This month we are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Meghan of Meghan Endahl Photography. Meghan is a real-life and lifestyle family photographer in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She’s become more involved in bereavement and real-life photography since 2018, making it her mission to capture the most genuine connections and emotions that families have. When not photographing, Meghan homeschools her almost-5-year-old son serves her church in photography and video, and is writing her first novel.
How would you describe your photography? Overall, I am a documentary (sometimes lifestyle) family photographer who seeks emotion and connection as often as possible. There are so many moments in our lives that are forgotten, and it’s those moments I want to capture.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? For a few years now, I’ve followed the stories and journeys of several different cancer moms, feeling a deep pull toward needing and wanting to support these families in any way I can. My first exposure to the reality of childhood cancer was of Chad Carr, a local boy who passed from DIPG the same year my son was born. I began following several pediatric cancer groups and ended up photographing a little girl who’d been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor (though not DIPG, and miraculously, she is currently NED!) because her family believed she only had months to live. After photographing her twice and wishing I could do this kind of photography on a more permanent basis, I was told about The Gold Hope Project and I knew I wanted to be a part of and support the organization as soon as possible.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? When a Gold Hope family chooses me to photograph them, it’s such a privilege. I did my first session in 2018, and the family are now friends of mine. I’ve even had the opportunity to serve them when their daughter suffered a traumatic reaction to anesthesia during one of her MRI’s. They had no food or clothes, so I brought them what I could. And I think that’s my favorite thing right there — we have the amazing opportunity to serve these families, whether or not they become friends, and provide them with lasting memories of their love while supporting them however possible.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? Absolutely. Every day is a blessing, every day is an opportunity. In January 2018, doctors actually believed my son might have a tumor in his back, and by then I’d already been researching pediatric cancer and following several blogs through social media – so when we received the news, I was immediately humbled. In the end, an MRI revealed that the swelling they thought was a tumor was coming from my son’s stomach and he was diagnosed with Celiac Disease — but that experience, where I actually saw my healthy son in the same waiting room with several fighters waiting for their own tests, combined with photographing children who are cancer fighters, is the fire that frequently reminds me how temporary life is, and how much more it must be valued because of this.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? I hope that the families we photograph for TGHP know they aren’t forgotten. They aren’t a burden, and that they aren’t alone — though I’m sure it feels that way often. They have allies in us, finding ways to fight childhood cancer while providing them with photographs that can stay with them forever.
This month we are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Elena of Elena Streeter Photography. Elena is a portrait photographer based in Bountiful, Utah. She loves working with families, high school seniors, and female entrepreneurs. When not doing all things photography-related, you can find her spending time with her family, reading a good book, or enjoying a bar of dark chocolate.
How would you describe your photography? My photography style is bright, colorful and emotional.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? I was looking for an organization where I could give back to the community and support families and especially children because I believe that families are the most important people in our lives and I wanted to support those that needed extra joy in their life.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? My favorite things about being a part of this organization are meeting the families and kids, watching family relationships unfold in front of me, and seeing how much they love and treasure each day together.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? For sure it has. I see their strength and resilience and walk away from each session with a feeling of hope for the better in this world even during the hardest times.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? I hope I can create photos that will show families and children as true, happy, and authentic selves. I hope I can preserve memories families create together, capture the smiles and laughter of siblings, and the love parents and little warriors have for each other.
This month we are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Valerie of Valerie Eidson Photography. Valerie is a portrait photographer based in Asheville, North Carolina. She specializes in children, family, and newborn photography, but never turns down an occasion to photograph something special. Her passion is to capture life’s everyday moments and turn them into timeless works of art.
How would you describe your photography? I would describe my photography as warm, emotive and magical.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? I love sharing the gift of photography with others and using that gift to brighten the lives of other people. The Gold Hope Project was the perfect organization that allowed me to share this amazing gift with families and children.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? Watching how children light up in front of the camera brings me so much joy. They feel so special during their session and my hope is that maybe for the brief time when we are together, they forget about the other worries and stressors in their life. I also love gifting the family a tangible moment in time.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? Working with kids with cancer has taught me how precious life is and how important it is to live to the fullest each day and be thankful and humbled by the blessings we have.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? I hope that families can take with them the memory of a fun experience shared with their child during an otherwise stressful time.
