Images for a Cure welcomes Collierville, TN photographer Susan Prater from Designs by Prater! There’s a bunch of awesomeness that I could share about Susan, like how she loves everything Coca-Cola, but I’ll let you find out yourself by visiting her awesome blog on her participation!

Website: http://www.designsbyprater.com |  Blog: http://www.designsbyprater.blogspot.com

Why did you want to get involved with Images for a Cure?
I am always looking for a way to use my photography skills to give back to others.  But this particular cause especially because I have personally seen how much cancer can affect families in just the last few months.  This past June, my husband and I participated in our town’s Relay for Life to show support for relatives who have passed away from cancer and a few friends who are currently struggling with various types of cancer.  Since then, my mother in law has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and undergone surgery to remove the cancer cells. Praise God, all reports show that they were able to remove all of it! Then just another month later, one of the ladies who participated in our Relay for Life team was diagnosed with breast cancer and is still recovering from surgery.  So this is a cause that is very near and dear to our hearts!

How has Breast Cancer (or any cancer) made an impact on your life?
Having friends and loved ones go through courageous battles with cancer recently has reminded me that life is short.  Too short to let another day go by without making sure those you love really know you love them.  Too short to put off that which is really important to you.  Too short to hold on to past grudges and grievances.  Too short to not use your talents to glorify God and help others in need!

When did you first fall in love with photography and why?
For as long as I can remember, cameras have always been a part of my life.  On one side of the family, I had my grandfather who always loved to have us kids hold up our finger like we were cheering #1 so we could “help him get his picture in focus”,  I can’t tell you how many photos there are of us kids still holding our fingers up because he didn’t tell us we could put them down before he snapped away. It’s really quite comical to look at them now..  And then on the other side of my family, my grandmother was always giving me her old film cameras as she would buy a new one.  One of my most treasured positions now is her old Kodak Brownie that came with its original packaging…a gem we found while cleaning out their house shortly after they both passed away a few years ago.  I guess photography was a passion that I had no choice about…it runs in the family…and I am proud of it!

Here are the details if you’re interested in booking a session:
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2009
Location: Historic Downtown Square or Johnson Park & Nature Trail in Collierville, Tennessee
Time: 30-45 Mini Sessions from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $60
Bonus: Free high-res download of your favorite image! And 10% off all prints and photo products.
PLEASE NOTE: 100% of your session fee will go to The Breast Cancer Research Fund®.