Locks of Love Donation | Pasadena Children's Photographer

I would like to start by thanking everyone for their overwhelming support and encouragement!  Last week I posted a couple of comments on Facebook to see if anyone has donated to Locks of Love before, and I had a huge response from so many people who have donated their hair in the past.  Everyone had wonderful things to say about the experience and the cause, so I took a risk, and chopped off at least 13 inches of hair and donated it to Locks of Love. As I have previously mentioned, I am a sentimental person.  The night before the big haircut, I asked Brandon to take some photos of my long hair for posterity.  I may have to commission him as my second shooter in the future, because he did an exceptional job with the composition and focus of the photography. Great job and thank you, Brandon.

Although I was nervous before the haircut, I thought of the cause, and I thought of everyone who had given me encouragement on Facebook.  I even posted that I was for sure doing it, so I couldn't wimp out. :)  Overall, it was a very meaningful experience, and I am so happy that I decided to do this.

If you are considering donating your hair to this wonderful charity, I would highly encourage it!  If you donate your hair to Locks of Love, I will give you two complimentary mini portrait sessions: one with long hair and one with short hair.

A lot of people requested to see before and after photos... so enjoy!

BEFORE

The donation needs to be at least 10" long before it's braided.  My ponytail was 13" long before it was braided.

AFTER... and I love it!

Locks of Love

I am making a big change tomorrow morning!  This change has been a long time coming and I am feeling equally nervous and excited about it.  I am having my long red hair cut short and donating it to a charity called Locks of Love.  They are a non-profit organization that makes wigs for children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from many different diagnoses, including cancer.  It takes an average of six people's hair donations to make one wig for a child.  The donated hair needs to be at least 10 inches long in a ponytail.  You can read more about what Locks of Love is all about and see before and after photos of the children on their website. Ever since I learned of the good works that Locks of Love does, I have wanted to be a part of it.  BUT, and there has always seemed to be a lot of "buts" surrounding this issue, I have delayed donating because I am very attached to my long red hair.  I know that might sound vain or silly, but if you have long hair, you know what I mean.  I will be painfully honest.  My long red hair is such an integral part of my identity and it's what people most notice about me and compliment me on.  My main excuse was that I wanted to have my hair long for my wedding.  Well, my wedding was a year and a half ago and I did get to have it long at the wedding.  So why has it taken me so long to just donate it?  I think I am scared of the outcome.  I wonder if it will it still look okay.  I wonder if I will still be unique in some way.

I am a very nostalgic, sentimental person, so when I was washing and styling my hair this morning I was thinking to myself, "Sigh. This is the last time I will be washing and styling my long hair."  And it made me feel a little sad.  I know, so silly!  I can grow it out again if I want to, but it still feels like an end.  I have come to the point where I have decided to focus on the joy it will bring to a child, rather than thinking about my own selfishness or insecurities.  One friend told me, if you don't like the short cut you can grow it out again, but those kids can't.  Wow.  That put things into perspective.

In this process, I will respect my sentimental and nostalgic nature and take some "before" photos for posterity.  I will be sure to share my before and after photos some time soon.