AS I AM by Mitzi Starkweather: APRIL
APRIL - AS I AM
“I knew Mitzi would be able to hold space for me. I knew she could pull out my most authentic self. But, I didn’t fully believe in my ability to show up until I saw the photos. Reviewing my session immediately was an incredibly powerful and gratifying experience. Mitzi captured a version of myself that little April would’ve looked up to. I now have a collection of images that remind me I am her, and I deserve to be seen and loved exactly As I Am.” - April
My best friend April has lived with cancer for almost 3 years. Leukemia isn’t a tumor you can just remove. There’s a lot of uncertainty right now, so I was thrilled when she accepted my invitation to be photographed for my AS I AM project. After all, the present time is all we have.
I’ve photographed her several times before but this was different. I saw FREEDOM. I watched this person I love so dearly embrace herself in a way I’d never seen before. It was so beautiful. Cancer truly does teach you how to live and April has guided me into that truth. What an honor to photograph you in this honest, powerful way. I love you so much.
