People come into my life week in week out. Some pass by without me noticing, and some make lasting impressions. At the start of the year I met a family who i'd know about for roughly a year. I'd seen a close friend document their life through photography of living with a Mother, Daughter, and Sister with cancer. I'd been moved by the images taken by Louise, and the blogs written by Dani. Fast forward to now and I count the Donnelly family as close friends, I see them most days, and can count on them to be just at the end of the phone. I've seen them laugh, cry, and try to live through the loss of their most beloved Emma.

So why am I here.. Emily...

Emily is despite everything a loving, caring well mannered young lady. She's a good student and enjoys school but finds building friendships difficult. Emily is starting the difficult journey of becoming a teenager. A journey we all know, is emotional, stressful, painful, and all of the other joys the transition into adulthood brings with it. Emily has to face all of this without her mum. Whilst still grieving the loss of her mother Emily now has to find her self and her way in this world. I've heard that recently emily has become a little withdrawn, and struggling with her emotions. She's angry at the world, who wouldn't be after going through what she has?

Still I can't help but feel she needs a break, an outlay, a way to channel her feelings, emotions, and anger........ and all the other emotions teenagers have.

Emily has show a keen interest in photography. I've attended conferences with her, and watched her eyes light up as she was inspired by fellow women photographers rocking their own creative practices. As a photographer myself I know just how therapeutic photography can be. My camera is an extension of me, my best friend, a companion, a way for me to tell my story, and leave my mark on the world.

I want this for Emily. I would like your help to raise funds to purchase Emily a second hand DSLR, lens, and anything else I can stretch to. I want her to have her own tool, to tell her story, for her to show us what she see's through her eyes. Something to escape in, to get lost in, to find herself, and her place in the world. Something to practice with, to get it wrong with, to find her style, and to sculpture and craft her own unique style.

The two images in this post are one's Emily has taken on her phone.