LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Patients dealing with cancer spent time under the bright lights for a special photoshoot on at the Gilda’s Club in Louisville.

The Brown Cancer Center held its 6th annual Capturing The Moment event that revealed warm smiles.

Paula Anderson was one of the participants in this year’s event. “I found out I had triple-negative breast cancer in Feb. 2020,” explained Anderson, while a makeup artist freshened up her face.

A few short months after Anderson moved to Louisville, her life changed with the diagnosis. 

“You take one day at a time. Keep a very positive attitude. Do what you want to do when you can and live each day to the fullest,” Anderson said.

Her wisdom is rich in life, and that’s what photographers captured.

“I feel just getting this makeover because last year I did not get one. So this year I did the first one I’ve ever had. I just feel beautiful inside and now I just feel great,” Anderson said.

She’s joined 50 other cancer patients from the Brown Cancer Center.

“My idea was sparked by a friend and in Texas who was helping take photos of kids with cancer and I thought, I really want to do that too,” said Dr. Megan Nelson, a rehab physician.

Nelson started the tradition six years ago, drawing inspiration from her own cancer journey.

“So it was a difficult time in life and I think I kind of avoided the camera at times. I didn’t feel very good and didn’t feel like I looked very good and but realize now how important those memories are and how those memories impact me every day,” Nelson said.

Each portrait shows the cancer battle fought each day.

“I can look and compare from what I was to what I am now, because this is who I am and I’m not ashamed to show it off and I just think it’s wonderful,” Anderson said.

Families went home with printed photos framed or an entire catalog of their photoshoot.