YOU’RE never fully dressed without a smile – so says the song – and certainly the young models had plenty to smile about when they posed for this year’s arty new Venture calendar in aid of TinyLife. Venture photographers captured the shiny, happy smiles of babies, toddlers and children from all walks of life for a special 21st anniversary edition of the popular calendar which will be launched on November 3.
But behind the cheeky grins and quirky poses lie powerful stories of trauma and tragedy, as many of the young models started life in neo-natal units as premature and sick babies.
One such ‘Calendar Girl’ is six month old Faith Lucas (featured as the face of September) from Bluestone Hall, Craigavon who was born 13 weeks early, scaling in at 2lbs, 2ozs, along with her twin brother Eli who, at 15 ounces, was the smallest baby in the country. The twins were born by emergency Caesarean section in April and spent their early weeks critically ill in intensive care at the Royal Victoria Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital. Tragically, at just over 13 weeks old, Eli lost his fight for life.
During this heartbreaking time, the twins’ devastated parents, Lynsey and Reuben Lucas, gained much-needed practical and emotional support from TinyLife. And, although delighted to be part of the Venture photo shoot, the couple found it painful to watch their daughter being photographed alone, as Faith had only had one picture taken with her twin brother before he passed away.
“It is impossible to explain just how difficult it is, watching the most precious things in your life struggle to stay alive,” said mum Lynsey. “We had to divide our time between two critically ill children and the worst thing was not being allowed to hold Eli until he was nearly a month old.
“Then, when at last you are able to touch your babies, you are terrified of hurting them because they appear so fragile.
“It has been very difficult, but we had tremendous help from TinyLife and availed of their family room at Craigavon Area Hospital when it was too exhausting travelling between the two hospitals. It has been very painful, but we have to look ahead for the sake our wonderful daughter.”
Each of the colourful and artistically shot photographs tells a story in this, the third Venture calendar in association with TinyLife which celebrates 21 years supporting the families of some of the 1,800 premature babies born in Northern Ireland each year.
“At Venture we don’t just do portraits we tell stories, so we believed strongly that we could tell each Tiny Life baby’s unique story and tie in the 21st birthday celebration at the same time in the 2010 calendar,” said Venture’s Northern Ireland Manager Julie McBride.
“We also see it as a great opportunity to involve all 10 of our photographers in a truly inspirational project and I think everyone involved would say how privileged and proud they feel to be part of something so special.”
Events officer with Tiny Life, Samara Prentice, said: “We are delighted to be associated with Venture for the third year running, particularly as this marks a milestone birthday for the charity. “This very special calendar gives some of our families the opportunity to document just how far their little one has come. It is a lovely memento and all the parents feel very honoured to have their child photographed in the captivating, contemporary Venture style.”
The calendar is set to raise much-needed funds for TinyLife and can be purchased at a cost of £5 from TinyLife, tel 028 9081 5050, or from Venture, tel 028 90687577.
