Beads of Courage: Capturing Strength, One Smile at a Time

When I was first asked to photograph Sophie and Bryce for a campaign for John Hopkins Children’s Center, I knew it would be special, but I couldn’t have imagined just how much it would move me.

Hopkins, ranked nationally for excellence in ten specialties by U.S. News & World Report, launched this campaign to celebrate children whose courage defines true strength. Sophie and Bryce—two “heart babies” who’ve endured more in their short lives than most of us will in a lifetime—became the faces of this message.

From the moment they entered my studio, I felt an overwhelming mix of hope, love, and awe. Their bright eyes and easy laughter filled the space with light. You’d never guess how many surgeries, sleepless nights, and anxious prayers had come before these smiles. Their moms radiated grace and gratitude, reminders that love can stand taller than fear.

Sophie’s story began before she was born. Diagnosed in utero with a complex congenital heart defect called Truncus Arteriosus, her parents prepared for a long, uncertain road. Just one week after her birth in 2023, Sophie underwent her first open-heart surgery, followed by a second only days later after complications. She spent 86 days in the hospital, much of it on life support. Today, she’s thriving at home with her four older siblings, her tiny heart forever a symbol of resilience and grace.

Bryce, her fellow “heart warrior,” was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, and MAPCAs, a rare and complex condition that required multiple surgeries and hospital stays. Through every challenge, he’s met life with joy. His Beads of Courage—each one representing a milestone, a moment of bravery—tell his story of perseverance. His mom calls him their “light,” a daily reminder that hope is stronger than hardship.

Capturing these two together was pure magic. They shared giggles, curiosity, and the kind of energy that fills a room. When their portraits appeared on screens throughout Hopkins hospitals and in the U.S. News & World Report campaign, it felt like a full-circle moment, art reflecting the beauty of healing, courage, and community.

Sophie’s mom shared on social, “The photo of Sophie with her arms stretched out is her way of offering a hug to the surgeons, doctors, and nurses who saved her life over and over again.” Although I didn’t capture that specific image, I love that sentiment, and have an even deeper appreciation for those who take care of our children like they were their own.

For me, photographing Sophie and Bryce was more than a creative project, it was a reminder of what truly matters. These families, these children, and the incredible teams at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center are changing lives every single day. I’m just grateful to have been there to capture a glimpse of their light.

To learn more or support the Beads of Courage program, visit BeadsOfCourage.org.

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