Announcing the Scarlett Cottrell Photography Scholarship || Raleigh, NC Family Photographer

Every day, we interact with people.  In some form or fashion, each day we exchange smiles, hand shakes, glances, and hopefully words with people.  Some we know, some we don’t.  Some are friends, some mere acquaintances.  Some of the people we know or meet will change us.  We may know it as soon as we meet them…we may not know until years later, but sometimes the people you meet will shape you in ways that you’re forever grateful.  That was this lady.  Let me introduce you to Scarlett Cottrell and tell you how she shaped me as a photographer and friend.

I met Scarlett years ago through my “future husband.”  As Christians, we attended the same church and she had a daughter my age (who quickly became a friend of mine) and a son who was a few years younger.  When I think of her, it’s hard not to picture her working.  She was a worker bee.  She worked and worked and worked and I don’t just mean at her job.  She was constantly doing something.  But she wasn’t just busy for the sake of being busy.  Her end goal always seemed to be others.  She served people, loved people, gave to people.  She was constantly moving and in someway or another, her movement almost always pointed to others.  She was loved.  People loved her.  She was funny, smart, a little bit sassy…and my goodness was she a family woman.  Her family KNEW they were loved by her.  She proved it every. single. day.  This woman left a thumbprint on her family that will carry on into the lives of her grandchildren and I would imagine into their children’s children.

In 2012 I had the privilege of photographing Scarlett with her family.  I was only a few years into my photography journey, and I’d already photographed her daughter’s family (some of my first clients!!).  This particular session was a first for me, however.  Scarlett had been diagnosed with cancer and had been given about six months to live.  As her friend, I watched a woman who had been given a definite timeline pick herself up and choose to use that time to the fullest.  She inspired me and I’ll never forget watching her tell the people she loved the most just how much she loved them.  As a photographer, I watched a woman make a decision that required forethought and courage.  Her number one priority was putting her family together in front of my camera so she could give them tangible, visual reminders of how much she loved them.  From the first click of the shutter that day, I was changed for the better.  I’ll forever be grateful for that.

This was 2012.  As you can imagine, Scarlett passed away not long after.  Her daughter, Christy and I remain friends to this day.  I still photograph them.  I’ve watched Scarlett’s grandchildren grow up.  Micah was her best buddy.  Mayci was the apple of her eye.  Today is Micah’s birthday.  His mom and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to announce the partnership we’ve created to bring about this scholarship fund in her memory. Here are the details:

The Scarlett Cottrell Photography Scholarship has been designed with the intent to gift families with a loved one suffering from a terminal diagnosis the opportunity to have beautiful, professional, keepsake photographs made of their family.  The goal of the scholarship is to provide a special time for the family to be together and have their life and love documented.  Our hope is that these families will treasure these images in the final months, weeks and days with their loved ones.  It is also our hope that these images will invoke joy and comfort in the days, weeks, months and years after their loved ones passing.  The scholarship will be available to any family who is dealing with a terminal diagnosis.  Families who are facing a terminal diagnosis may be nominated or apply.  Those who are chosen will receive a Family Mini-Session by Carrie Gilliam Photography.  Family Mini-Sessions will include both digital files and several gift prints.  Applications for the scholarship may be made to Christy Zimmerle at cczimm323@gmail.com.

If you know of someone dealing with a terminal illness and would like to bless them in this way, please encourage them to apply or feel free to submit their names.  I’ve now seen first hand multiple times how beautiful these sessions can be.  The families always tell me how blessed they are, but I have to say…I think I walk away more blessed for having witnessed something so special.  At this point in time we’re accepting applications for early 2018.

I know I’ve already said a lot in this post, but I’d like to close it by saying this:  I learned several things from the Cottrell family at that session.  Scarlett taught me about leaving a legacy.  She taught me that the legacy isn’t just in the photo…it’s in the life lived beyond the photo.  But Scarlett’s family taught me the value of the photo.  The photograph is the tangible reminder of the legacy.  Both of these lessons will stick with me.  They’ve changed my perspective…made me more aware, made me a better photographer, made me a better friend.  I’m thrilled to be a part of something so special and I’m forever grateful to Christy for asking me.  Here are a few more images from our time together in 2012.  To Micah (and Mayci)…your grandmother was a great woman and she loved you more than  you can imagine.  I hope you celebrate your birthday today knowing that you’re loved and always will be!