A Cancer Charity Calendar in support of the Hospice of St Francis by Big Stick Photography

 

 

The inspiration

 

Jenny Oldfield had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and wanted portraits to display at her funeral.

Given the circumstances, the shoot proved more fun than either of us expected. We got on like the proverbial ‘house on fire’ and the shoot was a hoot!  Jenny decided to harness the therapeutic element of her portrait session to help the cancer group she was involved with. Her idea was to do a Cancer Charity Calendar featuring people in the group who either had cancer or were in recovery. In doing so, lift the spirits of the ‘models’. Support the Hospice of St Francis and show some of the ways cancer patients were dealing with their diagnosis…what a great idea!

I was delighted to be invited as the photographer and keen for the images to both reflect the strong personalities of the individuals and to express how cancer was being fought with a mixture of stubbornness, resilience, re-invention and humour.

This group were determined to live their best lives…

To conceive ideas which delivered the gravity and potential finality of cancers looming shadow didn’t do justice to the resilience of the people involved. I was ‘briefed’ by Jenny and seven other ladies from the Cancer group. They told me a little about the procedures they had endured, the loneliness of being diagnosed in times of Covid-19. When doctors couldn’t operate, when they were isolated from their families . They told me about the emotions this evoked and the variety of different ways they used to battle against this common foe.

“I hate having my picture taken “

My concerns that the photoshoots would be strained and hugely challenging were unfounded. The fourteen ladies one man and one teenager all began by saying; ” They hated having their picture taken” and then proceeded to perform with enthusiasm and total commitment. I had great fun executing the ideas and very much enjoyed their company.

I hope the images do them justice and that they enjoy the results. It has been an intensive three months of activity and so far Sponsors have shown generous support. Of the 200 limited edition printed Calendars 120 were pre-ordered. As the Calendar images are slowly teased through social media the orders continue to increase, finally selling out at the exhibition where there was £800 of Calendar sales.

*The generosity of Santander Bank (Anti Money laundering dept) was particularly notable as they donated to the project freely with the encouragement of  Senior Manager Ruby-Jo Brady.

The Cancer Charity Calendar Exhibition raised over £5k for the Hospice of St Francis

The main focus was an Exhibition of all the images (held at the Town Hall in Berkhamsted). The ‘super-model’s involved had at this point, not seen their final calendar image, so there were a few tears shed and lots of smiles shared when they were unveiled.

The Limited Edition Calendars were all snapped up which raised over 5k for the Hospice of St Francis. It was an emotional day and I still marvel at the resilience and strength of character of this remarkable group of people. A huge ‘Well done! to Jenny who provided the inspiration and drive to initiate and complete the project. To Tessa for finding our generous sponsors & Kay whose practical help and enthusiasm kept us all going.

THANKS also to the extended Big Stick Photography team of artworker and retoucher Chris Armitt, Richard Chetland, Face-Painter Juliet Eve, Social media guru, Clem Brady and Katie Greaney for her help and support in organising the shoots.

 

“Carl your exhibition is outstanding and shows amazing artistic and excellent use of your imagination. What an eclectic calendar you have produced and I am sure the Hospice will certainly reap the benefits of your photographic endeavours! Congratulations!” The Hospice of St Francis

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“What a fabulous project and your work is incredible. I am still struck looking at the images, they are extraordinary in so many ways. Striking, provocative and uplifting” Samreen McGregor