I just received the devastating that a sweet darling of a girl who I have known her entire short life of 3 and a half years, Kelsey Macker, is currently struggling for her life. She was stricken with eColi 0157 and it has turned into the dreaded HUS . She is currently in complete renal failure and fighting for her life. She’s had two blood and platelet transfusions and will probably need more. This is not a picture I took of her today, but it is a picture from last summer. She deserves to be the picture of the day today in my efforts of bringing attention to those who could help her get through this. Her parents are two of the sweetest, kindest, most loving and supportive people anyone could ever have the blessing of meeting. Here is some information I have about her from our mutual friend who’s daughter Ciaran went through this two years ago:

Donations of blood are always encouraged, if not for Kelsey hopefully someone else can benefit from your generosity.

Kelsey is B+ blood type and can receive: “B+ / B- / O+ / O-”. She is currently a patient at UCLA WESTWOOD Pediatric ICU (PICU) and we have arranged that blood and platelets donations can be directed just for her – until she no longer requires them which will hopefully be soon!

All that is needed is her name and DOB which is July 3, 2007 and you can contact UCLA directly (310-794-7207) to arrange an appointment.

     

Ashley and I go way back. Well, actually Ashley and my daughter go way back. Ashley was one of her OTs at Therapy West, a wonderful clinic specializing in sensory issues. She has since moved on and is living in Dallas doing amazing work both in Dallas and also in Haiti (http://www.OTinHaiti.com)

She honored me when she asked me if I could do a couple of headshot looks for her while she was in Los Angeles. These are my absolute favorites, look at her smile!

It’s a shame that an online gallery can’t showcase snorts, giggles, and side-splitting laughter, since that’s how I spent this afternoon while shooting these awesome shots of the beautiful, talented, kind and hilarious Amanda Tate.

Edited to add this genius clip of one of her shorts:

My cousin lovingly gave her friends the gift of a newborn photo session with me as their new baby gift. Although I’d met the new mother briefly I got the gift of getting to know her, her husband, their 14-year old puppy and their brand new baby girl Baby E today. This was a gift for me. This little girl took my breath away and then stole my heart. Her squeaks, squaks, wiggles and baby bubbles just had me oohing and aahing. If someone was taping my voice there would be much fodder to mock and laugh at the many baby voices that came out of me as I lovingly poured over this new little life.

Here are some of the prize moments I caught today.