Caring for a vulnerable family member or friend is not usually a job that comes with a spotlight.
But to mark National Family Caregiver Day, Toronto-based celebrity photographer Christopher Wahl has turned his lens on those who balance their own lives with those of the loved ones they care for.
The “Faces of Caregiving” portrait series includes photos of children and elderly parents, spouses and siblings with disabilities, and friends. Many of the subjects are from around the GTA.
The photos were a joint project between Wahl and Elizz, a branch of Saint Elizabeth Health Care which launched in October and focuses on providing resources for caregivers.
Wahl, who has photographed heads of state and celebrities such as Queen Elizabeth II, The Rolling Stones and Neil Young, said he knew immediately that he wanted to take part in the project when he was approached.
“We all know family caregivers in our lives, and I understand what a service like Elizz can mean to people,” Wahl said in a news release. “I hope these images will help raise awareness, while shining a light on the human side of caregiving.”
According to Elizz, one in four Canadians is a family caregiver and 74 per cent believe they do not have complete access to the caregiver resources they need. The non-profit organization aims to provide information and online resources for caregivers, as well as easy access to support services such as caregiver coaches and nurse advisors.
More photos and caregiver stories can be found on the Elizz website.
