If you haven’t been to Montaluce Vineyard then you are missing out. It’s almost like you stepped out of Georgia into an Italian Winery. What a great location for an inspirational shoot. Our model for the day was Christel Bethea who was an inspiration to all of us. She was a trooper throughout the entire day.  I cannot thank everyone enough for making this shoot a success. I will be sharing more photographs as soon as they are available. Special thanks to:

Location: Montaluce Vineyard

Dress: Bridal Sense

Make-up: Whitney N. Cook email: whitney.cook24@gmail.com

Designer: Ashley Baber Weddings

Flowers: Anik Designs

Clawfoot Tube: The Tub Guy

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The first time that I sat down with Ralph Bell was at a pink glove society event one Saturday afternoon. We instantly connected because of his military background with the Air Force and the fact that he used to smoke the same brand of cigarettes as my father did during the Vietnam war, Winston let me know that we were going to get along. Well, Ralph is a kind man who has a heart to help people. I hear it in his words and I saw the passion in his eyes. Although we only spoke for about 30 mins I got to know a lot of him and I had the please of meeting his wife. I knew instantly that Ralph needed to be the second man in the breast cancer photo shoot and I was even more excited when he agreed to do it.

Last October Katy Ruth Camp of the Marietta Daily Journal wrote a story about him that I thought was pretty inspiring so I thought it would be best to let you read it yourself. Enjoy.

_________________________

Ralph Bell of Marietta has a message for men: You, too, can get breast cancer.

“It’s rare, but it is possible,” said Bell, who is himself a survivor. “I’ve spoken to women’s groups since my recovery about the importance of early detection, of doing self exams, and there are always some who look at me like I couldn’t understand. But I went through the same sort of protocols and ups and downs as women who have had breast cancer. It’s not just a woman’s disease.”

On a Friday afternoon in April 2004, Bell, then 56, was sitting on his living-room couch. He had recently been laid off from his job as a senior executive at a health-care support firm. He was contemplating his future, praying for God to give his life a purpose.

He happened to run his right hand along his left chest muscle when he felt something odd.

“It felt like a pimple, but it was too deep in the tissue to be a pimple. I don’t know why, but I just knew at that moment it was cancer,” Bell said.

And he knew he had found his purpose.

With only two weeks of health insurance left, Bell immediately called the doctor and by 3 p.m., he was sitting in a patient room. The doctor agreed the bump was suspicious, and helped fast-track further tests.

Bell had a mammogram the following Monday, a surgical consult on Tuesday and a lumpectomy on Wednesday.

“As I was laying on the gurney being rolled out of surgery, the doctor told me not to worry, that he still didn’t think it was cancer. But something just told me that it was. So when he brought me in his office the next Thursday and gave me the news that it was Stage 1 breast cancer, I was prepared because I knew already,” Bell said.

The lump had grown to over half a centimeter in size, and had spread to some of his lymph nodes. The next month, all of the tissue in his left breast, as well as 14 lymph nodes, were removed in a mastectomy.

“Men don’t really say we have breasts, though. I like to say I had my chest tissue removed,” Bell said, with a laugh.

He was then told he would have to take medication every day for five years. It would target the cancer cells and shrink his chances of developing the cancer again to 10 percent. He was also given the option to undergo chemotherapy, which would further reduce his chances to 5 percent.

“I had heard about chemotherapy and what it can do to you. I thought, if it’s not going to help that much, I don’t want to do it,” Bell said.

But when he began speaking to a friend about his plans to lead a cancer-support group, he changed his mind.

“He said, ‘How are you going to help people who are going through chemotherapy if you can’t empathize with them?’ I realized then that it was something I needed to do,” Bell said.

In September 2004, Bell began chemotherapy treatment. He lost his hair after the first visit, and saw a cardiologist to make sure it was not damaging his heart.

After the second treatment, however, Bell knew something was not right. He began having difficulty urinating and felt his body was beginning to shut down. His treatments were stopped, and he was put back on medication. But weeks later, something was still wrong.

