Jeff Nash Captures the Faces of Cancer

“Trust your instincts. The heart knows what the eyes cannot see.” Suzi Renaud

In his stunning black-and-white portraits, photographer Jeff Nash strives to capture the beauty, truth and love in each of his subjects. He achieves just that in his latest collection: The Faces of Cancer.

Working in conjunction with the Kentucky Cancer Program, Nash has beautifully photographed 14 local cancer survivors. The portraits are on display during a reception honoring the survivors and their families, 6-8 p.m., Thursday, June 21, Madison Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Light hors d'oeuvres provided.

Nash lost both his mother- and father-in-law to cancer and wanted to use his talents to raise awareness that cancer affects people of any age, race and gender. “There are a lot of good causes out there, and sometimes we get immune to various appeals,” Nash says. “I'm hopeful that through these portraits, people feel a stronger connection to those battling this disease.”

“After crying for a day or so I realized that I had to pick myself up and face this head on. My daughter had just had a baby, and I knew that I had plenty to live for.” Christy Faith with daughter and fellow survivor Kelley Keeling

Nash says he certainly felt a connection while talking with each survivor before the photo shoots. He noticed the survivors shared something in common besides their cancer battles: Faith.

“I was struck by how important family and a belief in God and prayer are to almost all the people I photographed,” Nash says. “Most had developed a deeper spiritual connection than they had prior to their diagnosis. Spirituality was a common thread.”

Along with the exhibit, Nash’s portraits are reproduced in a coffee-table book, including inspiring quotes from each survivor. Suzi Renaud, for example, advises, “Trust your instincts. The heart knows what the eyes cannot see.” Christy Faith, who faced not only her own diagnosis but that of her daughter, says, “After crying for a day or so I realized that I had to pick myself up and face this head on. My daughter had just had a baby and I knew that I had plenty to live for.”

“Every little face has a story and some type of cancer/ tumor. I would watch them and feel so small. They are so courageous and because of them, I have been blessed.” Lonita Wilson, speaking about her son, Clay, and other children treated at St. Jude Children’s Hospital

The book will be on sale at the event. The proceeds will benefit the Kentucky Cancer Program, which promotes cancer education, research and service programs to reduce cancer incidence and mortality.

“Through the photographs and the reception, we're celebrating those who survive cancer,” says the Program’s Martha Hinton, interim cancer control specialist. “The more we can increase awareness for early detection and treatment of cancer, the more survivors we'll have.”

J. Nash Photography thanks InBloom Floral & Marketplace for their event arrangements, Artisan Kitchen for catering, Market@315, Candle Station, Kenfunky Tees and Jennifer Smith for door prizes and Miracle Prints and Not Alone Too for additional sponsorship.

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