Families of the Camp Fire

We recently joined like-minded photographers and organizers to help families collect new memories after the Camp Fire last fall. The Camp Fire swept through the town of Paradise, which is about forty minutes north of us. We’ve connected with organizations so that we can help families who lost homes, and family portraits, during that terrible fire.

This photography event brought together massive support for the community with numerous photographers, brand new toys for the kids, Santa, (in case they didn’t get portraits during the holidays) and many delicious treats to enjoy while visiting.

Families are in different places with living in new spaces, setting up trailers, or even (one) living in a car. The path forward has numerous challenges. However they have each found a true north in one another.

Families knew how to make the most of being together. They all spoke about deep appreciation for one another.

Families are in different places with living in new spaces, setting up trailers, or even (one) living in a car. The path forward has numerous challenges. However they have each found a true north with their family.

And new adventures find families. This couple was recently engaged! Ready for creating new memories with humor and resilience.

This girl’s dress was made for spinning!

We enjoyed meeting this pup and her owner so much. The doggo is a hero. She barked and barked on the morning of the fire, waking her owner and prompting her owner to get in the car and leave town. Driving, flames were already crowding the highway. At one point, they had to cross lines and drive on the wrong side of the road. Other cars behind them followed suit, which allowed more people to get away from the growing fire. Her owner tells the story with a mix of pride in her little hero, and sadness over all the loss in their lives.

One lasting memory for us was the strength of these families. And also the very real emotion that is close in every conversation and every moment. The community deserves so much support, both short term, with emergency services, and long term, with rebuilding. Being here for one another everything.

We met more families through the day. Any help you can give them is appreciated. The efforts can feel overwhelming, as this doggo can agree with (napping after inspiring kids to smile).

Visit Butte County Recovers to discover ways that you can help with rebuilding. We look forward to documenting more positive family memories in the future.