YPIKIDS WEB SITE.. being updated

With this year's Dempsey Challenge fast approaching I am painfully aware of my failure to update our web site with the final photos and information for the 2013 YPIKIDS Project Tomorrow. My apologies to all who participated in the program and to those who sponsored it. My goal is to have the update done by the end of October.

In the meantime I wanted to share with you the group picture that was taken with Patrick Dempsey last year on the day of The Dempsey Challenge.

STANDING: Tookie Bright (The Healing Tree), Jennifer Bolduc, Francesca Haines, Patrick Dempsey,  Alexis Bolduc, Merilyn Haines,  Paul Denckla (YPIKIDS)
KNEELING: Cherie Sargent, Alicia Gonzales, Nicole Sargent, Chelsey Gonzales
NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Sarah & Darren Paul, Roberto Gonzales, David Haines, Barbara Gagne & Anthony Guimont, Eric & Crystal O'Connor, Josiah & Liz Cushman

I want to say to all of the Young Photographers who participated in the 2013 YPIKIDS Project Tomorrow... JOB WELL DONE! And to all who contributed to the project on behalf on the Board and myself, a heart felt ... THANK YOU!

2013 YPIKIDS PROGRAM nears FINALE

The Grand Finale Exhibition will be held on Friday October 11 in conjunction with The Dempsey Challenge. Ahead of the Exhibition there will be an Opening celebration on Thursday's night for the Young Photographers, their families and friends. There are some GREAT photos that were taken by them.


... and as an added bonus they will have the opportunity to meet with Patrick Dempsey in person during the weekend festivities.

2013 YPIKIDS PROGRAM UNDERWAY

The Class for the 2013 Young Photographers was held at The Dempsey Center on June 22. The were eight participants and various family members in attendance.

The Class of 2013 with Parents and siblings

Tookie Bright, the Children's Program Coordinator for The Healing Tree and I hosted the event.

The primary focus of the morning was about "being in the moment" and how photography enabled one to "capturing a moment". Participants did several floor exercises to increase their awareness of "the moment". In one a parent and child were seated facing one another. One was assigned the role of Leader and the other was the Follower... so whatever action was initiated by one the other had to follow. And this was all done to music that was played at various temps. A lot of smiles and laughter.




After a photo op for all the participants and lunch, I reviewed some of the basics of portrait photography with the participants. Then, Holga 120 cameras were passed out to all. The camera is basically a plastic toy camera that shoots 120 FILM, This is NOT a digital camera. The participants were given one roll of film with 12 exposures and two weeks to shoot it. Their Portrait Assignment was:

"An image is forever. Capture an image of your parent TODAY that will inspire you to remember what is special about who he/she is TOMORROW". 

None of the paarticipants will see the images they took until The Exhibition opens the Friday night of the weekend of The Dempsey Challenge in October.

In the meantime I have visited each family and taken a portrait of each parent and child. It has been a very moving experience for me and I very excited to see the products of the Young Photographers efforts.

Video for 2007 YPIKIDS Program posted

Thanks to the Google Drive program we have been able to post the YPIKIDS video that was filmed by WCSH6 on the Opening Night for the 2007 Program on  the website. Take a look, they did a GREAT job... and so did the "young photographers".

2013 YPIKIDS PROGRAM SET TO GO!

It is with GREAT pleasure that I announce that YPIKIDS will be partnering with the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing  in Lewiston, ME for the 2013 program.

The Dempsey Center provides free support,  education  and integrative medical services to anyone with cancer.

Nine children will be selected by the staff to participate- with the class being held in June and the Exhibition in October in conjunction with the Dempsey Challenge. Like the program with Massachusetts General Hospital's Cancer Center, they will all be children whose parents are fighting the battle against cancer.

All our attention is now being focused on raising the funds for the program. Please visit this  YPIKIDS web site page if you are interested in helping with this effort and thank you for your consideration.

SOMETIMES THINGS JUST DON'T WORK OUT THE WAY YOU ANTICIPATED...

Sadly, about a month ago the Children’s Community Support Collaborative (CCSC), which is the group that YPI KIDS was working with at The Home for Little Wanderers, withdrew from the 2010 YPI KIDS Project Tomorrow. A variety of unanticipated issues surfaced during the project. As an example, by the end of the week of July 7th, which was the film due date, only three Participants had turned in the roll of film and none had completed the Subject Selection Questionnaire, both of which integral parts of the program.

