Last week on my facebook page I asked for nominations for a “deserving” family to receive a complimentary newborn session and the digitals with printing rights.  I explained that “deserving” could mean a wide variety of things and that I just wanted to choose a family currently expecting a baby to bless.  I was raised to give freely and joyfully, and that lesson stuck with me.  I love to give back and I was looking forward to doing this for one family.

And then… something so beautiful happened.

FORTY THREE kind-hearted people went out of their way to nominate someone to me.  They opened their hearts in an effort to tell me why these families that they loved deserved this little treat.  They shared stories of hope, courage, perseverance, admiration, and love.  Always love.  Just the people nominating others touched my heart and moved me to tears.

And then there were the families they told me about!  43 amazing families who have overcome obstacles, fought the hard fight, grieved and hoped again.  These families that stick together, lean on each other and pursue the dream of parenthood.  Through my tears, I read about cancer, miscarriage, lost jobs, stillbirths, fertility treatments, military deployments, hard work, foster families, answered prayers, serving the Lord, adoptions, depression, working two jobs, selfless giving, and LOVE.  Always love.

Instantly I wished that I could photograph every single family and love on every single baby.  But I knew I couldn’t do that and still support my own family.  So I stretched my original promise of one family to two.

I resigned myself to choosing just two families out of the 43.  I underestimated just how hard it would be to decide.  They were ALL “deserving.”  And so many of their stories intersected with mine in some way.  I decided to pray on it over the weekend.

And do you know what happened?

Over the weekend I got a message from the good people at First American Commercial Property Group in San Antonio.  They heard about my project and wanted to sponsor FIVE MORE FAMILIES.  I was so touched and crying yet again.  Love wins.

And I am so very happy to announce that I will have the honor of photographing seven of the families nominated to me.  It was still so very hard to choose, but such a joy to me that I have something worthwhile to give. It isn’t much in the scheme of things, but it is what I have to offer.  The Lord gave me a passion and I get to share it.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

The families I chose were sent an email today, via their nominating friend or family member.

When I meet these families, I will be sharing a bit of their story.  Whatever they are comfortable sharing.  And I will absolutely be sharing the photos of their sweet babies.

Love wins, you guys.  Love wins.

Edited to Add:

A past client saw this post. She has two beautiful adopted kiddos and says that photos of her children are one of her most prized possessions. So she wants to pay it forward!

She is sponsoring ANOTHER deserving family, bringing our total to 8.  The world is so beautiful.  You guys are so beautiful!  Love wins.

Chelsea Lietz Photography specializes in newborn, baby, child and maternity photography in San Antonio, Texas and surrounding areas including but not limited to Stone Oak and New Braunfels. San Antonio child photographer.  Please “like” me on Facebook.