When we moved to Austin last year, I was surprised at how many homeless people there are. I had never seen this before. My heart went out to those that are hungry and those that are cold in the winter. I made it my mission to start the GIVINGisAWESOME campaign benefitting the Capital Area Food Bank this year.

Thanks to you, my fabulous clients, we have raised quite a bit of money for the food bank and hundreds, if not thousands, of meals for those who need them.

But I also fealt like I needed to do MORE. It is with that spirit that I joined two photographer volunteer associations recently.  Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep provides families who have lost a child (up to one year) a free photographer to document their precious child. I had gone back and forth for over a year before I decided to join this group of amazing people. I didn’t know if I could be strong enough emotionally to take on such a task. But I’ve come to the conclusion that I can do it, and I will do it, and I’ll just HOPE that I’m never needed… because no family ever deserves to lose a child.

I have also joined up with the Pictures of Hope Foundation which provides parents a free photography session when their child is in the NICU. You need me, I’ll be there.

Thank you all for your wonderful support!

XOXO, Mariah