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.
Be sure to follow Christi online! Christi Allen Curtis Photography | Facebook | Instagram
A big thank you to Stacey for choosing to give back with us. Want to follow her lead? Apply to be a volunteer photographer here.