Love is... | october

While walking along a beach, an elderly gentleman saw someone in the distance leaning down, picking something up and throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young girl, picking up starfish one by one and tossing each one gently back into the water.
He came closer still and called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The young girl paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”
The old man smiled, and said, “I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”
To this, the young girl replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”
Upon hearing this, the elderly observer commented, “But, young girl, do you not realise that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”
The young girl listened politely. Then she bent down, picked up another starfish, threw it into the back into the ocean past the breaking waves and said, “It made a difference for that one.”



This month's Love is...focuses on an individual embarking on a year long journey to bring palliative care to individuals dying of AIDS in Africa. It may seem like an insurmountable feat, but even if she spends a year impacting only one life she will have labeled her journey a success.




<< Rewind 15 years ago (think Junior High age)... I read a book about a floating hospital that brought free care to the remote countries of the world and decided then, that that was my life mission....to become a nurse and serve on a Mercy Ship. Nursing remained my occupational goal for years simply so I could be apart of something that brings life-changing results to people of the world. In a nutshell, it was in the late 70's that a young couple set out with a passion to impact lives and their cause was so well received that a full fledged ocean liner was essentially given to them for FREE. This was the beginning of an organization called Mercy Ships and was...no, IS... responsible for touching lives all around the world by bringing the opportunity for basic life saving surgeries to be conducted for free. (Think Operation Smile and Doctors without borders rolled into one)
Here is one photojournalists view of the adventure on Mercy Ships

now >> fast forward 10 years to college. I went to a small christian college where I was surrounded by young adults venturing off and dedicating their lives to helping the less fortunate around the world. Delving deeper and deeper into my passion for photography at the time, I decided I would take pictures as a 'hobby' and use any earnings to fund the trips my friends were embarking on.

And stop at the present.... October 2008. We all know I am not a nurse... and photography has kinda grown into more than a 'hobby' but the underlying passions of the past 15 years have remained a constant thread weaving together the patterns of my life. Dreams and paths may have changed or been altered by life but the foundations/passions on which they were built have not.
Today, at this very moment I have the opportunity to merge both past desires into one action and this brings me to this month's Love is....

Since moving to New England I have become dear friends with a nurse who works up at Boston Children's Hospital. She will be leaving in January to join theMercy Ships team in Benin, Africa for one year. Originally placed as a PACU nurse on the ship, she was recently contacted about the opportunity to go into the villages and provide palliative to those dying of AIDS and are facing the last days of life. I commend her, I admire her, and I want to support her...
Each individual who volunteers on the ship must raise their own support. For Suzanne, that is 11 months of finances she must conjure up. She leaves in January so the next two months will be dedicated to helping her fulfill HER dreams of reaching the world by bringing care and light and love to those who bodies and souls are ravaged by this awful disease.

So my friends, meet Suzanne... we had the opportunity to grab a few fun photos of her a few weeks ago so it is only fitting to share here :)

Africa's newest ray of sunshine...

If anyone would like more information on supporting Suzanne or subscribing to her monthly newsletter, simply shoot me an email (shyla@shylaphotography.com) and I will connect you to her and her blog.

Love is... | september

"To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, THIS is to have succeeded." - Ralph Waldo Emerson



Due to being on tour, I apologize for missing the month of August, but this month's Love is... charity was started by a fellow photographer named Scott Harrison in his quest to make a difference with his life. I am so impressed by the impact one person has had in a simple two year span.

Allow me to introduce you to: Charity: water.



You tube: Charity Water: september

Love is... | july

"Love can be heard by all..."

Here we are again!
This month's Love is... highlights a ministry focused on the deaf community in rural villages and developing nations.



Signs of Love.
Enrobed with a missional purpose, this Christian-based organization extends beyond any religion or faith and truly attempts to impact the deaf community in a positive way. The goal is to work with deaf and hearing nationals to equip them to become self-sufficient in training, teaching, and providing practical support to their deaf population.
I've been dabbling in sign-language since my Jr.high Sunday School teacher decided I needed to learn this beautiful language of communication, and honestly I am so thankful. Although now, I could probably sign most any 'church' song you throw in my lap or even the alphabet but that's about it.
Anyway, a new friend of mine went to Honduras for one month to teach for Signs of Love and the organization truly captured my heart, so... when I asked to feature his endeavors for this month's charity, he kindly obliged. So I sent him down with 5 memory cards and told him to shoot shoot shoot and bring me back some photos!
Here's a shot from the trip. Thanks John for your kindness, sweet spirit and willing heart.

