Hi everyone,

My name is Claire and I am a student in documentary photography. I am trying to put together a series of portrait of terminal ill patient.
I would like to concentrate on people with shortened life expectancy.

I have done much research and in this light and would like to photograph people with knowledge of there 'dead line'. I have seen many pieces of work concerning death, photographs of people whilst dying or postmortem and do not want to photographs this pain.
I would like to meet/interview and photograph (if agreed of course) those persons that are in that middle lane.
I would like to show the strength that these people have to carry on, knowing their fate. I would like to remind people to live there life as fully as possible. I think most of us don't know when will be time and tend to forget to enjoy what we have.

This idea started with my mum founding out that she had bladder cancer and after surgery and a chemo was found clear since this September. It became a project after my meeting with a lady living in Wales. She has had several surgeries and chemo therapy. She has been fighting for few year now, but unfortunately it has become generalized. She has touched me and shown much strength. She has accepted to pose for me. But that is only one person.

As the project goes I would like to meet as many people with different terminal illnesses as possible.

I am fully aware of the difficulties and rejects that might come with this project. Therefor I would like to present myself to maybe group meetings, doctors or carers to explain myself and to put a face on the request.

This is why I am posting this on here. I would like to pass on the word and maybe get in contact with many people willing to meet me.
I am ready to give each sitter a high quality photograph of the work. It will be done in studio and only for one or two photographs.

If you have any questions for me please do not hesitate.
Kind regards.
Claire

You're undertaking a very sad project. Be careful, you might just absord their bitterness, rather then their strength in suffering.

Thank you Vicki for your concern. I have been warned before by others on my course and by friends to be careful where this could take me.
It is very hard to explain why this project came about but I feel that I have to do it.
In my heart it seems to be the right thing to do...