Obviously, there were many other factors and events that contributed to this situation. As the Director of the CCSC program said to me during one of our discussions before they reached their final decision, “Believe me when I tell you that they have many, many other issues that occupy their thoughts / attention”. And that pretty much says it all. They were a great group of kids and I am indeed saddened by the fact that we were unable to pull it off.

In hindsight I would say that the single biggest underlying problem was that the Participants did not have the type of “hands-on” support and encouragement from their parents/guardians that others had in prior YPI KIDS programs. I had limited access to the children and there were only two counselors, no parents, involved and they had a significant number of other responsibilities at CCSC.

While the turn of events was unfortunate, it was a valuable lesson learned and one that will certainly help in the selection process for a candidate for our 2011 YPI KIDS program. The good news is that we received a tremendous amount of financial support in our fund raising efforts. I was very fortunate to have a family step up as a “Sponsor” for about half the funds needed for the project. In addition we received support from a broad range of people who had just heard about the program recently.

As we get into the fall, I will once again start the search for an institution to work with in 2011. If any of you have any suggestions, I would welcome them. For the present time I am going to continue to focus on the Boston area.

Once again I want to thank my Board, Alison Chase a very talented lady who so kindly volunteered her time to come and teach the class in June with me and all those who contributed financially to this year's project. To the six special children who signed up for the project, we gave it our best shot and wish you all the best of luck with your treatment program at CCSC.

MARCH is FUND RAISING TIME for YPI KIDS

Funds are needed for the 2010 Project with The Home for Little Wanderers to cover the costs of cameras and film, posters, the printing, framing and shipping of all images and the Preview Party to be held at the Copley Mall in October. Simply go to the DONATE tab on the website. And on behalf of the children we will be working with...THANK YOU!

Exclusive: YPI KIDS - More than just Photography

Last October I was a presenter at Petcha Kutcha Boston 13. One of the people attending was Sunniya Saleem and she has just blogged YPI KIDS on her Amvona site.

I am a photographer and a photography writer and through this trait I meet several interesting people and have been fortunate to work on several inspiring projects. But I have never come across anything as special as YPI KIDS.

It is an amazing article... check it out.

2010 YPI KIDS Project:Tomorrow

I am please to announce that the YPI KIDS partner for the 2010 Project: Tomorrow is The Home for Little Wanderers which is one of the oldest and most recognized non-profit child and family service agencies in the nation. Originally founded as an orphanage in 1799, The Home today plays a leadership role in delivering services to thousands of children and families each year through a system of therapeutic residential, community-based and prevention programs, direct care services, and advocacy.

The specific group within The Home that YPI KIDS will be working with is the Children's Community Support Collaborative (CCSC). The program provides a flexible network of community-based services for children, adolescents and their families, facing a range of emotional and behavioral challenges, in order to promote emotional wellness, self-reliance and sustained health over time.

CCSC works with a maximum of 50 children and families at a time and nine of these children will take part in 2010 Project:Tomorrow.

The Finale Exhibition will be held in October at Copley Place Mall, Boston. The Preview night will be on October 14, 2010 and Simon Property Group has graciously agreed to host this event.

....a star studded night for all

October 7 was the Preview Party for the 2008 Project:Tomorrow Exhibition at Boston Children's Museum. Invited guests included families and friends of the nine Young Photographers and members of the Massachusetts General Hospital's Cancer Center staff. 

The Young Photographers and the Parents whom were photographed were allowed to enter the show about 15 minutes before the rest of the guests so that they could have a moment to view the images for the first time privately. Then, we all descended on the gallery.

 I think the operative expression here is..."a picture is worth a thousand words"

A special moment for a mother and her Young Photographer daughter whose father succumbed to his gallant battle with cancer a week before the Preview.

To close out the festivities, Dr. Paula Rauch Founder of Massachusetts General's PACT program did the honors by thanking all who made the event possible.... 

...and I got to give out "diplomas" to the Young Photographers.

I am sure that a good time was had by all and that this was an experience that these kids will not forget for a long long time. 

