In Home Couples Session | Mott | Whitney Beth Photography
Sometimes, life’s challenges lead us to unexpected but beautiful moments. This was what happened when Charlotte Mott reached out to me. She found my contact info after seeing my “best photographer” award in the SLC Tribune. Her husband, Dick, was under Hospice care, and she wanted me to photograph some portraits of him as well as them together.
Despite having closed my books for the year and intending to take December off, I couldn’t say no to helping Charlotte and Dick. We quickly scheduled an in-home session for the next day, between school pick-ups. When I arrived at their home, I was greeted by the warmest smiles and the kindest hearts.
Dick, though on oxygen, insisted on not wearing it for the pictures. So, we worked fast, pausing for his breathing breaks. Charlotte, with her infectious smile and lively spirit, reminded me so much of my own late grandparents. I felt an instant connection with them and wished I could spend the whole day just chatting and laughing with them. Dick even said how he wished he could be at my house on Christmas morning with my boys.
Given the circumstances, I rushed everything and quickly arranged an ordering appointment two days later. Charlotte and Dick had such a tender and special bond that it was evident in every photo – especially with how much they kept looking at each other during the shoot. They only bought a couple of prints, mainly because Charlotte didn’t like that she “looked old.” I knew how precious these photos were and how much they would mean to their family.
Charlotte doesn’t have an email address, but I managed to get in touch with her son and daughter-in-law. I gifted them the entire gallery of digital images so that they could cherish and enjoy them. When I delivered the prints to Charlotte and Dick, they cried as they flipped through the images.
Working with Charlotte and Dick was a reminder of the power of photography. It was such an honor to document their story and provide them with these photos.
