Last week I photographed Dr. Yellon for a brochure for Stony Brook University Hospital's hospitalist program. Simply, this is the part of the hospital that specializes in patients of advanced age and all of the issues that come up when you're in your 90's and stuff.
The shoot started out feeling like it was going to blow up in our faces. The unit was supposed to find one of Dr. Yellon's patients who would be happy to have us photograph them before we got there and all of that stuff. Being that it's a hospital and that they actually deal with life and death issues all of the time, they didn't actually get around to finding one before we arrived. So they scrambled and were able to find a nice man (Mr. M) and his wife and son who were happy to help out. The only trouble was that he wasn't Dr. Yellon's actual patient, but that was fine with us, they could fake it, right? Mrs. M and her son could cozy up with the doctor in the conference room over some pretend charts and make awkward small talk and then we'd also take some photos in the room, and all would be just dandy.
Dr. Yellon was a little concerned, but was willing to play along, although he seemed a little reluctant and wanted to just get it over with. That is, until he walked into the room and found Mrs. M. Then he lit up like you wouldn't believe. Turns out, he was their doctor for like 25 years, and hadn't seen them in ages. It was magical, like a accidental family reunion. Our only problem from then on was managing to take a shot where they looked more serious, because they were all so happy to see each other. But honestly, I can say that I haven't seen a more caring doctor before. He really, really, genuinely cares about and for his patients, and they respond to him in a way I haven't seen. To me, it is of no surprise that Mr. and Mrs. M are in their mid-90's, because he makes them feel young and safe.
-Sam
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