This month we are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Emilly of Photos by Emilly. Emilly serves families in the Chester County and Berks County areas of Pennsylvania. She provides exceptional photography services to families and couples. With the ability to freeze and capture emotions and moments, Emilly has been able to provide clients with a lasting memory of this time in their lives.
How would you describe your photography? I aim to capture and guide all of my clients on natural interactions, smiles, and tears. Those are the moments to enjoy and those are the moments we need to remember. I have a love of greenery, playing, and cuddling and that shows in my images.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? I always truly enjoyed taking pictures. After some time, the joy slowly began to wear off as photography became more of a job. I wanted to find ways to use my joy and my ability to freeze time as a way of giving back. The strength of children is truly amazing. I needed a “why” for my work and these amazing, and strong children, helped me realize it.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? I have enjoyed meeting strong families and bonding with the children! Seeing families come together and breathing in the moment together has been truly amazing. Plus, being able to provide the ability to help not only to capture but to create moments for those who truly needed them has been the most rewarding and beautiful experience.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? It has led me to seek out volunteer opportunities where I can use my “photography powers” for good and has helped me to see and appreciate the smaller things.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? It is my hope that they continue to breathe in the little moments… the cuddles, the tears (yes!), the kisses, and the hand holding. Treasure and cherish those.
This month we are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Dawn Alexander of Freckleface Photography. Dawn is an on-location natural light photographer based in Ontario, Canada. Her specialties include lifestyle family, childhood, and in-home newborn photography. She has a special focus on connections that capture a family’s genuine love and energy.
How would you describe your photography? I strive to capture connection and emotion in families and children of all ages. My use of texture, rich colours, and matte tones help to tell a family’s story in a distinct and organic way.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? When I set up my photography business, I felt like I really wanted to give back to an organization that helped families and children in some capacity. I searched for months and months. Although there were organizations that were out there doing so much good, I couldn’t find one that aligned with my values 100%. One day, I stumbled on a Facebook post of a young childhood cancer survivor and knew right then that I had to volunteer with The Gold Hope Project.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? I love being able to provide these families with a little escape from their day to day. Giving them an hour or two where they can just be with each other, have fun, and laugh. I love helping them create happy memories and being able to gift them some beautiful images.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? Working with children with cancer has helped me to appreciate that life is truly fragile. We should all try to be living more in the moment. I am also amazed and humbled by the fierce resilience of these children and their families.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? I want them to see the beauty and the strength in their love. I also want them to know they have an army of people that are standing behind them to offer help and support.
This month we are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Casey of Casey Foggitt Photography. She is a natural light photographer, in the Bryan/College Station area of Texas, specializing in portraits and wildlife photography. She has been married to her South African love for 12 years and they share their home with fur babies of all kinds.
In addition to photography, Casey is also a Certified Personal Trainer. She leads Bootcamps, teaches Yoga, and offers one-on-one training. When she’s not taking photos or making people sweat, she is either in her backyard hand-feeding her needy squirrels, or in the kitchen creating yummy Vegan, Gluten-Free treats.
How would you describe your photography? Real… I consider myself someone who documents life through the lens of a camera. Real moments, real emotions… those are the shots I’m after.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? I was searching for a way to utilize my love of photography while giving back when I came across The Gold Hope Project. As a child, my brothers and I had a dear friend who was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 5. He fought valiantly for 5 years.
The day before he passed away, his mom brought him to our house, and we had the best time. We hooked a red wagon to one of our bicycles and pulled him up and down the street for hours. The next day when his mom called to say he had gone to Heaven, we were shocked, saddened, and heartbroken. If only we could have had that day in pictures… the laughs and the smiles. Because of my experience as a child, when I saw the mission of The Gold Hope Project, I knew I had to be a part of it.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? I love that I am able to give something to these families that will stand the test of time. I also love that I am able to work with such courageous fighters and those that are fighting right along with them!
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? Absolutely! These children are nothing short of superheroes to me. They’re fighting a monster and they do so with such grace, courage, and strength. It makes me take a step back from my own life and realize that my problems and fears are nothing compared to what these fighters and families are facing on a daily basis. They help me see the importance of cherishing every moment.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? My hope is that these families were able to forget about cancer, if only for a moment, and enjoy just being a family while making beautiful memories that they can cherish forever.
