We caught up with the brilliant and insightful D’ann Schaefer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

D’Ann, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

A quote I’ve really come to love which was said by my brilliant oncologist is, “wise men plant trees they know they’ll never sit under.” I find this advice incredibly insightful and have come to appreciate its wisdom applied in my own life.

You see, as a woman in my early twenties, being diagnosed with a bone marrow cancer truly changed the outlook of my entire life. I began to think more about the end of my life and how much time I had left here, rather than all the things I’d aim to accomplish in the future. As a result, that lead me to ask hard questions such as, “what will I be remembered for?” and “have I made enough of an impact during my life to leave a legacy.”

I really contemplated this question and asked myself if I had left an imprint on anyone else’s life thus far? Had I made someone happier, view life differently, or live richer? Had I showed others examples of love and true forgiveness? And ultimately, how would I be remembered? Not exactly questions a young female with lofty and ambitious goals wants to ask herself—yet profoundly powerful for living life to the fullest and leaving a legacy.

Ironically, I didn’t think about money, status or any material possessions I had (or had not) acquired—most things the world glorifies.

Upon receiving a grim cancer diagnosis, I took these questions seriously and contemplated them often. I really wanted my life to matter and no matter how much time I had left, I wanted to use the rest of my days to help others and glorify God.

To have a life of purpose, meaning and significance became the foundation of my goals.

So while I hope to build an accomplished business and be known as a successful entrepreneur, I ultimately hope I’m remembered for being a great mom, faithful wife, and loving friend. A wonderful daughter and caring sister. A woman of resilience, strength and great faith who loves the Lord and never fails to lend a helping hand. I hope that when thinking of me, I can make someone smile and live life just a little more like Jesus

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a self taught entrepreneur and photographer who has been in this creative industry for over ten years now. I have always had a passion for storytelling through photographs and began working with my parents film camera when I was a young girl. I guess I was always meant to do photography and didn’t even know it!

Not only am I a photographer, but I am also a firefighter wife, military spouse, mom of twin boys, Christian and bone marrow cancer survivor. At the age of 22, a tumor broke my back and I was rushed into the ER for immediate spinal fusion surgery. I’d have to relearn how to walk again properly and gain strength. Following surgery, I underwent numerous rounds of radiation and chemotherapy followed by two bone marrow transplants. Even though the treatments were tough, they were thankfully successful. A few years later, I got married to my now husband who stood by my side through it all.

Putting my pursuits of a nursing career aside, I decided to pick up my DSLR and began taking photos. It was a creative outlet for me as I navigated life post cancer. Little did I know, this hobby of mine would turn into a business and I would never look back. I practiced constantly and educated myself continually. I enjoyed working with clients and making the process of getting photos taken both fun and memorable. It truly felt rewarding to capture these precious moments for people—especially since I had such a different appreciation for this thing we call life.

A few years into photography and two kids later, I sadly found out my cancer had relapsed after 8 years of remission. I would once again need to undergo radiation. This would happen yet again a year later—this time more chemotherapy, radiation, three donor lymphocyte infusions and CAR-T cell transplant. The road often times felt long and exhausting, but I channeled my hardships to work “for” me rather than see them as working “against” me. My mindset became such a powerful force and I set out to really share the lessons I’ve learned throughout my journey with cancer to hopefully inspire others to live richer, more fulfilling lives.

To me, photography is so much more than snapping pictures of people. It’s a chance for me to get to really know my clients, watch their families grow and capture fleeting moments in their lives. We can never be certain how much time we have left here on earth, but the photographs will tell stories long after we are gone.
I truly feel blessed to be here doing what I love!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience-the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

I learned quickly to embrace and employ this definition if I wanted to survive my cancer diagnosis. The choice was mine. I could either sit and wallow in my pity, feel sorry for myself, and have a victim mentality; or I could take the events that were happening to me and use them as a force to help others. Instead of a curse, I could look at it as a blessing. This hardship I was experiencing could be used for good even though it wasn’t clear to see quite how at the time.
My mentality became a huge factor in my resilience and strength—I needed to train my mind to intentionally seek the good and find the blessings in all the mess of cancer.
The treatments were tough and there were many long days ahead of me, but I was determined to have faith that God had a greater plan than I could see. I just needed to trust him.
I was determined to use my story of pain for someone else’s gain. I wanted them to know that no matter how bad life seems, there is always something to be thankful for. To find the beauty and light in some of life’s toughest, darkest moments was a true testament of resilience. I hope I can use my story to inspire others who may be facing a similar road in their own lives.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I sometimes think that non-creatives struggle to understand why us creative individuals work so hard and hustle so diligently for so little income (especially in the beginning)! It’s true that many of us have traded our 40 hour work weeks for 80 hour work weeks, especially when we are first getting started! To many looking in from the outside, it can almost seem silly and unreasonable! Yet, many of us creative entrepreneurs continue to push through those first few years that feel really rough. It can feel as though we are treading thick water and getting nowhere, yet I think there is something inside all of us creatives that continues to push on because we know once we make it through to the other side there’s a lot of freedom and fulfillment!
There is something truly rewarding and satisfying about working for yourself and getting to create something amazing for others! It’s a feeling that makes all of the hard work worth it! An important piece of advice I keep forefront in my mind is a quote I read that says “success without fulfillment is failure.” For me, it’s been about finding the fulfillment and success will follow!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elitephotographybydann.com/
• Instagram: @elitephotographybydann
• Facebook: Elite Photography by D’Ann

Image Credits

Photos by me (Elite Photography by D’Ann)