This month, we are so thrilled to shine our photographer spotlight on Christi of Christi Allen Curtis Photography. Christi lives with her husband and 2 kids in Brandon, FL. She specializes in children, family, maternity and underwater photography in the greater Tampa Bay, FL area and sometimes travels for her underwater work. She loves to chase the magic light in unique and beautiful settings, using her camera to help tell her subject’s story and to help preserve fleeting moments that soon become memories.
How would you describe your photography? I had someone tell me once that I “shoot with my whole heart”… I would like to think that shows in my photography. I really try and always shoot with compassion and patience, striving to capture true personality and genuine expressions while letting my little clients show me the world through their eyes.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? When I first heard about The Gold Hope Project I knew I had to join up with this amazing team of photographers. What a great thing TGHP is doing to help make a difference in these children (& their family’s) lives. I am so honored that I was accepted and able to help make a small difference in the lives of those who have to face this horrible nightmare.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? I absolutely LOVE having the ability to give back with my camera… I have always felt the want and need to help people and this is how I can help fulfill that purpose. I feel so much for these children who are battling such a big monster as cancer, braving more in their little lives than I have ever had to endure in mine. Their parents, they have my whole heart… I cannot imagine the weight they bare in taking care of and watching as their children fight this scary disease. So to be able to do something, to feel like I am helping in some small way just warms my heart and soul.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? It absolutely has! I almost can’t put it into words…. the first time I photographed a sick little boy (before I heard about The Gold Hope Project) I thought I was doing this big thing for this family. This amazing and handsome little boy sat in front of my camera and I can’t explain it but my life was forever changed, I walked away from that session feeling like his family, feeling like HE had given me so much more than I could ever have given him. A 3-year-old boy, Anthony, taught me how to be brave and to have faith. I was honored to photograph him two more times over the course of 2.5 years and was devastated when I learned he passed away just 3 weeks after the last time I photographed him. It’s hard to explain but there is a sort of connection I feel to all of my clients, especially the little ones and this little guy, he was special. I’ll never forget at his funeral, his grandmother came to me, hugged me and simply said “ Thank you” through her pain and tears… and although I was frozen and couldn’t say anything back I believe that thank you was for the photographs that will live on forever. I am filled with peace knowing that in some small, minuscule way I helped by providing beautiful photographs that are now priceless treasures to his sweet mother and family. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the brave little boy that sat down in front of my camera and showed me with just one look, how I can be brave too.
So to say it has changed my life is an understatement, I have seen the ugly side of cancer, I have seen it take a sweet little life away from a loving family but I have also seen how beautiful it can be in seeing the love that surrounds these children, seeing people come together to help fight and seeing how these tiny, amazing humans can show the world how to live with so much strength.
This is why when I heard about The Gold Hope Project I knew I wanted to join up with these amazing people to help in photographing more of these brave little souls and their families. I have since met and photographed a pair of sisters, who faced the fight together. The younger sister having saved her sister’s life with her bone marrow; these are beautiful stories we share for The Gold Hope Project, and I am honored and blessed to be a part of it.
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love” ~ Mother Teresa
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? When I shoot a session I want to help tell their story… to help document this time in their lives. I want them to feel comfortable and have fun with the experience and I want them to take home beautiful images that will last forever.
This month, we are so thrilled to shine our photographer spotlight on Jen of Jen Bilodeau Photography. Jen is a featured Massachusetts based, lifestyle family and commercial photographer. Through her artistic use of light and shadow, and her commitment to capturing authentic organic moments, Jen creates beautifully timeless and powerful imagery. Jen is also a CPA and enjoys mentoring fellow photographers to help them take their business to the next level. Across all areas of her work, Jen strives to capture honest, emotive and timeless images that artfully preserve today’s moments that matter.
