Our first Fotolanthropy story to share is one of a beautiful and courageous baby boy, James Camden Sikes. Sweet “Jamesie” is just 8 months old and has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. If you have time, please visit the family’s blog to learn more in detail about James’s fight against this tumor at www.jamescamdensikes.blogspot.com. His parents, Matthew and Kara, have shown inspiring faith and bravery during this time. I know my words could never compare to theirs. We met the Sikes family at Children’s Hospital for his Fotolanthropy session. To ensure Jamesie’s comfort, we filmed and photographed the session on the hospital campus. James is truly a perfect gift and his blue eyes will be with you forever. He has endured so much pain from his numerous surgeries but his blue eyes still shine with his inner light. I have been working on this project with an overwhelming humbleness and floods of tears trying to comprehend what Matthew and Kara must be going through. They are now back at home, allowing James to be in the comfort of his house as he fights for each moment. I found comfort in Kara’s words from her blog, “James must be one of God’s angels on loan to us.” James is just 8 months old and has touched more lives than most do in a lifetime. He has inspired prayer and compassion, and I know his light will always shine in anyone who has heard or seen his story.
Matthew and Kara,
May the outpouring of love and prayer be abundant to you, and thank you for allowing us to meet your incredible angel, James.
Please click play on video below to view the film.
My goodness, Katie- I have never been so touched in my life. Honestly- I can’t even begin to express what is going on in my heart. I was not expecting to be stopped in my tracks in such a powerful way. What an angel he is… I truly believe you were put on this earth to capture these moments. I don’t even know this family, and I feel like I’ve known them for years and can feel for them, deeply. You continue to make me so proud of your work and I just can’t wait to see what else you are going to come up with next!
What an adorable baby! The pictures and the video are amazing and so touching. Katie – you are so incredibly talented and all my thoughts and prayers go out to this sweet family.
What an adorable baby! Katie, your pictures and video are incredible and this story is so touching. All of my thoughts and prayers go out to this sweet baby and family.
Katie!!!
This is just amazing- what a sweet gift to this family. You are a gift from God and thank you for being so faithful to His calling and loving on sweet James and his family. I am so proud of you and love you!!
What a beautiful way to portray and capture their love. Beautiful family and continued prayers for all of them.
Amazing! I am in tears watching this. Your family is in my prayers.
This family has been in my prayers for the last few weeks. I do not know them personally just via a co-worker. Your video and photos gave more meaning and reason for the prayers. A truly amazing tribute this family will forever have of their precious Angel.
Wow, what an amazing video. James is a precious baby boy and it’s terrible that he has to go through this. My heart goes out to him and his family.
This is the most beautiful, moving video I have ever experienced. This needs to go viral; the world needs to feel the kind of love portrayed here. God has blessed Matthew and Kara with baby James; a child whose life has brought love and meaningfulness to people who may never meet anyone from this family. He is a precious little angel.
I just can’t imagine your pain. While God says He made us wonderfully and uniquely, He never said perfect. While I see your baby IS perfect on the outside, my prayer has been to make him perfect on the inside.
I too have a struggle, my husband has alzheimers. The slow death. I hate it. I pray every day for a cure. I will continue to pray every day.
Never never ever never give up hope.
What a gift you are giving the parents, family and everyone that shares in your beautiful pictures! He truly is an angel!
Katie, what a beautiful idea. What a precious treasure this family now has. You captured
Their very heart. This is such a beautiful
boy and sweet mom and dad.
They will be in my prayers. This is going to touch many hearts. I know you are going to have some wonderful stories and bless many people with this ministry. Live mom
Katie, thank you so much for these pictures. You have no idea what they mean to our family. We are in your debt.
God Bless you, sweet little angel, and your mommy and daddy, too.
Our thoughts and continued prayers are with you. Such a beautiful video for a beautiful family.
Thank you for sharing. Amazing courage and great love. My joy dears. I love you.
What an “angle” of you to capture the last precious moments with James and his family. They will be their for their lifetime and you did an amazing job. I am a mother to an 18 month old and I have to tell you, I cried throughout the entire video. I do not know you, I do not know this family, but since a friend posted their blog on FB I have been following the blog and praying so hard. Again, amazing job. You will forever be a part of their lives.
Looking at the pictures, reading each day the inspirations of the all you are giving to the Lord, I cry with you and for you,
we do not understand God’s wisdom and we are not supposed to ask
why…but..I pray for you and your beautiful baby that you can
be at peace and know the LOVE given was not lost but will live
with you forever, and we will continue to pray..
