Robert Charles conducts holiday fundraiser

Date: 12/10/2012

EAST LONGMEADOW – Now in its seventh year, Robert Charles Photography is again conducting its "Portraits for Baystate Children's Hospital" fundraiser.

Since 2005, the acclaimed studio has donated more than $50,000 to Baystate Children's Hospital by gifting a portion of proceeds from sessions purchased in the month of December. This holiday season, Robert Charles Photography is spreading the cheer even more. In an effort to reach their $10,000 fundraising goal for this year and $100,000 in total giving by 2015, Robert Charles Photography has put together a special holiday package which includes a session and portrait. One hundred percent of the proceeds for the sale of these packages will go to benefit this local children's charity.

For a donation of $79 to Baystate Children's Hospital, donors will receive a private clothing consultation, 45-minute studio photography session, an 8" x10" signature matted portrait and a special gift – a value of more than $300.

This special holiday package will only be available in the month of December and needs to be purchased by Dec. 24. The sessions themselves can be scheduled anytime between December 2012 and April 2013.

In talking about reaching this year's goal, Edward Zemba, president of Robert Charles Photography, said, "We would never be able to consider such a lofty number if it were not for the incredible families who have supported us and our goal to help Baystate Children's Hospital over the years."

This fundraiser holds two meanings for Robert Charles Photography: the opportunity to celebrate local families with artistic portrait sessions and the chance to help the little heroes of Baystate Children's Hospital.

Zemba said the company's extensive work with children is what led to an interest in ways they could support the future members of this community.

"As a family photography studio, we have had the privilege of working with many families who have benefited from this wonderful organization over the years and as a parent it's always comforting to know that they are just around the corner if we ever need them," he added.

As the only accredited children's hospital in the region, Baystate Children's Hospital provides a comprehensive range of children's primary care and sub-specialty services – more than 50 inpatient and outpatient services in all, including many not found anywhere else in our region. Each year over 40,000 local children are seen at Baystate Children's Hospital from newborn infants to adolescents. Baystate Children's Hospital also includes our areas only Pediatric Emergency Department and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which is the regional tertiary care facility for newborn infants delivered in western Massachusetts who require highly specialized care.

Established in 1986, Robert Charles Photography is a family-owned business that represents a second generation of award-winning portrait artistry. Their studio regularly photographs families throughout the greater New England area and beyond. They have won many awards over the years, but were especially proud of being named photographer of the year by the Professional Photographers Association of America.

They have also been asked to photograph the families of Suffield Conn., and Springfield for "ABC Extreme Makeover Home Edition." As portrait artists, they approach each subject with emotion and passion. Whether working with newborn infants or families of 15 they are committed to creating artwork which reflects the unique relationships found in each of the families they photograph.

For more information on Portraits for Baystate Children's Hospital, call Robert Charles Photography at 525-4264. To view examples of their work, visit www.robertcharlesphoto.com.