Images for a Cure: A National Fundraising Event for Photographers

My favorite part about organizing this event, has been hearing the amazing stories from other photographers. I got this email tonight, and wanted to share – Kristen

Kristen,

This is the McElhenny Family. Mom, Dad, and 6 siblings. Their beautiful mother was diagnosed 7 years ago nearly to the day of the Images for a Cure Event with Breast Cancer. She is a survivor! Her birthday and wedding anniversary were the following day. Her beautiful children and husband decided to surprise her with a photoshoot in honor of being a Breast Cancer survivor. They came from just outside of Baltimore, Md to see me in Woodbridge, Va. 2 of the kids came in from out of state to surprise their mom and to celebrate…her. She had no idea where they were going or what the day held until they pulled up to where we would meet. Tears streamed down her face as she sat in shock, surrounded by the love of her husband and children.

We laughed the afternoon away as I imagined what it must have been like to grow up in their home. One full of love, life and dreams.

I send this email to celebrate you. You have touched so many lives with your vision for Images for a Cure. I am honored to be part of your vision and spread the cause that so dearly touches lives across the world daily.

Thank you for an amazing opportunity to support this great cause.

Always,

*Nicole

www.perfectlyposhphotography.com
www.perfectlyposhphotography.blogspot.com

Bev Luckraft: That is one of the most beautiful and heartwarming photos and stories I’ve ever seen. I feel truly blessed to have Penny & Joe as my friends … they are a wonderful example of what a close and loving family should be. Bev
Holly: They truly are an amazing family! I have been friends of the family for roughly 15 years now. I have never met any family as welcoming, loving, beautiful and humurous as this family. The McElhenny’s truly are amazing people. We are so blessed that Mrs. Mc is where she is today. She is the one of the most amazing women I have ever met. Thanks for sharing the email and pic. Holly
Nicole Paul: thank you so much for sharing this story. what an amazing family….
Kristin Kraczek: That is so sweet! I can’t wait until next year
Leigh - Broken Road Photography: What an awesome story and beautiful family.
bethany: That is such an amazing and touching story! What a beautiful family!!!

One of the great parts about Images for a Cure, is that this isn’t only about the photographers who participate, but also about the generous clients that have given their donations to support us and our cause. I have been blessed to have received support from friends – old and new. That’s where Melissa and Sean come in.

I actually got to know Melissa on Facebook a few months ago and we were working to put together a fashion shoot. We finally met last week and just totally hit it off (I even got to meet Sean at the shoot… he’s tall ). She’s a sweet girl, with a heart of gold. A recent high school graduate, she’s been saving a little bit of money from her job each week just to donate the session fee for a fun couple’s session for the event. I can’t wait to work with her again, her smile isn’t nearly as big as her heart is

melissaandsean

Name - Melissa & Sean
Location – Orlando, FL
Photographer Name – Kristen Weaver

Why did you want to be involved with Images for a Cure? We didn’t want to be spectators in the fight against breast cancer anymore.
When I saw Kristen’s new project I knew that this was finally our chance to start giving back and getting involved.

How has breast cancer made an impact on your life?
For years it hadn’t made an impact because we were those lucky people who knew of it..but never really knew about it. We didn’t know what it was like to have it hit your friends and family without warning. However, as the years have passed we’ve seen family, friends and even professorss who have fought or are fighting breast cancer. Most recently we’ve had a family friend diagnosed and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. We’ve been lucky enough not to lose anyone yet, but we know that we can’t take that for granted and want to make sure we get involved in the fight against breast cancer.

How or why did you choose your photographer?
This whole fantastic, absolutely ingenious, idea was started by Kristen..so who better to shoot with?!

What kind of session will you be doing?
After much coaxing, bribing, and guilt-tripping..a couples session!

Do you have any motivational or inspirational quotes that are meaningful to you?
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill
” Successful people don’t do extraordinary things but they do ordinary things in and extraordinary way. Be the best in whatever you are doing and you shall be great and successful.” Njang Chris

Have you ever participated in any other “pink” campaigns?
We’ve always done small things, like the whole wear pink on Friday for awareness, but never participated to this extent. We feel as though by participating in this campaign and donating, we are taking an even more active role in Breast Cancer awareness & Research.

Tell me a little about you and Sean.
Funny, random, serious – who are you guys as a couple? As a couple, we are a complete and utter mess, but that’s what works for us! Perfection is the enemy of progress! What would we be without arguing over who ate the last fudge filled Drumstick, only to stop mid-sentence laughing at how ridiculous we are? We’d rather “be absolutely ridiculous, than be absolutely boring” (Marilyn Monroe). He’s surprised when he finds out I used to play basketball for my high school, and I’m surprised when I see that he owns & actually wears a Dior tie. He made me watch Family Guy after swearing to never ever watch it and not I secretly like it. I made him go watch The Time Traveler’s Wife and he secretly liked it. ”Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly.” ~Rose Franken.

No comment so far

This event has had so many special meanings to me – but one of the driving forces of developing this fundraiser was from the relationship with a close friend of mine, Jessica. She has had life changing experiences with Breast Cancer, and it’s because of her story that I was compelled to make a difference. Ever since meeting Jessica in college, she has been a do-er. Her constant commitment to breast cancer research is inspiring, and I wanted to share her story.

Thank you, Jessica, for working with me on such a personal project. I am so blessed to have known such a strong and caring individual

- Kristen

Tim and Jessica after the proposal in Maine

Name - Jessica
Location – St Petersburg, FL/Orlando, FL
Photographer Name – Kristen Weaver

Why did you want to be involved with Images for a Cure?
I feel very strongly about breast cancer research as I have a strong family history of it. Also, Kristen is a good friend and I always like to help those that want to help others.

How has breast cancer made an impact on your life?
My Aunt and my Nana (both on my mother’s side) died from breast cancer at early ages. Also, my mother had a suspicious breast lump and therefore had a prophylactic mastectomy because of her family history. Because of all this, not only have I lost precious family members, but I fear for my chances of developing breast cancer. So I will do anything to help raise money for a cure to potentially help me in the future and help others to not lose their family members as I have.

How or why did you choose your photographer?
Kristen is my sorority sister and was a roommate of mine in college. I was blessed to be able to see the beginning of her photographic talents and I have been in awe of her ever since.

What kind of session will you be doing?
My boyfriend of 6 years and I just got engaged, so this is a great opportunity to have engagement photos taken.

Do you have any motivational or inspirational quotes that are meaningful to you?
The Serenity Prayer has always had meaning for me, since it had meaning for my Nana: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Also, by Goethe: “Nothing is worth more than this day.”

Have you ever participated in any other “pink” campaigns?
I have participated in a few Susan G Komen Races, and it was always an amazing experience to see all these people come together to celebrate life and hope.

How did you and Tim meet? How did he propose?
Tim and I met through Kristen, incidentally, in college 6 years ago. We were friends at first and it eventually grew into more. In July of this year we went on vacation with his family to Ogunquit, Maine and he proposed to me on Ogunquit beach with chocolate covered strawberries flown in from San Francisco and Champagne. It was beautiful and meaningful and everything I could have dreamed of. One of the things that he said after he proposed was “Now you know that I’ll always take care of you,” that is when I lost it!

Kristen Weaver Photography: Orlando Florida Wedding Photographer » Images for a Cure: [...] a blog on the website where I talk about the plan, and share the personal story of my first session Jessica and Tim. Participating photographers will also get the opportunity to blog about their sessions, post their [...]