Those of you who have known me for years know that I held Claudia Kronenberg in the highest regard when it comes to wedding photographers. I am saddened to share the news with my community of brides, grooms, and clients that Claudia passed away on Friday, May 16th after heroically battling breast cancer. I worked with Claudia numerous times over the years at some of the most joyous and momentous occasions imaginable—weddings. Although her passing saddens me, it makes me glad to think of the wonderful memories that Claudia helped so many couples and families create during her auspicious photography career.
A celebration of Claudia’s life will take place Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 11:00am at the Summer Street Church.
For anyone close to Claudia who wishes to make a donation in her memory and honor, please address checks to: THE CLAUDIA KRONENBERG SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT FUND, in care of THE NANTUCKET ARTS COUNCIL, Box 2176, Nantucket, MA 02584.
Claudia’s official obituary is below:
Claudia Anne Kronenberg passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2014 at her home on Nantucket. She was 50. Claudia is survived by her three beloved children, Oliver Bender, Anjali and Sonia Dhar and her loving husband, David Douty; her sister Heidi Kronenberg of Evanston, IL and her niece and nephew, Annie and Jacob Kronenberg; sister Kate Simmons and Kristen Crofut. Claudia is also survived by her aunts Ellen Rogers and Lynne Vail and her uncle Bradley Rogers and many cousins and nieces and nephews. Claudia was predeceased by her mother, Anne Rogers Kronenberg, father, Charles (Bud) Kronenberg and brothers, Brad, Chris, Mitch Seagrave and Jon and Peter Kronenberg.
Claudia was born in Norwalk, Connecticut on August 26, 1963. She was a summer resident on Nantucket since birth but moved to 102 Main Street, Nantucket in 1972, where she attended grammar school, junior high and high school. She ultimately graduated high school from Beaver Country Day in Chestnut Hill, MA and then received her BA in photography from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Claudia’s childhood was spent in many exciting and varied locations. She lived in Westport, CT, Nantucket, a fishing village in Spain, a rural farm in Colombia, California, Hingham, Wellesley, Boston, Salzburg, and Paris.
Upon returning to Nantucket in the late 1980’s she started her photography career at The Inquirer and Mirror and in the 1990’s started Claudia Kronenberg Photography, a wedding and portrait photography business. Her photographic abilities became evident to the most renowned photographers and she quickly became one of the most elite photographers in the country. She was a representative for Nikon and presented frequently at the portrait and wedding conventions in Las Vegas. Claudia, with her vibrancy, knowledge, excitement, grace and incredible photographic eye beautifully captured the most important moments in the lives of hundreds of families, on and around Nantucket.
After Claudia was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, she approached it with the same dedication and determination she had done with her photography. She focused on living each day to its fullest, always aware of just how precious each moment was. She reached out and offered support and guidance to anyone who was newly diagnosed with cancer. She was involved in fundraising efforts on Nantucket and Boston in gratitude for all the help she received from the medical community. Claudia promoted good health and a POSITIVE attitude. She did not view herself as a cancer victim but rather as a person that was living with cancer. She greeted each day with her broad amazing smile even in the face of adversity. Claudia will remain a part of all who knew her. Her brilliance, passion, talent, love, and concern for others will continue to embrace this community and all whose lives she touched.