Portraits of survival

By LARA CERRI, Times Staff
Published December 9, 2007

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An All Children's Hospital room became a photography studio Tuesdayas families gathered for professional portraits through Flashes of Hope, a nonprofit program for patients with life-threatening illnesses. Area photographers volunteered their time. Aveda makeup artists and hairstylists helped the subjects get ready. Families received the photos for free.

At right, photographer Bruce Evensen adjusts the light for Katie Saylor, 15, who was diagnosed in October with a rare tumor in her nose and has been receiving chemotherapy at All Children's. She and her mother, Tracey, had their portraits taken.

Far right, upper: Laura Eicher, St. Petersburg Aveda's executive director of institute operations, helps Sheila Smith and her 2-year-old son, Robert Harris, get comfortable. Robert is being treated for a liver disease at All Children's.

Far right, lower: Photographer Evensen makes an adjustment on Leslie Killette and her 10-year-old son, Robby, who is receiving chemotherapy for T-cell lymphoma diagnosed in October. The photos are taken monthly at either All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg or All Children's Specialty Care of Tampa. Flashes of Hope began in Cleveland and has spread to more than 20 metropolitan areas around the country.