Angela is a mother of two beautiful children, Nora who is 5 and Clara who is 2. Angela got laid off from work several years ago and has tried to keep ends meeting while still accomplishing her goal of getting her doctorate. In the meantime, with her passion for history, she took up photography as a method for capturing those special historical moments in our lives. In fact, in her words, photographs turn “moments into memories”.

She has an incredible talent for being able to capture what most feel is a normal, everyday moment but then you see it on film and it captures the person photographed. Their being, their sould speaks through the images. She is self taught and would soak up your session.

As a mother of two little ones, she is currently working three jobs to help the family meet ends in these hard times. She often has run out of energy and patience and needs some “me time” to help rejuvinate her soul and her passion for photography. What a better way then to be able to attend your workshop.

Angela is an amazingly strong woman and deserves a break! I know all mothers do, but she really needs one and this would be an extraordinary opportunity for her to further develop her talent for photography. Thank you for your consideration and God Bless!
Emily

Wow! Before reading the current nominations I had considered enter my name but my heart just weeps reading these stories. I do not envy you & the committee the job of picking just one. Your offer is tremendous and these stories very touching.

Regardless of which soul is selected remember to continue to encourage and uplift each other! Together our strength as women, Mothers, Sisters, Aunts, and Friends can hold us when it seems nothing else can.

Many blessings to you and yours!

Always,
Sara E.

I believe the parents of special needs children have an essential role to play in the success of their children. There are definitely MORE interviews to attend, MORE meetings with classroom and resource teachers, as well as other professionals working with our children, and it necessitates MORE time spent helping them with homework and concepts learned in the classroom. Being a parent is a career in itself, it is never an easy job for anyone, and it is even harder when your child is different from other children. It is hard to understand and imagine what it might be like to have a child with special needs so I explain it this way to people… The journey into parenting a special needs child is much like a long anticipated vacation. When you are expecting a child you often daydream about what they will be like, you do a great deal of planning, organizing, and reading, just as you might if you were planning an awesome trip to California. After months of excitement and anticipation the day finally arrives for you to board a plane and leave for California. Several hours later the plane lands and the stewardess announces over the speaker “Welcome to Sweden!. You say “Sweden? There must be some mistake I thought I bought a ticket to California!” The stewardess smiles as she says “There has been a change in flight plan. We’ve landed in Sweden and this is where you must stay.” The important thing to remember is that they haven’t taken you to a terrible, smelly, or unbearable place full of famine. It is just a different place. So now you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met otherwise. Sweden may be cooler than California but it is just as beautiful… if not more! Sweden is slower-paced and less flashy than California,but after you have been there a while and you catch your breath you start to notice the beautiful landscape of Sweden and its rich history and contribution to culture.

I am truly blessed to have the beautiful,unique,and special children God gave me. I have learned that accepting the loss of a dream often means opening the door to new discoveries. My children have taught me so much about determination and persistence and have helped me to discover new and exciting possibilities. One of my most fulfilling personal discoveries has been photography. My love affair with photography began with the birth of my first daughter Katherine. I knew in my heart that all the toys and all the presents would not mean a thing in 25 years… but that image of her flashing her first smile, taking her first steps, showing off her first tooth, snuggling with Mommy at night… they were the most important gifts. I am so excited abut pursuing a career in photography since it will give me the flexibility our family needs and will allow me to stay engaged and challenged in a field where I still will be working with families (I want to specialize in babies, children, and family photography), still will be brightening someone’s day, and still will be making a meaningful contribution to my community. To gain more experience photographing children and families I began NERVOUSLY photographing babies, 1 communion and 1 baptism a couple of months ago. It is such a joy seeing the reactions of families to the photos and the slideshows I have created for them. I enjoy surprising my clients by adding personal touches that they wouldn’t expect such as going out to their church and photographing the actual cup they will receive their communion host from and including photos of the church. I believe the photos of a family, special celebrations and their children are one of the most valuable keepsakes you can give and one which grows more valuable with time. I would love to be part of the Chicago workshop in order to increase my knowledge and understanding of the technical aspects of photography. It is a goal of mine, once I have graduated from College, to become a volunteer of NILMDTS , a non-profit agency providing families who suffer the loss of a newborn child with keepsake photography. I miscarried two babies of my own and understand the grief a family feels with the loss of a baby and how your whole world seems as if it has been turned upside down.

Thank you for your kind consideration and for extending this wonderful opportunity and gift to one very lucky and special person.

Sandra