{"id":2494,"date":"2010-02-11T11:52:11","date_gmt":"2010-02-11T18:52:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jenamato.com\/blog\/?p=2494"},"modified":"2026-10-03T20:32:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T00:32:18","slug":"portrait-session-giveaway-winners-estorage-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jenamato.com\/blog\/portrait-session-giveaway-winners-estorage-family\/","title":{"rendered":"Portrait Session Giveaway Winners – Estorge Family"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most of you may remember the Portrait Session Giveaway<\/a> I had over Christmas. The blog post was asking people to send in the name of a person or family that you thought would be deserving of a photo session. I received some really great stories and it was extremely difficult for me to pick, which is why I chose to do all of them over the course of this year at the convenience of the winners. I had my first session last weekend and they came dressed in their black and gold. We took these the day before the Saint’s won the Superbowl – its just another reason why these photos will be even more memorable. I’d like to share the story that was sent in about this family.<\/p>\n

This email was sent from my cousin Erin:<\/p>\n

When I heard about this idea of giving back to families in need, my clients, Barbara Easley and Marnie Estorge came to mind. Barbara, a widow and her daughter Marnie, a single mom of three boys, have been through a lot in the past 4 years. Barbara’s husband was diagnosed with Fabry’s<\/a>, and passed away shortly after Hurricane Kartina. Their Lakeview home was flooded so they had to relocate with her bedridden husband and family. The stress of the hurricane and moving from place to place took a toll on Brian, Barbara’s husband, and he died I believe just before Braiden was born. Braiden is the youngest of Marnie’s 3 sons. This cutie pie and the heart of his Mia was born with down syndrome. This family never looked at Braiden as if this child was a disappointment, they loved him just as if he were born a typical child. When people called Marnie, instead of congratulating her, they said how sorry they were that she delivered a baby with down syndrome, and that never made any sense to her. He was her baby, no matter what, and she knew the difficulties of the road ahead, but never wanted anyone to feel sorry for her! There is a high divorce rate of parents with children that have special needs and unfortunatley, this was the case for Marnie and her husband. Around Braiden’s first birthday, Marnie and her husband seperated. Barbara and Marnie run a daycare from their house and this is their sole source of income. At times it can be tough because the boys are very active in after school activities which cost money, on top of Catholic school tution. Barbara is a very giving and will do without so much just to see other people happy. She has given up numerous hair appointments so that her neice could have her spot and paid for her too. I have come to know and love this family and could not think of anyone more deserving of this than Marnie and Barbara!<\/em><\/p>\n

My cousin Erin is a hair stylist and also gave away her free services to this family just a couple of weeks ago. Color, cut, style- the whole nine yards. Thank you Erin for being so generous and doing this with me. This wasn’t given to them because we feel sorry for them – more because they really deserve it! Marnie and her family should feel special and we did this to let them know how great of a job they are doing raising the 3 boys. This was just a nice treat that hopefully will put a smile on their face. Everyone deserves to feel loved from time to time. It was great to be able to spend a little time with Marnie and her family, I am honored to have taken their photos. There’s nothing better than paying it forward. Do something nice for someone because it makes you feel warm inside, not because you feel like you have to. These are the ways that God reveals himself through his people. If anything, I am just a servant of him – being able to do what I love and giving something back – all at the same time.<\/p>\n

After I photographed this session, I had this thought of…“I wish I never had to charge another penny for photo sessions.”<\/em> I wish money didn’t exist and we did things for the greater good. There is something so enjoyable about doing sessions like this. It was natural, it was relaxed, it was stress free. It’s not perfection, it just real life and real people. It didn’t matter if a hair was out of place since the wind was blowing or if a few tears were shed. It was them just being family and sharing what life is all about.<\/p>\n

I know there are tons of you who read my blog everyday and never say anything or leave a comment. This family deserves love and support from lots of people. Drop them a comment below and let them know how cute of a family they are. I visit photographers blogs too and leave comments often. It’s nice to hear from your readers. I know there are lots of people who check in to see whats going on on a daily basis, so I\/they would love to hear from you.<\/p>\n

Meet Marnie and her family …. Her mom Barbara (the kids call her Mia) and the 3 boys, Ashton, Tristen and Braiden.<\/p>\n

Show this family some love! :)<\/p>\n