Charity Photo Session for Children's Cancer - Lovely Riley and her Family

-
This July, I had the pleasure of photographing young Riley and her family on behalf of the Children's Cancer Assocation. Riley has terminal cancer and was granted her wish of spending the weekend in Portland where she got to have her nails painted and ride in a limousine amongst other wonderful adventures.

Riley and her brother. She got a little tired so for this picture, she sat in her chair.

Unfortunately, the family have just learned of some bad news and they are now officially signed up with hospice.

I could not begin to imagine the pain the family are suffering right now. 

Apparently, her mom has been crying so much that Riley told her she needed to put band aids on her eyes!



FYI: If you would like to support CCA, they are raffling a Honda Fit. You can purchase tickets here.
The drawing is September 12th, 2010.

Comments

pretty said…
What a beautiful thing for you to be involved with Nina. You've captured such a wonderful energy in her, full to the brim with amazing spirit.
4 September 2010 at 12:38
Post a Comment

Don't Miss A Thing...

* indicates required

Previous Posts

Zombie Meets Indulgent Sufferers - My recent stay in hospital.

-
Image
I arrived at the Emergency Room, wrapped in my toasty blanket. Despite it being 28° outside of my furry throw rug, it was closer to 40°C inside my body, so it felt freezing to me. I slowly moved through the doors like the walking dead emerging from a post-apocalyptic horror scene. The admin nurse took one look at me and bade me sit in the red priority chairs, whilst I waited for my triage nurse to finish her tea. I lowered myself tentatively and, unable to remain upright, lay shivering across all three chairs. The nurse arrived abruptly and suggested emphatically, before she had examined me, that I had Rhinovirus.  I explained to her that, as Rhino = nose and my nasal passages were decidedly clear and my brain decidedly lucid that I begged to differ. She replied, “What do you mean by lucid?”  I pretended that the roll of my eyes was due to the fever and briefly explained lucidity as the opposite of brain fog, then went on to relay my actual symptoms. Above-normal temperature, ...
Read more

Rustic Australian Countryside - The small town of Rylstone

-
Image
One of the Dam's looking toward Kandos  On the property, Lindoway looking back toward The Shed  It happened. A rare weekend when I wasn't shooting for a client! So I threw the camera in the car and headed three hours out of Sydney to  the Central Tablelands.  I visited a friend's property, Lindoway, in  Rylstone ,  a small town with a population of 615 people and at least 10 times that in sheep! View toward the town of Kandos There are 65 sheep on Lindoway and this is as close as I could get as they are quite skittish. The leader sheep lets out a massive Baa (he tried to sound scary but Baa still sounds cute to me) then they all take off.  Today is particularly warm 30 degrees celsius but it did cool considerably in the evening.  There don't seem to be any mosquitos but the flies certainly make up for it. The great Aussie salute probably originated here! So many flies... There are alway...
Read more

Family Portraits At The Beach - Sydney Northern Beaches

-
Image
Nothing like a cool Winter's Day in Sydney for a photo session at the beach. Actually our winter's are amazing and I much prefer shooting at this time than those belting hot summer days. My light is soft and the sand is still warm. I only need the slightest fill to get a good exposure.  The family was moving to the USA and wanted a memory of the Northern Beaches, where they had spent their time so I also didn't mind a bit of contrasty sunlight here and there as a reminder. I really liked the outfits chosen by the family.  They complimented each other whilst not being too "matchy". I have a Pinterest Board that has fabulous clothing suggestions for family portraits that you are welcome to follow. The family was extremely relaxed even though their house was being packed up as we were shooting. They were very committed to making it a great shoot and that makes all the difference.  We wanted Manly in the background of ...
Read more

SWIM SQUAD PHOTOGRAPHY & INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS

-
Image
The Team Photograph... Clubs large and small like the team image for their websites and to display at their pool because it demonstrates professionalism, unity and team spirit as in this example of the Oregon City Swim Team, USA . When you swim 6 to 9 times a week, 2 hours each time, your teammates become like family and that's why the kids love to get a print of the team as well. The Swim Portrait... Swim portraits are great because the kids get a chance to look dry and glamorous poolside instead of dripping wet for a change! Action Shots... ...then they can also do some cool action shots as well. Memory Mate Prints... ...or combine the two onto a memory mate print... You can view more images on my website . For more information, or to schedule your team shoot, you are welcome to call or email me anytime!
Read more

