Offering Cancer Warriors a UNIQUE and EMPOWERING Portrait Experience
Celebrating their strength, beauty, and resilience through stunning imagery.
JUST IMAGINE…
A ONE-OF-A-KIND experience dedicated to taking the POWER BACK after a cancer diagnosis. Recharge your SELF-CONFIDENCE and ACCEPTANCE of your new body CELEBRATING your individuality 100% personalized to YOUR VISION.
Portland Artistic + Portrait Photography + Healing Experience
The Process
Reserve Your Spot
Warrior sessions are held in cities across the Pacific Northwest.
The Experience:
- 1-hour fun-filled experience
- There are many makeup options in every color imaginable, with application tools.
- Hair styling and accessories.
- Use of all wardrobe, jewelry, and props.
- A fun photoshoot in which I’ll guide you through poses.
- Each session includes three digital files of the model’s choosing
- Each person must be willing to sign a release to be featured in the 2027 Coffee Table Book.
The day of the session
I know life is busy, so I work hard to create a tailored experience that supplies you with everything you need.
There are three exceptions:
- I ask ladies to wear black leggings. Most images are taken above the waistline, and black leggings allow a distraction-free lower half.
- For sanitary reasons, please bring your mascara. There is no need to get any if you don’t usually wear it.
- There are far too many color combinations to stock all foundation shades. If you’d like to wear a foundation base, please wear it to the studio or bring it with you.
Upon arrival, we will go over your desired look. This is 100% custom to your vision and any styling you’d like. While the sessions are done in groups, each lady will have an individual look.
Hair & makeup
Getting to know each warrior is a massive part of what makes a great session. It puts everyone at ease and sets us up for success!
The hardest part is the first brush stroke of makeup. Even if you’re unfamiliar with makeup applications, I believe you. Fighting cancer is messy, so don’t focus on perfection. After that, the fun begins.
As you gain confidence, you’ll all start collaborating as the looks transform.
We have hairspray, gel, and accessories available.
The Photoshoot
Relax, have fun, and enjoy the process. This is the time to find your alter ego. You have full permission to laugh and have fun with it.
We’ll switch out furs, props, and weapons (if you so choose). I’ll guide you through poses that make you feel strong because you are!
Fun, energetic, and empowering music will play throughout the experience to get you in the right mindset.
Bring on the warrior faces and then prepare for laughter shortly after. Being silly is part of the experience.
Viewing and Ordering an Appointment
Viewing your images for the first time! This is the best part! We’ll hop on a Zoom call and review the magic we created.
We work through all the images and fine-tune your selection to your must-haves.
You are not obligated to buy anything, but we do offer Wall Art and Heirloom Albums for purchase.
Design services
During this appointment, we will work together to design something beautiful for your home.
We will create the perfect artwork for your home, from framed art to a custom album to a simple display.
Artwork should flow seamlessly and complement your home’s interior design. Best placed in a location where you frequent.
It’s a reminder to you and your family that you can get through hard things, and she’s a warrior through and through.
Delivery of your Artwork
Enjoy the image(s) in your home. Your artwork will be ready in 4-5 weeks.
Seeing your warrior image in your home can help on those hard days. Reminding you of the strength within.
What’s even more magical is how your children may feel when they see it hung. Your little girl is validated to be strong, just like her mother. Their sons grow up knowing it’s okay for females like their mother to do powerful things.
All artwork is archival-quality and will last for generations to come.
FAQs
ARTWORK
The experience has been made possible by generous donations and sponsorships. The experience does NOT include prints or products. Printed artwork is ordered separately after your session at your preview appointment, where we help you select your images.
WARRIOR
STORYTELLER
OVER SHARER
AND DOG OBSESSED
I began my photography career in 2008, capturing family and high school seniors. While I enjoyed connecting with the families, I noticed something was missing.
A decade later, I became fascinated with animal photography—mostly dogs but also exotics and other animals. I recruited my amazing husband, who became my dog handler, pack mule, and jack of all trades.
