Brief Overview
Not much in life could be more traumatic than to lose a child. Unfortunately, Jeff Dykehouse knows all too well. The lost of his daughter Emily is what motived Jeff to create Emily's Big Picture Project. Jeff wants to make sure that families facing such a difficult situation have a beautiful family portrait that will help them remember and heal.Â
Emily's Big Picture Project works with hospice families, both pediatric and adult hospice patients (who have young children), and provides them with a one of a kind, fine art black and white family portrait free of charge. Each family receives a 16x20 inch print, mounted, matted, and framed, free of charge.Â
Jeff's Detailed Overview
Emily was just 14 months old when she passed. She had battled Leukemia her entire life. Within hours of her passing it became clear that we didn’t have enough pictures of our little sweetie. We had some but just not enough; not many that really captured the real Emily. We didn’t have a nice family portrait either. We were too busy taking care of her I guess, it just wasn’t something we thought about… her being gone. I wish someone would have told us that we should be taking more pictures and that we should have a family portrait taken, because before we knew it, it was too late.
Four years ago, I began to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a photographer. It was at that time I had an epiphany … I should be helping pediatric hospice families though my photography and make sure they don’t make the same mistakes I made! I called my good friend, Dr. Jim Fahner, and told him about my idea. He loved the idea and directed me to the wonderful folks at Hospice of Michigan (HOM). They loved the idea too and we’ve been working together ever since. Their pediatric team informs families about what I do. These are families who have a child who is a hospice patient. It’s simple really; if the child is well enough and the family can travel to my studio, they do. If not, I take my portable studio to them. We do a short but unique photo session. I’ve got a special backdrop, shirts, and lighting that create a very memorable and powerful image. Posing the family is also very important. I want to capture the special relationships that exist between family members and to capture the “soul†of the child. After the portrait session the family chooses a single image that I then enlarge to a 16x20 inch print, that is then mounted, matted, framed and given to the family as a gift. So far, by the grace of God, I’ve been able to capture at least one extra special image for each family. Considering how sick some of these kids are, it’s amazing to me that we come away with the images that we do. There really is a divine presence at work, no doubt in my mind!Â
I sometimes get cards from families after their child has passed. These cards bring tears to my eyes just thinking about them. The families tell me how much their portrait means to them, how it’s helped them get through very difficult times, how it’s helped them heal! Wow! How fortunate I am to be able to help these families! It’s very clear to me that this is the type of work I was put on earth to do. This is my life’s work and can’t imagine doing anything else.
Because many of the families I work with know that I've lost a child, I sometimes get questions about coping and dealing with the enormity of it all. This gives me an opportunity to share my story with families... about how I'll get to see Emily again!
In an effort to reach more families, I’ve been working with some dedicated volunteers and have established Emily’s Big Picture Project. In the past, I worked almost exclusively with Hospice of Michigan (HOM) patients and their families. HOM and I have had, and continue to have, a great relationship and plan to continue working closely together. However, there are over 90 hospice programs in Michigan. In an effort to reach more families I’ve started to work with other hospice programs from all across the state. I’ve also started photographing young adult hospice patients that have young children. Soon, I’ll begin working on training programs to encourage other photographers to start similar programs in other states. The Project’s goals
are simple:
- To make sure every pediatric hospice family in Michigan has the opportunity to have a family portrait done and to receive at least one 16x20 print framed in a 24x28 frame – free of charge.
- To make sure every adult hospice patient in Michigan who has young children has the opportunity to have a family portrait done and to receive at least one 16x20 print framed in a 24x28 frame – free of charge.
- To create and implement a training program that will allow other photographers throughout the country to offer the similar services to hospice families in other states.
From the very beginning, I made a pledge to not accept any money from the families I work with. Many of the families I work with are poor. Although some do have the financial means, I feel very strongly that these families should not be burdened with having to even discuss any payment for what is being done. It is a gift and anyone dealing with these families will have to make the same pledge - to never accept any money from them.Â
We do accept donations and they are critical to our survival! If you are in a position to make a donation to the Project, I hope you do so. I would also ask you to consider sharing our story with family and friends who might be able to help. Sharing our information with businesses that support local charities might also be helpful. The Project is in its infancy and requires the help of many to get up and running. Emily’s Big Picture Project is an incorporated 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. We are a small organization with a very small budget, funded solely through donations. My goal is to be working full-time with hospice families as soon as possible. I’m slowly backing away from my for-profit business, Dykehouse Photography, but know that I need to keep some for-profit work to supplement the Project. It’s also very challenging allocating time to fundraising, marketing, etc., for the Project when I should be out working with families. I’m confident that it will continue to be a challenge during this interim start-up period but will become manageable once we have a solid base for support.Â
For more information please contact Jeff at the address and phone number below.
Jeff Dykehouse
Emily's Big Picture Project
120 S. Division Ave. Suite 124
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.446.6263