Help a Little Heart: Mini Family Portrait Sessions for Baby Callum

A Special Photography Fundraiser

Dear Friends,

Some moments in life change everything in an instant. This February, my niece Emma and her husband Bronson experienced such a moment when their beautiful baby boy Callum was born. What should have been a joyful homecoming became an unexpected journey when, moments after birth, Callum was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with serious heart complications.

Today, Callum waits at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for the gift of a heart transplant. Despite this challenge, he's growing stronger every day – a tiny fighter with an incredible spirit.

As Emma and Bronson navigate this unimaginable path – spending their first months of parenthood in hospital corridors instead of their nursery at home – they face not only emotional challenges but mounting medical expenses.

How Can You Help?

Schedule a Family Portrait Mini Sessions

I can't write a check big enough to ease their burden, but I can offer my talent, time, and heart through what I do best – photography. I'm dedicating one day each month (May through December 2025) to special Family Mini Sessions, with 100% of the net proceeds going directly to Callum and his parents.

The Mini Portrait Sessions

What's included:

• One 15 minute professional family photography session 

• 5 professionally edited digital images formatted in high resolution for printing and posting with print release

• Family time at an outdoor location around the beautiful and historic villages of Essex, Connecticut

• Choose a session at a time of year from May-December that works best for you (but pick early as availble times each month are limited to just a few).

• The knowledge that your purchase is making a direct difference for baby Callum

Pricing: $200 per session (over $200 savings).

Children are still your family, no matter their ages so don’t be discouraged if yours are a little older, teenagers or grown up adults. Family is still family, whatever stage you’re in.

Available dates: One dedicated day per month, May through December 2025

Thursday, May 8th 4:00-7:00pm at Dickinson Park

Saturday, May 17th 9am - 12pm at Dickinson Park

Saturday, June 7th 5:00-8:00 pm at the Town Docks, Connecticut River Museum

Wednesday, July 30th, 4:30-7:30 pm Location TBD

Wednesday, August 6th, 4:00-7:00 pm Location, TBD

Thursday, September 18th, 3:30-6:30 Location TBD

Saturday, October 11th, 9am-12pm Location TBD

Saturday, November 8th 1:00-4:00 pm, Location TBD

Saturday, December 6th 9:00-12:00pm, Location TBD

Incase of inclement weather, and a raindate is necessary, it will be the day after-same time. Inclement weather includes rain and storms during session time. Sessions will still be photographed with cloudy and overcast skies.

Perfect for Mother’s and Father’s Day

Gift certificates are available and just in time for Mother's Day and Father's Day! Give the meaningful gift of family memories while supporting a family whose earliest memories together are taking place in a hospital.

Gift certificates can be purchased online and picked up at Claudine’s home studio. The recipient can redeem by scheduling their session on an available date and time making them perfect gifts for:

• Mother's Day

• Father's Day

• Birthdays

• Anniversaries

• Any day you want to show someone you care

Callum's Journey

Baby Callum entered this world with determination. Though his heart needs help, he's thriving in every other way – growing, responding to his parents' voices, and showing remarkable resilience. Emma and Bronson have temporarily relocated their lives to be by his side at CHOP, where they'll remain until a donor heart becomes available and throughout his recovery.

All their "firsts" as parents are happening in a hospital setting – first cuddles, first smiles, first coos. Their strength and hope inspire everyone around them, but the road ahead is long and uncertain.

How to Book

1. For gift certificates: Contact me directly through the form below. GC’s will be ready and available to pick up starting Friday, 5/9. GC’s are printed on card stock and include an envelope.

2. To book a session directly: Select from available dates by submitting the form below. Claudine will follow up quickly.

Every session booked brings baby Callum one step closer to coming home with the healthy heart he deserves.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to create beautiful family memories while helping a family whose journey has taken an unexpected turn. Sometimes the most meaningful gifts are those that ripple outward, touching lives beyond our own.

With gratitude,

Claudine