Ina new project, photographer Ruth Medjber is asking ordinary people to share their extraordinary tales. This week, she meets Sean Smith who was widowed at age 35
Sean Smyth photographed by Ruth Medjber for the series, Sin Scéal Eile
In a project that will see me meet and chat with 365 people in one year, my heart felt it was right to start with my friend, Sean Smyth. We chose to shoot in the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin, as the last time I photographed Sean – in March 2025 – we also went there.
That photoshoot was very different and incredibly special. I was commissioned for a fun photoshoot and an experience to remember by Sean’s husband, my pal, Conor Biddle. In January 2025, Conor had learned that he had terminal cancer. He had hoped to continue working and see the year out, but his health declined quite rapidly, and by the end of April, Conor had passed.