For me personally there aren't words to express the gratitude that I feel for having had the opportunity to share the experiences I did with these amazing kids and their equally amazing parents.

And last but not least I would be remiss if I did not thank my "project angel" Dola Stemberg for her generosity, vision and direction. Without her Project: Tomorrow would never have happened. Thank you a thousand times.

Dola with Museum President Lou Casagrande. 

...it was everything it was supposed to be and more!

Last Tuesday was OPENING NIGHT for my nine 2008 Young Photographers. Gail Ringel and her staff at Boston Children's Museum pulled out all the stops and I think the kids were blown away. What was extra special was the fact that THEY DELIVERED. The images they shot were wonderful... and so right-on for so many reasons.

At one end of the spectrum there was Chelsea's  portrait of her father who wrote, It's in my nature to make jokes and be funny.... 

Then, you had the more serious "Vogue centerfold model" approach taken by Stepehen's when he did his mother

Max and his father are both musicians so Max chose to catch dad "doing his thing". And that music that Max captured his dad "producing" was NOT an accident.

                                  Zoe,  Ashley and David chose to take a more "traditional portrait" approach, although the results were all far from "traditional". 

                                    It was indeed fitting that Caitlee would choose to photograph her mother with some of  her siblings... she is one of seven and mom is one of 10! 

While one might be hard pressed to know if Caitlin's mother was laughing or screaming in a state of abject terror as she did her best "Lance Armstrong", there is no mistaking her "enthusiasm for life".

Lastly, a picture that Kate took of her mom that "needs no caption" when it comes to her expression of the emotion that she and others, who have been triumphant in their battle with this terrible disease, feel.

The show runs until November 2, so if you happen to be in  town go see it. You will NOT be disappointed.

I have indeed been blessed with this project. The idea for it came up in a chance conversation that I had with a friend of mine (Dola Stemberg who became the project "angel"). She in turn introduced me to Dr. Paula Rauch of Mass General's PACT program... and the rest is history.I am forever grateful to the two of them and Gail Ringel of BCM for their confidence, support ....and patience. All the money in the world could not buy the experiences I have shared with these kids and their parents this summer.

Now I get to take some time off, enjoy the moment... and who knows I may even  think about next year's YPI KIDS project.

...it must be the full moon

This Full Moon, September 15, 2008, is in Pisces and is about emotion more than ever before.... from The Spiritual Eclectic.

I am a Pisces and today is the 15th..... and yes, today is ALL about emotion.

I collected the final canvas today. The journey is over, well almost over (the canvasses still need to be stretched and framed) and it has been an emotional roller coaster. But I am buoyed by the fact that I think that I/we have some of the most amazing images that will be going on display at Boston Children's Museum, starting on October 8 when 2008 Project: Tomorrow opens.

Shooting my images (I took pictures of the Child who was the Young Photographer in the Project:Tomorrow program with his/her Parent who was being/had been treated for cancer in the Marjorie E. Korff PACT (Parenting at a Challenging Time) Program at Massachusetts General Hospital ) was just an amazing experience. I basically let the Parents pick the venues in which they wanted to have the shot taken. The choices were as diverse as you could imagine. One was done at the top of a set of stairs that were dedicated to the Parent's mother, another by the ocean at a favorite picnic area, another in an arboretum and then a couple were simply shot in the backyard. In every case it was an experience... a unique experience. "Now you can't have a name on the T-shirt because everyone will focus on that and not you face"; "Do you think this necklace is too much"; "Mom, really... just try to act normal... pleeease!". I was able to do most families in a single sitting but in one case I needed four... patience I have seldom seen. What a group of troopers.

Then, there were the images taken by the kids with their Holgas. After a few false starts where I got some rolls of film back with double-exposure-itis, others with four images instead of 12, all nine kids hit their stride. How does the expression go: "Out of the mouths of babes..". Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the spectrum of images that they produced. Every thing form intense head on portraits to compositions that were completely off the wall.

A special Preview will be held just for the families and their invited guests on October 7. Each of the images will be accompanied by responses written by the parents and kids to questions about what the project has meant to them. None of the children or parents has seen the images taken by the kids or me or these writing assignments. The drill at the Preview will be that the nine children and their parents are going to be admitted into the Gallery for a brief period of time before any of the assembled guests so that they may share the experience of seeing this exhibit for the first time, privately. It is something they all are looking forward to and I am confident that it will be an emotional moment in time that all of the participants will cherish.

