When a Child is very seriously ill....

Many of you have been so supportive of us and of the family we met in April - Josh and Rebecca Chandler. As fate would have it, they actually found out about us through a friend on Facebook.

About Josh and Rebecca...and baby Nolen

Josh and Rebecca are a young couple who have just had their third child, a precious, but very sick little boy whom they have lovingly named Nolen. The name Nolen means "fighter" and they chose his name because they knew early on during their pregnancy that they were up against a very serious situation regarding Nolen's health.

Polycystic Kidney Disease.. and The Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Organization

In utero, Nolen was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). He was given only a 1% chance of survival. Initially, Josh and Rebecca contacted Beverly to inquire about her affiliation with the non-profit organization called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. Beverly is a photographer with this organization and provides complimentary photography and services to families who will never be able to take their newborn home from the hospital.

Although very hopeful that they would never need these services, Josh and Rebecca did everything they could to prepare, and talked with Beverly about providing NILMDTS services to them should they ever have the need.

Over the term of their pregnancy, Chuck and I got to know Josh and Rebecca and their sweet children, Caleb and Havanna. We have kept up with them over the past several months, provided maternity photography for them, have prayed for them and have asked others to do so as well.

Our First Blog About Their Story

We blogged about them and shared their story here back in May. Here's a link to their initial story, which we entitled "Praying For A Miracle - The Story of Josh and Rebecca Chandler"...

http://chuckwilliams-photography.blogspot.com/2010/05/praying-for-miraclethe-story-of-josh.html

Josh is an officer with the Georgia State Patrol. He also works a part time job at Hartsfield in Security. Rebecca is a stay-at-home mom. She is also a photographer and asked me if we would provide birth photography for them during Nolen's birth.

Birth Photography

Beverly was honored and delighted to be at the birth for them. They went before hospital administrators at Northside to get this approved, since the birth would be by C-Section and because the birth would be a very high-risk delivery with full teams of medical professionals in attendance. Northside agreed to allow a photographer in to be with them to document their day.

This past Friday, Rebecca's doctors determined that an emergency C-Section was needed because of a serious drop in Nolen's blood pressure. Josh called Beverly at 7:30 am and asked me to come to the hospital. As fate would have it, I had a series of other photography sessions scheduled for that day including infant twins, a two year old, a five year old and a family session. Luckily, Chuck had taken the day off from work at Wachovia/Wells Fargo, so he headed in one direction and I headed in another.

Nolen's birth was amazing and the team of medical professionals at Northside were truly spectacular. The love that Josh and Rebecca have for each other was evident from the moment I arrived. Their friend and support person, Julia Roberts was also there with them. Julia has been there for them since day one. She is an advocate for families who find themselves facing a situation involving PKD - Polycystic Kidney Disease. She has been their friend and has gotten them through these past 9 months by sharing her first-hand knowledge and by giving her love and support.

Panic, Fear, Worry....

The situation in the delivery room was full of a range of emotions....love, excitement, worry, smiles, tears, panic and fear...The moment Nolen was born, he was whisked several feet away by a team who had been waiting with caring hands and loving hearts. Doctors immediately began working on him to get him to breathe. He was put on a ventilator and once he was stable enough to be moved, he was taken to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). He has been there ever since. His prognosis is not good....

Always By His Side...stroking his arms, kissing his head....And Praying for him

Josh and Rebecca have been by Nolen's side 24-7 since Friday. They have prayed without ceasing. They started a Caring Bridge website a few weeks ago and continue to provide updates on this site about Nolen's condition.

Josh called me this morning and asked me to update their Caring Bridge site for them. I had prepared a music video for them using the photography from Nolen's birth, in celebration of his life. Josh asked if I would post a link to the music video on their caring bridge site, which I did earlier today.

This family is going through something that no family should ever have to go through. There are many people who continue to follow their caring bridge updates. Perfect strangers have reached out to them and have signed their Guestbook on Caring Bridge to let them know that they are praying for Nolen and for them. This has been amazing to Josh and Rebecca and they have so appreciated reading the guestbook entries left by people from all over the world.

Please...Visit Their Caring Bridge Website

Below is a link to their Caring Bridge. Please take a minute to read their story located on the "MY STORY" tab. Read their Journal Updates and sign their Guestbook. If you are at a loss for words, just tell them who you are...how you found out about them and that they are in your thoughts and prayers. That's all you need to say...That's what they need to hear....

Thank you to all of you (and there are many)...who continue to pray for this family. I know that many of you have had to walk this same or a similar path in your life. Even if you haven't walked in their shoes....let them know you're thinking of them.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rebeccachandler

You'll find the music video of Nolen's birth posted within a journal entry on their Caring Bridge site that is dated today.... TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2010 12:10 PM, EDT

A good friend of mine, Brenda Baker, wrote something on their Caring Bridge that I feel is well worth repeating....

