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University of South Florida photographer involves the community in a program to change the way children with cancer see themselves

April 13, 2007

Families participate in free monthly shoots at All Children's Hospital

Joseph Gamble, a widely recognized photographer and instructor in Tampa Bay, was named the Flashes of Hope Chapter Director in April 2007. Flashes of Hope is a national non-profit organization based in Cleveland, OH that utilizes volunteer, award-winning photographers and stylists to set up photo shoots in pediatric hospitals across the country. The images help children feel better about their changing appearance by celebrating it. For families of terminally ill children, it is especially important to have a portrait that forever preserves the bravery, grace and dignity of their child. Families that are photographed receive a free portrait gift package and a CD with all of their images.

Sponsored by a generous grant from the All Children’s Hospital Foundation, the chapter is off to an impressive start. In the first 4 shoots, more than 34 children have already been photographed.

Gamble, is an active member of The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) and is currently the campus photographer for the University of South Florida, as well as a photography instructor at the International Academy of Design and Technology. “I am so pleased to be a part of this organization. It is an excellent way to give back to the community, making use of my talents as a photographer. The partnership with the hospital staff and other volunteers make it a very rewarding experience, especially when you see the smiles and the reactions of the families” said Gamble.

The ASMP community has embraced the launch from the start and members are covering the monthly photo shoots at All Children’s Hospital. Local stylists from the Aveda Institute in St. Petersburg have also enthusiastically signed on to help.

Flashes of Hope began its program in 2001, and currently operates in 19 cities across the country. As of this year, the Flashes of Hope program will have photographed a total of 2500 children, which is 20% of the total number of children diagnosed with cancer each year. Flashes of Hope has a long waiting list to begin it’s program in more than 24 additional pediatric hospitals across the country, and anticipates more than one thousand children will be photographed this year alone. For further information about the Tampa Bay, please contact Joseph Gamble at 912-441-5172.

About Flashes of Hope
Flashes of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating powerful, uplifting portraits of children fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Award-winning photographers and professional make up artists volunteer their time and talent during photo shoots held once a month in cities across the country. More than 2500 children have been photographed since Flashes of Hope’s inception in August 2001.

For more information about Flashes of Hope, please visit http://www.flashesofhope.org

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Flashes of Hope Media Relations
Janelle Dougherty
216.570.2077 (direct)
216.514.7005 (office)
Janelle@flashesofhope.org