Anam Cara Sessions
End of life
“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love.
It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot.
All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest.
Grief is just love with no place to go.”
– Jamie Anderson
What is an Anam Cara Session?
Anam Cara Sessions are end of life photoshoots dedicated to celebrating the love and bond between a person and their four-legged best friend. They are designed for elderly pets nearing the end, or those with a terminal illness.
anam cara [‘ah:nam:car:ah] gaelic – the Irish word for ‘soul friend’; when two individuals share a deep and lasting spiritual connection
Why?
I lost my own heart horse, Roma, in September 2023 and I was so grateful to two friends who came and photographed us together one last time the week before I said goodbye. I can’t begin to tell you how important those photos were to me, and it sparked the passion project that is ‘The Anam Cara Session’. Roma was an Irish bred ex racehorse and I wanted the name of these sessions to be linked to her somehow. The Gaelic phrase ‘Anam Cara’ means soul friend – and Roma was most definitely mine.
How does it work?
The Anam Cara Session can be whatever you want it to be. The photos could be of you and your dog/cat cuddling at home or in the garden. Take your dog to their favourite walking spot and explore together. Want to simply have photos of you spending time with your horse whilst they graze in their field? Posed photos in your favourite hacking spot?
The choice is yours.
Due to the nature of end of life photo shoots, I appreciate that they may be a last minute booking, and I will always do my absolute best to fit the session in on a day and time to suit you.
My aim is to create a space for you to celebrate the joy your partnership has brought you and give you the chance to memorise that love. As a student psychotherapist, and having experienced pet bereavement myself a number of times, I really just hope to support those facing pet loss and let you know that I get it. I understand your grief.
Want to know more?
If you are facing saying goodbye and would like to know more about the Anam Cara Sessions, please do not hesitate to email: [email protected]
Need someone to talk to?
The Blue Cross has a Pet Bereavement Helpline.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0800 096 6606
– Suzanne & Floyd
