This month we are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Lindsay of Lindsay Chan Photography. She is a portrait photographer specializing in child & family photography in Naperville, IL, and the surrounding Chicagoland suburbs. Lindsay sees photography as an essential part of life… creating memories and marking milestones are her passion.
At 14 years old, Lindsay began learning the basics on film. Her hobby evolved into a full-time business in 2012. In 2018, Lindsay opened her Naperville studio. The business has continued to grow and expand to include year-round portrait and commercial work.
Lindsay loves finding a connection with every family she works with and leaves most sessions feeling like friends than clients. When working with Lindsay, you can expect to laugh, snuggle, and play. All the while, she usually ends up with a mud stain or something else on her jeans while capturing those sweet moments of genuine connection.
How would you describe your photography? I would describe my photography as bright, joyful, and genuine. My style in general is colorful. I tend to edit true to color with a little bit of extra warmth. Creating images that are beautiful enough to fill my clients’ walls with gorgeous art but also genuine, sweet, and real-life moments is what I’m striving to do!
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? I wanted to volunteer to be a Gold Hope Project volunteer to be able to use my gifts to give back. Fighter families that I have worked with have amazing stories to tell, and I’m thankful to be a part of sharing them.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? My favorite thing about being a Gold Hope Project photographer is being able to give families a gift they wouldn’t otherwise be able to have. Many Fighter Families have so many financial stressors due to extra medical expenses for their children. The most impactful gift I’ve been able to share have sadly been the last professional photos taken of one very special Fighter and his mom.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? Working with children with cancer has absolutely changed my life. I can name every single little fighter I have worked with over the years. I often keep in touch with the families I have photographed and their children’s progress and treatment. All of the kids that I have worked with live their lives with such joy and bravery- it keeps my silly and menial worries in perspective.
In August of 2019, one of the fighters that I had grown particularly close to over the years (and done multiple sessions for) gained his angel wings. Landon has impacted my life more than words can say.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? I hope the families that I photograph take away the importance of sharing their stories. I believe that strength can be found in the community! Sharing fighter stories so that other families going through the same thing know that they’re not alone is so important. I’m so thankful for an organization like The Gold Hope Project exists so that no family has to navigate treatment alone!
This month we are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Meghan of Meg Elizabeth Photography. Meghan Finneran is a life-style photographer who lives in Michigan with her husband, two children and her dog. She started out twelve years ago taking photos of her family and friends and grew her hobby into her business. Meghan also enjoys skiing, camping, and playing beach volleyball with friends.
How would you describe your photography? I would describe my photography as capturing “real-life moments.” I take into consideration my client’s personality and make it shine through each photo. I embrace the chaos!
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? In college, I did some volunteer work for the leukemia lymphoma society. I also nannied for a little boy who had cancer. I wanted to do something using my talents and The Gold Hope Project was the perfect fit for me.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? I love meeting the clients and their families. It is such a blessing to be able to do something for someone else that I know they will cherish. A photo is a way I can bring a little joy into their lives and that makes me happy.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? Of course! It is such a good reminder to cherish every moment you have with your loved ones. To embrace the good and the bad and learn to be a better person every day. Family and friends really are everything. Material things are just that- it’s the happy memories you have that are the most meaningful.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? I hope it was an enjoyable experience. One where they can look back on their photos and smile.
This month we are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Paige of Paige Everson Photography. Paige Everson is from Central NY. She has been married to her childhood crush for 21 years. They have two children, whom they homeschool. Magnolia (11) and Finnegan (2), their little rainbow baby. In addition to a decade long career in photography, Paige runs a home and lifestyle blog called The Cozy Bungalow Blog, focusing on affordable decor and DIY projects. She loves writing and making hand-sewn quilts. Her dream is to live in an old farmhouse someday, and raise chickens.
How would you describe your photography? My style is artsy, slightly moody and real – much like me…lol.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? Both my Mother and Father as well as my maternal Grandmother, died from different forms of cancer. One of my brothers and one of my sisters have also had cancer. Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It is an unfair enemy. When it touches a child’s young life, it is perhaps at it’s cruelest. Hope is important. This project is important.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? My favorite quote is by Michelle Williams. “I want to be like water. I want to slip through fingers, but hold up ships.” These children are like water. They are flexible. They’re able to change shape, to deal with everything thrown at them. And they are strong. They bear a great burden, the weight of a large vessel.
