It was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving when my Mom called me. I was still sitting around my dorm packing for the much-needed break from school. But I had never imagined the words that would come from her mouth, "Billay was in a car accident yesterday and he's passed away."

My mother's cousin William Burdick died in a car accident Tuesday, November 22nd, 2016. He was only 35. Death only takes from us, it never gives. At least that is what I thought until this tragedy. Billay was an on-the-rise photographer. His pictures were beyond amazing and they brought so much joy to people around him. But for me, Billay's death gave me so much more than that.

The year prior to his death, Billay offered to do my senior photo shoot. We went on an all day adventure. Of course, it was one of the hottest days of the summer, but he enjoyed taking photographs so much I could tell he didn't mind. He had a few spots already picked out, but my favorite spot was the one we least expected to go to. It was one of his favorite places to shoot: Pope Farms. The sunflower field was an ephemeral glimpse of untouched nature that lured photographers from all over. The day we were shooting was declared to be the beginning of the sunflower blooming season so we went to the field.

Photograph from senior photo shoot by William Burdick August 1, 2015 at Pope Farms Verona, WI

The next summer, after my senior year, I had been saving up all summer to buy a somewhat decent DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera. I consulted Billay about which cameras were decent for amateurs and all the basic things I would need to go with a camera. Billay was my muse, he was passionate and went after what he loved. I never expected more than just some advice to get me started.

Before going off to college, I planned a trip to California. I needed to get my hands on a camera. I consulted Billay and told him about my trip and which camera I should buy. But he said all I would need is a long range lens. Billay gave me his starter camera kit, complete with a bag and some camera batteries. I didn't even know how to thank him. He told me just to use the camera well.

Pictured Above: American flag flown at half mast with San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge in background taken by Emily Gillingham July 9, 2016 in San Francisco, CA

Before his passing, I used the camera a few times. While I was in California, for a friend's senior portraits, and once or twice to capture some nature shots. His passing reminded me of what he said, use it well. His passing inspired me to keep shooting and to keep the light that he saw in photography shining. I never thought I would find so much happiness behind a camera, but his passing reassured me that this was something I loved too. I may have lost my mentor, but I didn't lose my muse.