Pay It Forward :: January recipient

Blogging is somewhat new to me and something I haven't really taken the time to do in the past. Because of recent Facebook changes and the inability to hold contests on our fan pages directly, I have decided to start blogging. It seems a great deal of photographers keep in touch with the customers this way and it's a great way for you guys to see what we are up to. A way to tell a story about our clients along with the images we show you.

So, with that said, this is my first post and it's regarding my decision to "Pay it Forward" each month to families who may not be able to have quality images taken by a professional photographer. It started with the Decker family who I had the pleasure of photographing this month. Their gratitude and humbleness was something that you seldom see these days. I mean literally, they don't have all the toys that we all take for granted, such as a computer, cell phones, big house, fancy cars, etc. but there was so much love between them that they truly inspired me.

Each and every month I will give away one free session to a family who has been suggested by someone on Facebook, through this blog, my website, or that I've been told about in person. I received many emails regarding families and their struggles during the month of December which made it EXTREMELY hard to choose someone. But there was one families story that truly touched my heart and when I read the email I knew that this was the family I was going to choose. I will not provide explicit details on a public forum due to the fact that I want to keep any information regarding every family confidential. But I will tell you a little bit about why I chose them.

January 2011 recipient:

Hailey R. nominated the Shepard/Wright family. I will not disclose exactly what was discussed in the email, but this family has given without ever expecting anything in return. I will say it's hard to believe that one family would have to endure so much in a lifetime. As the email came to a close there was something that Hailey said and it led me to my final decision, she said, "They have been through so much and it seems like they are starting to lose hope and happiness.... I have seen them overcome many things but also have seen their glow fade." Sadness fell over me when I read those words and I thought, "This family needs to be lifted, in whatever way possible." All I can give is the gift of a memory through a photograph but I also believe this is one of the greatest gifts of all because as a family, they will look back and remember that when things were tough and all hope was lost, someone cared enough to help lift them up. I pray that God will help heal this family and continue to bless them in many wonderful ways. Thank you Hailey for your submission, please contact me for further details! I feel so blessed that God gave me such a wonderful talent and allows me to share it with others.

Remember to do what you can for others because even the smallest of gifts just might be enough to bring hope back into someone's life.

"Be considerate of others when you are passing by because you never know the pain that hides behind their eyes." ~Christie Burns

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

Images below of the Decker Family December 2010 Pay it Forward recipients.