• Home
  • Blog
  • Galleries
  • About
  • Weddings
  • Pricing
  • Contact Me
  • Book Now

Menu
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Galleries
  • About
  • Weddings
  • Pricing
  • Contact Me
  • Book Now
Home › Listen to Your Mother 2017 › Uncategorized › Listen to Your Mother Rochester 2017 Show Night

Listen to Your Mother Rochester 2017 Show Night

Debra Wallace

Listen to Your Mother Rochester 2017 Show Night

I’ve had the privilege of photographing Listen to Your Mother for the past three years but I didn’t understand it until this year. Monica, who at the time was a client I had worked with a handful of times, was on the production team and invited me to participate.  I did it because it seemed like the right thing to do.  She explained the concept but I wasn’t really sure what she was talking about – I just had some level of trust and a smack of adventure.

Listen to Your Mother Rochester 2017 Show Night

In the first read through I heard the stories of the cast and laughed and cried with them. I did the same thing the next year, and then next.  I was in my comfy photographer role – on the sidelines, wearing black, watching, observing and documenting.

But then early in the morning on April 25th – shortly after the cast read through, on the day of the meet and greet happy hour, and just 18 days before the show, my 12 year old son died.

I wrote this.  It was a story meant to be shared and it was shared widely.

As a result of our story – both the telling and the witnessing, the cast and production team wrapped me in a giant group hug. One by one they came up and asked me about Christian and the experience of losing him. They sent me cards, gave me flowers, brought me dinner, and gave us one of the most unexpected and generous gifts we’ve ever received. We were floored.

And that’s when I understood Listen to Your Mother.

Listen to Your Mother Rochester 2017 Show Night

It’s not about a bunch of women talking into a microphone.  It’s not really about making the audience laugh or cry.  It’s not about being happy or sad, fixing pain, or wallowing in it, or glossing over the rough parts.  LTYM is about the bonding that happens when stories are written and told in raw form and shared, and most importantly, witnessed by others.

Listen to Your Mother Rochester 2017 Show Night

It’s a place where photos don’t quite cut it and the video doesn’t either. It’s the experience of being there in the room and being in community through story – something cultures before us have done for centuries and we’ve forgotten but are reclaiming.

Listen to Your Mother Rochester 2017 Show Night

To see more images from the show, click here.

Listen to Your Mother Rochester 2017 Show Night

We need to do less editing in life and more sharing of life the way that it is. It is one of the healthiest things we can do for each other.  Life is hard, but so much less so together.

Listen to Your Mother Rochester 2017 Show Night

To the production team and cast of LTYM Rochester – I cannot thank you enough for your love and support through the past six weeks. I’m humbled that you would notice me in a support role and reach out to me with so much enthusiasm and authenticity. The experience of participating in LTYM is something I’ll treasure forever and I look forward to many more years with you all. Thank you.

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Related

Listen to Your Mother 2017 Uncategorized

 Previous Post

George Eastman House Family Photography ~ The Eastman Gardens

― June 1, 2017

Next Post 

Batavia NY Family Portrait Photography ~ Margaret

― June 7, 2017

Author: Debra Wallace

Related Articles

Canandaigua, NY Extended Family Photography
Village Gate Family Photography Rochester NY
Village Gate Senior Portrait Photography ~ Jayden
Highland Park Professional Baby Photography ~ Caleb
Listen to Your Mother 2019 Production Team ~ Hochstein School of Music
Honeoye Lake Extended Family Photography ~ Tammy
Pittsford NY 1 Year Old Photography ~ Jenna & Tony
Churchville NY Professional Family and Pet Photography ~ Jaspreet & Ronnie
Webster NY Professional Baby Photography ~ Rob & Tara
Judge Bayly For Family Court
Pittsford NY 100 Day Baby Photography ~ Jimmy
Rochester Subway Tunnel Senior Portrait Photography ~ Christian
Pittsford NY Baby Photography ~ Julie & Kyle
Explore Rochester ~ Sam Patch Boat Tours
Spencerport NY Newborn Photography ~ Gavin 12 days old

