Free Photo Sessions in Toledo Ohio
Capture the love, strength, and resilience of your family with Cynthia Dawson. She is offering free photo sessions in Toledo Ohio. Cynthia is honored to partner with families through The Gold Hope Project, offering heartfelt photo sessions for fighters and their loved ones. Cynthia Dawson is passionate about using photography to preserve your memories, especially for families navigating challenging times. Through her work with The Gold Hope Project, she helps ensure that every smile, embrace, and moment of joy is beautifully documented and cherished forever.
Favorite Charity I Donate To โ The Gold Hope Project
As a mom and photographer, my heart is deeply connected to the work I do with The Gold Hope Project. Itโs not just about taking photos; itโs about offering families something they can hold on to. They need this so much, especially during times when life feels incredibly fragile. Recently, I had the honor of photographing a beautiful two-year-old fighter named Oakleigh. Her sweet smile and her joyful spirit made it an experience Iโll never forget.
For me, this work is personal. I know firsthand the profound impact of capturing these moments. When I hear about families battling a childhood cancer diagnosis, my heart aches for them. As a mom, I understand the whirlwind of emotions theyโre feeling. And as a photographer, I understand how priceless photographs become during these times. My own journey through loss is why Iโm so passionate about giving back through The Gold Hope Project.
Avaโs Story: Inspiration Behind The Gold Hope Project
When my firstborn, Ava, was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor at just four years old, my world shattered. In the chaos of her diagnosis, treatments, and the heartbreak of saying goodbye, I found myself clinging to the photographs I had of her. These images bring me back to her contagious grin, her sparkling eyes, and all the little details that made her uniquely Ava.
Looking at her photos is both beautiful and heartbreaking. They remind me of the joy she brought into my life and the sadness of losing her too soon. But above all, they bring comfortโtiny pieces of her that I can hold on to forever. Theyโre a gift, and Iโm grateful for every single one.
Itโs that gratitude that inspired me to create The Gold Hope Project, a nonprofit that gifts free photography sessions to families navigating the unthinkable. Through this organization, we bring together photographers across the country to provide families with images that capture their childrenโs strength, smiles, and spirit. For families facing overwhelming challenges, these photographs become a treasureโa way to preserve their childโs memory, joy, and love.
Finding Joy in the Fight
Oakleighโs session was filled with joy, love, and connection. We spent time in the studio, where she played with her mom, dad, and baby sister. Oakleigh especially loved the balloons I had, and her laughter filled the space as she enjoyed every moment. Her dad proudly mentioned, โYou canโt even tell she has cancer,โ and he was absolutely right. Watching her family play together, their love and bond radiating in every interaction, was a beautiful reminder of why capturing these moments is so important.
The Gold Hope Project is Avaโs legacy. Itโs a way for me to honor her memory by giving other families the gift of timeโa chance to pause, to capture their little fighterโs smile, and to hold on to those moments forever.
If you know a family in the Northwest Ohio area who could benefit from a session like this, please share The Gold Hope Project with them. Itโs an honor to give back to families through photography, and Iโd love to capture their fighterโs strength, love, and lightโjust like I did for Oakleigh.
