Respect and love
Today we’re writing the most personal blog we’ve ever written. It’s so personal and it goes so deep because it’s about Ayse. Ayse, our sunshine, has been part of our family of photographers since 2013. We’ve been through a lot together and we’ve all grown very fond of them. When Ayse told us a few weeks ago that she had advanced stomach cancer, we all broke down inside. Ayse not only has cancer, she is also 7 months pregnant.
She has now completed the first chemotherapy treatments, is looking forward to her baby and is bravely awaiting the removal of her stomach. Ayse wouldn’t be Ayse (as we know and LOVE her) if she didn’t manage to see even this malignant illness positively and be thankful for what she has: a wonderful husband, a sweet son, a great family, great friends, us and their strong faith. She not only encourages herself, but also everyone else around her. She laughs with us on her visits, makes her doctors and nurses smile in the hospital, transmits her power wherever she moves.
When Ayse asked Emely to take pictures of her before the last of her hair fell out, it was a particularly intimate and touching moment. Ayse looks like a beautiful warrior! Once like a punk (everyone should have been at least once in their life anyway 🙂 ) Her positive power is really noticeable and tangible. It is her wish that we publish the pictures to encourage other women and pregnant women in the same situation. We are sure that is the case!
Emely and Ayse have always been very close, you can see that in the pictures. I’m so proud of both of them! Emely completed her training as a state winner last year. When she was honored for this a few days ago on the Chamber of Crafts stage, Nick Sawatzky (Radio Energy) asked: well, Emely, and what’s up with you now? Baby bumps and wedding pictures? Emely’s answer: No, character portraits! (What a powerful moment!)
Exactly! She does it best!
There has to be a little side story: we were all in London at the end of last year and Ayse couldn’t go with us. We quickly enlarged a photo of her, glued it to a wooden handle and were able to take her with us on tour. Ayse threw herself away laughing at every clever picture (O-Ton Ayse). Ayse, we are proud of you, we love you and are here for you and look forward to it when you got through everything well!
