Suicide is something that we hear about but many of us don't truly know the struggles of the aftermath. Today I wanted to capture the struggles that Yvonne is currently facing in her life. Yvonne just lost her younger sister Bethany to suicide a few weeks back. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Bethany but seeing Yvonnes face glow when she talked about her sister was breathtaking. A few years back the girls lost their father suddenly due to heart conditions. Bethany and Yvonne tried to move on as best as they could but Bethany struggled with everyday life and life soon became too heavy. Yvonne is now dealing with the struggles of living life without her father and sister. My heart aches for Yvonne and the pain she has to go through. But if I was to learn one thing from photographing Yvonne tonight it's that life happens no matter what you are ready for. I'm forever grateful that I was given this opportunity to photograph such a beautiful person inside and out. Yvonne, you are the strongest person I may ever know and your love is so deep even when life tries to break you of everything you have. This experience with you has forever shaped me as an individual and photographer. Thank you for opening your heart and struggles with me tonight, you are truly an incredible person. 

Yvonne has found comfort in wearing Bethanys clothing and jewelry. Her biggest struggle is sleeping and laying down with just herself and her thoughts at the end of the day. Yvonne wonders what she could have done differently to save her sister from taking herself from this world. Bethany truly shined through tonight on Belle Isle, (a place they used to go to as a family many years ago) the sunset was incredibly bright and the most beautiful i've ever seen. Thank you Bethany for shinning some light on us tonight, these few images are in memory of you. 

"You'll keep me safe, I'll keep you wild" -Bethany Galdes to Yvonne Galdes