“My oncologist’s nurse just happened to call me, so I told her that the chemo had really affected me. I was staying in bed until 10 or 11 in the morning, I had no motivation, no ambition, and honestly had small bouts of what I thought was depression. I would just be laying on the couch and would start crying, out of nowhere. None of this was like me. I was usually always on the go, always out and about. So she said, ‘Well, Ralph, that medication we’ve been giving you is actually estrogen. So it sounds like you have PMS.’ My wife got a real kick out of that,” Bell said.

Bell’s wife, Jerri, said Bell stayed strong throughout his treatments.

“He is a very positive person, so he probably took it better than I did. But he had his moments, so I guess he can understand now how I feel when I have mine. We definitely spent many nights seeing who was going to kick the covers off first from hot flashes,” Jerri said with a laugh.

Bell is now using his experience to help others. He serves as a spokesman for the American Cancer Society and is a counselor at the Pastoral Counseling Center of Roswell Street Baptist Church. He graduated from the Covington Theological Seminary in 2008, and his counseling service now includes divorce, addiction and grief counseling.

Breast cancer is diagnosed in more than 1,700 American men each year, according to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. And as many as 30 percent of male patients die of breast cancer because it is found in later stages, Bell said.

“Your body is a finely tuned machine. If you’re not feeling well, your body is telling you something. I am the same way as most men – you don’t want to go to the doctor unless it’s something drastic. But getting a check-up is a lot less painful than letting cancer spread,” Bell said.

“A lot of times, people say well, it is what it is. That’s not true. It’s what you make of it,” Bell said. “I tell a lot of people, feel blessed that you have cancer. What a blessing you’ve been given, to have time to live your life instead of having your life taken from you in a split second. Every day I wake up in the morning and say the same prayer: ‘Lord, let me be a blessing to someone today.’ But you have to be prepared before you say that prayer, because let me tell you – He will.”

Related Posts:

• Model: Eric Dunlap: A Man With Undeniable Passion
• To Have & To Hold Breast Cancer Photo Shoot 2009
• Brides Against Breast Cancer Atlanta
• Shades Of Pink: Sponsor For To Have & To Hold 2010
• To Have & To Hold 2010 Breast Cancer Photo Shoot

When Nichole (The president of Shades of Pink) told me about Eric I knew he had to be one of the male breast cancer survivor models. After playing phone and email tag I had the great joy of sitting down with him at cafe intermezzo on Dunwoody. I sat down with Eric and I asked him to tell me a little about his story. In short, It was go time! I sat there listening to his story and was amazed at not only at the words that he was saying but what he was communicating. Every story was backed by passion and character. Just to give you a little taste if you ever get a chance to meet him ask him about the time he took his children to the zoo (when he shouldn’t have gone because of the chemo and radiation) because he promised that he would. The fact of the matter is that Eric is a man, father, husband and son who knows the meaning of legacy and character.  There have been more that one stories relayed to my friends that they too found inspiring and moving.  I would do him and you (the reader) an injustice if I were to tell his story for him so here’s his story from www.dunlapspeaks.com

One day, after working in the yard, Eric noticed a spot of blood on his shirt. He immediately dismissed the occurrence, thinking he’d likely scratched or cut himself inadvertently — though he could not locate the actual scratch or cut.

The next day (on a different shirt) another spot of blood appeared. Again, Eric could not locate an actual scratch or cut. Baffled — but somewhat more concerned — Eric sought medical advice. Initially, the doctor determined the blood was caused by “some form of trauma” to the chest region and concluded the bleeding would stop. The bleeding did stop.

The following year however, during a work out, Eric experienced a chest pain so excruciating it caused him to drop to his knees. On self-examination, Eric found no scratch or cut this time. Rather, he found a lump in his chest. Doctors’ examinations ultimately deduced that Eric had cancer. Undoubtedly, the question of mortality began to race through Eric’s mind. How much time does he have? Would he see his children’s next birthdays? Would he celebrate another wedding anniversary?

A second Doctor’s opinion would confirm the cancer. And, Eric would be informed that he would need to have a radical mastectomy and chemotherapy. After the mastectomy and simultaneous reconstructive surgery, Eric would endure 6 months of chemotherapy — not to mention the nausea and fatigue chemotherapy brought on.

