There are two parts to Joe Ann Liew’s story. One is about the nature-loving urbanite who wants to bring greenery into the home and became a plant stylist. The other is a photographer who takes remembrance photos of the elderly for their obituary.

There was not enough space for both in the limited space I was given, but I gave it my best try.

Most of the published story is about the plant stylist. A recent venture that Joe Ann got into out of her passion for nature. It was a fortunate coincidence that the lockdowns caused people to want more greenery in their home and to keep plants like pets.

She wanted to focus on the plant stylist angle. Looking at the edited story, it looks like the editor did too. But, that is not as interesting as the other thing that Joe Ann does, taking pictures portraits of the elderly, for their obituary. Pictures for their family to remember them by.

Joe Ann calls them obituaries photos, despite the editors changing it to remembrance photos, because that’s the spirit behind her project. She is taking photos of old folks who are ready to move on and want to leave beautiful memories behind.

Joe Ann and her cousin do it for free. She said that it is a spiritual and uplifting experience. Accepting death, a guarantee and a certainty, is not easy, especially when everyone wants to sweep the topic under the rug.

In the interview, she shares the story of how some old folks have already prepared a suitcase. It contains their will, important documents, what they want to wear when they pass away, and photos to remember them by. They place it on top of their cupboards and tell their children where it is in the case of their passing.

To prepare your loved ones for when the inevitable happens is such a loving gesture.

Joe Ann also tells the story of an uncle who was grumpy at first, probably because he was forced into participating in the photos by his wife. However, as the photos were taken, he began to have fun. He began to smile again.

These old folks did not grow up with digital media. They have never seen themselves looking handsome or beautiful in a photo, not at their age. They don’t have pictures for their children and grandchildren to remember them by. But, looking that the photos that Joe Ann and her cousin took of them, gave them renewed confidence, vigour for life that most of them thought they had lost in their youth.

She hopes that this project will inspire others to do the same. For others to take professional quality portrait photos of the elderly, for free. As a way to thank them, to remind them that they are still loved, and as a memory that they can share with their loved ones.

You can check out Wild Oasis on Instagram and the published story.