How would you describe your photography? I am a lifestyle photographer that specializes in families and I also mentor photographers to help them take their art and their businesses to the next level. Maybe this is due to my own place in life, but I have a special affection for capturing mothers with their children. With each image, I strive to artistically use light and shadow and authentic, organic moments to create beautifully timeless and powerful imagery. My images are characterized by rich colors and deep black & white tones. Across all areas of my work, I strive to capture honest, emotive and timeless images that artfully preserve today’s moments that matter. For me its all about the beautiful raw feeling of honest human connection.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? When I learned about the Gold Hope project I knew it was an organization that I wanted to give my time to. My mission is always to capture authentic and emotive moments that can be savored over time. I strive to capture the essence of each child and the raw and authentic emotions shared between loved ones. For a family fighting cancer, capturing the spirt of their child and they love they share takes on an ever greater meaning. I knew that I wanted to be able to give the gift of photography to families battling the most devastating diagnosis imaginable for a parent.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? I love watching the children I photography light up in front of my camera. These children carry so much weight around all the time – going from appointment to appointment, feeling sick from their treatments, feeling sad for missing out on normal everyday activities, seeing the pain in their parent’s eyes…. Children battling cancer are the most brave fighters I have ever encountered. So, to be able to give them an evening where they can let all of that go – where they get dressed up and celebrate all that is beautiful in their life…..well this is priceless.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? Working with children with cancer has reminded me to appreciate each moment as it comes. Nothing in life is a given, so it is essential to simply enjoy who our children are and where we are today in this moment with them. I sometimes have a tendency to get too caught up in planning and thinking about the future….or sometimes I catch myself longing for days that have past. But working with children fighting cancer has helped me to appreciate living in the “now” more than I ever did before. It has also helped me to gain a greater appreciation for all that comes with each passing day. It is a gift to be able to watch our children grow, and watching how hard children fighting cancer battle for each new day, has truly changed me.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? In working with The Gold Hope project I hope that I have been able to capture the essence of the fighters I photograph and the love these families share for each other. I also hope that the whole shooting experience can be an evening of joy for them – an evening where they can put the stress and sadness of their situation aside and simply enjoy the love they share for each other.
We are so thrilled to shine our photographer spotlight on Susy of Susy Martinez Photography. Susy is a homeschooling momma to 4 kids who keep her very active! She is a Las Vegas, NV on location natural light & studio light portrait photographer specializing in maternity, newborn and baby sessions but enjoys family sessions as well. She loves capturing the glowing beauty of a mother-to-be, cuddling with brand new babies, and documenting important milestones of a baby’s first year of life. Photography is her passion and she loves that she gets to call it her job.
How would you describe your photography? I would describe my photography as fun, classic and traditional. I love to look for wide open places that have beautiful sceneries which range from bold red rocks to soft airy dry lake beds.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? When I first heard of this project I was moved. I always wanted to find a way to give back and finding this non profit was the perfect way to give back to my community.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? I love that I have the unique opportunity to provide these families with special memories that they will treasure forever.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? Yes it has made me appreciate life more. I always come home and hug my kids a little tighter.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? I want them to have a happy experience that they can remember and cherish over the years as they look through their photos.
We are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Stacey Muniz of Soul Threading. Stacey is a lifestyle photographer in Gainesville, Florida. She has traveled outside of Florida as well and specifically goes back to her hometown in Chicago, Illinois to also spread her love of photography while visiting family and friends. She photographs life in the moment for couples + weddings, families + children, and event + commercial images for businesses. Her goal is to bring you her best and provide you with imagery that will show off your story with excellence. Stacey is a wife and mother to two kiddos {and two pups} – homeschooling and running the business is what consumes her days. Her mission is to take photographs + chase light – only giving glory to the One who always fulfills His promises.
How would you describe your photography? It started off as a way to just document life, then it turned into a mashup of documenting life and turning it into art for others. Based on how I do things during and after the session – I’d like to think it is full of storytelling, connection and color.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? For them. Providing photographs for families that are going through hardships was all I needed to hear. My heart feels so deeply for those that are carrying this weight, and if this gift of art can be a vessel to lighten the load in any way – then count me in.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? It is such an honor to be a part of this mission brought about from such incredible people. Completely humbled. The children’s’ smiles are the brightest smiles I have ever seen and if I can bring a glimpse of light to others through photography – then that is one the greatest gifts I can receive.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? After experiencing the session and reading / viewing other sessions, my heart for spreading love + hope through this gift of photography has grown. Incredibly inspired by the parents that are so selflessly taking care of their children in this way. Selflessness is so powerful and I feel blessed to have learned more through experience in this way from these families.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? My main hope is to have the recipients of these photographs to remember the moments like they were yesterday, and I pray that anything delivered can be cherished for a lifetime.
