thinking it would be kind of fun if we just... had fun today."
I knew I was talking fast, but I wanted her to know she didn't have to put any effort into anything she didn't feel safe with.
"Like a birthday party or sleep over with the besties! I don't want you to think about my camera, or be nervous around me!
What if everyone here gave you a "tattoo" of something they think represents you!? Then afterwards if you feel up to it we could do a little photoshoot of you with all your cool tattoos to show how brave and strong you are!"
And so we started. Each of her family members sat down beside her to paint on her arms and tell a fun sweet memory of their time and relationship with Brooklynn.
It was so magical to see this sweet beautiful girl through the eyes of those that love her most and to see her light up with laughter.
"Ok! You look so cool. Are there any other people here you want pictures with!?"
Brooklynn pops up... "my best friend Penny!"
I had given a lot of thought on how I wanted this session to go. I didn't want to cry or bring any extra heaviness, but I don't think I was prepared for the sweet connection these two 11 year old girls share.
"Why is it brown with polka dots!?" Brooklynn was pulling some silly faces. "Oh wait... that's a cosmic brownie!"
The two girls look at each other and the tears sneak their way in. "This makes me cry" Brooklynn says to Penny. I ask"What's the significance of the brownie!? Are they your favorite!?" Trying to shake off the instant hot tears I felt welling in my eyes.
"I always come to her house and ask for brownies!"
"And I always have them for her".
Ok there's no stopping it now. The tears are just silently coming now and they continue to the remainder of the session.
"Can you explain to me what made you decide to shave your head too Penny?"
"I was scared" Brooklynn says.
"Yes. She was scared. So I said- if I do it first, will you!?"
I wish I was this brave.
"It wasn't even a question" Penny says munching on a carrot casually. Brooklynn looks at Penny "it really wasn't. We made a pact when we were little. If one of us gets cancer the other one will shave their head too."
"When you were little!?" I couldn't help myself... I blurted it out "but you still are little, what a big brave thing to decide together!"
We finished up family photos. "Are you feeling brave and strong enough for some photos by yourself!?" I ask Brooklynn. "YES!" She says emphatically. Her sister coming to help her up.
I had already learned a lot about Brooklynn. I had learned she is funny, lovable, gorgeous, silly, a good friend, that she is kind, and hopeful. I learned she loves her best friend Penny, that shaving her head was scary and that she didn't fully understand her diagnosis because it was all still so new. I learned that she loves softball and finds comfort in her dads big bear hugs. That her favorite artist is Olivia Rodrigo and her favorite songs are Vampire and Dejavu. I learned that she loves her siblings and her parents.... the outdoors, and fishing.
As we are doing a few solo shots of Brooklynn she says "I have an idea. What if... what if I took my hat off and threw it or something. Like I don't need it."
"HECK. Yes. GIRL. Throw that hat girl! You do not need it. You are gorgeous with a shaved head!!!"
We threw the beanie a few times laughing and having fun as she made it land on my head or camera accidentally.
"Brooklynn- if you're feeling up to it I would like to have you sit in front of this mirror here. Do you think you could think of three positive things to say about yourself!?"
Brooklynn weak and shaking sits down in front of the mirror.
"You don't have to if you don't feel up to it."
She looks at herself in the mirror with fierceness.
"No. I want to."
"I can do this.
I am strong and beautiful"
"I'm brave because I shaved my head"
"I'm brave because I am fighting one of the hardest things ever. In my brain."
.......
If you would like to support Brooklynn please consider donating.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-brooklynn-shorters-battle-with-glioma?attribution_id=sl:4f5386e9-6301-4215-88ca-8aaa82cab389&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=instagram_story
