Photographer captures family beauty from Marshall Fire destruction

Colorado women embody the emotions of those affected marshall fire Help them heal with her photography and through their own artistic expression.

A photograph is a moment in the image of destroyed houses and people in terror.

Here is a photo of Katie Tartakov, who offered her talents to the fire victims. Some have lost memories of a lifetime.

“People don’t think you can find beauty in destruction, but there’s a lot of beauty in it,” Tartakov told CBS Colorado. Alan Gionette.

On a windy day, it’s hard to remember what it used to be like. Jessica Björklund recently looked over the vacant lot where she lived with her family in Louisville.

“It’s hard to remember now…all the trees are gone, all the houses are gone,” Björklund told Geonet.

It is there that Wildfire stole part of Björklund’s past.

“It was hard. It was really hard,” said Jessica.

Jessica’s husband reached out to Tartakov, who set up a shoot with the family before their property in Louisville was cleared. I put them together at the front door with Ida and Tuva.

Among the rubble was an ironing board.

“First of all, most people no longer know what an ironing board is,” Tartakoff said with a laugh. “But it looked like a painting, didn’t it?”

Tartakoff volunteered to create memories for nearly 10 homeowners, including her brother.

“I know the power of having images that tell stories,” Tartakov said.

The Björklund family explained to Tartakov that it would be difficult for them to return to the house they no longer lived in. But Tartakov had an idea. She asked a 12-year-old and her 14-year-old girls what they liked about her.

“When they first got there, I saw them get out of the car, witness all the horror, and then transform into lively, beautiful young female dancers.

dance. In front of their lost home, they soared into the sky.

“Even with the rubble and destruction, their strength and pride are so beautiful to me,” Tartakov said.

“It was a great pairing with something you love…and something sad, but still something you like and love,” said Björkland.

Then the girls came up with an idea of ​​their own.

“And they said, ‘We used to climb this tree in the backyard all the time. It’s partially dead, but it’s still there. Can you take a picture of us climbing the tree? ’” recalls Tartakoff. “And I said, ‘Absolutely.

Soon it will be knocked down and gone when the site is cleared. But the shot remains in their minds.

There was a house there. Now all that’s left is memories.

“The pictures she takes are amazing and the girls love them,” said Björklund.

As they rebuild like their neighbors, some of their worst days can remain on the wall without trauma.

“It’s just a special memory,” said Björklund.

“If there is anything I can do to change someone’s life, I will do my best,” Tartakov said.