Last year I was one of the many photographers who participated in Giving Is Awesome.   Giving is Awesome is a simple effort by photographers worldwide to give back to their communities. Regional contests are sponsored by photographers across the globe. Each photographer is encouraged to give both a session fee and a generous amount of portrait product (typically $1000 or more) to a worthy individual or family this holiday season.

Due to our move to Texas over the holidays, I knew I wouldn’t be able to participate as I did last year–taking nominations and announcing a winner.  However, I still found a way to contribute and hopefully make a family happy with the gift of custom photography.

As many of you know from experience, Facebook can bring you back into the lives of long lost friends.  About a year ago, I was able to connect with a high school friend I haven’t seen since probably 1992–and he lives just 30 miles from me!  Several months ago, Jimmy sadly posted that his 9 year old daughter, Alexis, had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).  Alexis is a tough little girl and has been completing rounds of radiation and chemotherapy and has just recently attended a few half days of school.  She is bravely fighting her cancer while her parents do anything and everything they can to support her.  They are an amazing family!

I told Jimmy I would happily donate a session with Alexis if she was up to it.  You never know at any given time how she’ll be feeling.  Thankfully, Alexis was excited for the session and had lots of her own ideas on locations.  She’s a gem with a beautiful outlook on life and I’m so glad I was able to spend some time with her. 

As fundraisers for Alexis’ treatment at Children’s Mercy, they are selling Team Alexis t-shirts, bracelets and buttons at this website.  You can also join Team Alexis on Facebook.  If nothing else, you can always donate blood! 

I’ve been pretty wishy washy about whether or not I want to add weddings to my services.  I truly love shooting them (especially when my husband can 2nd shoot with me)  but the stress of THE DAY and the massive editing job have kept me from just going for it.  However, when my lovely hairdresser, Jamie, asked if I’d return to Kansas in June and shoot her wedding, I didn’t hesitate at all.  I adore this girl and now I adore her fiance, Cameron.  They make a beautiful couple and I wish them all the best.  Look for their wedding images next summer!