MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Dre DeRosa
My life drastically changed December 2020. You hear about loved ones passing in an accident, but you never think it would happen to your family. My father tragically lost his life by helping someone on the highway late on Christmas night. On the phone, the police officer said that he was a hero and a good samaritan. His death was under investigation and they said it would take time for the investigation to unravel. He got out of his vehicle on foot to help a woman that spun out in the middle of the highway. A man driving through the accident scene struck and killed my father, the man did not deliberately do it. It was a wrong place and wrong time situation. My father died at 12:15 am 12/26/2020.
Moving forward I will remember my Dad’s selfless act. This is who he was. A good samaritan that saved a woman’s life late Christmas evening. He was a truck driver for around 30 years. He had seen lots of car accidents throughout his career. Always helping people in need.
Nine months later, I was asked to photograph a celebration of life at Spring Grove cemetery in Cincinnati. I have been a second shooter for six years now, helping Dan Kinzie photograph weddings. I have photographed families, maternity shoots, businesses, and pets. I felt compelled to document Eric’s life. This family and myself had mutual friends. So when the Keller family needed my support, I was happy to lend a hand. Eric had left behind two children, five and seven years old. He was 20 days shy of turning 40. Everyone will miss Eric’s joy, his smile, his strength, motivation, and positivity. Photographing Eric’s celebration of life changed my life. Months later I thought to myself…..at least I had 37 years with my father. I was not a young child. Death teaches us how to “live” all over again. But definitely not at first. Grief is very hard. I describe it not like a roller coaster but rather a carnival ride. You just go in circles sometimes. It’s something you cannot describe until you go through it yourself. Some people don’t understand grief. We all handle it so differently.
Months after the passing of my father, before documenting my first celebration of life, I read “The Beauty Of What Remains,” by Steve Leder. He is the senior rabbi of one of the largest synagogues in the world. Steve has learned over and over again the many ways death teaches us how to live and love more deeply by showing us not only what is gone but also the beauty of what remains. To not fight the wave, but rather let the wave take you. We only have so much control of our own lives. Death is certain, today is not promised, & we are essentially all walking each other home in life.
After photographing Eric’s celebration of life, I wanted to do something special for the family. I surprised them with keepsakes. Creating a leather/acrylic album, photos wrapped in ribbon, a glass stained box and little acrylic cubes of photos of Eric. It’s something they will have forever. I understood what that pain feels like, to tragically have a loved one taken away. When you long for the why. We don’t always have those answers. Grief takes time. It’s a process not an event. Grief is LOVE!
In Steve Leder’s book it is filled with laughter, tears, and wisdom. Unfolding the profound and simple truth that in loss we gain more than we ever imagined. Losing my Dad was a terrible tragedy. However, helping the Keller family was a crucial part of my healing and that was my beauty of what remains. That is how I came up with the name. Steve’s book inspired me during an uncertain time in my life, and inspired me to heal through helping others.
When my Dad first passed away, I questioned everything. What is the point of all of this and this life? I prayed God would take me in the night. In those dark days filled with uncertainty I found purpose and hope in helping others. I feel very lucky to be able to be the eyes and heart for the families as they say goodbye to their loved ones once more. I encourage everyone to find joy everyday in the little things, always remember your loved ones and the life lessons they taught you. To find peace in your heart again and give yourself grace in this life. There is always HOPE. Documenting your loved ones day truly makes me feel alive, inspired, and it brought my spirit slowly back to life. Thank you for trusting me. I look forward to working with your family.
Xoxo,
Dre
CONTACT ME
MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Dre DeRosa
My life drastically changed December 2020. You hear about loved ones passing in an accident, but you never think it would happen to your family. My father tragically lost his life by helping someone on the highway late on Christmas night. On the phone, the police officer said that he was a hero and a good samaritan. His death was under investigation and they said it would take time for the investigation to unravel. He got out of his vehicle on foot to help a woman that spun out in the middle of the highway. A man driving through the accident scene struck and killed my father, the man did not deliberately do it. It was a wrong place and wrong time situation. My father died at 12:15 am 12/26/2020.
Moving forward I will remember my Dad’s selfless act. This is who he was. A good samaritan that saved a woman’s life late Christmas evening. He was a truck driver for around 30 years. He had seen lots of car accidents throughout his career. Always helping people in need.
Nine months later, I was asked to photograph a celebration of life at Spring Grove cemetery in Cincinnati. I have been a second shooter for six years now, helping Dan Kinzie photograph weddings. I have photographed families, maternity shoots, businesses, and pets. I felt compelled to document Eric’s life. This family and myself had mutual friends. So when the Keller family needed my support, I was happy to lend a hand. Eric had left behind two children, five and seven years old. He was 20 days shy of turning 40. Everyone will miss Eric’s joy, his smile, his strength, motivation, and positivity. Photographing Eric’s celebration of life changed my life. Months later I thought to myself…..at least I had 37 years with my father. I was not a young child. Death teaches us how to “live” all over again. But definitely not at first. Grief is very hard. I describe it not like a roller coaster but rather a carnival ride. You just go in circles sometimes. It’s something you cannot describe until you go through it yourself. Some people don’t understand grief. We all handle it so differently.
Months after the passing of my father, before documenting my first celebration of life, I read “The Beauty Of What Remains,” by Steve Leder. He is the senior rabbi of one of the largest synagogues in the world. Steve has learned over and over again the many ways death teaches us how to live and love more deeply by showing us not only what is gone but also the beauty of what remains. To not fight the wave, but rather let the wave take you. We only have so much control of our own lives. Death is certain, today is not promised, & we are essentially all walking each other home in life.
After photographing Eric’s celebration of life, I wanted to do something special for the family. I surprised them with keepsakes. Creating a leather/acrylic album, photos wrapped in ribbon, a glass stained box and little acrylic cubes of photos of Eric. It’s something they will have forever. I understood what that pain feels like, to tragically have a loved one taken away. When you long for the why. We don’t always have those answers. Grief takes time. It’s a process not an event. Grief is LOVE!
In Steve Leder’s book it is filled with laughter, tears, and wisdom. Unfolding the profound and simple truth that in loss we gain more than we ever imagined. Losing my Dad was a terrible tragedy. However, helping the Keller family was a crucial part of my healing and that was my beauty of what remains. That is how I came up with the name. Steve’s book inspired me during an uncertain time in my life, and inspired me to heal through helping others.
When my Dad first passed away, I questioned everything. What is the point of all of this and this life? I prayed God would take me in the night. In those dark days filled with uncertainty I found purpose and hope in helping others. I feel very lucky to be able to be the eyes and heart for the families as they say goodbye to their loved ones once more. I encourage everyone to find joy everyday in the little things, always remember your loved ones and the life lessons they taught you. To find peace in your heart again and give yourself grace in this life. There is always HOPE. Documenting your loved ones day truly makes me feel alive, inspired, and it brought my spirit slowly back to life. Thank you for trusting me. I look forward to working with your family.
Xoxo,
Dre
CONTACT ME