... and the "shots" just keep on coming

I am totally into it..... a little frayed around the edges... but enjoying the ride. Three down, six to go. To say it is intense would be an understatement but I am thankful for every day I get to spend with these special families.

The Alpha and David shoot was at their home. Her parents were in for a visit from the Philippines. They were ALL into it, especially mom. It was like her daughter was some type of movie star. We did the entire shoot in the back yard. Both David and Alpha are very photogenic. And I did, after taking 103 shots, get a "keeper"... can't tell you what a relief that was. One down!

Next pair, Moises and Max. They live in high-rise so they suggested a local park that Max picked out. Got there a little early to scope the site. Well, there are two guys who have about four weeks beard growth and another that is sitting there rolling joints.... so I am not exactly inconspicuous in my preppy Polo shirt and shorts with my backpack loaded with cameras. About 10 minutes later dad arrives in his signature Black attire with shades and fez. Son is in pink polo shirt with black sneaker and florescent pink shoe laces..... this is going to be GREAT!

Max is somewhat shy and it was a challenge to work with them. We took this shot and that shot and then, as often happens, they sat down on this wall together for a breather. The rest is history. I got them to stay in that position... with a little coaching ...and got some final shots. And yes, one of these shots turned out to be the "keeper".

Oh.... and as I was leaving we got a chance to talk about the 4th of July concert in which Max played. That would be Moises doing all the talking, as in the proud dad. Max is a base player. (Moises is a tuba player). Moises described how it was so hard to see Max that night. I'm thinking to myself... he is small but not that small. Something apparently got lost in translation. Well, it turns out that this is an adult orchestra in which Max, age 14, is the only teenager playing.... a revelation by dad that causes Max's face to turn the color of his shoe laces. Just such a warm special moment to share and enjoy.

Last Night I went up to Salisbury to shoot Peg and Caitlin...... and company, as in Peg wanted me to do a "helping hands" shot of those who helped her get through her battle. Location: the Salisbury Beach State Reservation. Again, I arrive early to scope out the site…. lots of potential. Gang (Peg, Caitlin, husband-Mike, mother, and five other "helping hands") who are all dressed in blue T-shirts with red heart stenciled on them follows shortly thereafter. Peg has it all organized. They are going to start the cookout while we go off and shoot. She also takes me aside to share with me some of the experiences/moments she has had in the YPI KIDS Project, to explain how much it means to her and to apologize for tearing up (with joy). Very special.

As the shoot starts, Caitlin takes charge. She has this cove, these rocks, etc. that she wants to be shot on with Mum. The interaction/ electricity between these two take-charge gals can only put a smile on my face. So we go from the shoreline rocks to the dunes, then to the ocean and finally back to the picnic area where I am asked to take various other "family" photos. It all culminates in the "helping hands" photo.

Paul: Now, how is this going to work?
Peg: Smile and trust me! I am going to lie on that picnic table, roll off and they (gesturing to a group that includes her 80 year old mother and a child that is all of 4'2" tall) are going to catch me. And then.... carry me over to the water's edge where you WILL take a photo.
Paul: Yes, mam!

Well, with much "you go here", "you go there", "not so fast", "are you carrying any part of this package?" and other phrases that were quite deliberately muted or mumbled, Peg wasn't dropped and I got my photo of the “helping hands” at work.


I took over 200 images and yes, I did get a "keeper"...and that's what it's all about!

Don't know if I will have time to do this again but ..............want to thank Paula, Gail and Dola for this opportunity and their continued support.

......and lots of laughs, excitment and energy

Last Saturday nine Young Photographers, parents and family friends assembled in the Seuss on the 5th Floor of Boston Children's Museum for the Kickoff of the 2008 YPI KIDS Project:Tomorrow. Paula Rauch MD, Director of the Korff PACT Program (Parenting At a Challenging Time) at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center was there with me to welcome them.

The Young Photographers are children whose parents are or have been in treatment for cancer at MGH Cancer Center. This is a departure from last year's Project where the children were the ones in treatment for cancer but the MGH program was just too enticing. They range in age from 11 to 18.

