cindy cieluch photography . blog

Courage.  It’s what Stacy is made of.

Dressed up in a shiny outfit and red cape as “Captain Courageous,” the Great Falls native has traveled to hospitals throughout Australia to cheer up sick and terminally ill children.  Now, Stacy is in the biggest fight of her life.

Last fall, Stacy was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  ASL is a disease of the motor neurons, muscle-controlling nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.  ALS initially affects legs, arms and/or throat and mouth muscles, then ultimately affects all voluntary muscles.

But ALS is not how Stacy wants to be defined.  Her body may be getting weaker, yet her spirit has never been stronger.  Stacy and her husband Mike have an incredible drive to live life to the fullest and fight this disease with all of their might!  They actually just flew from Australia into Great Falls for a benefit we’re holding THIS Friday!

We’re raising money for Stacy’s medical costs and her upcoming trip to the Sierra Integrative Medical Center in Nevada.  You can also learn more about Stacy and Mike’s journey on her blog: http://stacyneild.blogspot.com/

Our benefit for Stacy is FRIDAY, MAY 21 at 5 p.m. at Great Falls Christian Center. There will be silent and live auctions filled with beautiful art (paintings, pottery), super cool services (spa, hair, home services) and other amazing donations (dinners, sweets, wine basket, hunting trip, Bed & Breakfast in Scotland) from around the community.  Big Mouth BBQ is donating all of the sandwiches and coleslaw, Pepsi is donating the beverages and Baker Bob’s is baking up hundreds of cookies!

If you’ve always wanted to book a photography session, I’ll have a super sweet package complete with a session & 24×36 canvas gallery wrap in the live auction!!!!!!  All of the proceeds go straight to Stacy!!!!

Please show Stacy how much we love her by attending this beautiful benefit.  See you there!

if you’re not able to make it, you can make a donation online at: http://stacyneildbenefit.eikonproductions.com/

We love you, Stacy!  Your courage inspires all of us.

Stacy and Mike spent time in Great Falls for the holidays.  Here’s the shoot we did back in January!

What a special and fun time for all of the family.  3 super cool couples + a quirky, loving wiener doggie!!!

What a stunning day with sparkling snow and bright blue skies.

There’s no look that compares to a mom’s adoration.  Debi’s love and respect for Stacy is A W E S O M E.

Kisses from dad!

The girls!  It was super chilly that day, so Stacy, Debi and Stephanie did lots of cuddling.

Then a week later, it was photo time for just Stacy + Mike.

It was 25 degrees below, so we opted for an indoor shoot…a laundromat!

if you’re missing a sock, it might be hanging here.

We were laughing so hard because next to Lover’s Lane was Skid Row.

When you’re in a laundromat, that is just wrong and brilliant all at the same time!

Latin for “Grace of God.”

You’re sooooo beautiful, Stacy.

The laundromat provided instant props.  Stacy + Mike provided strong acting abilities!

Fave.  Hands down.  We love you Stacy…and are rooting for you every day!

Yeah…I know.  I get the award for the worst blogger ever.  But trust me…I’ve got some reallllly good reasons this time: moving into the new downtown studio, organizing benefits and shooting like crazy!!!!!  Here’s a session I’m working on right now.  Be in touch soon….that is if you’re still out there and checking out my blog!  I’ll start posting TONS more very….very soon. 

Congratulations Katie + Edwin!