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I am always honored to be asked to do a littlest hero's photo session.
This one was particularly fun, I got to photograph two little ones. Oliver and his big cousin Mila.
Oliver's parents found out that he had Down Syndrome when Mari was just four months pregnant. "We felt very anxious throughout the rest of the pregnancy but as soon as he arrived we fell in love and the fears dissipated. Oliver had to spend a few weeks in the NICU because he had pulmonary hypertension and wasn't able to keep his oxygen levels high enough. He has a heart defect that will hopefully resolve on its own without surgery. He is a delightful baby. He just started smiling and cooing and we are enjoying every moment with him."
This is about the time that I was paid one of the best compliments EVER. I am not sure where it came from, maybe her mom was trying to bribe her into the kitchen so I could get some images of Oliver by himself. But Mila said that I was better than Pancakes. That's right, Pancakes are no match for me. I am better than Pancakes. It was nice to hear, I have a new mantra.
I can't get enough of those freckles. Mila is such a cute little munchkin!
Sweet little Oliver. He was such a good sport. He seemed to be perfectly happy to let me photograph him. No fussing, a totally happy baby. It is no wonder his parents fell in love.
Oliver and family, thank you for an amazing session! Mila and Oliver, you two are just beautiful. A delight to be around and of course, I think you are better than pancakes too!
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Oliver and Mila: Better than Pancakes
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Just before I left on my trip to Italy I was contacted by Dandelion Magazine, a local magazine for parents with children that have special needs. I was asked to do a photo session for the cover story on a very special family. It was basically the last session that I shot before leaving, and the magazine was going to come out while I was away. The editor promised to send me a copy and when I finally got home I rushed to my pile of mail to find it. The images came out great, but it is the story behind the images that really touched my heart. You can read their story HERE.
We met in Golden Gate Park, it was a beautiful afternoon. We walked and chatted, I got to know them and enjoyed capturing the love that they felt as a family. It is amazing the mountains that they have had to climb together, and that is just it. They did it together and they seemed to be pretty strong because of it. You see, when Lily as just two years old she was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. This is a chronic disease that causes joint swelling, stiffness and bouts of severe pain. The family overcame the heartache and devastation of this painful disease, they learned how to cope. When Lily was four years old Miriam and Ronan welcomed a second child into their family, Frankie. By the time Frankie was born Ronan and Miriam had learned how to cope through writing and letting themselves accept help. Something they struggled with in the beginning. Miriam even became a life coach to teach other parents how to manage when dealing with crisis. She has a website called Cope and Thrive and has taken everything she has learned to try to help others in similar situations.
The family was strong. They each played an important role and while life was still difficult, they were happy. In May of 2009 any resemblance of normalcy faded. Frankie was diagnosed with Lymphoma. The family was tested once again and had to be strong and help their little boy through painful treatments while continuing to give their little girl all of the help she needed to deal with her disease.
Frankie did well in his treatments, he was in the 'maintenance phase' which had him taking several pills everyday. But his hair had grown back and he was in school and thriving. Frankie was supposed to complete his last round of treatment in June. I was in Italy at the time and although he wasn't quite in remission yet, he seemed like a healthy, normal boy. I was pretty sure that he was going to be just fine. I couldn't imagine anything but good things for this family. They had been through enough. It was time for them to breathe.
When I got back from Italy I contacted Ronan to set up their viewing session. It had been a few days since I had heard from them but I assumed that life had just gotten busy. When Ronan finally contacted me my heart about sank with the words that I read in his email. Frankie had relapsed. This poor family had been through so much and now, after everything they were back in the hospital. It is hard to make sense of it, it just does not seem fare.
Nothing in this life is more important than the people around you. Love them as hard as you can. Don't let life pass you by without showing your family and friends how much you care about them. Be present in your life. Do not let the mundane business of everyday let you get lazy. Be thankful for what you have been blessed with. These are the words I said to myself as I fell asleep that evening. These are the words that I hope to never forget.
Nothing in this life is more important than the people around you. Love them as hard as you can. Don't let life pass you by without showing your family and friends how much you care about them. Be present in your life. Do not let the mundane business of everyday let you get lazy. Be thankful for what you have been blessed with. These are the words I said to myself as I fell asleep that evening. These are the words that I hope to never forget.
Anonymous:
FABULOUS!
(08.17.10)
Autumn:
Positively amazing and touching story. Thank you (and the family) SO much for sharing!
