what we do
OUr Mission
We are a national network of professional photographers who offer free photo shoots to cancer survivors and beloved cancer pets, capturing their resilience and beauty.
A photograph allows you to capture a beautiful moment in time. Looking at a photograph of someone you love can help you relive happy memories in times of grief or celebration. This is why we believe it is so important to give those in the battle with cancer and their families these lasting memories.
At Magic Hour, we match professional photographers with those fighting cancer and beloved cancer pets. The photo sessions are 100% free.
how it started
Our History
It all started with a phone call.
In 2007, photographers Alysa and Alan received a call from Ted, a church member who had been sick with an unknown ailment for over a year. His daughter offered to sell her car so the family could afford a portrait session. Alysa and Alan told her to keep the car–they’d do the photo shoot for free.
Ted passed away ten days later, and when Alysa and Alan attended his memorial, they were surprised to see their images everywhere. They saw the power of the camera in a whole new light.
Alysa and Alan started The Magic Hour Foundation. “The magic hour” is a term photographers use to describe the warm yellow light that highlights the morning and evening of each day. By providing free photo shoots, they could capture more courageous people’s beauty, triumph, and magic, and Ted’s light would continue to glow.
Other photographers were soon onboard, volunteering nationwide to create images for families to cherish.
In 2015, Caitlin and Jeffrey took on the mission as Alysa and Alan moved on to a new chapter. Caitlin and Jeffrey were in the photographic printing industry and provided products for Magic Hour. Like many, their own lives were touched by cancer–they had lost three relatives to different types of cancer.
In 2020, Caitlin and Jeffrey made the difficult decision to close Magic Hour's operations due to COVID-19, but in 2024, they gave Jennifer the opportunity to continue the organization's mission, and the organization came back to life.
Jennifer had been a volunteer photographer with Magic Hour. “I did a photo session with the Donelan family. The mother was battling cancer. The session was so beautiful and emotional to me. By the time her son was four in 2021, she had lost the fight against cancer. Looking back on her photo session, it brought me so much emotion.”
Due to her personal experience, Jennifer has added photo sessions with pets with cancer to the Magic Hour mission. “My dog Zoey was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and lymphoma. The vets gave us six months back in 2021, and we were blessed that she lived until 2024.” For many, pets are important family members, and Magic Hour will also help capture special moments with furry friends.
She says: “I’m continuing the Magic Hour Foundation to pair photographers with cancer survivors and fighters because our goal is to capture one of the things more significant than cancer…LOVE. The love between these dear families and cancer pets is precious, and as photographers, we can preserve those magical moments between them.”
meet the board members
Jennifer Cortiella
President
Melanie Gomez
Community Outreach Director
Walter Julca
treasurer
Nancy Holden
secretary
RAVE REVEIWS
“Every Photo holds a dear place in our hearts”.
Our family beach shoot with The Magic Hour Foundation was an unforgettable experience. As a cancer survivor, this photoshoot meant more to me than words can express. From the moment we arrived, we were embraced with warmth and understanding. The photographer, Annie, was incredibly talented and compassionate, making us feel comfortable and cherished throughout the session.
The stunning beach backdrop and her expertise resulted in breathtaking photos that captured the essence of our family's love and resilience. These images are more than just pictures; they are a testament to our journey and a celebration of life. I am profoundly grateful to The Magic Hour Foundation for giving us this opportunity and priceless memories that we will treasure forever.
Lyndsey A.
“more than pictures; they're treasures of resilience and love”.
I am overjoyed by our session with The Magic Hour Foundation! Our first full family portraits, embracing all three of our precious children. These photos symbolize the triumphant close of my wife's chemotherapy journey. They're more than pictures; they're treasures of resilience and love.
IAN J.
“We are beyond grateful for the memories crafted with such love and care”.
Our hearts were touched deeply during a moment tender and bittersweet as our beloved Zoey shared her final days with us. In this poignant time, we found not just a photographer but a compassionate soul whose professionalism and warmth exceeded all expectations. With kindness and expertise, she captured moments we'll cherish forever, making this experience unforgettable for our family. We are beyond grateful for the memories crafted with such love and care.
CORTIELL-JULCA FAMILY
“heartwarming and filled with laughter and joy.”
Choosing our photo shoot location meant the world to us, and being able to do it in our beloved park made it even more special. Our photographer was instrumental in making this happen, turning the day into an unforgettable experience. These photos capture our united front as we shaved our heads in solidarity with our Warrior. This journey with our son choosing his own shoot was heartwarming and filled with laughter and joy.
ARIA M.
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