Woman takes heartbreaking solo wedding photos after losing her fiance
Nikki Salgot never imagined that her engagement would end like this. She was set to be married on October 14, 2017 to Wayne State University police Sergeant Collin Rose.
But in November 2016, Rose was killed in the line of duty.
Nevertheless, Salgot put on her wedding dress and decided to honor her late fiancé in a solo photoshoot, and the end results are truly inspiring.
The backdrop for the photoshoot was a wooded area.
Salgot stood in nature, in her wedding dress, all alone except for a flag and elements of Rose’s police uniform, his hat and badge.
The images are brave and beautiful.
Salgot posted about the images and the amazing photographer Rachel Heller, writing, “She captured images that still vividly show the pain left behind; images that show I am still able to laugh, smile and be me; images that show this loss has not and will not destroy me; and my favorite, images that show I am still just as fierce as ever and refuse to let this define me.”
Heller described the way Salgot looked when she arrived to the photoshoot location to Today.
“When she got out of the car, it was clear as day,” Heller told the publication.
“She was the picture of grief and resilience and strength and vulnerability and authenticity, all at once. I thought, I have to take photographs that when people see them, they will feel how I felt when she got out of the car.”
Her images definitely capture the strength, sadness and beauty of Salgot’s story, and the people online are responding to the images.
One Twitter user wrote, “Such a strong woman. Beautiful pictures.”
Such a strong woman. Beautiful pictures. She will always have an angel in heaven. I’m so sorry for your loss. Peace and comfort to you and yours.
RIP Officer Rose, You will always be remembered as OUR FALLEN HERO.#BlueLivesMatter #BackTheBlue https://t.co/HwT2LorDlz— 👑💥 Serenity 💥👑 (@polishprincessh) November 25, 2017
Another wrote, “I admire her strength and courage.”
https://twitter.com/TammieEiken/status/934715690782679040
And it’s got many feeling for her loss and sharing support of officers.
https://twitter.com/Mansteinvi/status/934923321946206208
If you’d like to help the families of other fallen officers, the Blue Line Bears organization is another cause to show your support.
The organization takes uniforms of fallen officers and turns them into teddy bears for the families the officers left behind. Find out more information on the charity’s website.
This family portrait has a beautiful, bittersweet backstory
This couple processed their grief by getting matching his-and-hers tattoos to honor the life of their infant son. The family portrait they posted went viral.
You can learn more about their story here.