Some things are just meant to be.
It just so happened that Terri Shaver, founder of
The Oldham Project, was recently thinking about ways to expand the program that offers free professional photography sessions to women with cancer.
"I was thinking about children," she says, "and that very day a mom called and said, 'I know you photograph women, but I have an eight-year-old. Would you consider photographing her?'"
The Oldham Project board did consider it. They planned a session with the little girl, and the
Kourageous Kids program was born. It officially launched in April, and the organization has a goal to photograph 100 children in its first year.
"These photographs are a gift to these parents," Shaver says. "They not only walk away with the experience of watching their child escape thoughts of treatment and needles, but a visual reminder of the child being happy in a portrait that will last for generations."
The experience of photographing children with life-threatening conditions has been quite different for Shave than working with women.
"They are a lot more fun," she says. "I try and make it that way."
The children are photographed with toys, stuffed animal and doing their favorite activities. They also go home with a goodie bag filled with treats and toys.
The Oldham Project is a non-profit funded by donations. In addition to their goal of 100 children, they plan to photograph 100 women this year through their "Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Beautiful program."
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