Aubrie's Story - A Portrait of Courage

Every portrait I create tells a story.
This one is about survival, strength, and the grace that rises from the hardest moments.

Aubrie’s Story — A Portrait of Courage

If I wrote down all the goodness I’ve seen, the pages would take a lifetime to read.
Over the years, I’ve witnessed quiet miracles and incredible strength in so many of the people I’ve photographed.

This story is one that deserves to be shared — in honor of a truly courageous woman and all those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.

How I Met Aubrie

A few months ago, I offered something special — a Courageous Woman Portrait Experience, a gift for one extraordinary woman who had walked through fire and was still standing. I invited friends and followers to nominate someone they love and admire — someone whose story deserved to be celebrated.

From the nominations I received, one name stood out: Aubrie McCoy.
And once I learned her story, I understood exactly why.

Aubrie’s Journey

Aubrie’s journey began just before Thanksgiving in 2019, when she felt a small lump near her breast while showering. Within days, she scheduled a mammogram and ultrasound, followed by a biopsy. By December 10th, she had her diagnosis.

It was aggressive.

Doctors inserted a port for chemotherapy on January 9, 2020, and treatments began just four days later. By then, the tumor had already doubled in size — growing from 5 cm to 10 cm in just a month.

She faced chemo, radiation, and an astonishing fifteen surgeries. But what made it even more difficult was when it happened.
The world was shutting down for COVID.
She went through much of her treatment alone — no visitors, no comfort from family or friends at her side.

Her mother cared for her two young sons during those long months. The pain, fear, and isolation were overwhelming, yet she kept going — day by day, treatment by treatment.

When I called to tell Aubrie she had been chosen for the Courageous Woman session, she was genuinely surprised.
“I’ve never won anything,” she said. “I can’t believe you chose me.”

Creating Her Portrait Story

When we met for her consultation, I wanted to understand her journey — to see her story in a way that could be translated into portraits. I had no idea how much she had endured until she began to share it with me.

She told me about the physical toll — the pain, the exhaustion, the emotional waves that come with both medication and uncertainty. She told me about calling her mother in tears, about moments when she wanted to give up, and about finding her strength again through love and faith.

Her mother later told me what it was like to hear that pain and not be able to take it away.

When Aubrie showed me her scars, she said softly,

“I’m not afraid of them. Show them if you want to.”

That moment defined everything about how I wanted to tell her story — with truth, grace, and power.

continued.....

The Sessions

We planned three sessions to reflect different parts of her journey.

The first was of Aubrie and her mother — because no story of survival happens alone. The bond between them, captured through tears and quiet strength, became one of my favorite portraits I’ve ever created.

The second centered around a black dress with flowing white ruffles — a dress that seemed to find me. The white reminded me of the cancer cells leaving her body, and the black represented the emptiness left behind — the quiet aftermath of survival.

continued...

The third session featured Aubrie in an elegant black gown — all black, powerful and pure. To me, it symbolized a new beginning: a blank chapter waiting for her to write the next part of her life story, free and strong.

When she and her mother returned to view the finished portraits, I expected emotion — but I wasn’t prepared for how deeply it would move us all.

continued...

Reflections

As a portrait artist, I’ve always believed every session holds a story — sometimes hidden, sometimes right on the surface. My goal is to create images that become reminders of hope, love, and life itself.

During her final session, while in hair and makeup, Aubrie told me something that stayed with me:

“At first, I asked, ‘Why me?’ But after everything I’ve been through, I realize — if one person can be helped or encouraged by my story, then I know why me.”

Those words define her strength, her faith, and her purpose.

Aubrie and her mother both said the experience was healing — even therapeutic. The portraits reflect not only what she’s been through, but also the light that still shines through her.

A Final Thought

Aubrie’s story reminds us that courage isn’t always loud.
Sometimes it’s the quiet decision to keep going — to keep believing — even when no one is watching.

Her portraits will forever stand as a testament to that strength.
And to every woman fighting her own battle, I hope her story brings you encouragement, hope, and light.