"He is here for a reason and great things will come from his life, no matter how long or short it may be. I pray for strength for you as his parents and for peace and happiness in your lives."

How To Find God in the Midst of All of This....

Josh and Rebecca are learning early on about Faith, about leaning on each other, and about how people with faith that they don't even know are praying for their child. They are so desperately trying to seek God's presence in the midst of this. I pray for them without ceasing.

I trust that some how, some way, something GOOD will come from this for them. May God continue to put people in their path that can strengthen their faith, and may He wrap his arms around them and strengthen them and bring them comfort & peace that only He can in the days ahead.

The Nolen Bradford Chandler Fund

A fund has just been established by their friends, called the Nolen Bradford Chandler fund....to help Josh and Rebecca.

Here is a link:

http://www.easy-fundraising-ideas.com/donate/Nolen-Bradford-Chandler-Fund-fundraiser/?gid=1155

Beverly

We want to get to know you! Here's a little bit about who we are...

We want you to get to know us better!

Here's a little bit about who we are. Feel free to leave a comment at the end of our blog and say hello! Tell us who you are and where you're from.

Chuck Williams Photography

Chuck & Beverly Williams

A Word From Chuck....

I started out as a yearbook photographer in high school and have continued the study of photography as an art form ever since. After a short period as a Freelance Photographer, I decided that I wanted to become a full time Professional Photographer. I moved to Atlanta to attend the Art Institute of Atlanta in their Photography program.

After leaving school I opened and operated a new Portrait, Wedding and Commercial Photography studio in Gwinnett County, Georgia. I was involved in the community and was an AP and UPI stringer, attending sports events, political events, and many crime scenes for the Police. Like many other new businesses, I found it necessary to work a part time job at night to help fund this new venture. I started working at Viva Color Photo Labs at night processing film and printing mass amounts of school pictures. This gave me both valuable experiences in the backroom functions of the studio work and it helped pay some of the bills. The business continued to grow for 5 years, however family obligations caused me to sell my part of the business to my partner.

Beverly and I revamped our photography business in 2008. She became the full time sale and marketing arm and took our business to a new level. I work full time as Vice President and Special Agent for Wachovia/Wells Fargo Bank in Atlanta and manage the equipment side of our business. Beverly currently photographs full time and continues to manage our website, sales and marketing.

We enjoy shooting together on weekends and always shoot as a team at weddings and special events.

- Chuck Williams

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From Beverly...

I have always loved art, photography and anything creative. Much of my career has been spent in a variety of sales, marketing, business development and creative services roles.

Chuck and I enjoy working together – We are both photographers and work extremely hard to make your photo session fun, relaxed and personable. I photograph most of our week day photo sessions and love working with infants, expectant mothers, children, high school seniors, brides and families. I also maintain our website and do all of the sales, marketing and promoting of our business. I am available anytime to answer your questions and assist you in planning your photo session.

Beverly Williams

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Giving Back....

We believe in giving back to the community and we are proud to have been selected as affiliated photographers for two amazing non-profit organizations, where we volunteer our time, our services and our talent.

The Littlest Heroes Project - We are photographers for The Littlest Heroes Project. This organization of world-wide photographers provides complimentary photography sessions to children with terminal illnesses and/or life altering disabillities.

Click Here To Learn More About The Littlest Heroes Project

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep - Beverly is a photographer for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. This is also a non-profit organization comprised of over 7,000 professional photographers world-wide who donate their time and talent. Through Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, we provide complimentary phography sessions called "Rememberance Photography" to families of infants who will never go home from the hospital.

Pregnancy and childbirth should be the happies times in a family's life. However, sometimes there is an unexpected place in this journey where some families find themselves in a situation they never dreamed or imagined. When a baby dies, a family's world is turned upside down. There is confusion, sadness, fear, grief and an uncertainty that cannot be explained or understood.

Sometimes the families know ahead of time that their baby will die. Many times, their pregancy is normal and something goes terribly wrong in the final moments. There is sorrow where there should have been joy. During this time, it might be impossible for families to know what they might need in order to heal in the future. That's where we come in. Through Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, we work closely with local hospitals and social workers to provide photography to families that request our services.

Although this work is extrememly difficult, it is also very rewarding, as we are able to provide touching and gentle, rememberance photography for these families of the infants they have lost.

Click Here To Learn More About The Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Organization

Local Teen Moms

Over the past two years we have had the privilege of meeting and working with a number of teen moms and have been given the opportunity to photograph their babies. We've been amazed at incredible girls and families we've met this way and have been impressed with their ability and commitment to finish school, to raise their babies and to do the best that they can. It's been an honor, a pleasure and a rewarding experience to work with each of them and their families.

