The Anna’s Angels Gala which I attended yesterday was no less eventful than the last four maybe 5 years I have been attending it.  It started out as an assignment from Cary Magazine but grew quickly into a love for the people and the great cause of this event sponsors.  Anna’s Angels founded by Michelle Pfieffer Merrils has grown from a grass roots charity into now reaching it’s arms out to grow even more into other cities.  Anna’s Angels goals is to support research to make the lives of downs syndrom persons easier by focusing on congnitive and speech specifically.  They have come a long way with the care and support of Michelle and Anna’s angels.

This year was the 10th anniversary and there were quite a few exciting announcements and guests.  Steve Daniels from channel 11 long time supporter and now board member was again the master of ceremonies.  This year we were honored to have Lauren Potter who plays on Glee as the guest speaker.  She gave a highly motivating speech on bullying that moved us all.  Next Michelle was brought to tears when Duke announced they were naming one of the conference centers after her and her parents.  They further struck an emotional cord by also announcing a new staff member to the team who is effected with Downs Syndrome.  This being something Michelle very much wanted so the voice of a person who deals with the challenges of downs syndrome everyday can share information on a regular basis and be part of the research and development at Duke for Downs Syndrome.  As if this was not enough, Anna’s Angels reached their goal of raising $1,000,000 for Downs Syndrome.  An amazing achievement for one woman with a vision only 10 years ago.

Congrats to Michelle, Andy, Anna, all the amazing Duke Doctors and team members and all the close friends who worked tirelessly to make this happen.

And for those of you who could not attend put it on your calendar because not only is it a moving experience just to be a part of this organization but they put on one heck of a party and auction!

Just a few images from the evening.  Once all the pictures have been edited I will attach a link to this blog post to the entire image gallery.

Anna’s Angels is a wonderful organization supporting Downs Syndrome Research.  I have been shooting this event for several years now. I have been personally moved each year mostly by the amazing people, love and support this group shows. But this year I think was the best year but perhaps year after year I just get more attached to the people and the special children they help. This organization founded by Michelle  whose daughter Anna has Down’s Syndrome is such an amazing person, not only for her strenth and perseverence but also for her smile and charming personality. And I would be remiss if I didn’t include her amazing friends. They have supported her in her cause by rasing money, helping to gain sponsor and donations for the gala all with the goal of hitting a landmark of raising 1 million dollars for Downs Sysndrome Reseach. One couple who I feel compelled to make special mention is Kelly and Yom. Good friends to Michelle that you can see after years of photographing this event feel as strongly about the mission as Michelle herself. Each year they fly in for the Gala, have fun and share a glass of wine or two. But not only do they come to support Michelle but they usually end up bidding on one or two auction items but to my utter amazement they have matched the donations raised during the auction for the last two years in a row. What amazing people and I couldn’t write this without mentioning them.

This year’s event included several fabulous guests.  David Friedman Broadway composer, Karen Mason Broadway singer, and Leah Stodden Today Show winner and young adult with Down syndrome. In this segment famous song writer David Friedman creates a special song for the person featured. Well Leah was one of their special features. And as luck would have it this wonderful man took time out of his busy schedule to join the gala. He, Leah and Karen sang the song they created for Leah. Both David and Leah played the piano while Karen belted out a true broadway voice to the tune of Impossible dream.

When Steve Daniels who also is there every year without fail to help MC the event asked Leah’s mother about her experiences, she described exactly what the song embodies. When faced with the impossible, they just turned it around, persevered and overcame the impossible. To all the angels there tonight I commend you and thank you again for letting me be a part of such an amazing organization. You are truly an inspiration.

As many of you may know from reading my blog one of my favorite charities is Step Up Ministries. They do amazing work. They find people who have been down on their luck (although they would say we make our own luck). They take those individuals help by teaching them life skills, job training and basic money management as well as how to become a productive citizen who gives back to the community. It’s incredible the transformation you see in these people and how far they come. It is always so emotional at the graduations because they have worked so hard. And what Step Up gives back is a check to help purchasing their first home, a car if needed through Wheels of Hope and love and support through difficult times where their friends and even family may not understand what they are doing and where they are trying to go.

For this particular photography project they wanted to showcase one of their veteran participants. James served in Desert Storm. He has a warm and genuine aura about him. Charming in a country kind of way and definitely a hard worker. I don’t know his story as I usually don’t find out till graduation but I can say he was fun and I enjoyed the time we spent on the shoot. Enjoy!

