She Asked Me to Get the Letters
I Didn’t Know Then That It Would Change Everything
A Dedication to My Sister, Kristina
I created Legacy Sessions in honor of my sister, Kristina, the oldest of my three younger sisters, and one of the brightest lights I’ve ever known. She was a marathon runner, a devoted mom, a teacher, and the kind of woman who made truly you feel seen just by being near her.
At 35, she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.
She fought for five years, with grace and grit and faith.
In her final weeks, she asked me to be by her side in hospice. I was there with her, every day, for the last two weeks of her life.
One afternoon, she turned to me and said, “Zoe, go get the letters.”
She had planned to write meaningful thoughts to her daughter, her only child, Kaitlyn, on beautiful custom stationery our sister, Cecilia, had designed. But when I found them, unwritten, I realized she didn’t have the strength to write. By that time, her hands couldn’t hold a cup. There was no way she was going to be able to write those letters.
I looked at her, with my heart breaking, and said:
“Here’s what we’re going to do, sweetheart. I’m going to record you saying what you want to say. We’ll worry about getting pen to paper later.”
We recorded two videos.
She fell asleep.
When she woke up to record the third, the medication had made her too tired, too confused. That was the last recording we ever made.
On Christmas Eve 2023, Kristina stepped into Heaven with my head resting beside hers.
A few weeks later, I sat with my niece and explained that it wasn't my place to write the letters, but that I had recorded videos for her instead. When I started to play them, their dog heard Kristina’s voice she turned her head around sharply, searching for Kristina. My niece and I burst into tears. We understood how powerful it is to hear someone’s voice after they’re gone.
At the time, I was working with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, photographing families who had lost infants. I stepped back from photographing those sessions not long after losing Kristina and became a community volunteer instead. Weeks later, I spoke to my business coach about an idea that wouldn’t let me go:
What if I could help other people record their presence — their stories, their values, their laughter, their voice — before it was too late?
What if no other daughter, son, or sister had to search for a message that never got written?
What if families had portraits and films that captured the whole person, not just what they looked like after illness, but the vibrant life that came before?!
That is why I do this.
Legacy Sessions exist because Kristina didn’t get to write the letters.
Because my sisters and I hadn’t been professionally photographed together in over 30 years.
Because I didn’t want our last photo to be the one taken in frailty, with tubes and grief in our eyes.
Because we want to remember the wholeness of someone, not just their final chapter.
And I don’t want anyone else to miss that opportunity again.
This work is for Kristina.
And it’s for you and the people you love most.
Giving Back
In her honor, 10% of every Legacy Session is donated to The Bridge Breast Network, a nonprofit that provides care and hope to underserved communities in DFW. When you work with me, you’re not just preserving your legacy, you’re supporting someone else’s.
My Mission Is to Make Sure No One Else Misses the Opportunity to Be Remembered Fully
Too often, we wait.
We wait for the “right time.”
We wait for the illness to pass.
We wait until we feel ready to be seen.
But legacy isn’t something that happens later.
It’s something we create now through intention, love, and presence.
This work is how I carry my sister’s legacy forward.
And it’s how I help others preserve their own.
Meet Zoe Martin
Legacy Portrait Photographer. Family History Film Artist. Firstborn Sister.
I’m the oldest of six children; a quiet observer, a gentle guide, and a woman who believes in the beauty of stillness and the power of story.
Over the years, I’ve photographed families in their most intimate, vulnerable moments, from new beginnings to heartbreaking goodbyes. My work with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleepshaped me. Losing my sister changed me. And now, I use the camera as a tool to preserve dignity, depth, and presence for others.
At home, my world revolves around my husband, Frank, and our three incredible adult children. We cherish simple joys like playing board games, sharing moments, and taking drives with the windows down and the radio up. Those are the kind of memories I live for and the kind I love helping others preserve.
I'm also the host of the Heart of North Texas podcast, where I share the stories of local visionaries, volunteers, and everyday heroes who are making an impact in our community. Whether I’m behind a camera or a microphone, I’m always searching for the soul in the story.
I specialize in working with:
- Retirees and Grandparents who want to leave something lasting
- Legacy-minded Families capturing generational connection
- Business Leaders & Founders sharing life lessons and values
- Estate Professionals seeking meaningful legacy tools for their clients
Dallas Area Professional Photographer & Life Story Filmmaker
From beauty portraits to capture your unique image to video content to build your brand, you’ll receive an unforgettable, personal experience that leaves a lasting impact.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What are your hours?
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We are by appointment only Monday through Friday and one Saturday a month.
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Do you shoot in studio or on-location?
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We serve clients at our MillHouse / Cotton Mill McKinney studios as well as offering services on location as needed.
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What payment options do you accept?
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We accept cash, checks, credit and debit cards, and Zelle payments.
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How long before I receive my photos?
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Depending on whether you're receiving a single photo or a hundred, you can expect to have them within 48 business hours to 14 business days. If you order wall art, an album, or a folio box, there will be additional time before receiving your order.
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Do You Offer Wall Art Installation?
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We offer custom designs an wall art installations for the images we create for you.