Category Archives: Community Projects

For those who know me I have been involved with quite a few charitable organizations in the past. Most recently I am helping out with the Starlight Foundation as their photographer/videographer. The Starlight Foundation helps to create programs that educate, entertain and inspire seriously ill children, essentially bringing back some fun and childhood into the lives of those children.

A few weeks ago I had the honor to photograph the Sullivan family. Pat, Sam, Sarah, and Baird lost their beloved son and brother, Finn, two years ago to a rare form of cancer. At the time Finn was only three years old, but the incredible spirit he brought to life inspired everyone around him. In memory of Finn, Team Finn was created to celebrate his life and to raise money in continuing the fight to end cancer.

Two years ago shortly before Finn passed away, the Starlight Foundation was able to grant Finn’s wish for him and his family to go on a trip to San Diego. And now, Finnspiration, a stuffed toy named after Finn, has been designed and will be sold in Toys R Us to raise money for the Starlight Foundation for its continual work in bringing joy to seriously ill children. The purpose of the photo shoot with the Suillivan family was to capture them with Finnspiration, and what more appropriate place to do this shoot than the playground where they all have a lot of fond memory of Finn and the whole family playing together?

RUN JUMP BOUNCE DANCE SING SMILE LOVE RIDE – this is the mantra of Team Finn, and a testament to how Finn lived his life to the fullest.

For more information on Team Finn, please visit http://www.teamfinn.com/index.html. Look for the Finnspiration in Toys R Us soon!

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The Sullivan Family in front of their neighborhood playground.

Family sharing a few giggles…

I was amazed and inspired by the curious and fearless nature of Finn’s twin brother, Baird. As the official Finnspiration bear captain, he has put forward a lot of input to the design of Finnspiration so it accurately reflects the spirit of Finn.

Baird showing off one of the key words for Team Finn – Love.

Finnspiration, getting his own featured shot. The little dancing and jumping rabbits on the paws of Finnspiration represent what Finn loved to do.

Lastly, a photo of me by Baird. Towards the end of the session, Baird really wanted to take my Canon 5D Mark II (with a 24-70 L lens) into his little 5 year old hands and photographed me. I must say he did a really great job!

A few days after the session, Pat (Baird’s father), shared with me something that just made my day (and made me cry). While they were walking back home from the photo session, Pat asked Baird about the fact that he took photos of me. And Baird said, ” Daddy, you know what…, I wanted to take pictures of her because I love her and wanted to have her picture.”

Thank you Baird! You did an awesome job!