Alex Suhr poses for Tim Campbell as he takes his portrait, while his mom Daphne Franco looks on. "I'll have to use my cowboy light," joked Campbell. (photos by Dana Johnson)
Photographer donates time, talent for kids
Tim Campbell, left, gets a closer look at 2-week-old Isabella Alexander, held by her mother Hilary Washer. Campbell volunteers to take patients’ portraits at no cost once a month at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.
Tim Campbell is a unique photographer. He is a talented artist who shoots country music album covers and whose work is often seen in Country Music Weekly. But what makes him truly special is the gift that he gives dozens of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital patients every month: black and white photographs at no cost to the patients or the hospital.
Campbell donates his time and equipment to create memorable images of the children who are patients at VCH. Mike and Linda Borum with Chromatics are donating the processing; Ilford Imaging is donating the film.
In the summer of 2000, Campbell contacted Children’s Hospital and asked about volunteering his services to the patients and families of VCH. He admitted he had never really photographed hospitalized children and did not know whether or not the pilot program would be successful, but he wanted to give it a try.
"It’s been incredible," said Campbell. "I try not to think about it too much or I’d cry, but unfortunately it doesn’t always happen that the children live a long time. I wanted to make sure the parents had a good professional picture of their child—something they could treasure."
Stephanie Van Dyke, who, in addition to her other responsibilities as a Child Life specialist, coordinates special events and entertainment for the Child Life Center, agreed that his idea was interesting and introduced it as a new program.
Since then, the program has become a valued and anticipated event. Patients and their parents line up in the 5th floor playroom to have Campbell take their picture. In certain instances, Campbell will visit the room of a child who must remain in isolation and take the pictures. He does not want anyone to be excluded.
The photographs are delivered monthly. Friends of Children’s Hospital pays the postage to mail the photos to patients who have been discharged during the month.
As an experienced photographer, Campbell is skilled at capturing the expression on the faces of these children.