Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tracy Croxen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tracy , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
In 2019, our world stopped. My daughter Jocelyn was just seven years old when she was diagnosed with leukemia. In those early days, uncertainty filled every moment, so the first thing we did was take family photos—because we didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, and we wanted to hold on to now.
Before my daughter’s diagnosis, I had no idea that childhood cancer was so prevalent—that 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed before the age of 20, and that nearly 15,000 children are diagnosed each year worldwide. Like so many others, I never imagined these numbers could become our reality—until they did.
When Jocelyn completed her two-and-a-half–year battle with leukemia and rang the bell, cancer-free, something shifted in me. Through her strength and resilience, I found my purpose—one rooted in hope, gratitude, and the power of cherishing every moment.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
When my daughter completed her two-and-a-half–year battle with cancer, I was overwhelmed with gratitude—but I was also completely lost and deeply depressed. I knew I needed something to pull me out of that dark place, something that could help me heal.
That’s when I turned to photography. I enrolled in classes at my local community college, Palomar College, starting with black-and-white film photography, and I fell in love with it almost immediately. What began as a way to cope soon became a passion—and then a purpose.
Wanting to give back to the childhood cancer community that had carried us through so much, I began offering free studio portrait sessions to families facing childhood cancer. It has been an honor to share my talent with these families. And for many of them, these photographs become far more than images—they are lasting memories, and sometimes, all they have left.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Being a cancer-warrior mom myself has given me the rare privilege of connecting with my clients on a deeply personal level. I understand their fears, their strength, and the journey they’re walking. Through my work, I’ve been able to give these young warriors a chance to feel beautiful—despite the scars, hair loss, and trauma they carry.
I’m also able to offer something just as powerful: hope. By sharing my daughter’s journey to being cancer-free and thriving after cancer, I remind families that there is life beyond diagnosis, treatment, and survival.
My advice is simple—find something you are truly passionate about, and don’t forget to find beauty in the everyday moments. Those moments matter more than we realize.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
If I knew I only had a decade of life left, I would take every opportunity to create meaningful memories with my family and friends. I would live fully in each moment, knowing how precious time truly is.
I would also work tirelessly to leave a lasting legacy—one rooted in giving back to the childhood cancer community that stood beside our family during my daughter Jocelyn’s leukemia journey. Through supporting better research for children fighting cancer and continuing my work in portraiture photography, I would strive to offer hope, comfort, and lasting memories to families who need them most.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/golden_warrior_photography?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Tracy Croxen, Golden Warrior Photography
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