Community Spotlight: Finding Purpose Through Loss
Intimate gathering of women in a backyard in Brentwood, CA
Some life moments leave us standing at a crossroads, unsure of how to move forward. Grief, trauma, and major life transitions can feel like an impossible mountain to climb alone. But what if there was a way to navigate these changes with a roadmap, one that provides clarity, support, and connection?
For Karine Nissim Hirschhorn, grief was an unexpected and life-altering reality. After the sudden loss of her husband, she was thrust into a world she never imagined, one filled with overwhelming responsibilities, emotional exhaustion, and a sense of isolation. But through this heartbreak, she found an unbreakable connection with Eloise Bune, who had also lost her husband unexpectedly. Their shared experience led to something powerful: DayNew, a platform designed to support those navigating trauma, loss, divorce, or illness.
Karine Nissim Hirschhorn
Karine speaking about resilience in the face of adversity.
Building Community Through Shared Experience
Back in October of 2024, Karine joined an incredible lineup of speakers for an intimate event in Los Angeles, focused on finding purpose while navigating motherhood and life’s challenges.
The day brought together women from different walks of life, widows, single moms, entrepreneurs, and healers, each offering their own perspective on resilience and growth.
Alongside Karine, the panel featured:
Sherry Nasseri – Clinical psychotherapist specializing in grief and loss
Janie Schwartz – Co-founder of Saint, a modern collective for divorced and co-parenting women
Tracy Fredkin – Founder of SoCalMoms, a wellness community for moms
Samantha Gutstadt – Actress, content creator, and founder of Don’t Call Me Mommy, who moderated the conversation
The day was filled with honest conversations, deep connections, and an unspoken understanding that healing is never linear, but we don’t have to do it alone.
It was my pleasure to document this beautiful gathering through my lens. As a photographer, I believe in the power of storytelling, not just in the milestones, but in the moments in between. The laughter, the tears, the quiet reflection, and the hands reaching out in support.
The experience shared by women that day tells a story: the courage it takes to show up, the relief in finding a community that understands, and the strength in moving forward, not in spite of loss, but because of it.
Grief and transformation are part of every family’s story, just as much as joy and celebration. As a photographer, I have had the profound honor of capturing families and individuals in all seasons of life, not just the picture-perfect moments, but the real, raw, deeply human ones too. There is something meaningful in acknowledging your life beyond only the happy chapters.
Whether it’s the tender moments of rebuilding after loss, the strength in showing up for your family through change, or the quiet beauty of simply being present, these are the stories worth remembering.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to take photos, let this be your sign. Your life, just as it is right now, is worth documenting. Let’s create something meaningful together.
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