We are so excited to be shining our photographer spotlight on Alexis of Buatti-Ramos Photography. Based out of Long Island, New York, Alexis primarily photographs families, theater productions for young audiences, headshots and special events. The staff photographer and graphic designer for The New Victory Theater in Times Square for over 10 years, she has a passion for working with nonprofits that serve children. Notable clients include The Gold Hope Project, Trusty Sidekick Theater Company, Spellbound Theatre, Bluelaces Theater Company, Beautiful Together and Kids Run Long Island. Alexis has continued to hone her craft by studying with world-renowned photographers Tamara Lackey and Peter Hurley, and of course, with everyday practice! A people person and a people photographer, Alexis considers her work a collaborative process between herself and her clients to create images that showcase energy, connection and emotion. Her photography has been featured in The New York Times, Rangefinder Magazine, TYA Today, American Theater and numerous family publications.
How would you describe your photography? I would describe my images as emotive, vibrant and playful. I’m happy to say that since I started photographing professionally about a decade ago, my photography style has evolved to truly reflect my personality.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? I would like to think that there comes a point in every creative person’s life when they start searching for ways to give back using their skills and talent. In 2014, I started a search to find ways to give back using photography. I knew that I wanted to help kids in someway and found many organizations to donate money to. However, there was only one that was utilizing the talents of photographers around the nation and that was The Gold Hope Project! Right off the bat I knew it was going to be a great fit!
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? It’s hard to choose just one thing and my answer changes based on the situation. When a child is currently going through chemo or radiation, my favorite thing is getting to know that child and interact and play with them. For a few hours during our session they can feel like a kid on a playdate rather than a patient. When I’m working with a family where their child is a survivor of pediatric cancer my favorite thing is being able to celebrate how awesome they are with their whole family! And if I am ever paired with a family who may only have a few years, months or even weeks left with their child my favorite thing would be knowing that these images will mean more to them than they could have ever imagined.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? I’ve become more aware, not only of how AMAZING kids are but of the community that has been built around finding a cure for pediatric cancer. Everyone has their own hardships and it’s natural to be unaware of hardships that others are faced with until it affects someone in your own life. Working with children with cancer has opened my eyes to the devastating statistics that come with pediatric cancers, the numerous types of pediatric cancers and the many many ways we can help find a cure!
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? I would say exactly that, an experience. Many people feel that having photographs taken is about the end result, the printed product. Yes, of course that is correct but it’s also about so much more. In all my sessions, including those I photograph for The Gold Hope Project, I hope that families get to walk away having had an experience that they will remember for a long time, and then an even longer time after that thanks, in part, to the photographs I’ve created for them. Family bonding happens when they are laughing, playing and just being together, which creates inside jokes, strengthens relationships and inspires creativity.
This month our photographer spotlight is shining on Kelsey Smith Photography. Kelsey is a San Diego based family photographer. She’s a mama of three beautifully loud kiddos and a lover of all things fun and adventurous. She’s at her happiest when she’s camping with her little family, camera in hand.
How would you describe your photography? I would describe my photography as emotive portraiture focused on genuine connections with a storytelling nature. I see the value of photography as art therapy and am beyond grateful for the amount of healing it has brought to my heart and hopefully the hearts of families that I’ve photographed.
What made you want to join The Gold Hope Project as a volunteer? I came across The Gold Hope Project one day on Facebook and just cried. I couldn’t imagine having to go through the amount of hurt these families are experiencing and wanted to help, even if it was just an iota of relief. I believe that hearts can start to heal when you see the beautiful love within your family in images. I wanted to provide that for Gold Hope families.
What is your favorite thing about being a Gold Hope photographer? I love meeting the fighters! These kids blow me away each and every time with their strength and beauty. The light they shine is just incredible.
Has working with children with cancer changed anything in your life? It is easy to live your life in a bubble and just hope that tragedies don’t affect your family but that’s not the truth. These amazing kids could easily be one of my own children. I think working with The Gold Hope Project has made me appreciate each and every day more.
What is one thing you hope the families you photograph for the project can take away from this experience? I hope the families I’ve photographed walk away from their session knowing they aren’t alone. That there are so many people in their corner wrapping them in love.
