{The Tiny Light Foundation}

The Tiny Light Foundation is a Canadian Charity that provides professional photography for children and families that have been faced with a life-altering diagnosis.

tiny light

“Helping our Tiny Lights shine one photo at time”

 

CrystalB Photography has been a member of  The Tiny Light Foundation since 2011.  In that time I have photographed a handful of Tiny Lights in the community and I have to say that it is has been challenging but one of the most rewarding experiences in my photographic career.

Challenging because I'm a huge softy.  After the Sessions I went home and cried.

Not necessarily because it was a sad situation, but because it is just not fair.

 

Not fair that a child has to grow up with a disability...or has to know the word Cancer.

 

Their biggest problems in life should be getting wet toes when jumping in a puddle or not blowing all of the fluff off of their dandelion.

Not needles, tests and doctors.

 

 

Why did I decide to join The Tiny Light Foundation?

 

Because in a way I can relate.

I can relate to the feeling of helplessness, the daily ups and downs, not knowing what will happen....feeling scared....

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This is Gavin.

Our Gavin was born on April 9th, 2009 at 4:09pm.

He was born premature at 30 weeks, he was 3 lbs. 11oz

 

He spent the first 4 weeks of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with dedicated nurses, with tubes, needles, tests, beeping monitors and daily doctor evaluations.

Unbelievably,  he was one of the largest newborns in the NICU.

Even more unbelievable, he was one of the handful of  babies happened to be born healthy (minor issues aside).  He was  just small and need to grow.

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Spending the month at his side, was overwhelming to say the least.  There was 5 bays and each bay had up to 8 newborns.

I had witnessed other parents with their little ones and what they had to go through... I still remember talking with a mom of a very little baby girl, she was born just over one pound and spent over 100 days in the NICU.  She was away from her husband and other children.

the. entire. time.

 For some reason our little one managed to come into this world 10 weeks early with limited issues.  I don't know or understand why, but we are more than thankful for it.

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When I was contacted by The Tiny Light Foundation, I knew I had to be a part of it.

 To give back to the families that have to go through so much more than we did.

Please go to The Tiny Light Foundation's website  or Facebook page and read some of the family's stories.  Those families are pretty amazing.

The Foundation is currently looking for more photographers to join their team as well as other volunteers.   If you are interested please apply Here.

You won't regret it.

I feel it's about making people smile when sometimes it is hard to, to take their minds off of things for a while and giving them images that will mean the world to them.

 

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Much Love,

CrystalB

 

 

Digitals vs Printed Photo Product

We live in a digital world.  Everything can be shared in a moment...

What we ate for breakfast, what we are doing today, our pets, the weather, our workout, new fancy shoes, new manicure... and of course photos to accompany all of those trivial things, to prove to others that it really happened.

 

I'll admit, I just as guilty as the next person.

 

But honestly, after you shared the photo what happens?  It stays on you phone or you computer until the day the computer decides to crash or your phone decides that it should go for a swim.  Then they are gone.  And if they are just that...trivial, maybe it won't matter too much.

 

But what if it happen to photos that you do care about?  Photos of your family, your children?

 

I have been asked in the past about offering digital files on a disk.

 

Always, I get a deep feeling of despair.

 

Why would I get such a strong feeling?  Because I know.

 

I know where those photos are going to end up.

 

That disk is going to be set on a shelf, in a drawer, on top of the fridge.  Where it gets forgotten about and has to contend with a herd of dust bunnies for your attention.  Where, one day, you will stumble upon it again and think..."Oh ya, I still need to do something with those."

 

Take a moment and think of how many cds (or usb drives) of  photos you have  tucked and stuck somewhere in your home.

 

Now....How many of those cds have photos on them that you actually printed?

 

What happens when those cds get scratched?  When there are no longer computers that have cd or usb drives?

 

I always advise my clients to buy ready to hang photo products ( framed photos, canvas, metal prints, wood prints, mounted prints) and albums, because they are easy.  The most you have to do to enjoy them in your home  is put a hook or nail on the wall.  That's it.

 

It's not because I want a large sale,  that I only care about how much money I can get out of my clients(If you have worked with me or know me at all you know that is not the case, honestly I feel a little like a sleazy salesperson twisting my moustache when I do suggest products to clients that just want prints.)

 

It's because I know that if you have a cd of your photos or order just a few small prints they get tucked away and forgotten about.

Not because you didn't have good intentions of ordering prints of those photos or buying a frame to display them.  It just one of those things that get put off.  Life happens, you're busy.  And there just never seems to be enough hours in the day anymore.

 

Professional photos are an investment.  One that shouldn't be placed in a drawer.

 

Photographs are meant to be enjoyed.  Everyday.

To be displayed in your home.  To take you back to that exact moment, when you see it.

Every. Single. Time.

 

 

Why else would you buy them?

 

 

 

 

~CrystalB

 

P.S.  I now offer a web quality, watermarked image of each photo you purchase to share on your social media,  friends and family FREE.  Enjoy the best of both worlds.

P.P.S.  There are a few Mommy & Me Sessions times open.  Please consider Existing in Photos for Your Children.  They would make a beautiful Mother's Day Present.