Mini-Session Fundraiser for Prader-Willi Research

newborn baby girl with her siblings photographed by Bay area newborn photographer Sarka Photography

I met sweet baby girl Alaina just a few days after she was born when her parents and siblings came to the studio for her newborn photo-session. 1 in 25,000, she was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome – a rare and complex genetic disorder accompanied with many challenges – low muscle tone, chronic feeling of hunger, delayed developmental milestones … just to name a few. When we were finished taking photos, I was holding back tears as I watched Alaina’s parents putting her feeding tubes back on. Few days later, I received the most touching email ever, from Alaina’s Mom.

“I was overcome with emotion to see my sweet little Alaina looking exactly the way I pictured her in my head when I first asked you to take her pictures months ago. Thank you for capturing her just as she is… with no medical wires or diagnoses attached. Just my beautiful Alaina… in a tutu :) Love it! What a gift you have given us. Deeply and forever grateful for the truly amazing way you captured our sweet, sleeping Alaina… not pictures of fear and sadness, but ones of hope, happiness and beauty.”

I know it sounds cheesy, but I really love what I do. Creating these special memories for all the families that choose me, and words like Kelly’s fill my heart. I knew I had to somehow use my skills to help. So Kelly and I decided to organize a little photo fundraiser and it was a great success! Many many thanks again to all the wonderful families that joined us in the park to have their portraits taken and contributed to the fundraiser.

To learn more about PWS and Alaina’s story, please watch the video Alaina’s Mom put together. On behalf of Alaina and thousands of other children around the world battling this rare syndrome I kindly ask you to join me in helping to fund the research which will help finding a treatment for them (please click on the image below for the donation link or the video).