When Dr. Jennifer Dameron first walked into my studio, I had no idea that I would go on to photograph her family over 20 times in the next 17 years. I didn’t know that she would eventually become my OB and help bring all three of my children into this world.
I’ll never forget that first session. Her one-year-old daughter, Anne, was determined not to let go of her bright green sippy cup, and Jennifer, always the quick thinker, began to hide it under Anne’s dress to avoid a pop of lime green in the photos. Right away, I could tell how laid-back and easygoing Jennifer was. She made the whole experience fun—her sense of humor was contagious. I remember one Christmas card session where her kids were all over the place, making silly faces and being “squirrely”, as she called it. We captured some sweet smiles, but Jennifer said, “No, let’s make this card fun! Let’s do something silly!” And we did. It was one of my favorite sessions, full of laughter and personality.
I’ll never forget one day when Jennifer came into the studio to view some of her family portraits. She apologized for being 10 minutes late, explaining how busy her morning had been. We reassured her it was no big deal—after all, she was the one with the *real* busy schedule. But Jennifer, insisted she felt bad for being late.
I couldn’t help but ask, “Did you have any deliveries today?” With a smile, she replied, “Well, yes, a few more than I planned, but it all worked out and everyone is doing well.” Curious, I asked, “How many?” Without missing a beat, she said, “Well, it started early—two C-sections, four vaginal births, and I saw 28 patients in the office.” Mind you, this was all before 1:15 p.m.!
I just looked at her in awe. I remember telling myself, *I will never, ever complain about a busy day again!
Over the years, Jennifer became the trusted doctor for many of my clients, and eventually, it was my turn to have babies. She was incredibly patient through my long labors—each one lasting 45, 56, and 30 hours—and she never rushed me. She respected my wishes for a natural birth, as long as it was safe for me and my babies. She would check in on me by stopping by repeatedly, always with a calm smile, no matter how long the process took. I’ve watched videos of my deliveries, and there she is, so serene and genuinely happy. You could tell she loved what she did. I’ll always be grateful for how she supported me during such an intense and personal time in my life.
I never imagined that Jennifer’s time with us would be cut short. She would have turned 51 next week. She fought bravely for over four years against colon cancer, but in the end, the cancer won. I know she fought hard—she had her three children and her husband to think of along with a whole community that loved her. I'm grateful I was able to capture so many precious moments for their family over the years. Jennifer made the effort to come in for portraits almost every year, and now, those images will be treasured forever by the family she loved so deeply.
I just wish she didn’t have to leave us so soon. My heart goes out to her family, and I feel honored to have had her in my life—not just as a client, but as my doctor but and friend.
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