Needless to say, cancer was heavily impacting Eric’s way of life. Later though, he would come to believe that cancer may have saved his life. Mental and physical challenges of the therapy did ensue. Moreover, with two children (ages 13 months and 3 years old at the time), a mortgage, car payments and limited ability to work, financial difficulty and stresses were eminent. Eric’s spouse would have to support the family financially and care for him as well. Moreover, throughout his time of healing, Eric increasingly felt that he was losing valuable time.

Actually, his time with family and friends was becoming more precious than ever. Spirituality, mortality and good health became more necessary than ever. Hence the transformation. Not only did Eric eradicate the cancer in his body. He used the experience as a catalyst for improving the overall quality of his life on several seldom-discussed fronts: Accepting Medical Disorder; Re-Assessing Priorities; Remaining Focused; Establishing & Utilizing Support Groups; Staying Motivated; Maintaining a Proper Diet; Exercise & Relaxation; Adhering to Medical Advice; Accepting Empathy Not Sympathy; Managing Occupational Changes & Hazards; Leading Your Best Life; and Pursuing Your Passion. Eric is not only a cancer survivor. He’s a cancer survivor on a mission.

“Cancer has been a detour, but not the end of the road, Eric says, “I feel as though I have been given a second chance to enjoy my life and to make my life better– spiritually, physically, and mentally.” A big part of Eric’s enjoyment is to help other cancer patients recover — be it through speaking to any of the key topics above or providing general inspiration/motivation. Eric, an active member of the American Cancer Society speaker’s bureau, shares his story with countless audiences (radio, television, corporations, support groups, and the like).

“My goal is to educate, encourage, and empower people to continue healing from the inside out,” Eric says, well aware that curable cancers just like his are often ignored, never reported or under-reported. “Hopefully in some small, but significant way I can change the results, raise the awareness, and save lives.”

Related Posts:

• Ralph Bell: Male Breast Cancer Survivor
• How To Choose A New Boob
• To Have & To Hold Breast Cancer Photo Shoot 2009
• Brides Against Breast Cancer Atlanta
• Shades Of Pink: Sponsor For To Have & To Hold 2010

Rachel was one of the first people I met when I emigrated to Georgia from North Carolina and I am so glad she decided to return and write for the 2010 “To Have & To Hold” Breast Cancer Project. She has a talent of communication that not only informs but also one that transports us to and connects us with the subject.  It was important to me that the writer have a passion for the project because the fact of the matter is that these stories will be the stories that will be given to future generations of friends and family.

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On May 6, 2010 we had our first breast cancer photo shoot for the year and here is a sneak peak of them. BTY they were taken at Barnsley Resort.

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Last Thursday I had the great opportunity to photograph Becca from GetMarried.com for the 2010 To have and to hold breast cancer photo shoot. We started setting up around 9am and finished our last shot (a group shot) at about 9pm at Barnsley Gardens. We were up at the Civil War Home for the entire day and man what a place to be! You can have your wedding ceremony and reception on their perfectly manicured grounds. The home is loaded with history and you can walk through each of the first floor rooms and mingle with your guests. The second floor is gone as well as the roof from a storm. There are lights throughout the home that really gives it some atmosphere and I can guarantee that your guests are going to remember your wedding day. I really liked it and would love to go a photograph a wedding or two there. Here are a few of the behind the scenes photos taken so adeptly by my social media team Brooke and Whitney from the day via Iphone. Enjoy.

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Yup I am in need of an intern that loves social media, can write press releases, and wants to help breast cancer survivors share their stories. Here is all the info below.

FIRM: Project Storyboard (BREAST CANCER AWARENESS photo project)

LOCATION: Atlanta GA

POSITION: Social Media and PR Intern

DURATION: ASAP till Oct 10, 2010

QUALIFICATIONS:  Looking for a creative intern who is independent and original to serve as an integral part of all Marketing/Public Relations aspects of the Breast Cancer Photo Project.  Must be highly personable, organized, motivated, goal-oriented, and possess strong, witty writing skills. Must be proficient with Facebook and Twitter. Weekly communication on Project updates required.

