14 May How Photographer April Cannon Supports Families Facing Childhood Cancer | NAPCP Purposeful Partnerships
NAPCP and the Power of Purposeful Partnerships
This story is part of NAPCP’s Purposeful Partnerships series, highlighting photographers who use their work to support nonprofit organizations and meaningful causes.
At NAPCP, we believe photography has the ability to change lives — not only for families in front of the camera, but also for the communities photographers serve.
Through our Purposeful Partnerships initiative, we highlight photographers who volunteer their talent to support nonprofit organizations. These photographers document stories that might otherwise go unseen — stories of courage, resilience, and love.
One photographer embodying this mission is April Cannon, who has dedicated years of her photography work to two powerful organizations: The Gold Hope Project and Nothing Pink.
The Gold Hope Project: Preserving Memories for Families Facing Childhood Cancer
April’s involvement with The Gold Hope Project began through a deeply personal connection.
Her husband lost a younger brother to brain cancer when the child was just two and a half years old. Though April never met him, his memory lived on through the photographs and stories shared by her husband’s family.
Those photographs became priceless reminders of a life that, though short, had an immense impact.
That experience helped April understand the incredible importance of images for families facing unimaginable circumstances.
Through The Gold Hope Project, photographers provide professional portrait sessions for children battling cancer and their families, creating memories that families can hold onto forever.
Moments That Stay With You Forever
April has photographed many families through the organization, and each session carries its own emotional weight.
One session that remains especially meaningful involved a five-year-old girl battling aggressive brain cancer. During the shoot, the child shared her dream of becoming a nurse one day so she could help children like herself.
Another session involved a teenage cancer survivor who had recently received the all-clear from doctors. After losing her hair and enduring months of treatment, she simply needed space to release everything she had been carrying.
April found a quiet outdoor location where the teenager could scream, float in the river, and let the emotions of the past year wash over her.
These sessions aren’t just about photographs — they are about healing, expression, and human connection.
Supporting Another Important Cause: Nothing Pink
In addition to her work with pediatric cancer families, April has also been involved with Nothing Pink, an organization focused on education and advocacy surrounding hereditary breast cancer and genetic testing.
The organization was founded by April’s neighbor, who survived an aggressive form of breast cancer after discovering she carried the BRCA2 gene mutation.
Inspired by her friend’s determination to help others through education and support, April volunteered to photograph events for the organization. Over time, the nonprofit has grown significantly, expanding its reach and impact in the community.
April continues to advocate for the organization and support its mission through photography.
Approaching Philanthropic Photography with Care
For April, the philosophy behind photographing nonprofit work is simple: every client deserves the same level of care and attention.
Whether she is photographing a paying client or volunteering for a charitable cause, she treats every person in front of her camera as the most important person in the room.
However, when photographing children undergoing cancer treatment, she takes extra precautions to protect their health — minimizing physical contact and bringing brand-new toys to reduce the risk of germs.
These thoughtful steps ensure that families feel safe and respected during their session.
Lessons Learned from Philanthropic Photography
Through years of volunteering, April says one of the greatest lessons she has learned is empathy.
When photographing families battling serious illness, the entire family is affected — parents, siblings, and extended loved ones.
But within those families, she often sees extraordinary strength.
Parents who appear exhausted and overwhelmed are also fiercely devoted to supporting their child through every step of the journey.
Photographing these families has left April deeply inspired by their resilience.
The Message Behind the Images
When asked what message she hopes her work communicates, April keeps it beautifully simple:
Love. Hope. Grace.
Those three words summarize the spirit of the families she photographs and the organizations she supports.
Learn More
The organizations April supports are doing incredible work:
The Gold Hope Project
Nothing Pink
Looking for ways to give back through your photography? Visit our guide on photography for nonprofits to learn how photographers can support charitable organizations.
This article is part of the Purposeful Partnerships series by the National Association of Portrait & Child Photographers (NAPCP), a global community dedicated to education, recognition, and connection for portrait photographers.
Join our growing and supportive NAPCP Community here.
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