Love is... | may

"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do." - Helen Keller


May is my all time FAVORITE month, so this month's 'Love is...' is more than just a charity, it's something I am thoroughly excited about. So excited, in fact, that I have officially signed on to be a part of the founding team. I even get a cool title like "Senior Coordinator" or something crazy like that. Ooooh, PHancy schmancy! :)

Originally created last year by Justin and Mary Marantz to benefit Habitat for Humanity, we are now joining forces to take it to the next level. Currently obtaining our official non-profit status, we are going full force with this project.... extending far beyond the the borders of one charity alone, as an avenue to allow photographers the opportunity to use their gifts/talents/abilities to give back to a greater cause.

So, allow me to introduce you to The Portrait House...


My grandpa once told me the analogy of a magnifying glass... he said that when you move it around, it will do it's job of magnifying and thats great, that's what it is supposed to do. BUT it's only when you hold it still in one place that it serves as a conduit to the rays of the sun and starts a fire. It's then that it reaches beyond function and has IMPACT!
That is our passion as an initiative... Taking a diffused group of people who all want to do good and realizing how infinitely powerful we can be when we harness that power for good. From there, the sky is the limit.

Join with us as we venture into the world of helping to make others lives a little easier. Our first project involves raising $50,000 building a house with Habitat. Friends of PH have already been working hard and started chipping away at our goal!
For more information on how you can get involved, shoot us an email ... shyla@theportraithouse.org

Look, we even have cool shirts...!
When I received my customized shirt, My brother and Tyler helped me do a fun photoshoot... (ingredients: one soft box, one bare bulb as rim, two road flares, a little rain, and three crazy photographers.)

and if you want a good laugh... here's an outtake from the shoot ;)

Love is... | february

"Everybody can be great because everybody can serve" - Martin Luther King

This month's "Love is... " project focuses on a group we had the opportunity to volunteer with a few weeks ago...

The Volunteers of America


7 photographers....Jasmine Star, Liana Lehman, Amy Nave, Sarah Barlow, Crystal Goss, Jenna Walker and myself teamed up with the VOA and documented all their projects in the Denver area. They were in need of new marketing materials and photos for their libraries.

The collective efforts of all 7 photographers produced the following slideshow for VOA to use in their marketing :)

I swear I cant stop watching it!



________________________________________
"Love is not a feeling in the chest, it is bending down to wash another's feet" - Andrew Peterson

Love is... | january

Our " Love is... " project has officially kicked off!
So, when deciding which charity to highlight this month, we have chosen to draw attention to one that is close to the heart of a few within our very own photo community.

March of Dimes.
Premature Birth is the leading killer of America's newborns. Those who survive often have lifelong health problems, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, blindness and hearing loss.
The March of Dimes has taken on this devastating problem—to find out what causes it and how it can be stopped. For over 65 years, the March of Dimes has saved millions of babies and children from death and disabilities through their life-saving research, innovative programs, and dedicated volunteers.



Two mother's and fellow photographers share their photos..


The Goss’s of Arkansas gave birth to a baby boy 9 weeks premature. Brayson Cade Goss was born at 31 weeks gestation and weighing in at 3lbs 14 oz
to see a slideshow of the first 6 weeks of Brayson’s life, click here.



Crystal says....”Brayson just learned to pat-a-cake, and he does it all the time! He is also working very hard on crawling. He is getting to be a pretty good scooter! :)”




The Benner’s of North Carolina gave birth to a baby girl 10 week premature. Zoe Rae Benner was born at 30 weeks gestation and weighing in at 3 lbs 4oz. To see a video of Zoe's surprise homecoming click here



Shaelynn says... “Today... Zoe is doing WONDERFULLY! She now weighs 20 pounds! Quite a difference from her smallest weight!! She is cooing, laughing, sucking her thumb, smiling, sleeping through the night, rolling from tummy to back, crawling, almost walking, climbing stairs, and saying words like, Dada, Mama, Dog, Jump, Hi, etc. She is giving 5, blowing kisses, waving, and so much more! She is such a joy!
Thanks to March of Dimes, our daughter is alive and VERY well today! “


Both Families shared their amazing stories with me and I was so honored to get an inside glimpse into each of their lives. I wish I could post their entire stories!!
I was touched by how passionate and thankful these mother’s are for the role the March of Dimes have played in their lives. Without the efforts of this amazing foundation, these little ones may not be smiling back at us today!