I am so happy with my photos from this week. I have been trying to figure out how to edit all of the pictures perfectly, and I definitely feel like I am getting better. I took these pictures of my friend Maddie, who I have been best friends with since kindergarten. She has definitely been one of my favorite models, although I love all of them so much, and these pictures turned out fantastic. I found an abandoned shed out in the country by where Maddie lives, and it was very beautiful. Enjoy the pictures and please leave feedback if you can!
Along with my photo shoot this week, I want to share a story about an incredibly strong, tough little girl fighting her 3rd round of cancer. Maddie's (the model above) little sister Zayla was diagnosed with Leukemia when she was 3, she beat it, it came back when she was about 6, and she beat it again. This past summer, Zay was diagnosed with a brain tumor a bit bigger than a tangerine, and since then has had a huge benefit where she raised thousands of dollars, a lot of which she plans on donating to other family's with children who have cancer. Zayla has been doing chemotherapy, and her tumor, which she named Bob, is now about the size of a dime. Zayla has become a bit of a celebrity around the area, spreading her motto, "The third time's a charm!" She is such an inspiring, nearly 13 year old girl, who has made such a large impact on not only my life, but so many other people's lives. I attached a collage of pictures I stole off of her mother's Facebook page and uploaded to Instagram, which was later used as the background of the fliers for her benefit. If you want to look up her story or her Facebook page, you can google "Zayla Mitsdarffer." You can see all of the events that have been held for her, or in honor of her, and view the Team Zayla facebook page. I strongly encourage you take some time to read about her and hopefully she can inspire you like she has inspired me!
Sara, I was going to comment on your photos of Maddie, but then I saw the extra story. Now I'm thinking... I'd bet you could help Maddie's parents raise even more money to help fight for her - if you took photos of people and charged them a donation fee. Maybe set up a booth somewhere (a school dance??) and send the photos back to people digitally. Then they'd have the original and yet have paid a donation for Team Zayla... You'd have to do some advertising prior, however... Just thinking....... Enjoy your photography. I know it can be very personal. Thank you for sharing yours!
Reply
Sara T
3/4/2014 12:53:52 pm
Wow, thank you so much! That is an incredible idea. I really like the idea of my costs being donated. People love giving to important causes! I will definitely be taking this into consideration! :)