(08.25.10)
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Lily and Frankie
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Just a quick post before leaving for Kate and Russell's Wedding for the weekend. Life has gone a little crazy. Charlie is back to South Africa for five weeks and I am staying in the Bay Area to find us a place to live. That's right... we are staying in the Bay Area!!! Charlie decided against going back to school for now and that means I get to stay close to friends, family and of course my lovely clients!!! So much is happening, but it is all good stuff. So this weekend means lots of shooting with a bit of house hunting in between!
Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine. I know I will!
Lianna:
Selfish little me is a little stoked about this development :) Hope all your plans continue to fall together in whatever direction life should lead you!
(07.31.10)
Sara Atkins:
Aww, Thanks Lianna. Plans are falling together beautifully. I will just be glad to finally be out of a suitcase!
(08.01.10)
Cindy:
Hooray! I'm so happy you are staying in the bay area! I love these photos by the way! Just adorable!
(08.02.10)
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And we all fall down!
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Have I mentioned I love my job? I do. Completely. One of my favorite things about my job is that is is always different and I am always faced with new challenges. I am primarily a wedding and portrait photographer, but I always love a chance to do something new. These last several weeks I have gotten to play with my landscape and travel photography, it has been a joy and a nice change. While on our trip I was privileged to be asked to do a photo session with three darling girls on the beach of Soto-marina. Challenge: language barrier. This is the first time that I have done a shoot unable to communicate with my clients, an interesting challenge. I am a pretty vocal photographer, I find that speaking to my clients while I am photographing them puts them at ease. With munchkins, I am always trying to get them to giggle and playing games with them. Luckily, I did have Mariangela as my translator, and these girls are just too cute for words.
The little one on the left is Emma (cute as a button). In the middle is Rubina, she is the oldest of the three girls. She was sweet and very patient with me (smile). Alice is the one on the right, such a cute skinny little one. These girls were such good sports and played along surprisingly well considering our complete inability to communicate with one another.
Girls, thank you so much for a wonderful day at the beach!
Dee Dee:
Obviuosly, a smile means the same in all languages! Lovely photos Sara
(07.27.10)
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Venitian Photo Shoot
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Life is so sweet as a little girl. Not only do you get to dress up in the most adorable dresses, but life is an adventure. Picking flowers and chasing butterflies through the garden, that is an afternoon well spent. Alena and Samaya are no exception. Spending an afternoon with these two munchkins was a complete joy.
Brandi Minefee:
I LOVE these pictures (and these girls!). This is one of my most favorite families in the whole world and you captured their personalities PERFECTLY! Soooo beautiful!
(06.03.10)
Jess Schulschenk:
what gorgeous photos sara, as always! just warmed up a heart here in very cool and overcast south africa!! xx
(06.04.10)
hayder:
i hope one day i have a kids like that beautiful and sweet
(06.08.10)
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Alena + Samaya
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Thank you so much Sara! We love them!
(08.26.10)This series with Oliver, Mila and Mari is so well done. You've captured some amazing expressions. Beautiful!
(08.26.10)Of course you do, that darling boy of yours makes my job so easy!
(08.26.10)As the proud grandpa of the two beautiful kids, I have to say your art is itself a wonderful addition to the world. Thank you much. Rick
(08.26.10)Mari's friend Lauren passed this link on to me -- I love love loved seeing this set! Sara, your photos are beautiful. Ollie and Mila, you are gorgeous!!!! Mari, I think you are so cool :) xoxoxox--Kh
(08.27.10)Thank you Lana!
(08.27.10)Wow, Rich that is so nice to hear. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for having such a wonderful family!
(08.27.10)Thank you Karyn, it is so nice to get feedback. I love what I do and when other people appreciate it, it makes it that much better. And I agree, Mari is pretty cool.
(08.27.10)What wonderful pictures. I'm sure they will be treasured for years to come.
(08.27.10)Thank you Elizabeth, I hope so!
(08.27.10)Hi Sara, I'm Ollie's dad. These photos are better than we could have imagined, but of course we don't possess your considerable talent! Thank you so much for being involved with Littlest Heroes, we wouldn't have found you otherwise. - Phokham
(08.27.10)Hello Phokham, you have a darling little boy. I am so happy to have had the chance to spend time with him and your sweet wife too. Congratulations on your beautiful family!
(08.27.10)I love your work and Oliver and his cousin are just absolutely precious in your shots! You have captured the love of all and the beauty of simplicity in your works. God Bless!
(09.02.10)Thank you Jenny!
(09.02.10)