Social

Follow me on:
how to choose a great location
top 5 outdoor portrait photography location ideas in rochester ny
rochester ny baby photography baby's first year
what to wear to your photo session
rochester ny newborn portrait guide
2017 fall mini sessions

Recent Posts

  • Senior Portrait Photography Mt. Morris New York

    Senior Portrait Photography Mt. Morris New York

  • Canandaigua, NY Extended Family Photography

    Canandaigua, NY Extended Family Photography

  • Village Gate Family Photography Rochester NY

    Village Gate Family Photography Rochester NY

  • Pittsford NY Newborn Photography ~ Tessa

    Pittsford NY Newborn Photography ~ Tessa

  • Tinker Nature Park Family Photography

    Tinker Nature Park Family Photography

  • Henrietta NY Newborn Photography ~ Finneas

    Henrietta NY Newborn Photography ~ Finneas

  • Highland Park Professional Family Photography ~ Rochester, NY

    Highland Park Professional Family Photography ~ Rochester, NY

  • Henpeck Park Family Photography ~ Roberta

    Henpeck Park Family Photography ~ Roberta

  • Letchworth Engagement Photography ~ Jennifer and Mikey

    Letchworth Engagement Photography ~ Jennifer and Mikey

  • Canandaigua NY Family Photography ~ Derrick and Kim

    Canandaigua NY Family Photography ~ Derrick and Kim

Categories

  • Debra's Personal Posts
    • Explore Rochester
    • Series: Inspiring Women
    • Travelogue
  • Engagement Photography
  • Event Photography
  • Life Stage
    • Babies, 1 Year Sessions
    • Babies, 1-5 months
    • Babies, 6-9 months
    • Babies, 9-11 months
    • Babies, Newborns
    • Birth Photography
    • Children
    • Extended Family
    • family photography
    • High School Seniors
    • Maternity
    • Older Children
    • Pets
    • professional headshots
    • Toddlers
    • Younger Children
  • Locations
    • College Campuses
      • RIT
    • Indoor Locations
      • Strong Museum
      • the Memorial Art Gallery
      • the Village Gate
    • Inside/Outside
      • a friend's home
      • Colgate Rochester Divinity School
      • Roberts Wesleyan College
      • University of Rochester Campus
      • Your Home
    • Ithaca, NY
    • Outdoor Locations
      • Brockport: Sarah's Garden Center
      • Canal Brockport
      • Canal: Spencerport
      • Eastman Gardens, Rochester
      • Farms
        • Gro-Moore Farms Henrietta
        • Woody Acres Tree Farm
      • High Falls
      • Lakes and Beaches
      • Parks
        • Abraham Lincoln Park, Webster
        • Black Creek Park, Chili
        • Brighton Park
        • Canandaigua Lake
        • Churchville Park
        • Cobb's Hill
        • Corbett's Nature Park
        • Durand Eastman Park
        • Genesee Gateway Park
        • Genesee Valley Park, Rochester
        • Highland Park, Rochester
        • Mendon Ponds, Henrietta
        • Oatka Creek
        • Perinton Park
        • Tinker Nature Park, Henrietta
        • Turning Point Park, Irondequoit
  • Occasions
    • Anniversary
    • Before they grow up
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Family gatherings and reunions
    • Pet Remembrance
  • outtakes
  • Photography Tips
  • Post Formats
  • Seasons
    • Fall Portraits
    • Winter Portraits, Outside
  • Services
    • baby bundle portraits
    • Planning Your Session
    • the big three
  • Special Projects
    • Black Bird Knits
    • How to Look Better in Photos
    • Listen to Your Mother 2015
    • Listen to Your Mother 2016
    • Listen to Your Mother 2017
    • Listen to Your Mother 2018
  • Themes
    • Christmas
  • tutorials
  • Uncategorized
Copyright © Debra Wallace