Using my love for animal imagery, we produced a successful calendar fundraiser and published 2 (soon to be 3) coffee table books.
Giving back to the community is a must in our eyes. We’ve raised $17K+ for non-profits and donated countless hours to covering events at no cost. We only wish there was enough time to give even more.
MY CANCER JOURNEY
I feel it in my soul that “Warrior Women Portraits” will be my life legacy!
Diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2022
As we came out of Covid lockdown, I was unsure when my last mammogram was. After making a call, it had been 2 years, so I got an appointment immediately.
The appointment was standard until I saw the technician’s face. She compared the last scan, and there was something there that wasn’t prior. At this point, I knew I had cancer (not official yet).
Ultrasound quickly moved to having a biopsy. Two days later, my pathology report hit My Chart.
Diagnosis: DCIS, Triple Negative (only 10% of women get), Stage 1, Grade 3
FUN FACT: We named my cancer “Toby,” and 24 hours before surgery, I served him an eviction letter.
Bilateral (double) Mastectomy (DMX)
I always knew if I got breast cancer, I’d have a double mastectomy with NO reconstruction (going flat). That’s exactly what I did. Triple-negative is hard to treat because you don’t know what’s “feeding” the tumor.
90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer know the tumor is being fed by hormones. Part of the treatment is hormone blockers to eliminate cancer “food.”
Since my DMX, I’ve become an advocate for Aesthetic Flat Closure (aka no reconstruction). It’s not offered to all women as an option. Some professionals/society believe women would always want to have breasts regardless of additional surgeries and possibly be rejected in the end.
I’m a part of a “flattie” group of women, and I’ve never found a more loving and accepting group of individuals.
Began Chemo Infusions
Originally, my oncologist wanted me to start with chemo and end with surgery. I felt very strongly about doing surgery first, and my team of doctors accepted that. In doing so, they found no signs of cancer in my lymph nodes and shifted my chemo plan.
The original plan was 8 rounds of chemo: 4 rounds of Adriamycin and Cytoxan . 4 rounds of Taxol ( also called the red devil). The day after the chemo infusions, I’d go in for a Neulasta steroid injection.
The revised plan was 4 rounds of chemo: 4 rounds of Cytoxan & Taxotere (a cousin to Taxol) every 3 weeks. The day after the chemo infusions, I’d go in for a Neulasta injection.
The Neulasta injections were worse than chemo, in my opinion. As it went through your system, I’d get shooting electricity like zaps fire through my spinal cord.
Infection
The downside to doing surgery before chemo. I ended up with a horrible breast infection. Chemo was killing good and bad cells, leaving my body no way to heal.
There were a few times the infection neared sepsis, but adding antibiotics to my medication list kept it at bay.
With that said, I had several open holes along my incision until my last surgery.
Infection is fairly common. It makes perfect sense if chemo is busy killing off good/bad cells.
Our spare bathroom became my wound care station, where I took all my showers for a few months. Man, did showers feel SO good.
Final Surgery
This marked the final step in my treatment journey.
The surgery plan was to remove my chemo port, revise what they call a dog ear on my left side, and completely reopen and close me on the infected side.
Come to find out, the side I had the infection on would have never healed without surgery. Opening completely up required me to have a drain once again. If you know anyone who has had drains, they will tell you they are the pits.
At this point, all that was left to do was heal from surgery & chemo.
This is the point when it all sets in. You just kicked cancers A$$. Ironically, this can be the hardest time for women. Most people see it as you being “done.” Mentally, this is when we need the most support.
Warrior Women Portraits Created
As a photographer, I wanted to give back to this community somehow. I didn’t want to do something already being done, so I put on my thinking cap.
What was important:
Diagnosed with Lungs Metastatic Tumors
After a clean scan Feb 2025 I was taken aback when the new scan showed a plethora of tumors in my lungs. My breast cancer had become metastatic.
I was terrified. Triple Negative is no joke people. When I asked the question “How long do I have?” my doctor replied “On average, 2 years”. I was preparing for 5 years, but when she said 2 I knew this was a monster.
