A few years ago, I stumbled on the website of a Charleston photographer whose images completely captivated me. Hudson was just a couple months old and I was looking for a photographer that we loved who would take our family pictures and capture our boy as he grew.
That photographer’s name was Tracy Turpen.
She came to Columbia when Hudson was 5 months old and it was one of the greatest experiences. Sometimes spending an afternoon with a photographer can be tiring and when a child is involved, it can be frustrating. But this was so much fun! We had a blast. And we left feeling relaxed and like we had not only had our photos taken, but we had made memories in the process.
Tracy was so relaxed and she just let us do what we wanted while she did her thing. We fell in love with the photos. She captured so much emotion and we were blown away by the vibrancy of each photo.
We worked with Tracy two more times; once when Hudson turned a year old and then again when Hayes was born. We trusted her and always knew that she was going to just capture the moments and the photos were going to be real. I can’t even find the words for what she’s able to do with light and color because I’m not a photographer. But I can find the words to tell you about how kind and patient she was. How she just wanted to be there to have fun and find the beauty in every tiny little detail. And that is what we love so much about the photos.
She was with us the first time Hudson put his toes in the ocean.
We can see our family’s personalities in each photo and I’m just so grateful.
She gave me a gift just by getting pictures of me with my kids. As the one who is always behind the camera taking pictures of my kids and their daddy, I am thankful to Tracy for capturing some of the tender moments with my boys.
…And the fun moments with my boys.
I was so sad to find out on Thursday that at 27 years old, Tracy passed away. She was a mother to a little boy who isn’t much older than Hudson. She had a fiancé who loved her endlessly. And she was an incredible talent and businesswoman. She had accomplished so much in her short life and brought unspeakable joy to so many lives. She is the reason that we have some of our most precious memories preserved so beautifully.
She was kind, generous, loving and unbelievably happy.
Though I only spent three days with her over the last three years, I considered her a friend because she knew our family so well. I’m deeply saddened over this loss. Her beautiful images will be a constant reminder of how much talent she had.
I don’t know the details of her passing and I never like to ask “why” when someone so young is taken from us. Her family and close friends are in my prayers.
I will continue to visit her website and blog to be reminded of her very special talent that I loved so much. It was a hobby of mine just to check her blog to see her latest, beautiful work.
This unexpected loss has reminded me to let those that I admire and appreciate know just how much they mean. It has reminded me to be patient and loving to the most important people in my life. It has also reminded me of the importance of sharing my faith whenever I can and to pray for opportunities to do so.