The Love Story - The Final Word

-
Image
THE FINAL WORD Present: As I prepare for my return trip to London, I flick through upcoming walks on Meetup hoping I might join one during my stay, when I come across a picture of him from a recent event. A woman, his latest girlfriend I suspect, leans into him smiling contentedly. She seems happy. He looks mildly distressed and lost in contemplation. I suspect he needs to tell her something but he is too afraid. He’s done it again. The Parisian Doctor and I didn’t work out. We did go for lunch and it was all very exciting but I don’t think I was quite ready and there was that niggling feeling that I was being catfished. After Paris, we met up a few more times for walks and drinks where he persistently asked me about “the Doctor”.  I wondered whether it was jealousy or zealousness to have me attached so that I might make a trajectory out of his orbit. I think the latter. Sipping Pinot Grigio at Gordon’s wine bar near Charing Cross station one afternoon, he confessed that ...
Read more

2 year old Boy - Relaxed Portraits at Home

-
Image
Definitely Looking Comfortable!! Little kids are always most comfortable in their own surroundings which is why I enjoy shoots at the clients home. It helped that this gorgeous garden had lots of beautiful chairs, trees and plants to use. I began my photography life as a black and white film shooter (TMX100 girl) so my heart still goes toward the black and whites. The lack of colour allows the image to be less distracting and the focus on the subject. It also provokes a mood that the colour does not. They also work well in any situation so easy to print and place around the home or office because they do not impose their colour identity on to a room. I still like the colour. It is just a different feel. The other great thing about shooting little ones is that I get to be a kid again. I get to be playful and have a fun time hanging out. Love it! Cracks me up!!
Read more

Clown Doctors -The Children's Hospital, Westmead

-
Image
  My son was a patient at The Children's Hospital  at Westmead. First at 8 months of age when his kidney failed and then at 10 months when they removed it. It was a difficult time for us all.  Visiting again, this time as a volunteer photographer, I had to confront the crockpot of intense anxiety and other emotions that envelop you as a parent. But more revealing was having to face the children. The head hanging to their chest and pain glazed eyes, head tilted with a curious expression. "Why does this hurt mummy?" On this visit, however, the intensity was quickly dissolved by the pure joy brought to the faces of these young patients by the highly skilled and very funny clown doctors. What a wonderful gift! Whether finishing a round of chemotherapy or waiting for a kidney transplant, every child was able to find a smile for the clown doctors. Each bedside visit was pure delight. In addition, I witnessed momentary relief among the visitin...
Read more

The Love Story Part 1 - A Chance Meeting.

-
Image
We met through friends and the attraction was instant. A tingling sensation aroused from its sleeping hibernation. A burgeoning sexual energy combined with a sense of knowing that together we would be compatible in every sense. He would quieten my uneasiness and I would feel safe. I would be the spark to his humdrum, the wisdom to his healing. He was recently separated, and I was a few years down the track after my own split and divorce. A horrific affair that ended up with lawyers and court hearings for over 5 years. It was an abusive marriage that lasted over twenty years and I was happy to be out of it. I had become a person that I no longer liked. Through it, my self-esteem around relationships had taken a battering. I had been on a few dates and quite frankly, was exhausted by the entire process. So you can imagine the exhilaration when this lovely man reciprocated my attention. He was safe too because he was an old classmate of my girlfriend's husband. I didn't have to do...
Read more

Walking Sydney - Chowder Bay to Middle Head

-
Image
Not just a walk with panoramic views of the harbour, this is also a fabulous step back into Sydney history.  View toward North Head The fortifications began in the 19th Century and were modified over the years and include a series of tunnels that connect the entire area. Fascinating but scary to think that we needed such protection. One of the many tunnels that connect this entire fortress The guns have been removed but you get the idea. There was no way anyone would get through Sydney Harbour. As the Japanese were to find out in 1942 during WWII . Getting There  We parked the car in a free 2 hour spot at Georges Head , which is just above Chowder Bay On Middle Head Road, Mosman. Then followed the signs to Middle Head. Some parts aren't as well signed so you'll have to follow the map, one wrong turn and you could end up at the Nudist Beach! You will walk through the abandoned military quarters and come to this little group of cottages on Old Fo...
Read more

Beautiful Teen Girl Portraits and Family Portrait In The Studio

-
Image
Before Makeup and Hair These sessions are a favourite because the Teens transform in front of your eyes.  It's not just about the hair and makeup. I get guys in the studio too. It's because they have the freedom to express themselves for who they are and we have a lot of fun.  For this shoot, we did have hair and makeup by the amazing MJ Park . We also added a Family Portrait session in at the end. After makeup and hair You can see more of the shoot here. Nina Beilby is a professional photographer based in Chatswood, Sydney, Australia. You can see more of her work at  www.ninabeilby.com.au .  Social Media:   Facebook  |   Twitter    |   LinkedIn   |   Instagram Thanks for visiting!
Read more