For some, a self-portrait can be frightening, but for many of the IRPS patients, it can be an absolute nightmare. The challenges that first bring them to the Institute are only amplified when captured on film, so when confronted with a camera, many would just as soon look away than smile.

The Family Portrait Project is a collection of photographs taken of families who are going  through treatment at the IRPS.  The project was created by Mary Spano, the Medical Photographer at the IRPS.  Her job is to photograph patients treated of the IRPS for the doctors and nurses who will be working with them.  The medical team uses these photos to track the progress through the patient’s medical and surgical journey. These photos are important and necessary tools, but not every patient is willing to get their picture taken, even for their doctor.

The project began with a single child who was too afraid to take a photo by himself. Asking any child to sit still for a photo is difficult, but when the child has a facial difference, it can be near impossible.  Despite great effort, Mary couldn’t get the little guy to sit still for her photo, so she asked him if he would feel better taking the picture with his family by his side. When he finally agreed, The Family Portrait Project was born.

Since January of 2008, Mary has taken portraits of over 150 families. They line the walls of the Conference Room in the IRPS on rotation, and at present can only be found in the hospital (the NFFR will house an abridged gallery in their New Family workshop room starting January 2011). She offers it to all of the families that come into the IRPS for treatment, either to keep for themselves, or to be added to the growing collection. What started out as an extra comfort for families has become an important teaching tool for new staff and new patients of the IRPS. The families are excited at having the opportunity for a portrait session.

Mary hopes to keep her project going for a long time. Sometimes, she doesn’t take a new photo for weeks, other times she will do several in a day.

While the NFFR and IRPS help patients deal with their physical maladies, their success can best be measured in the smiles on their faces.

For the patients of the IRPS, these portraits are an inspiration. Looking at the happy families on the walls, they can see that they are not alone in their fight, and that they are a part of a larger community.

To see more photos from The Family Portrait Project, log on to the Facebook and visit the NFFR Group Page.

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