It took me months to stop crying every day. Our lives completely changed forever.
Retired From my Day Job
With a terminal diagnosis your days become much more valuable. Trying to decide when the right time is to stop working is nerve wracking. The last thing you want it to end up bankrupt, and medical insurance is a must have.
After 18 years at Noyes Development I hung up my Controller hat and left my day job.
Taxol Chemo Short Lived – Gamma Knife to the rescue
With Triple Negative your only treatment is chemo. I started on Taxol right after learning I was metastatic.
After a short three months Taxol stopped working. More tumors had grown in my lungs and new ones on my liver and brain.
What I didn’t’ know is that chemo does not penetrate the blood barrier in the brain so radiation is the treatment.
The Gamma Knife was easy, but my left arm became paralyzed for several weeks.
Trodelvy to the Rescue
With Taxol not working any more it was time to switch to a new type of drug, Trodelvy.
Trodelvy has been a game changer. Not just in shrinking the tumors but also side effects.
It does not have neuropathy or change the way food tastes.
AND it’s WORKING!!!!
Tumors are Stable
Am I cancer free now? No! There is still cancer in my body at a cellular level. They are just too small to be measured by a scan.
While I’m super excited, I’m cautiously optimistic.
In shocking news, my updated scans showed that ALL, yes all, my tumors are unmeasurable.
UNMEASURABLE!!! For six months now!
AS SEEN ON TV
See what others are saying
This was Magical & Healing
This was a magical and healing photography session for me as a breast cancer survivor. I loved the camaraderie, laughter, stories told, and joy we three women shared during our session. Danyel is warm and funny, a gifted photographer, and a fellow survivor. She understands so well what we’ve been through. I highly recommend that survivors reclaim their bodies and self-image after cancer.
Incredibly Powerful & Healing
Danyel does an exceptional job of creating a safe space, a sense of camaraderie among the participants, and incredibly powerful and stunning imagery! It was a healing and amazing experience that I thoroughly enjoyed! (And I usually loathe having my photo taken!) Danyel is awesome at making you feel strong, relaxed, and beautiful! I highly recommend it!
Such an Empowering Experience
Warrior Women Portraits is such an empowering experience. Danyel makes you feel safe, strong, beautiful, and confident. Her results are like no other. She is so talented. You walk away from the process feeling like you have overcome doubts about your warrior status and are ready to soar!
I needed this to reinvigorate my spirit
My Warrior Woman Portrait is THE BEST! After my two battles with breast cancer, I needed this to reinvigorate my spirit and remind me that I am 100% a warrior! Danyel provided a warm, inviting atmosphere and all the accouterments to make me look and feel like a strong, resilient woman who can take on anything! I highly recommend it to anyone who has gone through a cancer journey.
FEATURED & AWARDS
DEGREES
Masters of Photography Degree- Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
Fellow of Photography (FP-OR) Degree – Oregon Professional Photographers Association (OPPA)
AWARDS
Business Excellence Award 2023 (OPPA)
Jerry Auker Community Service Award 2022 & 2020 (OPPA)
Best Storytelling & Judges Choice Award (A Warriors Prayer) – OPPA Open Print Competition 2023
Best Storytelling & Best Black and White Award (The Cat Walk) – OPPA Open Print Competition 2020
Hillsboro’s Best Photography Studio – First Place 2023/Second Place 2022
FEATURED IN
Rise By Lifting Each Other Podcast
GIVING BACK
Dogs of Hillsboro Calendar – Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter $12,770
Puggin Portland Coffee Table Book – Pacific Pug Rescue $2.250
Tails of Portland Vol 1 – Oregon Humane Society $1,800
Tails of Portland Vol 2 – Oregon Humane Society $TBD
LET’S
CONNECT
I’D LOVE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR JOURNEY.
Would you like to learn more about our “Warrior Women Portrait Experience”? That’s fantastic! It’s my favorite topic.
Sessions are by appt only.
