I am still reeling from the tragedy that occurred last Friday in Newtown, CT, and I'm sure that you all feel the same. I look at my young son and I just want to hold him so tight and never let him go. I feel such sadness for those families who lost precious loved ones, especially in this normally joyous holiday season. I still can't read any of the news articles about this without my eyes filling with tears and my chest getting tight.
In the wake of this horrible event, there's been a lot of buzz about doing acts of kindness and I want to join in with the skills that I have. There has also been much discussion about the family of one of the little girls that had recently had a family photo session done. Many photographers have joined The Olivia Act, committing to give free photo sessions to deserving families who might not otherwise be able to afford professional photos of their children.
I want to give in honor and memory of all those involved, but I need your help. I want to give a free mini-session including the digital images, to at least one family with children and at least one teacher and his or her family. I hope to do more throughout the year, but I'll start with this. The session can be for the whole family or just the children, whichever they would like. They can be considered deserving for any reason you decide, military service, any form of hardship, just being a great person, etc.
Can you help me by telling me about a deserving family or teacher in the Lake Wylie, SC or surrounding areas (Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Clover, York, Belmont, Gastonia, etc)? Be sure to include their name, email and why you think they are deserving of a free photo session. Please send your suggestions to Andrea[at]Speechless-Photography[dot]com and include either "Deserving Teacher" or "Deserving Family" in the subject line. I know everyone is busy right now, but please try to get your email to me on or before Friday, January 11th. I'll pick 2 of your submissions to contact to schedule a free session, either this spring or as soon as the weather is nice enough to comfortably be outdoors.
This isn't about growing my business, so you don't have to like my Facebook page or follow my blog to submit deserving families or to be chosen for the free session. This is just about doing what I can with the tools that I have and hoping that my small act of kindness will encourage others to do the same.
"How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment. We can start now, start slowly, changing the world. How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make a contribution toward introducing justice straightaway. And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!" - Anne Frank
These pictures of my son from our recent trip to the beach were included for no other reason than that they bring me joy.