With the beginning of the New Year, it is only natural to reflect on the past year.  2013 was such an awesome year for many reasons such as my family, friends, and clients.  But one particular session sticks out in my mind, and that is the photo session for Bayleigh Phillips.

This story starts for me with a huge cup of coffee at a coffee shop in Dallas, Texas with myself and three other girls talking photography, life and more!  That’s where the idea of a Teen Fotostory, teaming up with Katie Norris and the Fotolanthropy Team began.  I knew the second I started sipping my coffee and listening to Katie talk about wanting to share inspiring stories that I had to be a part of it!  So we figured out a way for Seniorologie and Fotolanthropy to team up and the result was a Teen Fotostory!

To me photography is a gift.  It is a chance to capture your life and use those photos to tell the story of your life.  And what better way to give to others than with the gift of photography.  A Teen Fotostory did just that!  After many story submissions from people all over the country, we chose a winner.  Bayleigh Phillips touched everyone the second we read her story!  Her story is one that no child or teen should have to go through but Bayleigh does it with such spunk, pizzazz and a big smile on her face that it is impossible to be around her and not have a good time!  We could tell that from the moment we heard her story, met her via skype and spent time with her in person.  And with everything that she has been through, it was so inspiring to see her smile, laugh and stay so positive.

After putting together an amazing Fotolanthropy team that consisted of myself as the main photographer, Katie Norris as the producer and The Reason video crew of Chris and David and partnering with Altar’d State to provide the clothing and jewelry for the shoot, we traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to shoot Bayleigh’s amazing story.

Bayleigh let us into her life, sharing her story, showing us her home and high school and even shared her yummy cooking!  Her family welcomed us with open arms and we felt their love immediately.

Bayleigh’s story started with her seeing double when she was just nine-years-old.  She told her parents, “I see two mommies and two daddies.”  Her parents took her to the doctor and were told that it was an inoperable brain tumor putting pressure on her eyes causing her to see double.  It is a diagnosis, especially as a mother myself, I could not imagine.  She had brain surgery to relieve the pressure so she could see and the fluid in her brain would be redirected with a stint that lead to her stomach.  From there she would need radiation and chemo therapy.  All while she was just nine!

Bayleigh continued through her journey, traveling to Birmingham, which is about 45 minutes away from her hometown of Rainbow City, to the Children’s Hospital to receive her treatments.  Her family was always by her side and Bayleigh became fast friends and an inspiration to the other children at the hospital.  Bayleigh has endured 7 surgeries, over 150 weeks of chemotherapy and over 5.5 weeks of radiation on her road to recovery.  But through it all, Bayleigh kept a smile on her face and went out of her way to think of other kids in the hospital.  She brought food to those that were sick, helped them celebrate the holidays and gave them hope.

Photographing Bayleigh and giving her a day to feel like a normal teen girl with hair and makeup, a fun shopping trip (all clothing was provided by the incredible Give-Back Company called Altar’d State, who rolled out the red carpet for Bayleigh and made her feel special) and lots and lots of laughter was the best thing I have ever done with my photography talent.  It made me realize that in this world there are so many people that we can help through our gift as photographers and it made me think about the real reason I am a photographer.  Bayleigh inspired me from the second I heard her story and continued to inspire the entire time I spent with her and her family on this photo shoot/film.  To be so bubbly in the face of such uncertainty and to be as strong as she is, is truly inspiring.  Bayleigh is a teen with a story to share and she is a teen who is helping others who are going through similiar situations.  She does this all while receiving treatment herself and she does it with a smile on her face.

I texted her on Thanksgiving with a little fun photo that was something we shared while together in Birmingham and she texted back saying, “I am thankful for you.”  Bayleigh, you can’t know how thankful I am for you and your entire family!  And I am guessing every single patient at The Children’s Hospital in Birmingham can say the same thing.  Because not only did you inspire this Fotolanthropy Team, but you inspire people of all ages every. single. day.  We love you!!

Enjoy these photos below from Bayleigh’s session and view the amazing film created by Katie Norris of Fotolanthropy and Chris and David of The Reason.  Watching these three work to produce this story was awesome.  You can view the film, Dancing in the Rain, here.  And if you know someone who would benefit from a Fotostory, please nominate them via the Fotolanthropy website.  Donations can also be made or you can purchase a beautiful Fotostrap for you or someone you know and proceeds from that strap will go to help fund another inspiring Fotolanthropy Story and Film.

Thank you to all that helped tell this story!

Clothing by:  Altar’d State

Makeup by: L’Unique Makeup Artistry in Birmingham, AL

Hair by:  Tonie Armstrong Gilmer

Studio and location scouting by:  Alana Rose Photography

Film by:  The Reason

Creator of Fotolanthropy and the woman who inspires us all to give the gift of photography:  Katie Norris


Fotolanthropy Film: Dance In The Rain from Fotolanthropy on Vimeo.

A Teen Fotostory – {Bayleigh Phillips}

  1. Charisma says:

    Beautiful girl…amazing spirit… A true blessing to those around her and an inspiration in the gifts she brings to the world even while she walks her own tough road. So proud of her. Thanks for this touching story….tears. Such gorgeous portraits too!

  2. Susie says:

    Love her outfit and her style. Great photos!

heck, yes i do!

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