In February 2019 I started a project that I titled "The Scott Ringel Anniversary Remembrance and Giveaway."  I had many reasons for starting this project, including the admittedly self serving reason of needing to be busy during a difficult time.  The more altruistic reasons were spelled out in my blog.  To sum up,  this is what I wrote:

"In honor of my husband and our anniversary and the fact that I feel that everyone NEEDS to have family photos, I will be giving away THREE sessions that will include an hour long session and one 16x20 portrait.

I want to give one session to a person or family with a member who is fighting cancer.

I want to give one session to a family who has lost a loved one and hasn't had the heart to get a new family photo but they know they need one. (I'm right there with you on that one)

And finally I want to give one session to a family with a child on the autism spectrum."

The nominations came in and of course I couldn't stick to just three families.  There were more.  There were so many more amazing families with beautiful, heartbreaking, loving stories that had to be shared.  I haven't really known where to start with sharing these sessions, so I'm just going to start at the beginning with the first family to come in. 

Here's Kristie's story in her own words:

"I too lost a loved one to cancer. My 5 year old son Colin . He battled with AML and sadly lost his battle a year later. He was my only son at the time and the love of my life. It has been almost 6 years now since he has passed and It took me a long time to find any kind of joy in life.  

I now have 2 more kids. A 15 month boy and a new born girl . For the first time since I lost my angel I feel joy again. I know all too well as I know you do too how important pictures are because sometime they are all you have left. I would absolutely love to capture this beautiful time in my life. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my email."

Kristie came to the studio looking gorgeous, with her beautiful baby girl and precious son, as well as her step son. We did a lovely lifestyle newborn session as well as some toddler photos and mommy and me poses.  The thing I noticed most about Kristie was her smile.  She's rebuilding her life after a terrible loss and that amazing smile shows that she is finding the joy every day with her beautiful babies.  Here are some of her photos.

I'll be sharing the rest of these sessions in the coming week.  You are going to love them.  You might cry.  You'll definitely smile.  I can't wait.