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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.

Be sure to follow Meghan Endahl Photography online! Facebook | Instagram

A big thank you to Meghan for choosing to give back with us. Want to follow her lead? Apply to be a volunteer photographer here.

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