The birth of my first son, Samuel Andrew, was a moment of joy tinged with fear. Born prematurely at 25 weeks, his tiny frame weighed just 1 pound 7 ounces. Doctors gave him a mere 3% chance of survival. Every breath he took was a miracle, every heartbeat a testament to his resilience. Fast forward 23 years, and he's now a graduate of HCC with an Associate's degree in computers. His journey was filled with moments of heartache and hope, and through it all, I found solace in capturing every step with my camera.

 

My younger son, Gabriel Seth, was born with a rare blood disorder that affects only 3% of the world's population. His struggle was different, yet no less challenging. Today, at the age of 19, he is in his second year at STCC, carving out his own path, defying the odds stacked against him. His journey, too, has been meticulously documented.

 

The countless hours spent in the N.I.C.U. at Baystate Medical Center, watching my sons fight for their lives, instilled in me the importance of photography. The camera became my tool of expression, my means of documenting the trials and triumphs of my children's lives. Those hundreds of pictures serve as a tangible testimony to their journey and our family's unyielding resilience.

 

Photography has since become a vital part of my life. It's not just about taking pictures; it's about capturing moments, preserving memories, and narrating a story that words often fail to express. Every image holds a story, an emotion, a memory of a time that will never come back. It is a powerful reminder of where we started, how far we've come, and the battles we've won.

 

As parents, we are given the unique opportunity to witness and be a part of our children's growth and transformation. It is a journey filled with myriad emotions and countless memorable moments. Capturing these moments in photographs is a way of celebrating the journey, of preserving these memories for a lifetime.

 

I am incredibly blessed to do what I do. The joy of capturing moments, the satisfaction of preserving memories, the excitement of telling stories through images, it's a passion that I discovered through the most challenging circumstances. And it is a passion that I continue to pursue, one photograph at a time.

 

So, I urge all parents to pick up that camera, to capture the fleeting moments, to document your child's journey. Not just the milestones and celebrations, but also the everyday moments, the quiet triumphs, the struggles and the victories. Because every picture tells a story, and every child's story is worth telling.