Absolutely beautiful and truly a wonderful way to capture these sweet precious moments. Thank you for sharing and allowing us to enjoy too. Take care and God Bless.
Hi!
I absolutely love this idea & what you are doing for people, I was wondering where you are located, if you wanted to branch out at all! As a fellow photographer, would love to be involved!
What a touching and beautiful family. My thoughts and prayers will be with James and his devoted parents. May God reach down and touch James, and praying He will wrap his arms of grace and mercy around this hurting family. Right now words seem so small.
Wow. Those photos are absolutely stunning. Such a precious gift for Matthew and Kara. Those last 2 pictures take my brath away they are so beautiful. What a gorgeous family who is facing so much right now. My prayers are with them and with sweet James as he fights. Thank you for taking these photos that, I’m sure, they will cherish forever.
With tears welling up in my eyes and a heavy heart, I grieve for this family and what they are going through. I would love to be a blessing like this to others. Fotolanthropy is a wonderful idea.
I am Megan Murray-Sullivan’s Aunt, Dee-Dee Jones, in Corpus Christi, Texas. I am one of what must be thousands of people who are watching your blog & crying as we see your young family go through this incredibly difficult time. You may never have met me, but I am a fellow Baylor Bear, a mother who adores my child, & your sister in Christ, so we are connected by numerous threads. You are in my thoughts & prayers. 🙁
With tears flowing, my heart goes out to you and your family. This was the most precious video and pictures, James is an angel.
i sit here with such a heavy heart, it hurts so to live in such a fallen world where there is so much pain. these things are just not ok. nonetheless, these are beautiful pictures, he really is a little angel. please know our family will be greiving for you all. much love and prayers.
I am praying for God’s precious arms to wrap around this family and comfort that hurting hearts. Only God can fill the void.
These are the most precious pictures I’ve ever seen. What a beautiful family. I’ve followed the Sike’s journey & it’s heartbreaking what they are going thru. I [ray for their comfort, peace & strength. Little James has touched so many lives & he has a beautiful legacy that will live on forever. Bless the family.
You’ve captured amazing pictures of a beautiful angel. My prayers go out to the family.
What a beautiful video. I know they will cherish this forever. My prayers are with the the family.
This brought tears to my eyes. Such an amazing little boy, and and incredible mom and dad. My prayers go out to everyone who knew this little angel.
God bless.
Just another fellow Bear who has been following your blog, looking at these beautiful photos, and praying each day. I pray that you will hold Jesus’ hand tightly in the days ahead, just as you held tight to your sweet little boy. Really, there are no words. You are in my heart.
My throat is filled with tears. Thank you for the blessings you’ve gifted this family with.
This story brought tears to my eyes. What an amazing way to use your gift of photography to bless people. I love the idea behind Fotolanthropy. Prayers go out to sweet James and his family, you captured them so beautiful!!
These are amazing pictures of James and his family. What a great way to remember him. He is one special boy. I dont know this family, but i hope they are proud with what you were able to do for them. these pictures are beautiful.
Katie, I truly believe you captured James’ precious blue eyes gazing into Heaven. What a wonderful legacy you created for this grieving family, and through it touched the hearts of so many of us. God bless you.
I am stunned. I have never been touched as I just was by this video. What a sweet, beautiful family. They are in my prayers. Sweet baby James, may you rest in peace.
What precious pictures of your beautiful family and precious baby boy! Your family is our prayers! May God wrap his hands around you.
Katie, I was linked to this page as a Baylor Law alum, like Matt. I don’t know Matt and his family, but your work touched my heart so deeply. What a precious gift James was to this family, and what a precious gift you have given them as well in these photographs. Love to you, and to the Sikes family.
I just saw your story on Yahoo! I’m so sorry for your loss. Know that your son is looking down on you.
I wish so much that parents would have to go through what some of us have gone through. I found your blog shortly after my husband and I found out that our son with ATRT had tumors return. Shortly after Christmas our little Abbott went to be with Jesus and I am so saddened to find that James too is with Jesus. I pray for you and your family. And I know that you don’t know me but I am a mother too that has gone through a lot of the same things and if you need anything please I would love to help.
What a moving story….can’t stop the tears. You captured this family so beautifully…
“There is no limit to the power of loving.” ~ John Morton
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