Alison's Story

Alison's story, as told by some of the people who know & love her best:

"Alison's smile is contagious."


"I wish I was more like her."

"Alison loves Beka so much. She's the light of her life and the joy of her existence."


"Alison is a Princess. She taught her 9 year old daughter, Bekah, how to be a Princess. "

"She is SO proud of Rebeka. And I know Beka is proud of her."

"If Alison could she would probably tell you that a big part of God’s purpose for her on this earth is to raise Princess Bekah."


"I don’t know of anyone else who is as real and full of grace and class as Alison."


"Beautiful, in & out…I am so proud to call her my friend."


"When I think of Alison I think of strength, a soothing calmness, and a love of God that gives her the strength to face life and death."


a special thank you to her friends & family for contributing their beautiful words

Sheri's Story

Sheri Lewis, who inspired this entire program, was an extrordinary woman.



I first met Sheri three years ago, when I was contacted by her friends to do a storybook session for Sheri and her family before she began chemo for breast cancer. Within an hour, I was hooked. Our day together was so fun, playful... her little girl just a ball of energy and the absolute apple of her mommy's eye.



Over the next three years, I was lucky enough to photograph their family three more times, each time in awe of her strength as she rattled off doctor reports and tumor updates as if they were sports scores, all the while never losing her spark for life, especially with her husband and daughter.



My biggest fear with each session was not that the pictures would show how sick she was, but just that I wouldn't be able to fully capture how alive she was.. more than anyone I've ever met I think... nothing phased her, nothing stressed her, her smile was an incandescent bulb that would never run out.



As that light radiated, her family responded tenfold. They were the fireflies at her light, fluttering eagerly about, wanting to please, to participate, happy just to be in her presences. As was I. When I am struggling to get out of bed in the morning I remember that last year she completed the 3-day Breast Cancer walk just days after chemo. When my kids are on my last nerve I remember how she so graciously let her little one be herself, whatever that meant at the time.



It was her inspiring story that led me to create the Mother's Story program offering complimentary sessions for moms battling cancer, and she has never been far from my thoughts.



In October of 2007, Sheri lost her long and courageous battle with breast cancer. Her friends & family gathered wearing pink in honor of her favorite cause, the one she worked tirelessly for despite her own weakening strength. They will always remember the woman who will be hard to forget, and said goodbye to a dear friend to many.

The only request Sheri had when we did the first storybook was to include this poem, which she had found in a book and carefully hand copied for me. Three years ago it was a pretty prayer. Now it is goodbye. This is Sheri's story.

I said a prayer for you today

And know God must have heard-

I felt the answer in my heart

Although He spoke no word

I didn’t ask for wealth or fame.

I knew you wouldn’t mind,

I asked Him to send treasures

Of a far more lasting kind.

I asked that He’d be near you

At the start of each new day

To grant you health and blessings

And friends to share your way.

I asked for happiness for you

In all things great and small,

But it was for His loving care

That I prayed most of all.

Thank you, Sheri, for allowing me a glimpse in your life, a moment in your light. May you find some peace at last.

Stacy's Story

Stacy's Story, in her own words:

"When we found I had cancer, one of my first thoughts was concern for my daughters. Had I just burdened their childhood and would I be around to care for them and watch them grow into young women?"



"That initial fear passed as we learned more about my disease and what our plan was. When Mark and I decided to tell them, we were both nervous. "



"The girls took it well although my 8 year old cried and was scared. Then she rallied and became taller and stronger than I had seen her before."

"My 6 year old was most relieved that it wasn't contagious. Mark and I breathed a sigh of relief and we carried on our mostly normal lives."

"Several days later, in the car (why do all the big questions come when you are trying to merge onto the freeway?), my youngest said, 'Mom, you won't look the same when your hair is gone and how will I know that you're my mom?'



Luckily, Mark was driving so I turned around in my seat and held her hand. 'Mimi, look into my eyes and what do you see?'

'I see you loving me.'

'That is where you will always be able to look to see me and know who I am, whether I have hair or not. That is where you will see me loving you for all your life.'

'Okay Mommy. That's good.'

"Since my hair is gone, she does look into my eyes more intensely to see if I am really there..."

"And I always will be."

How it Works

To nominate a mom, just email ann@annbeckphotography.com with as much information as possible. We will accept as many moms as possible given the schedule at the time. Once accepted, the mom will be mailed a gift certificate describing the program and including all the necessary contact information. She can then call or email to set up the session at her own convenience.

The day of the session, we'll meet at the location of mom's choice for a few hours of relaxed fun. We can stay home and bake cookies or play games, or go to a park for a picnic or more formal portraits, whatever mom says goes! After the session, she'll receive an online gallery about a week later with all of her images, to watch and enjoy with family and friends. In about a month, we'll meet again to present her album of images, all the portraits from the session hers to enjoy forever. There is absolutely no cost to the family and no obligation to purchase anything. Enlargements or additional prints are available at 50% off regular prices to cover costs.

For more information or to nominate a mom, please email ann@annbeckphotography.com

About the Program

A Mother's Story was begun in 2006 as a way to do something meaningful with my photography. I have seen many organizations devoted to photographing sick children, but very few for parents. And while most kids' lives are well documented already, sick or not, I know most moms (myself included!) tend to shy away from the camera for our own vanity. But when mothers are sick, or worse yet, lost, to children at a young age, the pictures are all their fragile memories have to hold on to. I decided I would donate my time and money to help these families have a beautiful, lasting memory of the happy times, something they can hold on to and remember until the happy times return to their family again.

A Mother's Story donates a full 2 hour portrait session and leather-bound album of all the proofs to each family participating. They are also able to purchase enlargements at 50% off regular prices. Participants can be nominated by anyone in the community; family, friends, strangers, (or even themselves!) and are accepted as space allows, at least one per month. For more information, please call or email today!