Teamwork is an Understatement! — Expressions Photography

When I got a message from Tonya, I knew I had to photograph them. I’m going to start off by letting you hear Tonya’s story, straight from her. She truly shows us that giving back is contagious.

“My name is Tonya. I have three children that I adopted. Two 14 year old daughters Christine and Cianni and a son Keith that we call Bubba. Keith does have multiple special needs including a kidney transplant which requires us to travel to AI DuPont Hospital for Children several times a week. I know my son’s needs are severe however I also know that some children are so much harder to capture special moments due to their capabilities and struggles.

I have a very close and supportive family. Between me and my siblings we have adopted 11 children and most of them have some special need but my sister and brother have children that are wheelchair dependent and have cognitive impairments which makes it more difficult for unique picture experiences, so I actually wrote to Ana to see if I could make this special offer available for one of them.

She went above and beyond and not only made it possible to do one of them but had a second sponsor to make it happen for both families. I know not only they will cherish the pictures but also the attention and care that was given during the photo shoot. We have lost two of our children too early through health problems and sickness suddenly. Through our loss we know how short and cruel life can be however we do have sweet memories that were captured through pictures which is why we are so grateful for this precious gift that Ana has given us. “

This is Marsha’s beautiful family. We had a great time during our session together. With the other family members there to help, it was such an amazing experience for me as well, to see how they all worked together to help each other. I believe this family is here to show us that there may be negativity out there right now, and many are struggling, but being positive, happy, and loving should be our priority.

Marsha says, “We like to attend church together with grandparents, cousins and aunts. Depending on the weather due to Jeani’s ventilator and respiratory needs, we go to family sporting events, we have campfires in our backyard, and visit my parents at their campsite. Our whole extended family enjoys organizing and staffing several fundraisers every year to raise money for “make a wish.”

She goes on to say “ I tend to keep things more positive but some of the struggles that we have dealt with are very numerous trips to the hospital with a lot of admissions and surgery’s. Karolyn has autism and seizure disorder and is functioning approximately at the age of 18 months. Jeani has cerebral palsy, is total g-tube feed dependent, dandy walker syndrome, has a tracheostomy and uses a ventilator at night. “

She also shared, “In 2006 and 2008 my daughters Harley and Elaina passed away. All I have left of them are my memories and the photos. Due to Karolyn and Jeani’s needs, getting good pictures are very difficult and finding a photographer that will work with their special needs would be outside my budget so this opportunity means the world to me. ”

Dierdre and Brian’s family are so special as well! They have adopted their special needs daughter Parvaneh and here is what they have to say. “We love to go to sporting events, family vacations and church events! Some of the struggles we face are the fact that a lot of activities Parvaneh cannot do, so one parent has to sit with her. A lot of places are not handicap accessable, or have no places to change her.”

She goes on to say, “Parvaneh has Rhetts syndrome. She requires us to do everything for her. I am only able to work when we have nurses for her. And sometimes there are times we are unable to do things as a family. But…she brings us so much joy and we enjoy every moment with her. It is very hard to get her to look and smile at a camera and not all photographers understand that.”

The Wagner family has been so grateful for the opportunity when really I am the grateful one. I am so happy that I had the chance to hear their story and to give them these images. I would not have been able to do this without my amazing clients who invest in artwork for their own homes.

One of my sponsors for this special double Portraits with a Purpose session would like to remain anonymous, but I just want to say a very big thank you to her for her order which allowed me to photograph these families.

My second sponsor family has had senior portraits done of their beautiful daughter and has this to say about their family, “Our family is a very busy family with three children. We love attending their many school functions, sporting events, and performing arts performances. We love spending time at the beach together. We have been long time volunteers for Wilmington Flower Market and other local causes. We like to volunteer together. “

Tina continues, “It is so special to us that our amazing experience with Ana and the purchase of these senior portraits helps provide such beautiful memories to another family. We will cherish ours forever and I know this family will as well.”

Thank you so much to both of my sponsors for allowing me to photograph these two very special families. It means the world to me.

If you love the idea of being a sponsor for a Portraits with a Purpose session, please inquire with me about how you can make that happen just by placing an order. ana@photosbyexpressions.com 302-300-7569