Feel free to donate anytime I can assure you every dime brings us back ten fold!  http://www.step-up.us/

What an amazing event created and executed by some amazing people.  On April 16th Raleigh was hit with some devastating tornados.  Many were left with no homes or belongings.  The real tragedy is that many even months later are STILL left with nothing.  With too high of an income to qualify for FEMA but no insurance coverage due to lapses from families who have fallen on hard times due to the economic times.   These families are caught in the terrible in between.  The festival was held to raise money to help these families.  But more help is needed!  Please donate. Even $5, $10 or $20  can help if many of us donate.  Here is the link to the website www.comeunitynow.com there is a “continue to donate” button that will lead you to paypal or hCard.  Thanks for your support!!!

I am very fortunate in my job.  I get to do what I love-take pictures.  Mostly I do wedding photography, bridal photography and because it isn’t usually long before my brides and grooms start their families then I get a a lot of sweet little new borns to photograph.   How lucky can a person be?  Then there are those jobs that make you grateful you have a gift that can actually contribute to those less fortunate.  I have several charities I shoot for but this is a new charity and hits right here at home.  Last April 16th I was busy shooting a wedding.  It was a crazy day since the Tornadoes had knocked out the power at the church as well as the reception.  We all considered ourselves lucky since the Sheraton still managed to have all the food ready and beautifully lit by candle light so the bride and groom still had their special day.  What I wasn’t thinking about was all the homes that got hit and the chaos that those people would be facing not only during but long after.  It hit one of our less fortunate areas with a lot of people who didn’t have home insurance or other means to recover from such a devastating hit.  So with this said, when Mary Jane chatted me on facebook and asked if I would mind doing some publicity shoots for a fundraiser they were working on to raise money for these victims I jumped at the chance.  Just a few individuals started a grass roots movement to put together a concert to raise money for these victims  What I didn’t know was how FUN it would be…  I spent last last Monday like I was at an American Idol try out.  Now I know why we have so many finalist from the Carolinas!  WE GOT TALENT! They invited many well known bands but wanted to give local talent who had never been seen an opportunity and let me tell you there are some really great unknowns out there. The concert is July 30th from 10am to 10pm so come out and support your community!!!  Oh and have a lot of fun too!  Here are some pictures from Monday’s tryouts.  Thanks to everyone at ComeUNITYNow for letting me be a part.  If you want to check them out click here to view their facebook & Event page.  EVENT PAGE http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121118211308828 COMEUNITYNOW Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ComeUnityNow

I shoot quite often for charities. But this is one charity shoot that impacts me as much as it does them. There is nothing in the world like seeing the emotion and pride on someones face who has changed their lives. Step Up does this for people. It is an incredibly intense program teaching life skills to it’s participants. Here are the December 2010 graduates. CONGRATULATIONS!

Step Up is one of those wonderful charities that really makes a difference in a persons life whether you be the recipient or the giver.  Step Up Ministries selects a group of individuals every quarter to go through a 9 week program. This program is an extensive and exhaustive program of teaching life skills to both the adult and children.  This includes learning to budget, be on time for work, do their taxes, participate in their children’s lives and much more.  Many of us take this for granted but if you were never taught these skills where do you get them?  Participants come from anywhere from a homeless shelter to having been incarcerated or other equally challenging situations.  The program is about forgiveness and taking responsibility.  It helps the participants recognize their potential and not blame others for their situation and to take control of their lives rather than being a victim of their circumstances.  The graduations are always very emotional as the participants and their co-partners have been through a lot during the 9 weeks.   And some people don’t make it.  It is a very in your face kind of program and takes a strong individual to take a deep look at themselves, take responsibility and move on.   I feel HONORED to give to such a wonderful charity.

Step Up is an organization I am PROUD to be affiliated with in this community. They help those in a less fortunate situation learn how to effectively interview, work, pay taxes, budget and pay bills as well as many other day to day skills that some of us take for granted. They call it their life skills program. And when you graduate they help you to buy your own home. The Governor graced Step Up yesterday to use them as an example in the community on how the private sector can impact the recidivism rate for those incarcerated for criminal activity. Thanks to Molly, Jennie, Al and Katherine for introducing me and letting me be a part of such a special organization that contributes so much to our community.

Attorney Gen Roy Cooper
Governor Perdue







Secretary of Corrections Alvin Keller