What better way to start the day than with the famous Knot "Icebreaker". First the kids and then the parents. You simply form a circle shoulder to shoulder. Then, you reach over and grab a hand, as in with both hands, of any other person... and don't let got. Once everyone has a hand you simply need to find a way to untangle the "knot" without letting go of the hands that you are holding on to. Needless to say there was a lot of directing and misdirection .... and laughter.

























Now I know if I ..... Naaaa, think this is fine!



This exercise was followed by several others that were designed to breakdown whatever other inhibitions the group might have had when they got to the door. To further loosen up the crowd I attempted my one legged version of the soft shoe. Applause was NOT overwhelming.



One of the exercises involved having a person step to the center of the room and assume a position or pose. The next person simply had to go out and attach himself/herself to that person... and so on. Again, more barriers fall ....and lots of laughter.


























Before lunch, I showed some of the portrait work I had done to give the kids some type of a frame of reference as to where to start. They also got to see the images that last year's YPI KIDS created with their Holgas.

A quick lunch and then each child received his/her Holga, which they will get to keep at the end of the project. Next task was to load them with film. Final order of the day: the group photo of the kids. ... an experience not dissimilar from herding cats. But we prevailed.


Not to be outdone, the parents staged their own impromptu group photo session.


Next up, kids have to have their exposed rolls of film back (they are to take images of their respective parents) to me by July 9 and I am going to start to shoot the portraits of the kids with their parents........ a lot of excitement and energy from a very special group of "individuals".

the TEAM

On May 13 the "team" assembled for a luncheon in Boston hosted by Dola Stemberg, the "Project Angel". The cast of "characters" are (from left to right) Dola; Gail Ringel, VP Exhibits & Production of Boston Children's Museum which has agreed to host the YPI KIDS 2008: Project: Tommorw Exhibition starting in October; myself and Paula Rauch, Founder and Director, Marjorie E. Korff Parenting at Challenging Time (PACT) Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. Aside from getting a handle on some of the things that we needed to do to complete the 2008 Project: Tomorrow, it provided an opportunity for all to meet and get to know one another beyond the electronic (e-mail) level.

The most exciting news came from Paula who indicated that almost all children had been selected and that they represented a broad cross section of the types of patients at PACT. Details concerning the First Class for the children and their parents on June 21 and the Opening of the Exhibition on October 7 were also reviewed.

I still find the whole project to be like some sort of a dream. I feel so fortunate to have the support and backing of these three special ladies but most of all I am thankful for having been given the opportunity to work with these amazing parents and their children.

...lift off for 2008

It all happened so quickly. I guess the corollary to that would be that when something is right, it's right for a reason. Through a friend I was recently introduced to Dr Paula Rauch, the Founder and Director of the what has become the Majorie E. Korff PACT (Parenting at a Challenging Time) Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. The Program provides counseling services to parents (and their families) who have been diagnosed with cancer. Issues such as addressing the child's reaction to and understanding of the situation and helping the child cope with the extremely difficult situation when the parent is dying are among those that may be addressed. The service is provided for free to parents who are being treated at Mass General. It is a GREAT program.

While I had been in discussions with three other hospitals over the past couple of months, I met with Paula one time and the "die was cast". Staff members are in the midst of the Selection process (they are selecting nine children whose parents are in the PACT Program who will become my 2008 Young Photographers). The Initial Meeting/Training Session is set for June 21st. The only missing piece to the puzzle is the venue for the fall Exhibition.

The children will be taking pictures of their respective parents and completing a writing assignment in conjunction with this portrait. I will be doing a portrait of each child with his/her parent.... and the parents also will have a writing assignment to complete. Details for the 2008 Project: Tomorrow will be available on the web site www.ypikids.com starting next month.

While I am extremely excited about the unique opportunity that I am going to have to work with these kids and their parents, I am also enormously apprehensive about the responsibility I feel to make it a meaningful experience for all. My intent is to share this experience, it's highs it's lows, for better or worse.

Up and running

While I missed the chance during the 2007 Project: Tomorrow, I plan to take you along with me as I do my 2008 project.
This is a group photo of the my nine 2007 Young Photographers from the Maine Children's Cancer Program... they were the best! And I am forever grateful for the experience I got to share with them.