tutu cute! | Hickory NC child photographer

A couple weekends ago, we held a fundraiser for Brenner Children’s Hospital in honor of this little girl.  I photographed their family (and extended family) last fall during the holiday rush.  I had only met this family once, but that one time was enough to leave an impression on me.   Later on in the winter, I found out the only little girl out of the 4 grandchildren I photographed that soggy day last fall, had been diagnosed with leukemia.  My heart ached for this sweet child and her loving family.  I contacted her mother and asked if there was any way I could help.  I had an idea in my head of a way to help Charlotte and other children like her, and with the help of a dear friend and long-time client, we came up with a great idea to take a bad situation and create something positive from it.

I had become “Facebook friends” with Charlotte’s mother, and enjoyed seeing the pictures of Charlotte in her every day life.  I loved seeing her in her pink room, hosting tea parties with her pets (who are usually dressed for the occasion!).  Learning more about Charlotte through the photos her mother took set the wheels in motion for a fantastically frou frou “portrait party” set up, with colorful tutus, flowers, and hats, and giant lollipops (when photographing children, I am not above using bribery!).  I had done portrait parties before (think Tupperware parties, except with professional photographs instead of plastic bowls and cool kitchen gadgets), but I had never done one for a fundraiser.  Charlotte’s sweet aunt hosted the event at her home, and we had a fun day photographing the little ones and enjoying time with friends, all the while raising money to help in the fight against leukemia.

And that is how the Tutu Cute portrait party came into existence.  The little girl who this particular party was done for was not able to attend that day, but when she is feeling more up to it, she is going to get a super-duper extra-special girly photo session with me.  Being the mother of one little boy – I am looking forward to having some girl-time with her!

Here are some of the highlights from that day:

AND – if you are interested in purchasing a custom tutu for your own little princess, go here and tell Cori that Cat sent you!