AKIN Portraits for Macmillan Cancer: Celebrating Strength, Love & Recovery

There are moments in life that truly remind us what matters most — love, connection, and the people who stand by us through everything. I recently had the privilege of photographing a group of incredible women who are recovering from cancer, in collaboration with Macmillan Cancer. This shoot was part of my AKIN series — a portrait project dedicated to capturing people with the ones they love the most.

Each woman arrived with someone special — a daughter, a friend, a sister — someone who had walked beside them during their most challenging times. The bond between them was unspoken yet powerful. My aim was to create portraits that reflected not only their strength but also the quiet beauty of survival, resilience, and shared love.

The atmosphere on set was emotional but joyful. Laughter mingled with tears as these women celebrated being seen, strong, and radiant. Every image became more than a photograph — it was a testament to healing, connection, and the power of togetherness.

As a photographer based in Belfast, I created AKIN to offer people the chance to pause and capture what truly matters — not just professional portraits, but meaningful memories that last far beyond the day of the shoot. Working with Macmillan Cancer and these inspiring women reminded me why photography is such a vital art: it preserves not only faces, but feelings.

If you or someone you love has come through something life-changing — illness, loss, or simply the passage of time — an AKIN portrait session can be a beautiful way to celebrate your journey and connection.

Because in the end, it’s the people we love — and the moments we share — that define who we are.