Share the Light

If Aubrie’s story touched your heart, please share it — because stories like hers remind us that beauty, strength, and faith still shine brightest in the hardest moments.

continued...

If you know someone who has walked through something extraordinary and deserves to be celebrated, I would love to hear about her.
Each story shared helps remind us why portraits — and the lives behind them — matter so deeply.

💛Tell me a story.

8 Comments

Nov 16, 2025, 1:46:50 PM

Cathy Benton - Aubrie… your words stopped me in my tracks. Thank you.
I hardly know how to respond because what you shared is the very reason I pour my whole heart into this work. Creating portraits is more than posing and lighting—it's the hope that someone will finally see themselves with the same tenderness and strength the rest of the world sees.

I truly believe images can be healing, grounding, and empowering. Hearing that this experience helped you look at yourself with kinder eyes is one of the greatest gifts I could ever receive.

I love what I do for many reasons, but messages like yours—moments where someone feels seen, valued, and lifted—are at the very top of that list. To know that I played even a small part in your healing journey is something I hold with deep gratitude. It’s a God-given privilege, and I’m thankful beyond words for the chance to walk this piece of the journey with you.

From my heart, thank you. You’ve touched my life, too.

Nov 15, 2025, 8:55:18 PM

Aubrie McCoy - I’m not sure if I told you during our many conversations but a little known thing about me, I really don’t like myself in pictures/videos even more so I don’t like to be the center of attention. I’m a hide behind the camera any day of the week kind of person - now more than ever. I’ve never really cared to have professional pictures of myself BUT, these sessions have given me a glimpse of what I think others see when I look at myself through your work. It’s also made me realize how much I have avoided really LOOKING at myself the last few years. I look in the mirror and I see myself but I look through the person looking back at me. Thats the only way to look past the scars and the prominent every day reminders of everything that cancer took and what it left in its aftermath. You learn that it is just what it is, you adapt and overcome. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to adequately tell you how impactful and healing this experience has been for me. I not only noticed but genuinely felt from the very first text that you prayed over and were intentional about every single detail from the overall vision and symbolism of the dresses you chose down to the most finite of things like a rogue curl that no one could see but you - or the infamous surprise lash that made your eye twitch post editing - you poured your heart and soul into not just this project, but ME and my journey, with intention and purpose, and a genuine desire to understand the good bad and the ugly of “my story.” You will forever have a very special place in my heart and you will forever be a very significant part of my healing journey in ways I never knew I so desperately even needed. From the deepest parts of my soul, thank you — ps - I’ll forever look at myself with kinder eyes ❤️

Nov 4, 2025, 8:11:20 PM

Cathy Benton - Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, Aubrie’s journey was incredible—filled with strength, grace, and so much light even in the hardest moments. I’m so thankful she allowed me to share her story and celebrate the beautiful person she is today. ❤️

Nov 4, 2025, 8:10:20 PM

Cathy Benton - Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes—her courage and faith were truly inspiring, and I’m so grateful to have been able to share a glimpse of her story. To God be the glory, indeed. ❤️

Nov 4, 2025, 8:09:20 PM

Cathy Benton - Oh, thank you so much! Your words truly mean the world to me. Your daughter touched my heart in such a special way—there was so much beauty and depth in her spirit, and I just wanted to honor that in every image. I’m so grateful you trusted me to tell her story. ❤️

Nov 4, 2025, 6:27:06 PM

Gerry Garrett - Aubrie’s story is so touching! I knew she had cancer, but I did not know all she went through. She is a beautiful lady and I’m so glad she her journey was successful!

Nov 4, 2025, 12:00:02 PM

Ann Midgett - Thank you for sharing. What a courageous battle you have fought. To God be the glory.

Nov 3, 2025, 9:31:00 PM

Stephanie Price Meade - Cathy, what a beautiful tribute you gave to my daughter! All the pictures you did with the story behind it are absolutely beautiful! We can’t thank you enough for all the love and care that you’ve put into these sessions. You have a beautiful mind and a wonderful talent! I can’t recommend you enough to people for the beautiful work that you do.❤️

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