Cancer is one of the health crises that still has no proper cure. There are multiple treatments, but they may or may not help individuals in the long run. While the diagnosed undergoes many mental health issues and other challenges during the treatments, their families, too, suffer silently. To ensure more awareness about cancer as a whole, we have collated a list of photographers who have photographed the diagnosed. Through these works, we hope to continue the discourse on the subject, which alone affected about 20 million people worldwide in 2022, and the numbers seem to be rising.
The lead image is by Jennifer Judkins. Used with permission.
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Jennifer Judkins
The year was 2007 when Jennifer learned that her father had been diagnosed with cancer. She was still in college then, and this was an illness unlike anything her father had gone through before. And so she then decided to document her dad’s journey, through the happy and sad moments, to process the news and eternalize his memories. The image above is a poignant reminder that the disease gives the family precious moments with their loved ones. The holding of hands and bowed heads all seem as if the family is not thanking for food but secretly hoping Jennifer’s father gets another opportunity to spend the next Thanksgiving with them.
Cancer was so much heavier a thing than anything he had been diagnosed with before, or at least that’s how I felt at the time. Now, I’m incredibly glad I made the decision to document him because I think it is a great visual to put with the fight for rights and benefits for recovery workers and first responders.
Bob Carey
The Tutu project is a start to begin a discourse on breast cancer. Bob, whose wife has been diagnosed with cancer, used photography as a tool to distract her from the treatments, as well as help his mental well-being. However, what began as a fun project became a monumental movement that is still ongoing. Bob started a fundraiser campaign called Dare2Tutu, which also allowed others to participate by taking daring pictures in a tutu and collecting donations for cancer centers. The image above is from the project, where Bob stands forlorn in a pink tutu. The photograph can be read in many ways, other than his attempt to make us laugh. People who battle cancer do feel alone, while their families also feel the same way. A project like this is a unique way to begin conversations around breast cancer awareness and how it impacts people’s lives.
In his interview, he told us:
Based on our experience with cancer and knowing how expensive it can be, we knew we wanted to start a nonprofit and now offer financial and emotional support to women and men diagnosed with breast cancer.
Angelo Merendino
Angelo’s wife, Jennifer, had cancer spreading throughout her liver and bone. While people around him wanted to have a positive outlook, he soon realized many do not understand what the diagnosed go through on a day-to-day basis. And so, he began to make images of his wife’s challenges for their family and friends. The image above is from the same photo essay, but it poignantly captures the struggle the diagnosed goes through and their family. Jennifer’s frail form, the toy next to her, and the Christmas decorations all seem to help uplift her mood. Angelo’s bed, which is so close, is another way to depict that he is there for her through thick and thin. Images such as this further help us realize that many of us barely know the impact of this disease, and that seriously is a shame.
My camera was always at arm’s length with the exposure in the right place and when something hit my gut I made a photograph. When I started making these photographs there was no intention other than sharing them with our family and friends. Before long the photographs took on their own life.
Jose Ferreira
Breast cancer is often associated with women, and women are the only ones who are diagnosed with the illness. However, the disease is not unheard of in men, as about 1% of the population afflicted with it are men. However, since there is very little awareness and lots of stigma, many men shy away from sharing their experiences. This project is a reminder that they are not alone. The black and white portraits portray the survivors with dignity and respect while urging us as a society to rethink how we react to this subject.
In our article, Dr. Fatima Cardoso highlights why Jose’s work is so critical:
Besides scientific advancements, it is urgent to give voice to these men, to help them break taboos and understand their needs, without prejudice or preconceptions. This is the main goal of this project. Stories told in first person, followed by the powerful message expressed by photography.
Anna and Jordan Rathkopf
Anna and Jordan Rathkopf are a photography couple who turned their lenses on their journey when Anna was diagnosed with breast cancer. The project, called Her2, showcases not just the challenges faced by the diagnosed but also the caregivers. The series offers an intimate and quite raw and honest look into how cancer can wreck people’s lives, as well as make people feel isolated. The photograph above is from a series where Anna is holding their son. The child seems unaware of her afflictions, but you can sense how his presence has been so calming for Anna. At this moment, she regains her strength to fight cancer so that she is able to see him grow.
In her interview with us, Anna says:
When I was diagnosed, I felt alone—very few people in my community could relate to the kind of fear I was facing at my age. It’s so important that these stories are told—not just to raise awareness, but to drive real change. Cancer doesn’t recognize borders, and it’s a shared human experience we need to talk about openly, focusing on finding ways to improve care and support for everyone, everywhere.