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Strength Over Struggle: A Powerful Lesson from a Senior Photography Session in Bradford County Pennsylvania

  • Writer: melindafox
    melindafox
  • Mar 18, 2025
  • 3 min read

You've met those people who complain about everything, right?


I'm not talking about those who greive real life issues and trials that we all have to face.  

I'm talking about the ones where everything is always wrong and some tragedy is always looming in the distance. 

The ones who suck the life from every conversation and compel us to avoid eye contact so we don't get dragged down be their never ending list of woes. 


You've got names in your head right now, don't you?


We'll say a little prayer for them and hope they can choose a heart of gratitude in the near future. 

In the meantime, we'll be overjoyed with the people we DO know who, despite real, seemingly insurmountable grief and loss, are thankful. 

Family portrait of four smiling individuals in formal attire. Background is dark, creating a warm, intimate mood. Woman in blue velvet dress suffering from ALS.

You'll remember Loralye from when I photographed Alyssa and her sweet family in their home a few months ago. (Check out this one and this one, too)

Loralye is absolutely facing some real challenges in life, challenges that would have knocked me to my knees and kept me there. 

Personal chronic health problems, terminal illness of a parent, bullies at school, difficult relationships, and a severe injury that's keeping her off her beloved softball field during her senior year. Loralye is facing some serious difficulties for one who's only 17. 


  • Senior girl in all black on black background for senior pictures. Waving black fabric shot in black and white.
  • Black and white picture of senior girl in black dress on black background.
  • Photography studio in ulster Pennsylvania photoshoot for senior girl in black and white with black background.

Yet, at no point during our session (or any interaction I have with her), did she complain. I even asked multiple times how her shoulder was feeling, how she was handling various issues, and never was there a sob story. 

Never did this young woman make herself out to be a victim of the unjustness of all these compounded difficulties. 


  • Soft smiling young woman in black dress on dark background for moody senior portraits in private Pennsylvania studio.
  • Joyful young woman in black dress for moody and dramatic senior portrait session in Ulster Photography studio at Fox Photography.
  • Senior client in black dress softly smiling on black backdrop resting hand on a black table.

She simply expressed the truth of what she was facing and then carried on . . . 

It's like she knows she's built for difficult times, like she's aware of the fact that woven into her DNA is the ability to face any trial, any devastation, and any brutality with perseverance.  


  • Young senior smiling off camera during senior photoshoot with black backdrop in a black dress.
  • Crystal blue eyed young woman with her arms wrapped around herself looking off to the side as she contemplates life.
  • Happy and smiling young woman with long brown hair rests her chin on her hand as she looks off to the side. She's in a black dress against a black background in a photography studio.

Or maybe it's that Loralye doesn't allow the difficulties of her situation to outweigh the blessings in her life. 

Smiling woman with wavy blonde hair in a black top, hands clasped, against a dark background. Warm lighting, relaxed mood.

Could it be that this young girl, who's already faced so much, carries a quiet wisdom that few attain even in old age? 

. . . that joy is not found in the absence of hardship but in the presence of courage? 


  • Young woman smiling softly with wavy blonde hair in a black top, hands clasped, against a dark background. Warm lighting, relaxed mood.
  • Serious woman with wavy blonde hair in a black dress, hands clasped, against a dark background.
  • Contemplative young woman with blond-brown hair looks off to the side of dark background with her hands clasped in front of her.

Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about Loralye isn’t just her strength, but her refusal to let life’s shadows dim her light. And in that, we are reminded: resilience is beautiful.


"Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it."  -The Talmud

Woman with long hair wears red gloves, gazing thoughtfully. Dark background, serene expression, and soft lighting enhance the mood.

What an honor to photograph the light that spills out of you, Loralye. There is a reason people are drawn to you, even complete strangers at a store. Yes, you're eyes are captivating and you are truly beautiful . . . but more than that, it is your kind-hearted soul that speaks to the soul of others. 

Smiling woman with long hair wearing bright red gloves, posing against a dark background, displaying confidence and elegance.

Who you choose to be is what I adore most about you. 


Thank you for letting me be your photographer and visiting Shea and I at my photography studio in Ulster Pennsylvania. 



  • Serious but soft smiling woman rests against a black table in dark and moody but warm lighting.
  • Smiling and joyful woman rests against a black table in dark and moody but warm lighting.
  • Joyful and smiling woman rests against a black table as she looks over her shoulder in a dark and moody but warm light studio.


Love,

Melinda



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