The Seashore Project: Eleven Years of Smiles
When we moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, we didn’t know a soul. It was our first time stationed there as a family, and I clearly remember driving over the bridge to the island with our music playing and four little boys ready for a new adventure. New duty stations meant a new community, new friends and new rhythms. The boys were attending a small charter school on the island, Seashore Learning Center. Unlike public schools, it was funded differently and relied heavily on community support. We quickly realized they depended on fundraisers, Texas-sized ones, to help the schools.
Early on, I went to a meeting for Whoop It Up!, their annual fundraising event. There was a raffle, baskets and a live auction. As I listened, it struck me how passionate everyone was about supporting the school. I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to contribute, to meet people, to find a way to give back to a school where my boys would attend and pave the way for other children and especially military families, who would someday make their home on the island, too.
That’s when I remembered a project a friend of mine had done in California—a black-and-white photo series of schoolchildren. On a whim, I pitched the idea. Not only did people like it, they jumped at the chance to help me bring it to life. That first year, we created what would become The Seashore Project—a portrait series capturing each child in a candid, joyful moment.
We lived in Corpus for three years, but the project kept going. Every February, I fly back—sometimes with a kid or two in tow—to photograph students over two intense, joy-filled days. And now, 11 years later, with the help of a team of volunteers, we have captured over 12,500 smiles!
What makes The Seashore Project so special is its genuineness that shines through in the images. The children are so happy to share their smiles and be fun. I ask the kids silly questions—“Do you have a pet dinosaur? I have three!”—or make goofy sounds to get them to crack up. They sit on a little stool so they don’t run off, and I move fast, snapping real moments of joy. Most of the time—97% of the shots—the kids are laughing, smiling wide, eyes bright. It’s pure, unfiltered happiness. It brings me the greatest joy!
If a child starts in kindergarten, by the time they graduate in 8th grade, their parents will have a nine-photo progression—black and white portraits that tell the story of their growth. You can see it in their faces, their posture, their energy. It’s a visual time capsule of childhood, framed through love and light.
The images are all archival, embossed, packaged and displayed at Whoop It Up! so the whole community sees them as they walk in the door. That moment, when people see their child’s face—lit up, full of life—it draws them in. And every year, we raise thousands for the school. To date, over $113,000 has gone directly to Seashore! It is amazing!
I’m still amazed by how much this little idea has grown. We’ve built lasting friendships with the people on that island. The volunteers—many of whom have been helping for years—are essential. There’s a rhythm to it now. The kids know me. They know what to expect. They’re excited for "Picturing Days," as some families call it.
Even after moving away, this project has stayed a part of our lives. I've flown back eight times. Some of the kids I first photographed are now driving. My own children have strong memories of that time and love creating more. That little island, with our beautiful school, outdoor church, yoga studio, and warm-hearted community, holds a special place in all our hearts.
Through this project, I’ve found a way to give back to a place that once embraced us as newcomers. We’ve helped build a new school, fund playgrounds and even security features. But more than anything, we’ve shared joy. Texas size joy! And who doesn’t love a beautiful photo of their child, smiling from the inside out?
The Seashore Project is deeply personal. It’s about friendship, memory, and the power of showing up—even when you no longer live there. And every year, when I go back, I feel it all over again: the gratitude, the connection, the joy of capturing a moment that parents will treasure forever.
Contact me at Renée C. Gage Photography to learn more.
