2006
Recently, I read an article in People about an amazing non-profit organization called Flashes of Hope. Started by a former model, it's dedicated to taking pictures of kids who are fighting life-threatening illnesses; professional photographers volunteer their time. Check out the photos—both beautiful and inspiring—and pass along the info to families who could use it.
If you couldn't already tell from reading this blog, I love taking pictures of the kids. I used to bring them to The Picture People, though Max didn't always do so well in a strange location. So every fall, we'd hire a professional photographer to come to the house; this year our neighbor, Jon, did the job. (He also took the photos below of Max at two.) When Max was a baby, looking at pictures of him was the one thing that could always lift me out of the how-am-I-going-to-handle-all-this fog I was in.
For the first four months of his life, Max wasn't able to focus his eyes on me. His brain was still healing from the stroke, and vision was slow to come. At the end of the day, our babysitter would put him in the stroller and meet me halfway when I walked home from the train. I can vividly recall stooping down on the sidewalk in front of the stroller, saying "Max! Max! Max!" and yearning so hard for him to look back and recognize me.
Eventually, he did.
These are some of my favorite professional shots of the kids, through the years.
2008
2007
2007
2006
2006
2005
2004
2004
Boy, his smile just lights up a room! :D Sorry I've taken so long to stop by, Ellen, I've been an atrocious blog commenter ever since we started homeschooling last fall. Seems like I wake up and WHOOSH!! The days gone! :P
ReplyDeleteI did add you to my reader though, and Max's smile just makes my day -- so glad you're writing for 5MFSN!
~Michelle @ In The Life of a Child
Picture People Ewww.... Ok I'll stop... Yes I am a photographer of children, thought now I'm focused on sports. One of the things my clients always liked is that I come to them, they don't come to me... For children with special needs this is great!
ReplyDeleteAs for non-profit services for ill children there is the American Child Photographers Charity Guild, that I am a member of (for PA): www.acpcg.com
Erin who runs ACPCG is also the official photographer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan.
And for the very ill little ones who may not stay with us for long, there is Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep: www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org
Professional Photographers of America is also another great tool: www.ppa.com PPA also has state level groups as well.
For me, photography has always been more then just money, I always try to help the people I can, especially children... People simply don't grasp the importance of a photograph till some one is gone.
If any one needs help, just contact me!
BTW, I really like the 2006 and 2004 photos of Max... :-)
ReplyDeleteAdorable shots!
ReplyDeleteAdorable, just adorable!!
ReplyDeleteLove the photos... an Max's little baby curls, sigh.
ReplyDeleteHis smile is so wonderful, I'm so glad it just gets bigger and broader with time!
ReplyDeleteDon't you hate it when you leave a long comment, and I guess exit out before making sure the captcha was right...grrr! Anyway, great blog, and loved the pics. My husband does photpgraphy on the side, and took the pic of Jude in blue on my blog. Also, I went nuts with medical info on my blog today.I really like the concept of the flashes of hope!
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos! I wish I was nearby - I'd totally come do your photos for free!!
ReplyDeleteI currently volunteer for NILMDTS in my area. It's a heartbreaking job, but SO worth it to help.
Keep those kiddos smiling, I know what you mean about just gazing at the photos!
When I take pictures of Charlie, sometimes I have trouble stopping!
ReplyDeleteI love that one of Max looking at the fire truck.
I love the photos. The first and the firetruck. Your kids are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful pictures! Thanks for sharing them! I love seeing how they have changed over the years!
ReplyDelete