The Art of the After
"Captures the sacred beauty of a life’s conclusion and the lingering presence of those we have lost. It is the practice of seeing and preserving the 'after' the love, the objects, and the echoes that remain."
- Cath Adams Professional Photographer, Certified Grief Coach and Advocate
Please view the images I captured, FAQ and my story. I would be honored to connect with you and your journey.
FAQ
What exactly is "The Art of the After" Photography? It is the professional documentation of life’s final chapters. Much like we capture the raw, beautiful moments of a birth or life's milestones, these sessions focus on the quiet grace, the tender connections, and the enduring legacy of a loved one. It is about honoring a story that is transforming, not ending.
Is it intrusive to have a Photographer present during such a private time? My background and lived experiences through the many channels of photography professionally, creator of my Awareness Photography workshops, my early years of medical photography at Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland Hospitals and as a personal healing tool taught me the "art of being invisible." I move with deep respect and quiet awareness, ensuring the focus remains entirely on your family and your loved one. I am there to hold space, not to disrupt it.
Why should we consider professional photography instead of just using our phones? In moments of profound grief or transition, it is difficult for family members to be both "present" and "the historian." By allowing a professional to handle the lens, you are free to simply be with your loved one. My goal is to capture the raw beauty and the "quiet moments" that a phone camera often misses, providing you with high-quality, soulful images to hold forever.
When is the right time to schedule a session? There is no "perfect" time, only the time that feels right for you. Some families choose to document a final gathering or a quiet afternoon of connection. Others prefer a memorial session that focuses on the "heavy absences" and the beautiful remnants of a life well-lived. I am here to sit with you through the beginning of life to end of life and after in this spiritual path.
What if our loved one doesn't "look like themselves" due to illness? My lens focuses on the essence of the person; the holding of a hand, a reflection in a window, the light in the room, or the connection between family members. We focus on the love that remains. These sessions are handled with the utmost dignity and professional care.
Is this service available in our area? Yes. This is a unique gift of professional photography specifically offered here in our Roaring Fork Valley, throughout Colorado and beyond. It is a service born out of my own personal walk through loss and my daughter Emily’s legacy, and sitting with my own mother as she smiled at me, with a tear in her eye and took her last breath. I created this sacred art specifically because I saw a need for families to have a tangible way to cherish these raw, sacred memories.
How do we receive the photos? After our time together, I carefully curate and edit the images to reflect the grace of the moment. You will receive a private, digital gallery that you can view and share at your own pace.
As one with lived experience I am available to discuss the emotional aspects of this process with you before we ever pick up the camera.
About Cath
My journey with the camera began in the technical and emotional trenches of editorial and documentary photography, which eventually led me into the clinical yet deeply human world of medical photography at both Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland Hospitals. In those halls, I learned how to sit with people in their most vulnerable moments, documenting the raw realities of the human experience with a steady hand and an open heart. However, it was my own personal walk through the valley of loss most profoundly the loss of my beautiful daughter, Emily that truly transformed my lens. Through her, I have been given the gift of sitting with others along the spiritual path that spans from the beginning of life to its end. Today, through The Art of the After, I practice a form of "awareness photography." It is a contemplative process of receiving images that reflect a person’s unique spirit and the enduring essence they leave behind. By focusing on the tangible beauty and quiet echoes of a life lived, I help families preserve a legacy that transcends loss, creating a heart centered bridge between a sacred farewell and the love that remains. I understand how profound and delicate these moments are, and I am here to hold space for you. If you are navigating a transition or wish to honor a loved one, please reach out, I would be honored to have a quiet, no-pressure conversation about how I can serve you and your family.