the wills family : giving is awesome recipients

In December, we asked people to nominate their friends who had experienced a tragedy, were struggling to stay afloat, were raising kids while holding down more than one job, or were volunteering selflessly despite extenuating circumstances. We were looking for someone wouldn’t normally afford custom photography, but who would cherish it. Someone who deserved a year round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.

We received many wonderful nominations, many of which moved us to tears, and plan to make this an annual event. The Wills family, who were nominated by their friend Karyn, are our first recipients. The four sisters, Mandy, Holly, Alicia and Becky, recently lost their mother to Crohn’s Disease. Their mother, Donna, was a single mom who raised the four girls on her own. Karyn wrote,

“These sisters have banded together like sisters should since the death of their much-loved mother and are receiving the love and support from each other that is really helping them through this tough time. Their lives have never been a walk in the park, but I would LOVE for them to receive this gift and be able to take a walk in the park with you for some photos with all their kids. These photos would be a special reminder that they will always have each other to turn to and to help them through hard times.”

Mandy, Holly, Alicia + Becky, your mother would be proud of the women you have become and of how you work hard to be family to each other. I’m sure she would have loved to see and hold you and her grandchildren much longer than she was able to. We hope these photographs are a daily, tangible reminder of the importance of sticking together through good times and tough times. Here are a few of our favorites …