The Olivia Act

Last Friday night I laid in bed and cried.....my heart hurt. I have a son just 11 months old. When I brought him home from the hospital I promised him I'd always protect him and keep him save. As I watched the news Friday and throughout the rest of the week I was scared. Scared about sending my son out into the world one day. I've thought a lot about the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary.


Is the world a bad place? I don't want to in steal fear in my son. I know that the world is not a bad place but that there are bad people. I want to teach my sweet baby boy to be the good in the world. To make it a better place. I want to also be the good in the world. I want to help. So what can I do?

My friend, Carrie, introduced me to the Olivia act. I'd like to share her words here.

The Olivia Act, named after one of the children killed in Newtown, was started by a photographer who wishes to be anonymous. Olivia’s family had family pictures taken a short time before she was killed. Those pictures are precious and now priceless to them. Upon hearing this, this photographer was moved to give away a 30 minute family photo shoot and has challenged other photographers to do the same. We go about our daily lives and sometimes we don’t take the time or have the resources to have family photos taken.
I will be taking nominations for a family who you think would appreciate this gift of memories. The session will take place in the Spring and will be completely FREE to the family being nominated. Please email me at shayna (at) ellaruephoto (dot) com. with your nominations subject titled “Olivia Act” and include a brief message on who you’re nominating and the reason you’d love them to get this. The family chosen will be contacted via email, so please include their email address as well!
I will be taking nominations anytime between now and January 1st. Please SHARE this status so your friends and family will know too! Can’t wait to gift a family with these memories that can’t be replaced or taken away!
And fellow photographers, please think about participating in the Olivia act too. ♥