Unexpected things can happen when one learns that death is near. Michael lived a hard life—one of anger and violence, drugs and alcohol. He was estranged from his family and his faith, but after learning he was dying of liver cancer, he decided he wanted to change. Michael chose to travel to Austin to find and reconnect with his daughter. He lived unhoused for a time, and as he grew sicker, Michael was moved into a facility where he received care and treatment. These photos illustrate the final three months of Michael’s life.

In these photos, I hope to capture the pull between life and death, the raw physicality of dying, the grit that emerges in the struggle for survival, the return to what gives life meaning, and the wisdom that emerges as we prepare to pass on into the next life.

Photos taken in the fall and winter of 2009.
A man sitting in a wheelchair on a sidewalk, wearing a hat and casual clothing, resting his head on his hand with a thoughtful expression.
A black and white close-up photograph of an elderly woman with a wrinkled face, wearing a dark headscarf and looking up.
A person lying on a bed, drinking from a large bottle, in a bedroom with a plant, a hat hanging on the wall, and various items on a nightstand including a cup, medication, and a remote control.
A disabled shower room with a toilet, a shower with a curtain, and a walker next to the toilet.
A woman standing beside a man sitting on a mobility scooter outdoors in front of a house. There are cartoon characters in the background and a scooter in the foreground.
A man sitting in a wheelchair outdoors, smoking a cigarette, and looking at a torn photograph of a woman.
A person in a wheelchair is sketching a profile of a face on a piece of paper with a pencil.
Two women and a child sitting in a hospital hallway, with the women looking at a picture of a smiling baby.
A messy bed with pillows and blankets in a bedroom. The wall above the bed is decorated with various photographs, a hat, a rabbit plush toy, and artificial leaves. There is a window with blinds on the right side. A table with art supplies and a remot
A woman dressed in medical scrubs with a nurse badge, standing next to a seated man wearing a black jacket with a letter 'C' on it. The woman has her arm around the man's shoulder and is smiling at the camera.
A black and white photograph of reading glasses, a pen, and an open Bible on a table or desk, with curtains in the background.
Group of five people, three women and two men, posing outdoors in front of a tree and a house, with a small statue of a woman holding a corn cob in front of them, in black and white.
A black and white photo of two people, an older man and a younger woman, standing close together outdoors. The man is leaning his head on the woman's, and they are embracing. The woman has braids and is smiling slightly, while the man has his eyes cl
A black and white photograph of a man with closed eyes, wearing a fuzzy winter hat with ear flaps and a jacket, holding his hands near his chest.
A black and white photo of a bedroom with sunlight coming through window blinds. A person is lying on the bed, with a ghostly, transparent image of their head and upper body visible, creating a dual-exposure effect.
A man in a hospital room sitting on a bed with his leg raised. He is looking down at his leg, which has wounds. There are hospital supplies and curtains in the background.
Diagonal view of a person sitting on a bed, with one foot bare and the other foot in a sock. The person is wearing loose plaid pants and a shirt, and a pair of Nike slide sandals are on the floor. A plastic jug and some plastic bags are on the floor
A person lying in a hospital bed with an oxygen mask, appearing to be asleep or unconscious, next to a window with blinds.
A person with curly hair wearing glasses is leaning over a laptop, with their face on the table and a chain around their neck. The image is in black and white.
A man in a wheelchair holding a shoe, with a table beside him containing a newspaper, a small box, and tissues, in an indoor setting.
An elderly man wearing a beanie hat, sitting on a mobility scooter, is parked outdoors on a sidewalk. He is dressed in dark clothing, with a jacket and jeans. A plastic bag and a piece of cloth are attached to the scooter. In the background, there is
An elderly man seated on a mobility scooter in a garden, wearing a black hoodie, a black beanie, and a large cross necklace, with a serious expression. There is a cartoon cutout of a girl reading a book on his left, and a decorative garden statue of
A man with curly hair sleeps on a bed with his arm stretched out and a tattoo visible on his forearm."
Black and white close-up photograph of an elderly man with a serious expression, dark hair pulled back, wearing a dark jacket, with a brick wall in the background.
A black and white photograph of a grave site with a small metal sign bearing the name 'Michael Angelo Watts' and a bunch of white flowers laid on the dirt ground.