Smiling Eyes

I’m so excited to start this new feature . Every month on our website we will be featuring one of our Smiling Eyes Photographers. We will be sharing fabulous photos from their portfolios as well as a fun interview.  What a great way to get to know each other and share inspiration!

Every week you all open your doors to us Smiling Eyes Photographers throughout North America to capture your memories and your families. We thought it would be fun for all of you  to get to know us as well!

THANK YOU to all of you for continuing to trust us to capture such precious time and memories.

I’m happy to share with you May’s Featured Smiling Eyes Photographer – Michelle Hansen all the way from Red Deer Alberta!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A SMILING EYES PHOTOGRAPHER?   2 years

WHAT TYPE OF PHOTOGRAPHY DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN?  Family and Portrait Photography

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 7 WORDS OR LESS? Silly, Nerdy, Caring, Mom , Nurse  and Photographer

WHERE DO YOU HANG YOUR HAT?  Red Deer, Albert

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE SMILNG EYES SHOOT TO DATE? My first, for my good friend and her family. Her dad had just recovered from his first major surgery, removal of a mass in his neck, and they had just found out it had spread. It was Myron and June’s 40th wedding anniversary and we spent a cool spring day capturing memories for them.

HOW HAS CANCER TOUCHED YOUR LIFE? In so many ways, I don’t know where to start. My mom lost both her parents when I was young, so I have few memories of them. I have friends and cousins that have lost their parents, and some who’s parents have fought and won. I also work as an LPN for the Red Deer Hospice, where most of our residents have terminal cancer. We provide end of life care to them and support for their families.

IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPER POWER WHAT WOULD IT BE?  To cure cancer of course! Or, to take away pain with my bare hands.

WHAT HELPS GET YOU THROUGH TOUGH DAYS?  The love around me. I am blessed with caring and supportive co-workers, family, and friends.

HOW DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION? I am so inspired by the work of my fellow SE photographers, and many other photographers that help with a variety of foundations. By stories of survival, and some of memories left behind. And I possibly spend a little time on Pinterest…

WHAT DOES BEING A SMILING EYES PHOTOGRAPHER MEAN TO YOU? It means so much to me to be able to combine two things that I am passionate about – my love of family photography and my desire to support those affected by such a life altering illness. I am honored to freeze a moment in time for the families served, regardless of the outcome, for them to cherish forever.

Michelle’s headshot was done by Ashley King

Thank you to Michelle for sharing herself and her work with us all. We are so happy to have you as a part of the Smiling Eyes Team 

xo

Christine Kufske,

Founder of the Smiling Eyes Project

More of Michelle’s work can be seen on her  WEBSITE , BLOG,  FACEBOOK , INSTAGRAM, TWITTER,