Photographer Offers 'Sessions for a Cause' to Fight Breast Cancer

When photographer Miranda Hopkins learned her friend, Christine Ide, had been diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 2009, she said it "shook (Ide's) family to the core."

Ide – a wife and mother to a toddler son – would have to endure chemotherapy that fall, but before she began her treatments, Hopkins offered her a special gift.

"I asked her if she would like some family photos taken as a gift, part of THINK PINK," Hopkins, who owns Inner Circle Photography, wrote in an email to Patch. "She jumped at the chance, and I have had the honor of photographing their family ever since."

Ide was in remission for months, but on July 30, 2010, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. Once again, Hopkins kicked it up a notch.

"For their family photos in 2010 I wanted to surprise Christine, Mick and Nolan with something extra special due to Christine's health, so I asked Ryan of Epic Motion to come out and film some of the session," Hopkins wrote. "The video they filmed was so touching."

Hopkins said that when Ide was receiving treatments, Ide's son Nolan would ask her if she wanted a "Sajhee" – short for "massage" – when she got home.

The name stuck, and this year, Team Sajhee Sajhee will be walking to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

And to help bring in donations for her four-member team, which honors Ide and her family, Hopkins is donating her talent and services through Sessions for a Cause on Sunday, April 29 from 1-3 p.m. at the . During that time, Inner Circle Photography will be holding mini sessions with all donations going towards team Sajhee Sajhee. 

"For someone who has been through so much over these past three years, I just want to tell you all she is SO strong and beautiful," Hopkins wrote. "All of this just breaks my heart. I believe in supporting something you feel strong about, so here I am doing just that."

Donations will be accepted during Sessions for a Cause with a suggested minimum donation of $50. Participants can pre-register with a $10 pre-donation, which guarantees roughly 15 minutes of time with the photographer, an online gallery for viewing, a 5x7 print and 10 percent off prints. For a $50 donation, participants will receive the preceding plus electronic copies of four photos and 15 percent off prints.

To sign up, call 586-202-9185. For more information on Sessions for a Cause, visit www.innercirclephotography.com. To donate directly to Team Sajhee Sajhee, click here.

"I hope that you share Christine's story," Hopkins said, "and help to get people involved with Inner Circle Photography's Sessions for a Cause and our fight to raise breast cancer awareness."