Mentoring High School Students

Last year we began volunteering our time through a local high school in mentoring high school seniors who are interested in pursuing either photography or sales/marketing (or a combination of both) for their careers. We've met some incredible teens through our affiliation with the high school and we thoroughly enjoy mentoring these young people.

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Keeping It All In The Family.....

Ours is a family business......and our two children are also photographers. Chris is a senior in college and is pursuing a Business Management degree. He assists us as a third photographer on large weddings. He also builds websites, so if you're in the market for a website, he's your guy.

Katherine is attending college as well and is pursuing a degree in Pediatric Physical Therapy. She has recently begun assisting us on photo shoots and brings a fresh, new approach to our business.

Chuck is involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through TEAM IN TRAINING (click to visit website) and over the years has trained and has run several marathons and 1/2 marathons to raise money for Leukemia research. He has also volunteered in a variety of capacities and has provided voluntary photography services to this organization as well.

We love animals and have rescued many from bad situations. We are currently the proud owners of one rescued dog and four rescued cats.

We also participate in several silent auctions each year by donating complimentary photography sessions to raise money for a variety of causes including:

• The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• CURE Childhood Cancer
• North Avenue Presbyterian Church - Mission Trip To Africa

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Our Blog...

We love people and find that many of our customers have very interesting stories. We often write about our customers and with their permission, tell their stories on our blog. We'd love for you to "follow" our blog and become a fan of our facebook page.

Click Here for Our Facebook Page:

Professional Affiliations:

We are members of and affiliated photographers through a variety of organizations including.....

PPA - Professional Photographers Association - Member

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep - Affiliated Photographer

The Littles Heroes Project - Affiliated Photographer

Wedding Wire - Affiliated Photographer

Thanks for reading about us....We'd love to hear from you!

Chuck Williams Photography

Chuck, Beverly, Chris and Katherine Williams

5557 Clipper Bay Drive

Powder Springs, GA 30127

To schedule an appointment:

404-925-2921

FIND US ON FACEBOOK and become a "fan" -- Chuck Williams Photography

Our Main Website is getting a facelift! Beverly is re-doing the website and in the coming weeks we'll be adding some new and exciting things to it. You can check it out here to see what's been done so far....

CLICK HERE FOR OUR WEBSITE

Life is not forever....

With families spread out all over the world, sometimes it unfortunately takes a death to bring everyone back together - all under the same roof.

 Yesterday, we said goodbye to a father, a husband, an uncle, a cousin, a friend. An amazing man who was loved by many and whom we will not soon forget. 

Nine months ago, we said goodbye to my own Dad. Sadly, the men often are the first to leave us...

Today we gathered with family. Many of us hadn't seen each other in years - some of hadn't seen each other since we were kids...but we all have a common denominator - The Love Of Family.

It all started with one amazing family....a husband and wife who had several children back in the days before the Great Depression. They all went on to marry and have other children. All of the original family members have passed on before us.



Today was about Love....Remembering....Reminiscing....

Today was about Family....Catching Back Up....Laughing and Sharing Memories

Today we realized that although we all come from different places and backgrounds....we all have a common thread that holds us together.



I am sure that tonight, my father, my grandmother, my great aunts and uncles and all the others who have gone before me, were looking down at us with a sense of pride in their hearts and with a smile on their faces. I'm sure they were happy to see all of their children, grand children and great grandchildren, together again.



Tonight we realize with certainty, that some of the ones we were with tonight may not be with us for many more years. Tonight we we reminded that our life on this earth is brief. 

We all enjoyed our time together and have a deep appreciation for how we are all connected.

 Being together tonight was bitter sweet. It's sad to see how life ages us....to know that the road behind us may be longer than the road ahead. It's sad to see how our minds begin to go...how we are no longer sure of the faces we once knew...of the ones we rocked to sleep as babies...



But we tried to laugh, have fun and enjoy our time together....and we did have fun! 

I enjoyed taking some pictures of everyone...but loved taking some cute pictures of the ones whom we all love the most....our moms, our aunts, our grandmothers.....



This is a tribute to four very important women....Clemmie Trainer, Jeanie Sutton, Bayne Kelley and Dottie Gibson-Ferry. Thank you for being the most important people in our lives.



In an effort to capture some fun images, in a few of the photos, I asked them to make different expressions for me as I photographed them. I think these are so cute...I just love them!

If you are near family...take time to photograph people and memories. You never know who might not be here tomorrow.....

And if you don't enjoy taking pictures...let us help you. In addition to the infants, families, children, high school seniors and wedding that we photograph, we are also available for "generation photography" as well.

Chuck & Beverly Williams

404 925-2921