For Our Children

My photographer friend, Tim, called me back in July to see if I was interested in volunteering for a Fund-raising project at Children's Hospital of the Central Valley.  After speaking with the hospital's Marketing Team, it sounded like a wonderful cause.  So, I enlisted the help of another photographer, Brian, to join me for the time slot I requested, which was Midnight to 6:00 AM.

The project was titled,"One Day @ Children's" and the purpose was to visually document all the activities that happen in a 24-hour period.  There were a total of 30 photographers who volunteered their time to this project, in addition to the Hospital's Administrative Staff of two per photographer, to assist with getting the release forms signed and the correct spelling of each person photographed.

A long day was in store for us, especially having worked earlier that day, Brian and I left Bakersfield for the two hour drive to Madera, CA.   We were greeted by the Welcoming Committee and assigned to our respective teams.  All the formalities were covered with regard to photographing the patients and staff and which areas of the Hospital were assigned to capture.

Before I continue, I should review the equipment I brought with me.  I knew we would be shooting in the wee hours and wanted to travel light.  Aside from my Nikon D700, I brought my 24mm - 70mm f/2.8 lens and my 50mm f/1.8 lens, an SB-900, and few HONL modifiers (grid, snoot, speed strap and gobo). All items fit in my small LowerPro backpack.  I figured the Admin Staff could act as VALs (Voice Activated Lightstand).

The shooting started out a little slow, but then it began picking up and by 5:00 AM we realized we only had an hour left to shoot.  Brian and I met numerous patients with varying medical conditions, their parents, and the compassionate and considerate clinical staff in charge of providing care.  I met children who visited the hospital for follow-up care and others who were born at the hospital and only had months to live.  Last December I participated in the Help-Portrait project, which was a rewarding experience, but this was completely different. More raw and definitely more emotional, and an experience that will last me a lifetime.

As the sun began to rise, our support staff reminded us that our shift had ended.  The six hours flew by, and we were back on the road again with a two-hour drive ahead of us as we headed back to Bakersfield.  Physically I was tired, but my mind was still focused on those children and the hospital staff.  I was still amp''ed after the shoot and instead of sleeping I culled through the 600 images I took and prepped them  for burning to CD-ROM.

So why did it take me so long to blog about the shoot?  We signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that prevented us from talking, or posting any images from the Fundraiser until the book was published.

Please visit their website, the on-line, condensed version of the book "One Day @ Children's" can be viewed.  If you have the time or resources, please help support any Childrens' Hospital.  Our Children are Our Future.

That's A Wrap!!!