DESCRIPTION: Project Storyboard is organizing the “To Have & To Hold” 2010 Breast Cancer Photo project. This project will include men and women breast cancer survivors and each of their stories will be told with photos and in their own words.  There will be 12 different photo shoots throughout the Atlanta area and the Intern will be required to be present at 9 of them. This project will also publish 3 books. Social media will be used during the photo shoots. Intern will write 2-3 press releases weekly and write a newsletter of updates from press releases and reminders. A Soiree will be held in October that will celebrate the release of the books and photo gallery. Team communication will be done primarily via phone and email. Will meet once a week to verify accomplished goals and determine upcoming goals. Will work with myself (the photographer) and spokeswoman for the project.

SALARY: The knowledge that you help preserve the stories of men and women with breast cancer for future generations. No financial compensation is attached to this position.

HOURS: 8-20hrs per week.

INTERESTED: Tweet #intern at @storyboardlife or Facebook message me at facebook.com/peterdoyle with subject INTERN. Or post your interest in the comment section.

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GUESS WHAT? The SONY a900 and it’s friends are on their way. When I got up this morning I took a gander at my email before getting out of bed and to my surprise there was a FEDEX tracking number. A FEDEX tracking number you may ask? Yes. SONY is supplying the a900 DSLR and some Carl Zeiss lenses to the “To Have & To Hold” Breast Cancer Photo Shoot. The locations are going to be awesome and the shoots are def going to be big. We are looking to photograph on the beach, pre-civil war house, vineyard, and abandoned buildings. I want each photo shoot to help tell individual story of the models. That is why I love shooting with Carl Zeiss Lenses. The first time I looked through a Carl Zeiss lens I knew this was the lens for the project. It’s clear and almost piercing. There’s a lot of communication through the eyes and I don’t need the lens to get in the way.  I always want to make sure that the models always get the best because I want to make sure that they are not only comfortable and confident in front of the camera, remember they are not models, but they have the best possible equipment to help tell their inspiring stories. So Thank to Sony for supplying the camera and lenses for this project!

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The “To Have & To Hold” breast cancer photo shoot will start on May 6th and we already have 8 of our 12 models. These men and women are truly inspiring and I can only sit back and ask myself during rough times, “what do I have to complain about?” You will be introduced to Dawn who had her surgery while she was pregnant. Christal and Lisa are going to inspire you in that they are survivors who will be competing in a triathlon at the end of May. What can I say about the Eric and Ralph who have decided to participate and share their stories. I sat with both of them and so motivated to really make a difference in all who I come in contact with.

This is really what this project is about. It is about the stories of men and women who have changed their family history and are creating a legacy that will out live their future generations!

Don’t forget to sign up for the email list to keep up to date with the project!

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THE INAUGURAL photo shoot for the “To Have and To Hold” 2010 breast cancer photo shoot is about two and a half weeks away! Barnsley Resort here we come. If you haven’t been to Barnsley then you need to look them up and make a romantic weekend of it or even better…take the family for a few days of rest and commune with nature.

This year we are going to have 12 men and women tell the story of their experience via photography and the new 2010 “To Have and To Hold” a life for generations book. Last year all 12 models were photographed and interviewed from 6am till 8pm! They were certainly troopers and I can’t thank them enough. “To Have and To Hold” breast cancer photo shoot video

But this year we are going to spend more time with each model and each of them will have their very own photo shoot and experience! I am looking forward this year’s project because it will include more stories from survivors that will shed more light onto the individual experiences of these men and women. We always need to remember that although the movement of breast cancer awareness and increased research must be a joint effort with all those who have experienced this disease we cannot forget that breast cancer first affects the individual and it is the individual who we need to focus on from time to time.

One thing that I am looking forward to is working with Amy Osaba again on this shoot. If you haven’t visited her website then you certainly need to. She has such a great eye and a creative imagination that this “enchanted” shoot is going to be over the top and fabulous!

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