My photographs are dedicated to my daughter, Sami Reynolds. She was my mini-me and best friend. We lost her to a fentanyl overdose at age 24 in 2022. Any parent who has lost a child knows the difficulty of moving forward in a world you no longer care to be a part of. We do, because what choice do we have? You keep breathing, keep eating, keep waking up day after day. But each day takes you further away, each day is it's own heartbreak. I will miss her anew in every season of the year and every season of life.
The world doesn't necessarily need more photographs or wannabe photographers. But I don't care whether or not I ever sell an image in my life. This about applying time, love, instincts, and energy to something beautiful and good. Although I had an interest in it most of my life, I never took the plunge to pick up a real camera on manual mode and truly learn how to use it. I had a heart full of love for my baby girl that had no place to go after she left, so I have poured it into my art.
The thing about losing Sami, that is so hard, is she was me all over again. She was my best friend, and I was her biggest cheerleader. She looked like me. She brought out my goofiness and made life fun. She loved animals and nature the way I always have. We conspired her whole childhood to bring pets into our home that my husband never could keep track of or understand. We loved to go hiking and spend time in the woods or the desert. She was an artist. I miss her to my core.
Everything I know about photography, I learned from the generous creators on YouTube and Instagram who openly share their knowledge. They never fail to inspire.
Thank you for visiting my gallery. It is my hope that you feel something when you look at my pictures. I am just a work in progress, doing this for my soul, and I don't plan to stop until I'm with Sam again.
-Pam
