Wedding Insurance - INFO

The second in a series of public service announcements...
It turns out you can take out a policy on your wedding. If (under certain conditions, of course), you need to cancel or postpone your wedding - you are looking at quite a hit in lost deposits. This seems like a no-brainer to me. Click the "Wedding Insurance" in the "links" section for more information.

Red-eye is bad, but White-eye is worse!

This is more of a public service announcement, but it is definitely photography related. I just read an article about how photography (as in simple, point & shoot - not medical photography) can reveal the presence of a childhood eye cancer that is called "retinoblastoma".
Everyone has taken, or been in a photograph with red-eye. This happens when your flash is at nearly the same axis to the subject's eyes as the lens. The light from the flash strikes all those blood-rich vessels at the back of the eye and the redness reflects back.
In some cases the flash sets off a white-eye reflex where one, or both of the subject's pupils appear to be white (the whole pupil, or sometimes white specks within the pupil). This is a telltale sign of the presence of retinoblastoma. Early detection makes a big difference in how much sight can be saved - so, if you notice it in your snapshots, call for an appointment with an Opthalmologist stat!
More info at: www.cancer.gov

INFO: Infant Bereavement Photography

On a much more serious note, I've added a link to "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep". This is a non-profit organization, set up to aid parents in the healing process from the loss of their newborn baby. Honestly, I can't imagine the heartbreak and sorrow of a parent facing that kind of emotional pain. I've signed on as a volunteer photographer, and I've contacted the appropriate staff at our local hospital. I love to photograph people at the happy times, so in a way, I hope I'm never called upon to capture these images. But, if there is a need and I'm asked - I will do everything in my power to help share the spirit of their tragically short lives, and feel honored to do so.
This isn't as light and upbeat as previous (and all future) posts, but I think that it's important to make people aware that there is such a service available. Check out their website, and if you are moved - feel free to make a donation.