Curating the Perfect Collection

When my son, SSG Adam J. Henrickson, died by suicide in 2020, he left behind dozens of beautiful, well-crafted photographs that he took in Europe — majestic Norwegian fjords, quiet German countrysides, scenic shots of tourists traveling the Venice canals, and perfectly framed photos of autos built in every country. His first love was cars, after all, they say you photograph what you love. 

Adam was a mechanic in the U.S. Army and in his personal life. He was stationed at the Baumholder base in Germany when he died. It had been his dream to go to Germany during his time in the Army, and he reenlisted to do just that. He wanted to race down the Audubon, work on German cars, and travel to other countries — putting stamps in his passport book at a rapid rate. 

While in Europe, he picked up photography, purchasing a Sony A6000 camera, a tripod, lenses, and some accessories to begin mastering the craft. He took three-point shots, framed in the rule of thirds, of absolutely amazing destinations, like Lofoten, Norway, a coveted tourist destination known for its beauty and for its northern lights display, which my son desperately wanted to see and capture. He didn’t get that chance.

Adam took his life in a wooded park near the gates of his base on Suicide Awareness Day, Sept. 10. Because he was in Germany when he died, it took three months to get most of his belongings back to the States, where I lived in Colorado. But eventually I received his computer, and that’s where I found his photographs — some edited, some raw, all gorgeous in composition, perspective, lighting, and style. 

I had some of his photos made into stickers that I gave out in my grief groups or to my friends and family, allowing others to carry a piece of Adam’s legacy through the world in a wonderful way. I had one of his Norway photos of a red house near a bridge at sunset made into a triptych canvas collection that I hung right above the fireplace in my townhouse. I turned a photograph he took of a building with skeletons ringing a bell painted on its side into a paint-by-number, which I then painted and hung in my home. 

I wanted to show Adam’s work to the public somehow, but didn’t think that would ever be possible. It wasn’t until nearly five years after he died that I realized we had a similar eye — in the way we photographed and what we each thought was interesting. I had recently begun showing some of my art and photography at a local gallery in Colorado. I asked the gallery manager if there was a way to do a dual art exhibit featuring my work and my son’s. After some consideration, my first art exhibit was born. 

“Echoes of Earth: A Mother and Son’s Parallel Perspectives” contained 21 images, most matching in perspective, subject, or composition, and a couple of photos that don’t match up, but showcase some of our best work. It was on display on the community walls at the Lakewood Arts Council Gallery in Colorado for all of May 2025.

Curating this exhibit was a labor of love. I first looked through Adam’s photos, then my own, trying to find some that were similar and could hang side-by-side in the exhibit. What I found were several photos so similar, it was breathtaking. 

The exhibit was also a family affair. I asked my family if they would pitch in for the costs of printing and framing the pieces. My sisters, daughter, mother, and nephew all immediately stepped up and offered help. And we all agreed that any proceeds from the sale of the artwork would go to a cause related to suicide prevention or to a local grief group that helps suicide survivors. 

Opening night was a grand evening, with dozens of my supporters showing up to check out the exhibit, support me, and honor Adam’s memory. We cried, we laughed, and we talked all about Adam’s travels that night. 

The exhibit captured Adam’s spirit and was truly an example of echoes — of his footprints here on earth. He lived; he loved; and he was here. These photographs are proof.


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PHOTOS: Ava Henrickson; Adam Henrickson