I’ve photographed five sessions for The Gold Hope Project so far and each child, without fail, has been nothing short of joyful. Grace, in the most trying of circumstances. It has made me more cognizant of my own blessings. Reminded me, to smile more. To complain less. For I too, long to be like water.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? My favorite things have been Sam’s carefreeness, Emilia’s fun-loving personality, Charlie’s goofy sense of humor, Brandi’s radiant and joyful spirit, and Callin’s energetic nature. Each of them has a piece of my heart!
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? One thing I’ve done with each of these children and their families, is laugh. For an hour or two, there were no hospitals. No needles, no exam tables, no machines or any other daily realities. I watched as they laughed. They danced. They frolicked in waterfalls. They strolled in the woods. They ran on beaches. They cuddled on sofas. They went free rein under a vintage quilt. These precious moments are part of a mosaic of good times. Of happy memories I hope will last forever.
This month we are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Wendy Kovac of Wendy Kovac Photography. Wendy has been capturing newborns, babies, and children in the Myrtle Beach area for over 14 years. In 2018, she was named South Carolina’s Best Newborn Photographer. When she isn’t behind the camera you can find her in the car shuffling her 3 sons to and from theatre, sports, and school.
How would you describe your photography? My photography style is clean, simple, and polished. I love focusing on family connections and details that may have gone unnoticed.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? My tiny little niece who was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma last May inspired me. Along with my own bout with thyroid cancer a few years ago, my eyes have now been opened to how important this can be for the families who are going through this.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer?While I’ve only done a few sessions so far, I love doing them and hope to photograph many more in the future. My favorite thing is hearing how excited the family is after receiving the images. Knowing I could do something that brings them joy while going through such a hard time is a blessing for both the family and myself.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life?Working with the children has definitely changed me. It has made me so much more aware of the many types of childhood cancer there are and that so many children and their families are suffering from it. I have such respect for their parents, knowing more about what they are going through now.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? I hope that the photographs bring them joy. I’ve learned that so many people want to help and to give something, but the kids don’t need more toys or “stuff.” I hope the photographs are something truly meaningful to their family.
This month we are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Sarah of Sarah Siller Photography. Sarah is a family photographer based out of Austin, Texas. Her passion has always been to show others the beauty she sees in them. Sarah photographs children, families, seniors and beauty sessions. She has a wide range of specialties and enjoys constantly exploring new challenges.
How would you describe your photography? My photography is light, easy and fun!
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? I love being able to combine my love of photography and my love of helping people. Giving a moment in time and getting to know these beautiful families is a gift.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? My favorite thing about my sessions is watching the smiles and love from the fighters and their families, it’s like they don’t even know they are real-life superheroes.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? Working with children with cancer has made me want to help more. Being able to give, even something as small as a smile or a moment frozen in time is a beautiful thing that I can’t get enough of.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? I hope at the end of a session the families I get to photograph are still laughing and smiling from their session, and when they look at the pictures they will have the memory of this moment forever.
We love getting the chance to share more about our wonderful photographer volunteers. This month meet Brooke Christl Photography has been serving the Grand Strand area as a wedding, family and commercial photographer for over a decade. As the area’s only Certified Professional Photographer, Brooke Christl specializes in all facets of your family photography including family photo shoots, special events such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and family gatherings as well as newborn photography, engagement sessions, and boudoir photography.
How would you describe your photography? I would like to think my work has a fun look to it, with subjects interacting and being themselves. I like to use natural light when possible and have and light flowy look to it.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? I am always looking for ways to give back and help where I am needed. After looking into TGHP, I liked what they were providing for families and wanted to help.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? The kids and the families I have met have been very special. It’s always a reminder to appreciate what you have in life and live each day with appreciation and gratitude.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? I hope that families are able to look back on the pictures and think of a fun experience that doesn’t include being sick but just being themselves. Playing…running …laughing and just being a kid.
Be sure to follow Brooke Christl Photography online! Facebook | Instagram
A big thank you to Brooke for choosing to give back with us. Want to follow her lead? Apply to be a volunteer photographer here.
